§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether British forces are involved in United States plans "for a three-or four-day bombing campaign of Iraqi targets around mid-February", which senior American officials and senior Western diplomats in Washington are reported to have said are being laid (International Herald Tribune, 26 January). [HL328]
138WA
§ Lord GilbertThe Government continue to work for a diplomatic solution of the crisis over access for UN weapons inspection teams in Iraq. We have, however, made it clear that we do not rule out the use of force if these diplomatic efforts fail. We are in close contact with other permanent members of the UN Security Council, including the United States, on this issue. It would not be sensible for Ministers, at this or any other stage, to speculate about any future military action.
§ Lord Ponsonby of Shulbredeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the latest military situation in the Gulf. [HL533]
§ Lord GilbertOur aim is to secure a diplomatic solution to the current crisis and we continue to work to that end. However, in view of the continuing refusal of the Iraqi regime to comply fully with the requirements of the United Nations Security Council, we have reviewed the United Kingdom's military presence in the region and as my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 6 February, we have concluded that, as a further precautionary measure, we should deploy 8 Tornado GR1 aircraft, with support, to Kuwait. With the agreement of the Government of Kuwait, appropriate planning is in hand and the Tornados will deploy in the next few days.