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Dr. David Clark : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what lessons he has learnt from the recent changes to the mission of United Nations forces in Sarajevo ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley : Following the Sarajevo ceasefire of February the role and responsibilities of UNPROFOR in

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the Sarajevo area have expanded to include tasks such as monitoring and control of heavy weapons, the manning of observation posts and checkpoints and patrolling confrontation lines. UNPROFOR has also had to take on similar tasks in relation to the Bosnian- Croat ceasefire in central Bosnia. Experience in carrying out these tasks has confirmed lessons already learned during UNPROFOR's deployment in Bosnia, including the importance of having sufficient troops and suitable equipment for the job.

Armed Forces (Operational Capability)

Dr. David Clark : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 10 May, Official Report , column 131, if he will make a statement on the senior levels of the chain of command that are involved in making central assessments of operational capability and to what extent those elements of the chain of command involved in making central assessments of operational capability include (a) civilians and (b) Ministers.

Mr. Hanley : Central assessments of operational capability in MOD are informed by reports rendered up the chain of command ; including reports by senior officers who hold higher level and top level budgets-- TLBs. Service TLB holders, including the front-line commanders in chief, sit on the predominantly military service executive committees whose own performance reports from the major contributions on operational capability, to the periodic central assessments reported to Ministers.

Service Musicians

Dr. David Clark : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent considerations he has given to altering the role of service musicians as stretcher bearers during conflicts ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley : None. My Department has no plans to change the operational role of service musicians.

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Dr. David Clark : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the current impact of service music and musicians on (a) operational capability, (b) service morale and (c) service recruitment ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley : Service bands play an important part in service life and as such make an important contribution to morale and recruitment. Bands personnel also play an important operational role as medical orderlies and guards in times of conflict.

Sanctions

Dr. David Clark : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role British forces have played in the implementation of United Nations resolutions relating to economic sanctions against (a) Iraq and (b) Libya.

Mr. Hanley : The Armilla patrol has been operating to implement the United Nations arms and trade embargo against Iraq in the Gulf, and on occasions has also participated in the multinational interception force in the northern Red sea to relieve ships from other nations. British forces have played no active role in enforcing economic sanctions against Libya.

Service Chaplains

Dr. David Clark : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the current impact of service chaplains on (a) operational capability and (b) service morale ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley : My Department fully recognises the significant contribution made by service chaplains to the operational effectiveness and morale of the armed forces through the spiritual and pastoral care they provide for service personnel and their dependants.

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