§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the present situation regarding the command and control of Combined Joint Task Forces (CJTF) and the uses these forces might make of US "national assets" usually available to NATO, whether there are currently any decisions taken in NATO other than by consensus, and whether CJTF decisions would be taken other than by consensus.
Earl HoweWe expect agreement soon on the main features of a Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) concept that will give NATO the ability to construct deployable headquarters from within existing fixed headquarters, to provide the command and control of multinational and joint forces deployed on contingency operations. CJTF headquarters will also, subject to agreement in the North Atlantic Council, be available to the Western European Union for use in operations where WEU takes the lead. The concept itself provides for the use of national as well as NATO assets in these headquarters. Decisions16WA concerning the deployment of CJTF headquarters in NATO operations, or on their availability for specific WEU operations, would in all cases be taken by consensus as are all decisions in NATO.