Written question asked by Liam Fox (Conservative) on Monday, 21 April 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 April 2008. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Monday, 28 April 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

NATO Response Force

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what mechanisms the NATO Response Force is funded; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Costs associated with the NATO Response Force (NRF) are borne directly by the nations providing the force elements; common funding arrangements are not applied. The exception to this is a time-limited arrangement (until the end of 2009), by which common funding can be used to defray the costs associated with the short-notice deployment of elements of the NRF. This is intended to allow nations a reasonable period of time in which to acquire - individually, collectively or by ensuring access to—the strategic lift capability they need to be able to deploy their own forces.

Secondary information