§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of Her Majesty's armed forces are acting as military advisers in South Africa; if their responsibilities include advice to the Government of Zimbabwe; what terms of reference they have; and if he will place relevant items in the Library. [118294]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 7 April 2000]: A British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT), currently comprising 16 armed forces personnel, has been providing 18W advice to the South Africans since 1994 on the integration of former statutory and non-statutory forces into the new South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The team helps to validate standards; monitor training; and adjudicate in disputes. Its responsibilities do not include advice to the Government of Zimbabwe. The detail of the terms under which the BMATT operates is subject to a confidential agreement between the UK and South African governments.