§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their policy towards United Nations Security Council authorisation for action and interventions by NATO. [HL259]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanArticle 51 of the UN Charter preserves the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence; NATO members may use force in self-defence without requirement for prior UN Security Council authorisation. In cases where there is a legal requirement for Security Council authorisation for use of force, that requirement applies equally to NATO members as it does to other states.