HC Deb 27 January 1998 vol 305 cc181-2W
Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of NATO Joint Sub-regional Command (Madrid) in the control of the(a) waters and (b) airspace around Gibraltar currently under the operational command of the United Kingdom. [24474]

Mr. George Robertson

NATO's Joint Sub-regional Commands, once implemented, will have no permanently established boundaries or areas of responsibility. Regional Commanders will be able to propose the establishment of areas of responsibility for particular Joint Sub-regional Commands in specific contingencies or missions. Such proposals will require the approval of all NATO nations. The defence and security of Gibraltar, its associated territorial waters and airspace are, and will remain, the direct responsibility of the United Kingdom.

Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will break down by nationality the staff assigned to NATO Joint Sub-regional Command (Madrid). [24476]

Mr. George Robertson

Work is currently under way to determine the number and type of posts to be established in each HQ in NATO's future command structure; this will lead to agreement to the allocation of posts to nations. In common with all headquarters, the Joint Sub-regional Command at Madrid will be multinationally manned.

Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provisions in respect of (i) air access to Gibraltar by(a) civilian and (b) military aviation and (ii) access to Spanish naval bases by Royal Navy vessels visiting Gibraltar have been included in the agreement for Spanish accession to full membership of NATO. [24472]

Mr. George Robertson

The UK, together with other Allies, has welcomed Spain's announcement of its intention to join the Alliance's integrated military structure. The detailed arrangements have still to be established. We are addressing military air access to Gibraltar and naval movements bilaterally and in the context of Spain's entry into NATO's future Command Structure. We will deal separately with the question of civilian air access to Gibraltar.

Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if decisions on the future role of the NATO Joint Sub-regional Command (Madrid) undertaken by the Military Committee have to be reached by unanimity; and what is the time scale for a final resolution. [24473]

Mr. George Robertson

Military Committee decisions are taken by consensus. A detailed implementation plan for the new NATO command structure will be developed for consideration and endorsement by the Military Committee and North Atlantic Council at the end of this year.

Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of the NATO Joint Sub-regional Command (Madrid) in stability operations in North Africa involving Gibraltar. [24475]

Mr. George Robertson

For specific operations, Regional Commanders may propose particular roles and responsibilities for their subordinate commands. These subordinate commands will include Joint Sub-regional Command South West, to be based at Madrid, once it has been implemented as part of NATO's future command structure. Such proposals will require the approval of all NATO nations.