HC Deb 26 November 2001 vol 375 cc665-6
9. Tony Cunningham (Workington)

What recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts on international terrorism. [15082]

The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Geoffrey Hoon)

I discussed international terrorism with my European counterparts at the capabilities improvement conference in Brussels on 19 and 20 November. In addition, in the past week I have had separate meetings with several ministerial counterparts, addressing international terrorism among other topics.

Tony Cunningham

I thank my right hon. Friend. Has he discussed with his European counterparts the implications of the action in Afghanistan for European defence—especially, whether it has highlighted the need for European nations collectively to improve their defence capabilities?

Mr. Hoon

I suggested that to my European defence counterparts at the capabilities improvement conference. It is important to recognise that events in Afghanistan have further emphasised the need for European nations to improve their military capabilities. I set out that message at the conference and in a series of bilateral meetings with my counterparts. I am pleased that good progress has been made and that further progress is in prospect.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield)

Will the Secretary of State admit that some of our European counterparts have been far less enthusiastic than us about our campaign against international terrorism? One or two have been decidedly hostile. Does he agree that it is satisfactory that we are still able to make decisions as a sovereign nation to support the United States in its, and our, campaign against international terrorism?

Mr. Hoon

I disagree with the hon. Gentleman. I cannot think of a single European nation that has not been equally enthusiastic in its determination to tackle international terrorism. Many European continental nations have experienced the frustration of not being able to get their forces into the theatre of operations quickly enough to participate. I repeat that our emphasis on European defence is in order to improve European military capabilities. Our European partners share that ambition.

Mr. Brian Jenkins (Tamworth)

I welcome my right hon. Friend's answer, but we all realise that we are working in NATO in a day-to-day relationship, and that our NATO partners have certain strengths and skills, because they have had an opportunity to use them that we have not recently had. Are those skills available to all partners in NATO, and are they being rolled out across the NATO theatre?

Mr. Hoon

A range of capabilities is available to NATO countries. One of the advantages for the United Kingdom is that we have been able to build on the work conducted through the strategic defence review process. It is important that other countries recognise the need to be able to deploy their forces rapidly into potential theatres of conflict. That is accepted across the board by our NATO partners and by EU countries, and it underlies NATO's work on the defence capabilities initiative and on the European Union headline goal process.

Mr. David Laws (Yeovil)

Will the Secretary of State tell us whether his recent discussions with his European counterparts reviewed the number of coalition casualties sustained in the conflict so far? In particular, will he tell us whether any of the British casualties have been evacuated back to the United Kingdom?

Mr. Hoon

There was no discussion of casualties at the meetings. The British casualties have been evacuated back to the United Kingdom.