§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy towards the conclusions of the US Department of State report on the enlargement of NATO, with particular reference to the responsibility for bearing the costs associated with improving NATO's regional reinforcement capabilities. [19107]
§ Mr. SoamesWe are aware of the recent report to Congress by the US Administration on the enlargement of NATO, and believe that it provides a useful assessment of the issues. Rapid reinforcement is already a fundamental tenet of NATO doctrine. The Government have invested significantly, and will continue to invest, in the required capabilities, but we do not expect the enlargement of NATO of itself to require any significant changes to the level of this investment.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the financial cost to Britain of NATO expansion up to the year 2000. [19108]
§ Mr. SoamesNo decisions have been taken on which countries will accede to NATO membership, when and on what terms. The costs of enlargement, which will fall both on the countries which join and on the existing members of the alliance and will be incurred over a long period, will depend on those decisions but are not expected to be unaffordable. We expect the accession of new members to result in a proportionate reduction in the UK share of NATO common budgets.