§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what defence advantages will accrue as a result of the revival of the Western European Union;
(2) what functions will be undertaken by the Western European Union which cannot be undertaken in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's new policy towards the Western European Union; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonWe have been working actively with our partners in the Western European Union to find ways of making better use of the organisation. We fully support the declaration and the document outlining institutional improvements which were agreed by Foreign and Defence Ministers at their meeting in Rome on 27 October and welcome their decision to meet regularly together within the WEU framework. Copies of the documents approved on 27 October have been placed in the Library of the House.
None of the measures which are to be taken to revitalise the WEU is intended to duplicate or undermine the Atlantic Alliance, which remains the foundation of our security. The activities of WEU can however help to bring about a stronger and more cohesive contribution to NATO from its Members and increase public understanding of the European defence role within the Alliance.