HL Deb 05 February 2001 vol 621 c80WA
Lord Shore of Stepney

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs:

With reference to the Presidency report to the Nice Council on European Union security and defence policy, what are the functions of the Situation Centre, now under the direction of the European Council's Secretary Genera/High Representative; what is the staffing of the Situation Centre; and how many of its personnel are British. [HL407]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The Situation Centre forms part of the General Secretariat of the Council, whose role, under the provisions of the Treaty on European Union, is to assist the Council.

The Situation Centre will gather, assess and provide information and evaluations covering all aspects of EU crisis management. It is not yet fully staffed or operational. It currently has 11 staff, of whom one is British.