§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what grounds British troops have now been withdrawn from Rwanda; and in what circumstances, relating to the security or humanitarian situation, they will return.
§ Mr. SoamesThe Government agreed to a request from the United Nations for a contingent of specialist troops to provide support for a three-month period to fill the gap until the arrival of the commercial company contracted by the UN to undertake the logistics role in Rwanda.
In the course of their deployment the United Kingdom contingent made a very substantial contribution to the UN operation. Their task has now been completed and they are being withdrawn, apart from a small number of 782W headquarters staff officers. Forces from several African and other states are now firmly established as part of the UN force.
The UN have not sought a further deployment in Rwanda. We would consider any further requests for assistance against our current commitments elsewhere in the world, in the usual way.