§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the measures needed to make the distinction between mercenaries involved in direct combat and those providing assistance for ground troops only; and if he will make a statement. [38793]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe paper "Private Military Companies: Options for Regulations" which was published on 12 February, examines the various activities of private military companies and sets out options for their regulation. It is a consultation paper, and invited comments from all interested parties by mid-August 2002. The Government will make final decisions on the way forward after this consultation period.
As the paper points out, private military companies may provide a wide range of different services: such as advice, training, logistic support, supply of personnel for monitoring roles and demining.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the problems other countries have faced 67W when using mercenaries; what measures are planned to counteract such problems; and if he will make a statement. [38795]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe paper "Private Military Companies: Options for Regulation", published on 12 February, describes the activities of a number of private military companies employed by other countries. It also includes outlines of current legislation in a number of countries relating to mercenaries and allied activity. Few countries have national legislation on private military companies.
The paper is a consultative document, setting out a variety of options for regulating, under UK law, the activities of such companies.