§ Mr. CongdonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the United Kingdom has for a contribution to a successor to the implementation force; and if he will make a statement. [6775]
§ Mr. PortilloThe international community is still developing its political strategy for Bosnia in 1997 and it remains too early to make any final decisions, but it seems increasingly likely that a military presence will be required to support the continuing civilian effort.
The Government have therefore decided that, in principle, the UK is prepared to make a contribution of some 5,000 ground troops to such a force, subject to the outcome of the London conference, to a satisfactory military plan being developed by NATO and to appropriate contributions from our major allies.