§ Mr. CashTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence to whom allegiance will be given by British forces in the1118W proposed (a) European Army and (b) Anglo-French or European air force.
§ Mr. SoamesWe have no plans for a European army, or for a bi-national or European air force.
§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to discuss the pooling or merging of(a) some and (b) all of the RAF and the French air force for operations (i) outside and (ii) within continental Europe (1) at the next Franco-British summit and (2) on other occasions;
(2) what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the proposal to merge (a) some and (b) all of the RAF and the French air force on an operational basis.
§ Mr. SoamesDiscussions are taking place with French officials to identify ways in which British and French air forces may operate together more effectively outside the NATO area. That does not involve any merger of the air forces. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence intends to carry forward those exchanges at the forthcoming summit.