§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost to date for the maintenance and operation of the joint arms control implementation group; and what commitments have been made to support the group in its role.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe joint arms control implementation group (JACIG) was established at RAF Scampton in 1990 and became fully operational on I January 1991. Since then, JACIG has been involved in a full programme of training, exercises and evaluation visits, thus ensuring that inspections in the United Kingdom and overseas are conducted effectively and in accordance with the terms and spirit of the Vienna document and INF treaty; and of the CFE treaty once it enters into force. The initial setting-up cost for JACIG was £1.4 million at current prices; running costs have totalled £3.2 million at current prices to date.