§ Mr. Terlezkiasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on the role to be played by Defence Ministers within the Western European Union; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyThe Western European Union provides a forum for Foreign and Defence Ministers of the seven member states to meet jointly to discuss issues related to European security. Defence and Foreign Ministers play full and complementary parts in these discussions.
§ Mr. Terlezkiasked the Secretary of State for Defence which tasks are assigned to the Standing Armaments Committee of the Western European Union and the Independent European Programme Group; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonFollowing the revitalisation of both the Western European Union and the Independent European Programme Group towards the end of 1984, the Standing Armaments Committee has helped to provide political impetus towards increased European armaments co-operation, assisting the IEPG in translating this into practical achievement; it also advises the WEU Council on these matters. The IEPG is directly responsible' for the harmonisation of operational requirements and research goals, and for promoting the establishment of collaborative projects to meet these needs.
The effectiveness of these arrangements will be reviewed from time to time.
§ Mr. Terlezkiasked the Secretary of State for Defence what stage has been reached in the British-German-Italian programme for production of a joint armoured howitzer; 266W if he envisages strengthening the programme in the framework of armaments co-operation in the Western European Union; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Kingston-uponHull, North (Mr. McNamara) on 16 February at column 489. I see no reason to raise the matter in the WEU.