§ Mr. ArbuthnotTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his plans for deployments of British forces in the Gulf.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonFurther to my right hon. Friend's statement of 27 March at column 482, it has been decided to redeploy the battle group currently conducting exercises in Kuwait. The major part of the battle group, which comprises 2 Royal Anglian and supporting elements, will move to A1 Jubayl. Two companies of 2 Royal Anglian will then relieve 1 Kings Own Scottish Borderers, who have been employed on security duties in support of the logistic support group. 1 Kings Own Scottish Borderers will return to the United Kingdom in the middle of June.
The logistic support group is planned to withdraw at the end of July, and 2 Royal Anglian will return at the same time. Until then, those elements of 2 Royal Anglian not providing security at A1 Jubayl will remain in Kuwait to provide further reassurance to the Kuwaitis. We are also discussing with the Kuwaiti Government our defence relationship in the longer term, in particular what assistance the UUnited Kingdom could provide in the rebuilding of the Kuwaiti armed forces.
The squadron of GR1 Tornados stationed in Bahrain has now returned to RAF Bruggen in Germany. The Armilla patrol continues to provide a frigate/destroyer presence in the region; and United Kingdom mine counter-measures vessels are carrying out mine clearance off the coast of Kuwait as part of a multinational mine clearance force.