§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What currently is the state of association between British and United States forces in the Gulf area, and whether Her Majesty's Government are in any way, formally or informally, bound to co-operation, military or other, with the USA in that area and in the area of the Caspian, and if so in what way.
Earl HoweThere are no formal UK/US Government to Government arrangements in operation in the Gulf area or in the area of the Caspian. UK and US forces participate in UN operations in the Gulf in support of the UN Special Commission (UNSPCOM) and the UN Iraq/Kuwait Observer Mission (UNIKOM). UK and US forces also operate as part of the coalition Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, the no fly zone operation which exists to deter Iraqi repression of the civilian population in Southern Iraq. The RN ARMILLA patrol operates with the US Navy and others in enforcing the UN sanctions imposed against Iraq. In addition UK and US forces regularly participate together in multinational exercises in the Gulf area.