§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom forces personnel are being made available to assist the United States humanitarian intervention in Somalia: and what is the total cost and time scale of the United Kingdom's military contribution.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe British contribution has taken the form of two RAF Hercules transport aircraft, accompanied by about 90 supporting personnel. Our aircraft are based at Mombasa in Kenya, and have been operating with US aircraft since 12 December in transporting humanitarian aid from Kenya to Somalia.
This deployment is based on an initial three-month period. It is too early to provide an accurate estimate as to the total cost of our military contribution.
§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the extent of United Kingdom armed forces commitment to the United Nations sponsored multinational relief operation in Somalia.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe United Kingdom contribution is in the form of two RAF Hercules transport aircraft, accompanied by about 90 supporting RAF personnel.
Our aircraft are based at Mombasa, Kenya and are engaged in the transport of humanitarian aid to affected areas inside Somalia.