HC Deb 14 November 1989 vol 160 cc186-7W
Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has given consideration to the consequences for the Royal Air Force when the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation air command and control system is implemented; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Clark

The NATO air command and control system (ACCS) is intended to enhance NATO's air defences by establishing a co-ordinated and interoperable system for the command and control of all air operations in Allied Command Europe. The United Kingdom strongly supports this objective, to which the modernisa-tion of our air defence system under the improved United Kingdom air defence ground environment and related programmes will make a major contribution.

Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards the co-ordination of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation command control and communications systems; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Clark

The requirements for NATO infrastructure-funded command control and communications systems, as in the case of other infrastructure expenditure, are stated and co-ordinated by the major NATO commanders. The United Kingdom plays a full part in the scrutiny and control of NATO infrastructure expenditure through the established NATO mechanisms.