HC Deb 31 July 1998 vol 317 cc721-2W
Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the events which led to Sandline personnel being invited onto HMS Cornwall on 20 March. [54546]

Mr. George Robertson

HMS Cornwall sailed from Freetown on 20 March. No Sandline personnel were invited aboard on that day.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the logs of HMS Monmouth for the period of its deployment off Sierra Leone in 1998; when that vessel departed from the United Kingdom for that deployment; if he will publish the orders that were issued to the captain on the issue of involvement in that country's civil war; and if he will make a statement on the bearing of restricted FCO Telegram 44 to Abuja in this context. [54545]

Mr. George Robertson

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (i) position and (ii) orders of(a) HMS Cornwall, (b) HMS Monmouth and (c) RFA Orangeleaf at the time of ECOMOG initial military action against the Sierra Leone junta; and what was the date of issuing of those orders. [54473]

Mr. George Robertson

At the time of ECOMOG initial military action in February 1998, HMS Cornwall was alongside in Devonport, England, HMS Monmouth was alongside in Cape Verde Islands and RFA Orangeleaf was alongside in Gibraltar. These ships were under no specific orders at that time.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the nature of the land contact enjoyed by RFA 'Orangeleaf' during its stationing off Sierra Leone with HMS 'Monmouth' and HMS 'Cornwall', what contact took place between that vessel and (i) ECOMOG and (ii) Sandline; and if any of its supplies were transferred to shore. [54549]

Mr. George Robertson

FRA Orangeleaf had no direct land contact during the period she was stationed off Sierra Leone. She did not go alongside. No supplies were transferreed ashore. There was no contact between Orangeleaf and ECOMAG or Sandline.

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