§ Mr. BrandrethTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the provision of RAF Jaguar aircraft to take part in NATO operations to provide air support for UNPROFOR.
§ Mr. HanleyOn 10 June my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced—Official Report, column 336—that we were offering a squadron of RAF Jaguar aircraft to take part in an operation to be mounted by NATO to provide air support in case of attack against UNPROFOR in the performance of its mandate in Bosnia. This offer has now been formally accepted and 12 aircraft have been called forward to deploy to Italy, where they will be based. They will fly out on Friday 16 July, and will conduct training and work-up. Routine operational flying will start on a day to be determined by NATO and the UN. The RN Sea Harriers embarked in HMS Ark Royal are also available for this purpose if required.
§ Mr. ElletsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what regular reports he receives on the effectiveness of the 557W UN no-fly zone monitoring operation in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he is satisfied that the current monitoring procedure is cost effective (a) overall and (b) in respect of airborne warning and control system.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI have been asked to reply.
We receivetwice-weekly reports from UNPROFOR on violations observed by UN military observers and NATO fighter and AWACS aircraft. We believe the monitoring operation has been successful in preventing combat flights, particularly of fixed -wing aircraft. The information collected by AWACS aircraft is essential for proper monitoring and enforcement of the no-fly zone.