Written question asked by Ann Clwyd (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 February 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 February 1999. It was answered by Tony Lloyd (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 February 1999 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on the operational involvement of British private military companies in the recent hostilities in (a) Sierra Leone, (b) the Democratic Republic of Congo and (c) Angola; and if he will set out the Government's definition of a private military company.

Answer: Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the operational involvement of British private military companies in the recent hostilities in (a) Sierra Leone, (b) the Democratic Republic of Congo and (c) Angola; and if he will set out the Government's definition of a private military company. [69391] Mr. Tony Lloyd: We have no confirmed reports of the involvement of British private military companies in combat operations in the recent hostilities in Sierra Leone, Angola or the Democratic Republic of Congo. There is currently no agreed Whitehall-wide definition of a private military company. The Government are drawing up guidance on private military companies. This will be made available to Parliament and to companies or individuals who request it.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 69391; 325 c210W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Armed conflict Sierra Leone Private military and security companies Democratic Republic of the Congo Angola