HC Deb 15 January 2001 vol 361 c45W
Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement regarding the presence, and length of stay, of British troops in Sierra Leone. [145269]

Mr. Hoon

British troops are in Sierra Leone to assist the democratically elected Government to establish effective and accountable armed forces. Our intention is to achieve this through a three-year programme by the UK-led International Military Advisory and Training Team (IMATT). This remains our ultimate aim, but the IMATT's work assumes a stable and permissive environment. Following the rebel attacks on UN peacekeepers in May 2000, this clearly was not the case. We have therefore deployed a series of Short Term Training Teams to supplement the IMATT. The future requirement for training, and the way ahead for the IMATT is kept under review.

Mr. Alexander

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the security situation in Sierra Leone. [144947]

Mr. Spellar

We welcome the ceasefire signed between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front, under the auspices of ECOWAS in Abuja on 10 November and welcome the subsequent decision by ECOWAS to deploy troops in the Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone border region. However, we are disappointed that the RUF have still not fulfilled the terms of the ceasefire agreement, in particular with regard to the return of UN equipment and freedom of movement throughout the country, and we look for evidence that they will do so. In the meantime, our training of the Sierra Leone army continues, and we remain committed to supporting the Government and people of Sierra Leone. We continue to support UNAMSIL and in particular its efforts to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire.

Location Primary service Stock numbers Occupancy Disposal notes
Edinburgh Army 765 597 92 in disposal
Leuchars RAF 706 499 51 for demolition. Awaiting increased requirement
Perth Army 16 14 Steady state
Arbroath/Dundee RM/Army 168 94 50 in disposal
Rosyth Navy 160 84 92 in disposal
Helensburgh Navy 811 353 229 for disposal. 28 held for Short Term Families Accommodation Centre. Up to 150 unmodernised properties may be demolished
Glasgow Army 247 186 52 quarters in disposal