Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 December 2003. It was answered by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Monday, 8 December 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what costs he estimates will be incurred by the proposed development of a joint NATO and European amphibious capability; how the chain of command within the UK/Netherlands amphibious capability will be adapted if this develops into a joint NATO and European amphibious capability.

Answer: Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what costs he estimates will be incurred by the proposed development of a joint NATO and European amphibious capability; [142284] (2) how the chain of command within the UK/ Netherlands amphibious capability will be adapted if this develops into a joint NATO and European amphibious capability. [142283] Mr. Hoon: There is no proposal to develop a joint NATO and European amphibious capability, hence no additional costs are anticipated. Under the five-nation European Amphibious Initiative the amphibious forces of United Kingdom, Netherlands, France, Spain and Italy work together on interoperability and doctrine, and co-ordinate training (which may be with NATO). National amphibious forces are used for NATO or EU crisis management operations only on the decision of the nations concerned. In the case of the UK/ Netherlands Amphibious Force, the agreement of both countries is required. There are no plans for this to change.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 415 c277-8W;415 c277W; 142284;142283
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Armed forces Defence Costs EU countries Military alliances NATO EU defence policy Netherlands
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk