HC Deb 15 March 1995 vol 256 cc641-3W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he is considering to enhance Britain's ability to partake in future Western European Union military operations.

Mr. Soames

The Government have suggested a number of areas in which the WEU will need to develop its ability to mount effective European-led missions, and which will in turn enhance the United Kingdom's ability to partake in such operations. These were set out in the "Memorandum on the United Kingdom Government's approach to the treatment of European Defence Issues at the 1996 Inter-governmental Conference" that has recently been placed in the Library of the House. The memorandum explains that a key element will be the successful implementation of the combined joint task force initiative, launched at the 1994 NATO summit, whereby NATO can make available separable but not separate elements of its command structure for European-led missions. We believe that there is also a need to strengthen the WEU's planning capabilities and to put in place other measures to ensure that the WEU has the necessary capacity to organise, mount and control operations. These measures include development of practical arrangements such as a situation centre and improved intelligence handling capabilities. The Government have indicated their intention to make a significant contribution to this, including making available relevant national expertise.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on the types of military operations in which the Western European Union should be able to participate.

Mr. Soames

Our proposals on these matters have been set out in the "Memorandum on the United Kingdom's approach to the treatment of European Defence Issues at the 1996 Inter-governmental Conference", copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. Under this approach, the Government believe that defence of the territory of NATO member states should remain a matter for NATO, in accordance with article 5 of the Washington treaty. In this context, the role of the Western European Union should be to act as a more effective European pillar of the alliance. But, in the new strategic environment, we believe that military forces are more likely to be used for: crisis management combat operations; peacekeeping tasks, including embargo or sanctions enforcement; and humanitarian and rescue missions. There may also be other tasks, such as the evacuation of our nationals from trouble spots, which are normally a national responsibility but where it may well make sense for European nations involved to act together. The Government believe that it is on these tasks that the WEU should concentrate without in any way claiming an exclusive prerogative to tackle particular operations.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of whether any proposed reforms of the Western European Union will require changes to:(a) the 1948 Brussels treaty and (b) the Maastricht treaty; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Soames

We assess that the Government's proposals for the handling of defence issues at the 1996 intergovernmental conference would not necessarily require amendment of either treaty.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the Western European Union's decision-making process and of how this process can he enhanced; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Soames

The Government's proposals for the handling of defence issues at the 1996 intergovernmental conference include, as a major element, the creation of a new WEU body at head of state and Government level, involving full members of the WEU, association members and observers, with the aim of providing a reinforced decision-making process for matters related to European defence and for mobilising effective European military capabilities.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy concerning the use of Western European Union associate partners in future Western European Union military operations; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Soames

Our intention will be to seek to ensure that the arrangements that are set in hand for the development of the WEU allow for the voluntary participation of association partners in missions undertaken by the WEU, where appropriate.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy concerning European burden sharing in relation to future developments in the Western European Union.

Mr. Soames

It is the Government's view that European members of NATO should develop arrangements in the defence and security field that will ensure that they arc able, collectively, to shoulder more effectively their share of the burden of promoting security and stability on the European continent, on its periphery and beyond. The Government will also want to see arrangements put in place that ensure that the burden is shared equitably among European nations. The proposals that we have made to our partners, in the context of the review of defence matters at the 1996 intergovernmental conference, are designed to promote these aims, among others.