NATO Obligations 2023-03-13
2023-03-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK is committed to NATO, but there are concerns about meeting the financial obligations.
What steps he is taking to ensure that the UK meets its obligations to NATO?
Our commitment to NATO and Euro-Atlantic security is unconditional. We have enhanced our force posture in Estonia and sent warships and fighter aircraft to south-east Europe and the Mediterranean. We contribute to every NATO mission and declare the UK's nuclear deterrent to NATO.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific steps being taken to ensure financial obligations are met were not detailed
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
A recent report by the Defence Committee highlighted concerns about UK's lack of ammunition reserves, impacting domestic and NATO defence capabilities.
What assurance can he provide that the shortage will not impact our domestic abilities and wider commitments to NATO?
The hon. Gentleman makes a sensible point. The Select Committee's report is being read at the moment and will be responded to as would be expected. A small proportion of equipment and stockpiles provided to Ukraine come from current active inventory, with an even larger proportion sourced or manufactured overseas.
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Assessment & feedback
Direct assurance about the impact of ammunition shortages was not provided
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Ministers plan to cut the size of the Army, while NATO has agreed to increase high readiness forces. Concerns about whether the updated integrated review will halt these cuts.
Will the updated integrated review halt cuts to Army numbers?
My right hon. Friend has been clear all along that if facts change, so will our approach to force structure. Force size and readiness are not necessarily directly connected. We study lessons from Ukraine carefully and the last IR is being looked at.
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Assessment & feedback
Direct confirmation about halting Army cuts was avoided
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns over the additional funding for defence allowing more teeth arm units and support arm units to NATO.
Could I ask my very good friend the Minister whether the additional money for defence will allow us to provide more teeth arm units, plus the support arm units—enablers—to NATO?
It may do. The reality is that we are still providing a large number of frontline units to NATO, particularly in the maritime and air domains. Land forces concern logistics and strategic enablers, which need reinvestment.
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Assessment & feedback
Direct confirmation about additional funds leading to more units was avoided
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns over procurement options with NATO allies for stockpiling and ammunition.
Are Ministers looking at what procurement can be done commonly with NATO allies?
Absolutely. The UK works with allies around the alliance, both through the alliance itself and bilaterally, finding out that industrial capacity cannot be turned on just like that.
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Assessment & feedback
Direct confirmation about joint procurement was not provided in detail
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns over senior British military officer's doubts about UK's leading NATO member status due to Army's war-fighting capability hollowing out, with today's funding announcement focusing on nuclear enterprise and stockpiles.
With today's funding announcement limited to nuclear enterprise and stockpiles, can he confirm whether it is still his Department's policy to cut troop numbers by 10%, cut the reserves and provide no additional funding to plug gaps in war-fighting capability?
As a naval constituency representative, focusing on simply the Army does our armed forces disservice. The UK commits its entire nuclear deterrent to NATO, maritime task groups more than any other ally, air policing, Allied Rapid Reaction Corps and various high-readiness Army formations.
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Assessment & feedback
The question about cuts and funding was entirely avoided
Response accuracy