HC Deb 20 July 1998 vol 316 cc426-7W
25. Dr. Iddon

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps the Government are taking to increase joint service co-operation in Britain's armed forces. [49601]

Mr. George Robertson

Increasing Joint Service co-operation and integration is a major theme of the Strategic Defence Review. We had already announced the creation of a Joint Services' Command and Staff College at Watchfield. As a result of the Review we will create a pool of Joint Rapid Reaction Forces to include all of our readily available capabilities, bring the Royal Navy and RAF Harriers together in a 'Joint Force 2000' and enhance the role of the Chief of Joint Operations. We will set up a Joint Helicopter Command and new joint arrangements for ground-based air defence and nuclear, chemical and biological defence. We will create a new tri-Service four-star Chief of Defence Logistics and significantly expand joint integration in the support area. Finally, we will set up a Joint Defence Centre to develop tri-Service doctrine and planning.