§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates in the last 12 months the rules of engagement for British troops serving in Bosnia have been changed. [27695]
§ Mr. SoamesThe rules of engagement for British troops in Bosnia are reviewed as required, to ensure that personnel can take appropriate action in self-defence. For operational reasons, however, it would not be appropriate to go into detail.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will specify(a) the total number of United Kingdom troops who will be deployed to Bosnia following recent discussions with European allies, (b) the command structure under which they will operate and (c) the numbers and type of military equipment being sent to Bosnia. [27697]
§ Mr. SoamesSome 1,000 additional British troops are currently deploying to Bosnia as part of a reinforcement package. The main elements are 19 Field Regiment, equipped with 105 mm light guns, 31 Armoured Engineer Squadron and elements of 21 Engineer Regiment, with road maintenance, mine clearance and bridge building equipment, and two Lynx helicopters equipped with tube-launched optically steered wire guided—TOW—anti-tank missiles. In addition, 24 Airmobile Brigade, which is over 5,000 strong, has been offered to the UN as part of the rapid reaction force, and discussions are continuing about its deployment. Its equipment includes Lynx, Gazelle, Chinook and Puma helicopters, TOW and Milan anti-tank and Javelin surface-to-air missile systems, together with 8 mm mortars and 105 mm light guns. I do not propose to give details of equipment numbers for operational reasons. British reinforcements will be part of UN forces in Bosnia and will come under UN command.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will specify the operational tasks and mission goals of the additional British troops being deployed to Bosnia. [27699]
§ Mr. SoamesThe British reinforcements will enhance the effectiveness and the protection of the United Nations protection force and will operate under the existing humanitarian and peacekeeping mandate.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what equipment his American counterpart has offered to the rapid reaction force in Bosnia. [27778]
§ Mr. SoamesThe US has indicated that it is prepared to offer attack helicopters, radars, communications equipment and night vision devices, together with strategic air lift assets to help with the deployment of allies' heavy equipment.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of the proposed rapid reaction force deployment to Bosnia; and who is financially responsible for the deployment. [27696]
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§ Mr. SoamesThe proposed rapid reaction force consists of three separate tranches, two of which have deployed. The precise duration of the deployment has yet to be decided, but on an annual basis the additional cost would be of the order of £271,000,000. In accordance with established interdepartmental arrangements, the costs of the first two tranches—about £ 26,000, 000—will be met by the Foreign and Commonwealth Offices which will seek reimbursement from the UN. Discussions on who would have financial liability for the proposed third tranche are still continuing.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will specify the international troop contributions to the rapid reaction force deployments in Bosnia. [27698]
§ Mr. SoamesThe French have indicated that they will make 1,500 troops available and have placed another 4,000 on standby. Other offers include a Dutch mortar company and mortar locating group of some 170 personnel; a 70-strong Canadian support weapon unit; a Spanish mortar element of some 35 personnel; and a 20-strong New Zealand group which includes a mortar section, together with medical and logistic support personnel.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if British troops are still operating under conditions of wider peacekeeping in Bosnia. [27700]
§ Mr. SoamesBritish troops in Bosnia continue to operate under UNPROFOR's humanitarian and peacekeeping mandate.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence to which military hospitals in Britain United Kingdom soldiers injured in Bosnia will be taken. [27779]
§ Mr. SoamesOn arrival in the UK, service casualties from Bosnia will normally be taken initially to the Princess Alexandra RAF hospital, Wroughton, before onward transfer to an appropriate service hospital or specialist NHS unit. However, where the patients' medical conditions dictate, casualties may be taken direct to an NHS specialist unit. The nature of the injury and the location of the family will determine to which other hospital a casualty is transferred for further treatment.