§ LORD KENNETasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many British service personnel are at present (a) seconded, and (b) on contract to the Sultan of Oman, and how many such personnel have in the past, on the termination of their secondment or contract, resumed service in the British forces, and what is the difference between secondment and contract.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE (LORD CARRINGTON)There were 118 British service personnel on secondment to the Sultan of Oman's forces on June 1 this year. Seconded personnel are members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces who have volunteered to serve for a period with the Armed Forces of Oman under conditions agreed between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Oman. They remain members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces and 681WA revert to normal service on completion of their tour with the Armed Forces of Oman.
Contract personnel are not serving members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces and serve under conditions arranged between the individual and the Government of Oman. The number of personnel on contract to the Sultan of Oman is not therefore a matter for which Her Majesty's Government are responsible.