§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of infantry battalion exercises in Kenya carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998; [72830]
(2) how many personnel were deployed on the three infantry battalion exercises in Kenya carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998; [72829]
(3) what is his assessment of the value of the three infantry battalion exercises in Kenya carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [72975]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 1 March 1999) 2,185 personnel from three units were deployed on the three infantry battalion exercises in Kenya carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998.
These exercises were designed to enable these personnel to gain extensive and realistic training experience by practising their skills and conducting advanced arms training in a demanding environment, over extended lines of communication, and I understand that these objectives were achieved.