Written question asked by Jimmy Wray (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 July 2003. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 July 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to increase troop levels in the Congo; who is in overall command of allied troops in the region; and when the troops currently deployed were last involved in active operations.

Answer: Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase troop levels in the Congo; who is in overall command of allied troops in the region; and when the troops currently deployed were last involved in active operations. [124049] Mr. Ingram: There are currently no plans to increase the number of United Kingdom troops deployed either as part of the EU-led multinational force in the Congo (Operation ARTEMIS) or as part of the UN mission (MONUC), although the situation remains under constant review. Troops deployed on Op ARTEMIS are under EU control, and General Neveux has been appointed by EU member nations as the Operational Commander. Troops deployed on MONUC are under UN control and General Diallo has been appointed by the UN as Force Commander. As with all multinational operations, although the UK has delegated some elements of command and control to the EU and UN respectively, Full Command of any UK military personnel is retained in the UK. The majority of the UK troops deployed on Op ARTEMIS are Royal Engineers from 42 Field Squadron of 28 Engineer regiment, who handed over from their previous tour of operation in Northern Ireland on 31 January 2003.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 124049; 408 c700W;408 c698W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Armed forces Deployment Peacekeeping operations Democratic Republic of the Congo
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk