§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the organisation of the NATO rapid reaction corps; what forces have been assigned to its command; which NATO nations have contributed such forces; and what is its relationship to the corps formed by Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain. [21080]
§ Mr. SoamesThe ACE rapid reaction corps consists of a multinational corps headquarters, 10 divisions and corps troops. Of the 10 divisions under its command the HQ plans to deploy with up to four for any one operation. The United Kingdom has contributed two divisions—one includes an attached Italian brigade and the other an attached Danish brigade. Further divisions are contributed by Italy, Germany, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, the US and Spain. The remaining two divisions are multinational and include brigade contributions from Belgium and the Netherlands. In addition to the nations listed above, Canada, France, and Norway are represented by staff in HQ ARRC.
HQ ARRC and HQ Eurocorps are separate organisations which maintain a liaison and co-operation link.
§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the NATO rapid reaction corps is now fully operational. [21079]
§ Mr. SoamesThe headquarters of the Allied Command Europe rapid reaction corps was declared fully operational on 25 April 1995.