§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what date the Parachute Regiment was first told to prepare to deploy to Sierra Leone; and if he will make a statement; [125450]
(2) on what date members of the Parachute Regiment who were deployed to Sierra Leone were first given anti-malaria treatment; and if he will make a statement; [125451]
(3) on what date the Parachute Regiment first moved to deploy to Sierra Leone; and if he will make a statement. [125452]
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 12 June 2000]The notice to move for the Spearhead land element, which included the 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was reduced from the usual level of readiness to six hours for the lead element and 24 hours for the main body at 1500 hours on 6 May. All elements started to move later that same day. Anti-malaria treatment commenced also on 6 May, shortly after the notice to move had been reduced.