§ Lord Finsbergasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the present position concerning the combined joint task force (CJTF) and when it is expected that the force will be operational.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe):The combined joint task force concept concerns the creation of flexible, deployable headquarters to improve NATO's abilities to assemble and control multinational forces for contingency operations. We do not envisage a standing force. Development has been slower than expected but we continue to press for progress on this important initiative.