RAF AIRMILES AROUND SWITZERLAND

That this House is grateful to the Swiss Federal Council for waiving its strict policy of military neutrality by permitting NATO forces taking part in the peacekeeping operation in Bosnia to transit through Swiss airspace; notes that the decision was made in December 1995, but that the RAF was not notified of this facility until the end of January 1997; regrets the fact that much time, money and fuel has been wasted on unnecessary detours around the borders of Switzerland throughout 1996; and urges the Government to establish better liaison between the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office.