HL Deb 11 November 1999 vol 606 cc191-2WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have been consulted by the United States authorities, within NATO or bilaterally, on the legality of, and on the rules of engagement appropriate to, the waging of information warfare on other countries' computer networks, both civil and military, as discussed by the United States authorities in their Assessment of International Legal Issues in Information Operations; and whether United States forces are equipped and permitted by Her Majesty's Government to carry on such operations from their bases in the United Kingdom and United Kingdom dependent territories. [HL4681]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The Government have close and frequent contact with the US authorities on a wide range of operational matters. Equipping of US forces for information warfare is a matter for the US Government. The use of US bases in the UK for military operations planned by the US is the subject of long-standing arrangments whereby their use is a matter for joint decision by Her Majesty's Government and the US Government in the light of circumstances prevailing at the time.