§ 10. Mr. MacShaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the joint projects currently undertaken with the French armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [6516]
§ Dr. ReidToday, on Bastille day, I am delighted to say that defence co-operation with the French armed forces is extensive, both bilaterally and multilaterally. As my hon. Friend knows, the joint projects that we have with the French are too numerous for me to list here today.
§ Mr. MacShaneI am grateful to the Minister for his reply. Is he aware that a year ago British warplanes flew over the Champs Elysées to salute the new Labour values of liberty, equality and fraternity? Does he agree that for three reasons—co-operation on the ground in Bosnia, procurement to create an effective European arms industry and, most important, ensuring that France plays a full and 14 integrated role in the North Atlantic alliance and in European defence matters—Britain and France must co-operate as fully in the future as we have in the past?
§ Dr. ReidYes, indeed. That co-operation will be taken further on Wednesday when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence meets Mr. Alain Richard. I am glad to reassure my hon. Friend that military co-operation with our French allies is as wide as ever, whether it be on the ground in Bosnia, over the skies of Iraq, through the many joint activities with the Royal Navy or through the procurement of the common new-generation frigate. Although there is no United Kingdom participation in the Bastille day parade, we are reciprocating last year's invitation in that we have invited the French air force, under the auspices of the Franco-British European air group, to participate in this year's Lord Mayor's show on 8 November. We look forward to developing even further our mutual co-operation with our French allies.
§ Mr. SayeedIf NATO were required to defend Hungary, French forces would be involved. Will the Minister explain how NATO would defend Hungary if it were attacked? Hungary is surrounded by non-NATO members with large armed forces.
§ Dr. ReidI am not entirely sure what that has to do with French integration into NATO. However, I assure the hon. Gentleman that all states that become members of NATO enter as full members, so the treaty obligations for the defence of any of those members apply to all the other members, and this country will carry out its obligations.