§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what lessons have been learned from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation exercise, Wintex-Cimex; how many British service personnel took part and of what ranks; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. NeubertExercise Wintex-Cimex was the tenth in a series of NATO-wide command post exercises conducted by Alliance members. The exercise took place from 24 February to 9 March 1989. Its objective was to test command, control and consultation plans and procedures and to exercise the appropriate crisis management machinery which would be used in the defence of NATO countries in times of international tension or war. This was successfully achieved. Detailed assessment and evaluation of all aspects of the exercise are currently being carried out.
Though it is not our practice to comment in detail on such matters, all the indications are that useful lessons will have been learnt and that considerable value and experience was gained by those taking part. There was widespread military participation from the chiefs of staff downwards, but information on the numbers of British service participants in total or by rank is not available and could he obtained only at disproportionate cost.