§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what theatre missile defence capacity UK forces(a) have available now and (b) plan to have available; and over what timescale. [185167]
§ Mr. IngramI refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 9 March 2004,Official Report , column 1403–04W. We expect to receive the report on the MOD's three year research programme into Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence soon. The UK is continuing to address the risks posed by ballistic missiles and to remain abreast of the technologies available to counter them. We are active members of the NATO Missile Defence Project Group which, with the encouragement of the Istanbul Summit discussions, is currently planning the first stages of work under the NATO Active Layered Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence programme. Decisions on the extent of UK involvement in this important research have yet to be taken and release of the NATO Staff Requirement for this capability to NATO industries has just been agreed.