§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress made at EU level on the Eurolift project for the establishment of an EU air transport command. [135661]
§ Mr. HoonThere is no Eurolift project for the establishment of an EU air transport command. The European Air Group, which comprises seven European nations—Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and UK—is, however, conducting a study into options for improving interoperability and co-ordination 545W of military airlift between member nations. The study is not expected to be completed before the end of this year, so it would be premature to judge the outcome at this stage.