§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their definition of "military assistance" and whether it usually covers firms' recruitment problems, as apparently in the case of Royal Ordnance plc's mine-clearing contract in Kuwait.
§ The Earl of ArranThe term military assistance covers that assistance which the United Kingdom armed forces provide to any body or organisation that is not part of the United Kingdom armed forces. The decision to provide assistance to Royal Ordnance was taken in the light of the exceptional humanitarian circumstances that existed at that time and was aimed at ensuring a smooth handover from the Royal Engineers (who had provided assistance in the immediate aftermath of the liberation of Kuwait) to Royal Ordnance.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the grounds on which they allow private firms to take profit from the commercial employment of Her Majesty's Forces, by charging such firms only the cost of "military assistance".
§ The Earl of ArranThe charge raised by a private company is not a matter for the Ministry of Defence. Assistance is given to commercial concerns primarily to facilitate the maintenance or resumption of commercial activities where there is no readily available alternative, where the work is of a suitable nature and where it is in the wider interest of the nation.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
By what private firms, in what circumstances, and for what purposes are Her Majesty's forces employed.
§ The Earl of ArranMilitary assistance may be given to private companies where the unique skills of the armed forces are requested. Agreement to such requests is subject to the particular circumstances of each case taking account of considerations such as national interest, the necessary resources being available and the recovery of costs. Individual arrangements with companies are a matter of commercial confidence.