§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions the United Kingdom exercised a national veto on proposed actions during NATO operations connected with Kosovo in 1999. [101336]
§ Mr. HoonThe reply I gave to a similar question from the hon. Member on 30 November 1999,Official Report, column 85W, explained that NATO decisions are taken by consensus and outlined the procedure for consultation by national commanders in support of Alliance decision-making. Releasing details of the applications of these processes in specific operations would be harmful to defence, security and international relations. I am therefore withholding the information requested in accordance with exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on access to Government Information.
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what articles of international law and international humanitarian law were used as the criteria for the United Kingdom's decisions establishing the legality of the choice of targets during the Kosovo conflict. [101335]
§ Mr. HoonThe United Kingdom complied with the requirements of international law in its conduct of air operations in the Kosovo conflict, including its obligations under Articles 48 to 58 of the First Protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949.
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the amounts and types of ordnance used(a) during the Kosovo conflict in 1999 and (b) over Iraq in 1999. [101337]
§ Mr. HoonDuring the period in question, the Royal Air Force used the following munitions in support of operations Allied Force and Bolton:
Kosovo (Op Allied Force)
Iraq (Op Bolton)
- 226—Paveway II
- 18—Paveway III
- 531—RBL 755
- 230–100016 Bombs
- 6—Alarm
- 125—Paveway II
- 9—Paveway III.
I am withholding the information requested in respect of the Royal Navy' s use of munitions during operation Allied Force under exemption 1 of the code of Practice on access to Government Information (National Security or Defence).