§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people were trained by the British Army mine clearance training team during its participation in the recent United Nations operation in Cambodia; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyThe United Kingdom's mine clearance training team trained a total of 42 Cambodians. The United Nations assigned the team to an area dominated by the Khmer Rouge, which withdrew its co-operation with the United Nations operation at an early stage and refused to permit further training. By the time the United Kingdom team had been relocated, this first training stage of the United Nations mine clearance operation was largely complete. The United Kingdom team was, however, able to participate fully in the subsequent United Nations supervision of mine clearance work by Cambodian teams which cleared over 45,000 mines and pieces of unexploded ordnance.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of deploying the British Army mine clearance training team as part of the recent United Nations operation in Cambodia.
§ Mr. HanleyIt is not possible to identify costs for specific elements of the British contingent deployed to Cambodia. The final cost of the United Kingdom deployment is not yet available, but to the end of September, some £2.5 million has been reported for the current financial year.
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§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the source of financing for the deployment of the British Army mine clearance training team as part of the recent United Nations operation in Cambodia.
§ Mr. HanleyThe cost of British military involvement in the United Nations peacekeeping operation in Cambodia is in accordance with established interdepartmental arrangements whereby the Foreign and Commonwealth Office meet the extra costs of any deployment for the first 12 months and the full costs thereafter. The United Nations has overall financial responsibility and reimburses admissible national costs.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the future deployment of mine clearance training teams; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyThe Government remain ready to consider requests for help with mine clearance training, as with all other forms of assistance in peace support operations.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with United Nations officials about the level of international demand for mine clearance training teams; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyNone, but the United Nations has appointed a demining expert with whom the military adviser to the United Kingdom mission to the United Nations has had general discussions, as have officials from my Department and their counterparts at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.