PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS FROM PS2 THE LEADING U.K. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMPANY
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Written Answers to Questions
Friday 28 March 2003
DEFENCE
Gibraltar
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Spanish Government since 1 January on (a) the use of military facilities in Gibraltar and (b) Gibraltar’s status in NATO; and if he will make a statement. [104981]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 27 March 2003]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has not held formal discussions with his Spanish counterpart since December 2001. As close allies, we maintain contact on a wide range of defence/security matters. There has been no change to Gibraltar’s status as a United Kingdom base. However, we have recently offered military facilities in Gibraltar to NATO for use in Active Endeavour, a NATO-led operation providing protection for allied non-combatant shipping in the Mediterranean.
Iraq
Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use is being made of the British military base on Gibraltar in connection with the crisis in Iraq. [105247]
Mr. Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 24 March 2003, Official Report, column 12W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle).
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) staff and (b) funds will be under the control of his Department for post-conflict civil and military projects in Iraq; and if they will be at the disposal of any UK peacekeeping forces that may be established. [104033]
Mr. Ingram: Officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development are currently discussing these matters. The precise scale of the task and the extent of the Armed Forces’ responsibilities following operations in Iraq is being refined as this campaign develops.
Ulster Defence Regiment
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time Ulster Defence Regiment soldiers have been killed in Northern Ireland by terrorists since 1973. [105216]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 27 March 2003]: Since 1973 there have been 38 full-time members and 128 part-time members of the Ulster Defence Regiment who have been killed as a result of terrorists activity in Northern Ireland.
28 Mar 2003 : Column 410W
Written Answers to Questions
Monday 31 March 2003
DEFENCE
Iraq
3. Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is towards the commitment of British forces to long-term peacekeeping missions in urban areas in Iraq. [105449]
Mr. Ingram: We have made it clear that we are committed to help the Iraqi people rebuild their country once Saddam Hussein’s regime is removed from power. We envisage that United Kingdom forces will help to provide a safe and secure environment to allow the renewal effort to begin.
16. Mr. Gordon Prentice: What steps he is taking to secure the Iraq/Iran border. [105463]
Mr. Hoon: The area in Southern Iraq in which United Kingdom forces are operating includes a significant segment of the Iraq/Iran border. UK forces are responsible for ensuring the security of the whole of the area under their control. I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government is making every effort to liaise closely with the Iranian authorities to reduce the scope for any potential misunderstandings. We see no need to take special measures relating to the security of the Iraq/Iran border.
20. Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on Iraq. [105467]
Mr. Hoon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave a short while ago to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Dudley Norm (Mr. Cranston), my hon. Friend the Member for North West Leicestershire (Mr. Taylor) and the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale West (Mr. Brady).
21. Mr. Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the mi