§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the benefits to the United Kingdom of continued membership of(a) NATO, (b) the Western European Union and (c) politico-military co-operation within the European Union; and what is the annual cost of United Kingdom participation in each defence organisation.
§ Mr. HanleyThis Government are committed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation—NATO—which remains essential to peace and stability in Europe, and is the principal guarantor of our security. We also support the development of a European security and defence identity compatible with NATO, and will therefore continue to play a full part in developing the Western European Union—WEU—as a means of strengthening the European pillar of NATO and as the defence component of the European Union. As a member of the European Union, the United Kingdom will participate in the development of a common foreign and security policy—CFSP. Under the terms of the treaty on European Union, issues with defence implications are for the WEU to elaborate and implement. Decisions in this area must be compatible with the security and defence policies of NATO.
As to the annual costs, I will write to the hon. Member.