HC Deb 29 November 2000 vol 357 cc639-40W
Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what UK forces will be allocated to the proposed European rapid reaction corps. [139948]

Mr. Hoon

The UK is not allocating forces to an EU rapid reaction corps.

As was announced to the House on 20 November 2000, Official Report, column 10W, the UK has identified a pool of forces and capabilities which would enable it to contribute effectively to crisis management operations in support of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, where NATO as a whole is not engaged. UK participation in any particular operation, and the nature of our contribution, would be matters for decision by the UK Government in the light of circumstances at the time.

In the maximum scale operation envisaged at Helsinki—a corps level deployment of up to 60,000 ground troops—the UK component could be around 12,500 strong. Maritime and air deployments of up to 18 warships and 72 combat aircraft could be made in addition.

Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the use of EU insignia by UK armed forces on peacekeeping operations. [139947]

Mr. Hoon

British troops on EU-led crisis management operations would continue to operate under the UK flag and wear British uniforms and cap badges. Identifying insignia or armbands are often worn for NATO-led operations, and always with the UN, to identify the troops as belonging to that operation. There have been no discussions in the EU about adopting a similar approach for EU-led operations.

Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect on the expenditure on armed forces by EU countries his Department has estimated to result from the creation of a rapid reaction corps separate from NATO. [139957]

Mr. Hoon

There has been no creation of a European rapid reaction corps.

The EU, with the assistance of NATO, has identified the pool of forces and capabilities required to carry out the full range of Petersberg tasks. EU member states have nominated those elements of their own national forces they believe could contribute to this requirement and have committed themselves to make further improvements to meet a defined level of capability (the "Headline Goal") by 2003.

Decisions on spending in response to this commitment are a matter for individual countries. Next year, however, according to figures given to NATO by its member nations, defence spending will rise in real terms in 11 of the European Union member states.