HC Deb 23 November 1983 vol 49 cc178-9W
Mr. Corbyn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's military mission in Bangladesh; what are the ranks of each of the mission's members; and if he will set out in detail each officer's tasks and duties.

Mr. Stanley

I have been asked to reply.

The British military advisory team in Bangladesh consists of three British loan service personnel with the ranks of brigadier, captain RN, and group captain RAF. They are there to assist in the running of the Bangladesh defence services command and staff college.

Mr. Corbyn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any British officer serving in the high commission in Bangladesh has recruited staff from the armed forces of that country in any of the last six years.

Mr. Stanley

I have been asked to reply.

We have no record of any such recruitment.

Mr. Corbyn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the British military mission in Bangladesh ever concerned itself with instruction in counter-insurgency methods in that country.

Mr. Stanley

I have been asked to reply.

The British military advisory team covers the normal range of staff college syllabus subjects, which include only the general principles of counter-insurgency operations.