HL Deb 13 March 2001 vol 623 cc77-8WA
Lord Harrison

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to open the United States defence market, which will help strengthen NATO in the context of the development of a transatlantic defence industry relationship between the United States and the European Union. [HL774]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

Her Majesty's Government and the US Government have engaged in extensive consultations to address our mutual security interest in promoting strong transatlantic defence industrial co-operation. These discussions have been taken forward in the context of the Declaration of Principles and the US Defence Security Trade Initiative. Both are aimed at increasing co-operation in the sphere of transatlantic defence trade and the removal of unnecessary governmental barriers to such trade. These aims were confirmed by President Bush and the Prime Minister in a joint statement on 24 February 2001.

Increased transatlantic industrial co-operation underpins NATO by increasing defence capabilities and promoting alliance cohesion and interoperability.