§ Sir Dudley SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to develop further the Western European Union's intelligence section. [31750]
§ Mr. SoamesThe intelligence section agreed by Ministers in 1995 is not operational. Any further development of its capabilities would be undertaken by WEU in the light of experience.
§ Sir Dudley SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with the Western European Union mobility study following the Western European Union Ministerial Council meeting in Birmingham and the meeting of Western European Union Chiefs of Defence Staff in London. [31752]
§ Mr. SoamesFollowing endorsement of the strategic mobility concept by Chiefs of Defence Staff and by Ministers, a special WEU working group has begun examining the most effective means by which the concept might be implemented.
§ Sir Dudley SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made as to when the Western European Union will be in a position to conduct a full-scale Petersberg-type operation. [31747]
44W
§ Mr. SoamesOur target is for the WEU to be capable of conducting a small-scale crisis management mission by the end of 1996. Achievement of this goal depends on the WEU making further progress on the operational improvements we have initiated during our presidency.
§ Sir Dudley SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries have not to date offered to provide intelligence data to the Western European Union's intelligence section. [31751]
§ Mr. SoamesThis is a matter for the nations concerned.
§ Sir Dudley SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures will be taken to increase the involvement of the associate partner members in Western European Union's work on operational development with particular reference to Africa peacekeeping, exercise policy and humanitarian task force operations. [31749]
§ Mr. SoamesWEU associate partners have already taken part in discussions on the specific issues referred to by the hon. Member. They have also been invited to provide information on the forces that they might make available for WEU operations. We look forward to their further involvement in discussions on other operational matters.
§ Sir Dudley SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will encourage the Western European Union to add a public relations element to its current crisis exercises, Crisex 96. [31753]
§ Mr. SoamesThe WEU intends to use this exercise to promote its operational role to the media, and plans a press visit to the exercise. The WEU will also be testing internally new procedures for operational public information policy, developed as a UK initiative.