International Strategic Alliances

HC Deb 19 June 1986 vol 99 c603W

Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report those international strategic alliances to which the United Kingdom is currently a signatory; and if he will indicate in each case the date on which the United Kingdom first became a signatory.

Mr. Renton

There are two international strategic alliances to which the United Kingdom is currently signatory: the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, of which the United Kingdom became a member upon signature of the North Atlantic Charter on 4 April 1949; and the Western European Union of which the United Kingdom became a member upon its creation on 6 May 1955. The Union replaced the Brussels treaty organisation, of which the United Kingdom had become a member upon signature of the Brussels treaty on 17 March 1948.