HL Deb 10 June 2004 vol 662 cc48-50WA
Lord Astor of Hever

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the United States-United Kingdom Bilateral Defence Acquisition Committee was established; what are its terms of reference and membership; how often it has met; and how its deliberations are to be made public. [HL2998]

Lord Bach

The Bilateral Defence Acquisition Committee was established as a result of the agreement between my right honourable friend the Prime Minister and President Bush on 17 July 2003. The first meeting took place on 9 February and the second took place on 3 June. Its deliberations are a matter for our two Governments, but we will of course keep industry informed of relevant developments. Representation at meetings is dependent upon the subjects being discussed. The terms of reference were signed by Dr Paul Wolfowitz, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, US DoD and Sir Kevin Tebbit, the Permanent Secretary, UK MoD at the first meeting on 9 February.

The terms of reference are as follows:

The Bilateral Defence Acquisition Committee (BDAC) is a senior forum between the United States Department of Defense (DoD) and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MoD). Its purpose is to increase the effectiveness of defence acquisition co-operation between the two nations, as agreed in an exchange of letters between the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the President of the United States. It includes representation from each nation's foreign policy establishments. Consistent with the exchange of letters, the BDAC will, as a minimum:

Develop and co-ordinate efforts to improve information and technology exchange including the timely release of classified and sensitive information.

Clarify existing arrangements for the US and UK defence industrial information sharing and release to ensure consistent and reciprocal treatment.

Address co-operative lifecycle acquisition activities from research and development and test and evaluation, to co-operation in procurement and in logistics support.

The BDAC will initially meet quarterly to ensure that action is pursued vigorously to implement, in practical measures, the spirit of enhanced co-operation and openness represented by the exchange of letters. At least one meeting each year will be chaired by the United States Deputy Secretary of Defense and the Permanent Secretary of the United Kingdom MoD. Other meetings will be chaired by the DoD Linder-Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics and the MoD Deputy Chief of Defence Staff for Equipment Capability. Meeting venues will alternate between the two nations.

These terms of reference were signed on 9 February 2004 and will be reviewed at a minimum every two years.