§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his European Union counterparts in respect of the markets which the European arms procurement agency will endeavour to satisfy; and if he will make a statement. [19446]
§ Mr. FreemanMinisters and officials of my Department have played a full part in discussions, within the forum of the Western European Armaments Group, on the concept and role of a European armaments agency. These discussions continue.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if membership of the European arms procurement agency will be subject to parliamentary approval. [19445]
§ Mr. FreemanDiscussions on a European armaments agency continue. Formal parliamentary approval would not be necessary if the UK were to become a member of such an agency, but Parliament will, of course, be kept informed of developments.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how the United Kingdom's proposed joining of the European arms procurement agency will affect the policy of(a) subsidiarity in defence and (b) the resources available for diversification of defence industries. [19443]
§ Mr. FreemanDiscussions on a European armaments agency continue. If the UK became a member, this would not affect the principle that decisions on armaments procurement for the UK armed forces are the preserve of Her Majesty's Government. It is not envisaged that UK membership of a European armaments agency would have any effect upon the resources available for diversification of defence industries.