HC Deb 18 March 2002 vol 382 cc63-4W
17. Michael Fabricant

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the state of readiness is of the armed forces for an engagement in the middle east; and if he will make a statement. [40913]

Mr. Hoon

The Strategic Defence Review recognised that our national interests were directly affected by events in the middle east. Most recently, the deployment of our armed forces to Oman for exercise Saif Sareea H illustrated both our commitment to the region and ability to project military power and sustain it there.

We have taken no decisions to heighten the readiness of our armed forces elsewhere in the region.

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