§ Hugh RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces are deployed in Northern Ireland, broken down by service; and what the equivalent figures were a year ago. [46306]
§ Mr. IngramThe number of Armed Force personnel, broken down by service, under the command of the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland (GOC NI) and stationed in Northern Ireland at the 28 February 2001 and 2002 is set out in the following table.
852W
As at 28 February Army RAF Navy 2001 12,271 1,084 176 2002 12,477 1,046 176 The level of Armed Force personnel in Northern Ireland fluctuates throughout the year depending on the security situation. The GOC NI also has under his command troops that are rear based in Great Britain that can be called forward to the Province as and when required. In addition other troops can be made available to the GOC NI from Land Command if required for example during the marching season.
§ Hugh RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the strength of the armed forces deployed in(a) the Balkans, (b) Macedonia, (c) Kosovo and (d) Bosnia (i) is and (ii) was a year ago. [46304]
§ Mr. IngramSome 4,900 UK Armed Forces personnel are currently deployed to the Balkans region. Of these 3,000 are deployed for KFOR operations, and 1,900 are deployed for SFOR operations. These numbers are approximate only. Around a dozen Armed Forces personnel are deployed to Macedonia.
One year ago, some 4,800 UK Armed Forces personnel were deployed to the Balkans region. Of these 3,100 were deployed for KFOR operations and 1,700 were deployed for SFOR operations. These numbers are approximate only. In addition, a Defence Attache, a Defence Adviser and two staff assistants were deployed to Macedonia.