§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, if NATO is now to undertake political and other civil activities, they consider a greater degree of transparency and civil and parliamentary oversight to be necessary, given the dominance of the United States in the organisation.
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanNATO has undertaken political and civil activities since its inception. The Alliance's sixteen governments are all democratic and subject to parliamentary oversight. This House has debated NATO issues several times recently including at the noble Lord's instigation and my noble friend the Leader of the House has undertaken to ensure that the House has the opportunity for a debate on NATO expansion.
Members of the Parliaments of the NATO member states discuss NATO issues both nationally and collectively, in the latter format on a regular basis in the North Atlantic Assembly.
The Government do not consider that any further provisions for transparency or civil or parliamentary oversight are necessary.