HL Deb 15 May 2002 vol 635 cc45-6WA
Lord Hardy of Wath

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps are being taken to ensure that the arrangements which are to be made to replace the European Defence Capabilities Initiative are adequately monitored. [HL4123]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach)

The United Kingdom is working closely with Allies and NATO staffs to develop a capabilities improvements programme to build upon NATO's Defence Capabilities Initiative at the Prague summit in November. We expect the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Reykjavik on 14 to 15 May, and of Defence Ministers in June, to give major impetus to this work.