§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will publish the guidelines which were introduced following the Legg report for his officials when dealing with representatives of private military companies. [69354]
§ Mr. Tony LloydThe guidelines introduced on 24 July were intended for internal use only pending preparation of more detailed guidance in consultation with other Government Departments.
We intend to make the revised guidance available to Parliament and to companies or individuals who request it. The Foreign Affairs Committee will also receive a copy of the final version.
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the operational involvement of British private military companies in the recent hostilities in(a) Sierra Leone, (b) the Democratic Republic of Congo and (c) Angola; and if he will set out the Government's definition of a private military company. [69391]
§ Mr. Tony LloydWe have no confirmed reports of the involvement of British private military companies in combat operations in the recent hostilities in Sierra Leone, Angola or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
There is currently no agreed Whitehall-wide definition of a private military company. The Government are drawing up guidance on private military companies. This will be made available to Parliament and to companies or individuals who request it.