§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role the UK military personnel will play in the deployment of UNAMSIL peacekeepers to the RUF-controlled areas of Sierra Leone. [146481]
§ Mr. HoonThere are currently 15 UK military personnel serving as observers with UNAMSIL, and seven serving as Staff Officers within the Headquarters of UNAMSIL including the Chief of Staff. It is a matter for the UN Force Commander to decide on their involvement in any UNAMSIL deployments, although ultimately, the Commander of the UK contingent may overrule a decision concerning the deployment of UK personnel, as may those of other countries over their nationals.