§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What part of the proposed costs of the proposed expansion of NATO is being allocated to the United Kingdom.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe present NATO cost-share keys are long established. We expect the accession of new members to result in a proportionate reduction in the UK share of the NATO budget. It is impossible to predict the details until it is known which countries will be invited at the Madrid Summit to begin accession negotiations.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, if it appears that the expansion of NATO eastwards will not "enhance security and stability throughout the Euro-Atlantic area" (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey, H.L. Deb, 10 February,WA 3), the proposal will be withdrawn.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThis question is hypothetical. We and our NATO Allies believe that enlargement of the Alliance will enhance security and stability throughout the Euro-Atlantic area.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the meaning of the statement by the Minister of State (Sir Nicholas Bonsor, HC Deb., 26 February, col. 275) that the matter of the costs of any enlargement of NATO "is now in the hands of NATO".
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThis was a reference to the tasking placed on the NATO authorities by paragraph 28 of the communique issued by NATO Defence Ministers at their meeting on 17 and 18 December 1996, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What credence they give to the various figures for the costs of the proposed expansion of NATO aired in the United States which vary at the least between US 35 billion dollars and US 125 billion dollars.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyI refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave to his Question on 19 November 1996 (vol. 575, col.WA 130).