§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many visits have been made to the Falkland Islands by the families of soldiers stationed there; how many of these visits have involved the families of officers and other ranks, respectively; and what has been the cost to public funds.
§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made for the wives of Service men stationed in the Falkland Islands to visit personnel stationed there; and why such arrangements have been given priority over widows visiting graves.
§ Mr. WigginNo visits to the Falkland Islands have been made by the wives of Service men stationed there.
§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the garrison presently deployed in the Falkland Islands is depleting the United Kingdom commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
§ Mr. BlakerThose units currently operating in the South Atlantic remain committed to NATO though they will obviously be less readily available to the Alliance than under other circumstances. In assessing the composition of force necessary to ensure the security of the Falkland Islands and Dependencies, the Government have been concerned to minimise, as far as possible, the effect on the United Kingdom's contribution to NATO.
§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Service widows have indicated their desire to visit the graves of their husbands in the FaLkland Islands.
§ Mr. WigginThe next of kin of all those who were lost at sea or who are buried on the Falklands will be given the opportunity to visit the Islands. We shall be approaching them shortly with details of the visit.
§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel are expected to do more than one tour in the Falkland Islands; and how frequently such personnel may be expected to be stationed there.
§ Mr. WigginThis will depend upon the long-term requirement for the defence of the Islands.
§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel who were involved in active service in the Falkland Islands are still serving there; and for what reason.
§ Mr. WigginAll personnel who were in the South Atlantic at the time of the fighting have since returned to the United Kingdom. A very small number have been posted once more to the Falklands area.
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§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Defence when British troops will be able to fulfil a five-month tour in the Falkland Islands counting from the day of departure to the day of return to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. WigginMost British troops at present serve five months ashore in the Falklands, but we are considering whether this might be changed.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions extensions of the rules of engagement were granted to permit Her Majesty's Forces to engage Argentine forces outside the total exclusion zone or the maritime exclusion zone around the Falkland Islands; on what dates these were granted; and for how long in each case.
§ Mr. WigginRules of engagement for the South Atlantic were adjusted on a number of occasions as the situation developed. I am not prepared to give details.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any raids were made on units of the task force, or on troops ashore, by carrier-launched Argentine aircraft.
§ Mr. WigginNot to the best of our knowledge.