HC Deb 08 April 1976 vol 909 c285W
Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the nature of the exercises carried out by the Army in Botswana, referred to in paragraph 67 (page 47) of Command Paper No. 6432; what units were involved; and what co-operation was received from the forces of the Republic of South Africa.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

The exercise in Botswana was a well-drilling water supply project carried out during the period 22nd August to 27th November 1975 by 20 members of 521 Specialist Team Royal Engineers (Well Drilling) at the request of the Botswana Government and sponsored by the Ministry of Overseas Development. There was no co-operation with the forces of the Republic of South Africa for this exercise.