HC Deb 09 December 1994 vol 251 c416W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the extent to which the British troops who have recently returned from Rwanda had completed the task they had been sent to fulfil.

Mr. Soames

The British contingent was sent to Rwanda to provide specialist support for a three-month period in the initial stages of the United Nations operation. They were withdrawn having accomplished this task.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he had given to the replacement of the British troops recently in Rwanda and for what reasons he rejected that option.

Mr. Soames

The British contingent was sent to fulfil a specific role over a three-month period. That task is now complete. The United Nations has not requested a further deployment.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received, and from whom, against the withdrawal of British troops from Rwanda.

Mr. Soames

I am not aware of any representations received by my Department against the withdrawal of British troops from Rwanda.