§ Mr. Dixonasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will confirm the continuing need for active collaboration between the forces of the member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
§ Mr. KirkWe are always ready to initiate or examine bilaterally in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, or in the Eurogroup, proposals for collaboration to enhance the effectiveness of the forces available to the alliance.
An understanding has been reached recently under which it is planned that two conventional submarines of the Royal Netherlands Navy should operate with the Third Submarine Squadron. Their operations will be co-ordinated with Royal Naval forces in order to increase the operational efficiency and flexibility of both the Royal Navy and the Royal Netherlands Navy.
I welcome this development.