§ 24. Linda GilroyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his plans for the future involvement of British forces in combating international terrorism. [15098]
§ Mr. HoonAs I said earlier today, given the rapid pace of events, I have concluded that it is no longer necessary for all the units placed on 48 hours notice to move 10 days ago to remain at this state of readiness. With the exception of elements of 2 PARA and 16 Air Assault Brigade and their key enablers, the bulk of these forces will revert to their previous readiness state and will be able to move within one week.
Before any decisions are taken to deploy any of these forces to Afghanistan, we will take account of the situation on the ground, including reports from the detachment in Bagram; the progress of the political process being set in train in Bonn this week; and consultation within the coalition.
660W
26. Dr. Desmond TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his plans for the future involvement of British forces in combating international terrorism. [15100]
§ Mr. HoonI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friends the Members for North Durham (Mr. Jones) and for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Paul Farrelly),Official Report, column 668.
§ 27. Michael FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of the Royal Marines in the coalition against terrorism. [15101]
§ Mr. HoonI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral, South (Mr. Chapman),Official Report, columns 662–63.
§ 36. Gillian MerronTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his NATO counterparts on international terrorism. [15111]
§ 37. Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his NATO counterparts on international terrorism. [15112)
§ Mr. HoonSince the terrorist attacks on the United States on 11 September, and NATO's decision to invoke Article 5 of the Washington Treaty on 12 September, there have been extensive and continuing discussions at ministerial, official and military levels on how best to counter the threat posed by international terrorism. I have taken part in both formal and informal discussions with my counterparts from other NATO nations on numerous occasions. An enhanced package of counter-terrorist measures has already been adopted by the Alliance, with a range of further actions under consideration.
This robust and swift response to international terrorism has demonstrated once again both the solidarity of the Alliance and its continuing relevance in the post-Cold War era.