§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy vessels have been involved in United Nations operations in the last two years; and how long was each operation. [101663]
§ Mr. HoonNo Royal Navy vessels have operated directly under UN command in the last two years, but they have supported a number of UN mandated operations or enforced UN security resolutions.
HMS Glasgow joined Australian-led forces operating in support of the UN mandated International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) from 18–30 September 1999.
HMS Cumberland, Nottingham, Newcastle, Coventry, Birmingham and Exeter have participated in the Multinational force enforcing sanctions against Iraq under UN Security Council Resolution 665.
Humanitarian patrols of the Iraqi no-fly zones, in support of UN Security Council Resolution 688, have also been carried out by aircraft operating from HMS Invincible in February and March 1999. Aircraft operating from HMS Invincible who was replaced by HMS Illustrious also carried out patrols of the Iraqi no-fly zones over the period January to March 1998.