HC Deb 27 January 2003 vol 398 cc641-2W
Mr. Paul Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what contingency plans he has made to replace the troops on their way to the Gulf; which troops from which units and regiments would be used; and if he will make a statement; [93259]

(2) what the maximum amount of time is that he estimates 30,000 soldiers could be maintained at a high level of readiness in the Gulf before rotating personnel. [93261]

Mr. Hoon

We continue to hope that Saddam Hussein will disarm voluntarily but it is evident that we will not persuade him to do so unless we present him with a clear and credible threat of force. No decision has been taken to commit British forces to military action, nor is such a decision inevitable or imminent. It is therefore premature to speculate about the duration of military deployments or about the rotation or replacement of those forces involved.