HC Deb 21 June 1999 vol 333 cc302-4W
22. Mr. David Heath

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the implications of the Kosovo conflict for the future military structure of NATO. [86552]

Mr. George Robertson

NATO and the UK will be looking closely at the military and other lessons to be learned from the Kosovo conflict. But because operations are continuing, it is too early to make any firm assessments of its impact on NATO's military structure.

24. Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use by his Department of Antonov aircraft in the Kosovo crisis. [86554]

Mr. George Robertson

During the course of operations in connection with the crisis in Kosovo, the UK Ministry of Defence has, as of 11 June, chartered 32 Antonov 124 heavy lift aircraft. We will continue to spot-charter Antonov aircraft, among others, as required.

26. Mr. Jim Murphy

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his plans for British forces' future involvement in the NATO operation in Kosovo. [86556]

Mr. George Robertson

I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes),Official Report, 21 June 1999, column 750.

30. Mr. Edwards

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role Britain's reserve forces will play in assisting refugees to return to Kosovo. [86560]

Mr. George Robertson

Members of the Reserve forces in Kosovo are fully integrated with the Regular units with which they are serving. They will therefore be assisting with all operational tasks required to create a safe environment in which the refugees can return to their homes.

31. Dr. Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of depleted uranium and cluster bombs in the Kosovan theatre. [86561]

Mr. George Robertson

Cluster bombs have been used by the RAF in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia when suitable targets were identified, such as armoured and soft-skinned vehicles, mortar and artillery positions, and fielded forces. In every case the greatest care was taken to reduce the risk of civilian casualties.

Depleted uranium based ammunition has not been used by UK forces in Yugoslavia. But to ensure, should it be required, that British troops would have the most effective means for self-protection, I have approved the deployment of some depleted uranium based tank ammunition.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of peacekeeping in Kosovo in each of the next three years. [87103]

Mr. George Robertson

Given previous uncertainties over Milosevic's actions and the responses that would be needed, it is not possible to produce useful cost estimates. Following the recent peace agreement, we should soon have a clearer basis on which to estimate likely future costs.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost to the Exchequer of the military action in Kosovo up to 10 June. [87102]

Mr. George Robertson

As at the end of May, some £43 million of additional expenditure has fallen to my Department as a direct consequence of the UK's military response to the Kosovo crisis. This figure does not include the costs of replenishing stocks of expended ordnance.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if British aircraft have used depleted uranium munitions during the bombing in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [86992]

Mr. George Robertson

DU-based ammunition were not used by the UK forces in air operations over Kosovo and Serbia.

I have approved the deployment of some depleted uranium tank ammunition to theatre to ensure that British troops would have the most effective means for self-protection, if it were required.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans NATO has to remove all combat-effective firearms from private ownership in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [87337]

Mr. George Robertson

NATO has no plans to remove all combat-effective firearms from private ownership in Kosovo. However, UNSCR 1244 demands the demilitarisation of the KLA and other armed Kosovo Albanian groups, in accordance with the requirements laid down by the commander of KFOR.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what numbers of(a) small arms, (b) man-portable and (c) larger weaponry are deemed to be held in Kosovo (i) by the KLA and (ii) in private hands. [87305]

Mr. George Robertson

We have no reliable information on the number of weapons held by the KLA, or in private hands.

We assess that the majority of the KLA's small arms are old and probably originated from Albania. During the past year, they have acquired more modem and sophisticated weapons systems, including anti-tank and anti-air. We also assess that KLA have few heavy weapons.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the Kosovo Agreement was classified as NATO Confidential. [87338]

Mr. George Robertson

The Military Technical Agreement is not classified. A copy of the agreement has been placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the rotation plans for troops to be deployed in Kosovo, with particular reference to the replacement of British troops by those of other nationalities. [87302]

Mr. George Robertson

The Permanent Joint Headquarters is currently drawing up plans for the rotation of UK forces involved in operations in and around Kosovo. With regard to burden-sharing with other nations, Canadian forces are already working closely with British forces in Kosovo. We are consulting closely with NATO and non-NATO allies about other possibilities for co-operation, but it is not yet clear whether this will result in arrangements which could see British troops being replaced by other national contingents.