HC Deb 26 March 1993 vol 221 cc759-60W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the development of the NATO rapid reaction corps; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The headquarters of the Allied Command Europe rapid reaction corps was established on 3 October 1992 and full operational capability will be achieved by 1995.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 January,Official Report, column 306, what is the minimum number of aircraft that the RAF will be contributing to the reaction force (air).

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The RAF will be making a contribution of up to 80 aircraft to the reaction force (air). There is no minimum as such; the number of aircraft deployed in any given situation will depend on the operational requirements at the time.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has received from his German, Dutch and Belgian counterparts relating to their contributions to the rapid reaction corps; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The German, Dutch and Belgian MODs have provisionally agreed to assign forces to the ACE rapid reaction corps and these are most welcome. Details of national contributions have yet to be finalised.