HL Deb 26 May 1994 vol 555 cc54-5WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

With regard to the International Tribunal for War Crimes in the former Yugoslavia, when and where the tribunal will first sit; whether they will supply evidence; whether all British citizens, military or civilian, who are in a position to give evidence will be called upon to do so; what funds they propose to contribute towards the tribunal's running costs; and whether they will co-operate with the tribunal, either directly or through the European Council of Ministers, in all other possible respects.

Lord Henley

The War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia is based in The Hague. The judges have already held three preliminary sessions. A decision as to when the first prosecutions will start will be taken by the Prosecutor's Office.

We have already submitted four batches of evidence of alleged atrocities to the UN Commission of Experts. Any further evidence we receive will be submitted to the tribunal. The tribunal may call for British citizens who have witnessed atrocities to give evidence.

The Tribunal is being funded by the UN. The UK will be paying its normal Regular Budget share of this expenditure, which amounts to 5.02 per cent. We have also contributed £20,000 of computer and camera equipment to the Prosecutor's Office.

We are co-operating closely with the tribunal in its efforts to investigate those accused of war crimes.