Written question asked by Andrew Mitchell (Conservative) on Monday, 26 November 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 29 November 2007. It was answered by Jim Murphy (Labour) on Monday, 17 December 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with colleagues in (a) African countries and (b) non-African countries to encourage them to send transport and light support helicopters to the African Union-UN force in Darfur, Sudan.

Answer: [holding answer 29 November 2007]: My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, has pressed potential contributing countries on the need for helicopters for the UN-African Union hybrid force in Darfur. He has kept in close contact with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, which is responsible for generating the force in consultation with the African Union, to complement their efforts.

Secondary information