§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what standard operating procedures are made available by United Nations staff to British military forces prior to their deployment on United Nations operations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyThe United Nations secretariat issues guidelines to troop contributing states for each United Nations operation. These cover the administrative and logistic procedures for the operation in question.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the United Nations military staff committee.
§ Mr. HanleyThe United Nations military staff committee played a useful role in the Gulf crisis as a forum for the exchange of information. We do not envisage its reactivation in current circumstances.
§ Dr David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements currently exist to provide headquarters support for the deployment of British forces on United Nations operations.
§ Mr. HanleyDepending on the scale and complexity of the British military contribution to a UN operation, appropriate support is provided either direct from the MOD headquarters or from a designated joint headquarters.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the establishment of a section within his Department to deal specifically with United Nations operations.
§ Mr. HanleyMOD responsibility for the conduct of UN operations already lies with that part of the defence staff under the charge of the deputy chief of the defence staff (commitments).
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance his Department's press office gives to the British United Nations information centre; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyMy Department's press office provides no assistance to the British United Nations information centre.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the ability of British forces on United Nations duties to adjust to changing circumstances and demands in the course of an operation.
§ Mr. HanleyBritish forces are highly adaptable and have a thorough professional grounding in military skills. Nevertheless, the Government monitor closely the changing circumstances of all UN operations to which British forces are committed to ensure that the British contingents' capabilities match the demands placed upon them.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what lessons he has learnt from the recent changes to the mission of United Nations forces in Sarajevo; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyFollowing the Sarajevo ceasefire of February the role and responsibilities of UNPROFOR in 575W the Sarajevo area have expanded to include tasks such as monitoring and control of heavy weapons, the manning of observation posts and checkpoints and patrolling confrontation lines. UNPROFOR has also had to take on similar tasks in relation to the Bosnian-Croat ceasefire in central Bosnia. Experience in carrying out these tasks has confirmed lessons already learned during UNPROFOR's deployment in Bosnia, including the importance of having sufficient troops and suitable equipment for the job.