HC Deb 04 November 1999 vol 337 cc255-6W
Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the WEU Situation Centre and Planning Unit, the WEU Satellite Centre in Torrejon, Spain, and the WEU Institute for Security Studies in Paris will be incorporated into the EU. [96970]

Mr. Hoon

A decision on the structures the EU will need to assume its responsibilities regarding Common Security and Defence policy is not expected until the end of the year 2000—the timeframe agreed at the European Council meeting in June this year.

Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to create mechanisms to allow the involvement of WEU member states that are not members of the European Union in EU-led operations. [96972]

Mr. Hoon

At the Cologne European Council, Heads of State and Government agreed to develop arrangements to allow all non-EU European Allies to take part to the fullest possible extent in EU-led crisis management operations, building on existing consultation arrangements within the WEU. We are working to develop suitable mechanisms for this purpose.

Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what he estimates the cost will be to his Department of implementing the conclusions of the Cologne summit on Common Security and Defence Identity. [96969]

Mr. Hoon

The conclusions of the Cologne European Council supported the development of more effective European military capabilities. Our Strategic Defence Review has already produced plans to this end through better targeting of resources. The nature and scale of the structures needed within the EU to support military decision-making have not yet been decided. Their costs are likely to be modest.