§ 18. Ms Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the deployment of British armed forces in Sierra Leone. [152715]
§ Mr. HoonBritish troops are in Sierra Leone to assist the democratically elected Government to establish effective and accountable armed forces. We have between 550 and 600 troops on the ground it Sierra Leone at any time. These are divided into the UK contribution to the international military advisory and training team, soldiers providing the short-term training teams, and a brigade headquarters. In January we deployed a field surgical team to cover the gap in medical cover due to the roulement of UN medical facilities.
§ 32. Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last visited Sierra Leone to inspect the British troops there; and if he will make a statement. [152729]
§ Mr. HoonI last visited Sierra Leone on 31 January, accompanied by my hon. Friend, among others. We were both able to see the excellent work of the UK armed forces who were training the Sierra Leone Army. Our forces have made a significant difference to the capability and confidence of the Sierra Leone Army units that have so far gone through the training package.