Indonesia

HC Deb 08 February 1995 vol 254 cc322-3W

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of armed forces personnel sent to Indonesia to support Rapier missile sales.

Mr. Freeman

Details of any training assistance to other countries, including costs, are not normally disclosed as they are regarded as confidential between Governments.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the involvement of armed forces personnel in training members of the Indonesian armed forces or security forces in counter-insurgency techniques since 4 May 1979.

Mr. Soames

Details of any training assistance to other countries are not normally disclosed as they are regarded as confidential between Governments.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost to his Department in each year since 1990 of supporting work with the Indonesian national police force.

Mr. Soames

My Department has not been involved in work of this nature.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Ministers or officials in his Department have at any time since 1979 been informed of British-supplied defence equipment being used in East Timor or in its territorial waters or airspace.

Mr. Freeman

My Department has no evidence that British-supplied defence equipment has been used in East Timor.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the rank of defence attaches to the British mission in Indonesia in each year since 1979.

Mr. Soames

Since 1979, the defence attache to the British embassy in Indonesia has been at the rank of colonel. In addition, an assistant defence attaché with the rank of squadron leader was attached to the embassy from 1981 to 1983. The assistant defence attaché from October 1983 until February 1987 was at the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was replaced by a navaUair attaché at the rank of wing commander from July 1988 until February 1991 and at the rank of commander RN from February 1991 until February 1993, when the post lapsed.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what have been the costs of training consultancy visits to Indonesia by British specialists working with the Indonesian police force in each year since 1990; and in each year how many consultants visited Indonesia.

Mr. Soames

My Department has not engaged in consultancy visits of this kind.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the involvement of United Kingdom armed forces personnel in counter-insurgency activities in Indonesia or East Timor since 4 May 1979.

Mr. Soames

None.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom armed forces personnel have served in Indonesia in each year since 1990.

Mr. Soames

A defence attaché with the rank of colonel is attached to the British embassy in Jakarta with a warrant officer in support. Until 1993, a joint naval air attaché was also attached to the embassy. Details of training assistance given by the UK, including the numbers involved, are not normally disclosed as they are regarded as confidential between the Governments.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the level of military aid to Indonesia for each year since 1979.

Mr. Soames

It is not our practice to disclose information of this nature.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates memoranda of understanding have been signed with the Government of Indonesia since 1 January 1980.

Mr. Freeman

Memoranda of understanding concerning defence contracts with the Government of Indonesia were signed in September 1983, March 1984, April 1986 and November 1991.