HC Deb 08 November 1995 vol 265 cc870-1W
Mr. Trotter

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where the headquarters of the joint rapid deployment force is to be located; what decisions have been taken on the level of commands; what will be the size of the headquarters; to what extent the staff will be dual-hatted; and if he will make a statement. [42259]

Mr. Soames

Headquarters and command arrangements for the JRDF have not been finalised. The JRDF implementation team will make recommendations on where the JRDF headquarters should be sited, the detailed command and control requirements of the force, the levels of command and the size of the headquarters.

Mr. Legg

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to contribute to a NATO-led implementation force in the event of an overall peace agreement in the former Yugoslavia.

Mr. Soames

Contingency planning for a NATO-led implementation force in the event of an overall peace agreement in the former Yugoslavia is continuing in parallel with the current peace talks in Dayton, Ohio. We would expect to make a substantial contribution.

As part of this contribution, we envisage a need to make use of a number of members of the Territorial Army and the Regular Army reserve. On present estimates, the number would not exceed 350 personnel, who would, as far as possible, be sought on a voluntary basis. My Department will shortly be setting in hand the necessary arrangements.