Surplus US Defence Equipment: Disposal to EU Member States

HL Deb 11 February 1999 vol 597 c49WA

Lord Hardy of Wath

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the long-term security interests of Western Europe are assisted, and whether fair competition is served, when surplus United States combat aircraft are given to member states of the European Union. [HL782]

Lord Gilbert

The security interests of Western Europe are served by the maintenance of an adequate defence capability by the countries of Western Europe, as well as by the continued engagement of the United States in European security. Decisions on the acquisition of defence equipment are a matter for national governments.