Written question asked by Tom Brake (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 8 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 November 2004. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Thursday, 18 November 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which Colombian army units have received military (a) training and (b) assistance in each of the last five years; and what the financial value of each was in each year. - Inc figure and fact that information for previous years is not held centrally and disproportionate cost.

Answer: Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Colombian army units have received military (a) training and (b) assistance in each of the last five years; and what the financial value of each was in each year. [197631] Mr. Ingram: United Kingdom military assistance provided to the Colombian army is focused on specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal units and the provision of British military education to selected individuals, such as at the Royal College of Defence Studies, which introduces British Defence concepts, including human rights and democratic accountability of armed forces. In financial years 2003-04 and 2004-05 the cost of military assistance provided by the UK to the Colombian armed forces was around £120,000 per year. This information for previous years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information