§ Lord Rodneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they have in mind to strengthen the contribution of defence attaches to the work of the Ministry of Defence.
§ Lord TrefgarneOur Service attachés play a very important part in the work of posts overseas: in representing the British armed forces overseas; in developing the relationships between the armed services of this country and those of the nations to which they are accredited, including, where appropriate, facilitating military co-operation; in assisting defence equipment co-operation and collaboration; and, together with the Head of Defence Export Services and his staff, in assisting defence export effort.
We have sought to strengthen our effort in a number of these areas, including military assistance overseas, equipment co-operation and collaboration, and defence sales. In view of the important contribution our Service attaches can make, we believe that it would be helpful if they were able to talk to Ministers, senior military advisers and officials of my department and of the Foreign and Commonwealth office in order to keep themselves abreast of the latest developments.
It has therefore been decided, in consultation with my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, that the principal Service attachés and advisers now serving abroad should return to this country in the spring in order that as a group they may exchange views and have the opportunity to discuss their roles and responsibilities with the Secretary of State for Defence, ministerial colleagues and our advisers. I believe that this exchange of views will be of considerable mutual value.