Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

NATO and Euro-Atlantic Security

Monday 15 November 2021 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Rob Butler inquired about the UK's contribution to NATO and Euro-Atlantic security, to which the response emphasized the UK's commitment and role in NATO's deterrence and defence.
  • Barry Sheerman questioned NATO's response to the situation between Russia and Belarus, highlighting the plight of people on the borders and the need for a strong stance against Russian actions.
  • Alicia Kearns asked about the UK's military presence in peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Ukraine, and inquired if a defence minister would attend Bosnian Armed Forces Day.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rob Butler
Defence
Context

Rob Butler inquired about the recent assessment made by the Department regarding the UK's contribution to NATO.

Question

What recent assessment his Department has made of the UK's contribution through NATO to the security of the Euro-Atlantic area?

Answer from Ben Wallace

NATO is the cornerstone of UK and Euro-Atlantic defence. As set out in the recent integrated review of international policy, the UK will remain the leading European ally within NATO, bolstering the alliance by tackling threats jointly and committing our resources to collective security in the Euro-Atlantic region.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on a recent assessment but provided general context of UK's commitment to NATO.

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Q2 Rob Butler
Defence
Context

Rob Butler visited NATO air command at Ramstein for briefings from RAF officers and questioned the importance of the RAF's role.

Question

With cross-party members of the armed forces parliamentary scheme, I recently visited NATO air command at Ramstein for briefings from the excellent RAF officers based there. Given Russia's frequent incursions into NATO airspace, its aggression and its threats, does my right hon. Friend agree that the RAF's involvement is a crucial aspect of NATO's commitment to constant vigilance and the protection of each and every member of the alliance?

Answer from Ben Wallace

My hon. Friend is right that the RAF is a key component of NATO's deterrence and defence posture. The RAF preserves the security of alliance airspace through its contribution to enhanced air policing and its commitment of forces to the NATO response force. The RAF also provides high-quality staff officers to NATO headquarters, and it provides air transport, air-to-air refuelling and intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance support to NATO exercises and operations.

Answered
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Q3 Barry Sheerman Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

Sheerman expressed concern over Russia's and Belarus' aggressive policies towards bordering countries, especially concerning refugees.

Question

The Minister knows very well what is happening between Russia and Belarus. He knows how many people are hostage on these borders, and how many children are in danger of dying of cold and starvation. What is NATO actually doing to show Russia that we mean business when it has devious and disgraceful policies such as this?

Answer from Ben Wallace

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to say that what is going on in Belarus—and then into Poland, Estonia and these other countries—is a tragedy and a disgrace, in the way it has treated vulnerable people and clearly brought them over from other parts of the world. I am visiting Poland this week to discuss matters with my Polish counterparts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on NATO actions against Russian aggression but mentioned a diplomatic visit to Poland.

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Q4 Alicia Kearns Con Rutland and Stamford
Ukraine Defence
Context

Kearns inquired about potential military uplift for NATO peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Ukraine.

Question

Given the extremely concerning situations in not only Bosnia, but Ukraine, will my right hon. Friend please advise as to whether he plans to uplift our military presence to peacekeeping operations in both countries? Will a defence Minister attend the Bosnian Armed Forces Day at the start of December to show our continued support for peace in the region?

Answer from Ben Wallace

My hon. Friend makes an important point about another part of eastern Europe and the Balkans that is currently experiencing destabilising actions, activities and messaging that do no one any good. As she will know, it is a EUFOR deployment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but there is also a NATO deployment, and I am open to exploring what more we could do in that area. Baroness Goldie will be attending the conference my hon. Friend asks about.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific plans for uplift of military presence but confirmed attendance at an event.

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Q5 John Healey Lab Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Ukraine Defence
Context

Healey mentioned a potential attack in Liverpool and the need for military readiness.

Question

May I offer our very best wishes to David Perry, whose heroic actions in Liverpool yesterday may have prevented a despicable and devastating attack on the city's remembrance ceremony? I say to the Defence Secretary that we share his grave concerns about deteriorating security and destabilisation, both in Bosnia and on the Ukraine border. We fully back the diplomatic efforts he mentions to de-escalate tensions, but, as the Chief of the Defence Staff said yesterday, we also “have to be on our guard and make sure deterrence prevails”. So may I ask the Defence Secretary to confirm that a war-fighting division is still the bedrock of the British Army and the defence capability Britain offers NATO? When will this division be fully capable for combat operations?

Answer from Ben Wallace

The right hon. Gentleman is correct to identify that a war-fighting division is the bedrock. Obviously, as we reform and invest in new capabilities, the scale and availability of that division will fluctuate, as we re-equip and re-posture. However, that does not prevent our already having a very, very high-readiness battle group available in Estonia, with a matter of hours to move, as one of the best parts of deterrence is readiness, as opposed to simply having just scale on its own.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific timeline for full capability but mentioned current high-readiness status in Estonia.

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Q6 John Healey Lab Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Defence
Context

The Army informed the Select Committee on Defence that it will not be until the early 2030s before a fully equipped war-fighting division, including a new strike brigade, can be fielded. There are concerns about capacity and military capability due to ongoing cuts.

Question

The right hon Gentleman mentioned serious questions about capacity and military capability. Given Britain's previous contribution of 2,400 troops to UN peacekeeping in Bosnia when the Army was 145,000 strong, and with current cuts reducing it to half that size, how confident is he that Britain could meet NATO requirements if forces are needed in both eastern Europe and the Balkans simultaneously?

Answer from Ben Wallace

I am very confident of meeting our commitments: we have completed another round of forces allocation within NATO to ensure readiness. We use a new scheme allowing trade of different capabilities, such as trading some for more maritime contribution. The Chief of the Defence Staff's comments reflected the situation at the end of the transition period but noted that throughout this period, 3 Division will maintain battle-winning capabilities and ability to take on Russia within NATO commitments. Recently visited Salisbury plain where saw over 270 vehicles in action.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a direct answer regarding confidence in meeting simultaneous requirements for forces deployment in both eastern Europe and the Balkans

How: Changed Subject To Nato Trade Of Capabilities, Focused On Current Readiness Without Addressing Future Scenarios

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