HC Deb 27 November 2000 vol 357 cc427-8W
Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria he will apply in distinguishing between military crisis management operations and war fighting. [139949]

Mr. Hoon

The UK is able to contribute forces to crisis management operations designed to prevent, contain and resolve conflict, in support of international order and humanitarian principles. The most demanding case is peace enforcement and armed forces deployed for this task must be able to exercise their authority and ensure compliance by the use of force if necessary. But this would fall short of "warfighting", which is normally taken to mean high intensity conventional warfare.

Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent studies his Department has made of the relationship between war fighting and failed attempts to manage crises. [139954]

Mr. Hoon

There have been no specific recent studies into the relationship between war fighting and failed attempts to manage crises. However, the Ministry of Defence conducts a review of operational lessons from every operation in which the armed forces are involved. In addition, historical and operational analysis are used to support MOD planning.

Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate his Department has made of the effect on deterring conflicts of the absence of US automatic involvement in crisis management by the EU. [139956]

Mr. Hoon

No state is automatically involved in crisis management, either in NATO or in the EU. Where Europeans and North Americans wish to act together in a military response to a crisis, NATO will remain the most likely framework. Where NATO as a whole is not engaged, the EU might launch an operation. In such a case the EU would expect to have recourse to NATO assets and capabilities, if necessary, as proposed by NATO at its Washington Summit in April 1999.

The availability of a full range of possible responses from the EU and NATO acting in cooperation, as envisaged under the current proposals, should improve our ability both to deter and resolve crises.

Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what circumstances he considers that the NATO structure would be unsuitable for crisis management. [139955]

Mr. Hoon

NATO has the capacity to conduct a wide range of crisis management operations and would be the natural choice of organisation where Europeans and North Americans wished to act together. The decision whether or not to use NATO structures for a particular operation would be taken by NATO members in the light of circumstances.