Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

NATO

Monday 26 June 2023 · 3 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Tom Randall inquired about steps taken to strengthen NATO unity, highlighting Finland's accession as a result of lobbying efforts at the NATO Defence Ministers' meeting.
  • The Minister confirmed the establishment of a UK-based maritime centre to support undersea infrastructure security, stating it is part of NATO's long-term plan.
  • Kevan Jones referenced a resolution for a NATO democracy resilience centre and inquired about efforts to persuade the remaining nation to agree, to which the Secretary of State offered to write with further details.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tom Randall
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP asks about steps taken to strengthen NATO unity, referencing recent actions and the upcoming Vilnius leaders' summit.

Question

What recent steps has his Department taken to strengthen NATO unity? The MP notes that Finland's accession was a result of successful lobbying at the NATO Defence Ministers' meeting on 15-16 June. He asks about further initiatives to enhance alliance solidarity.

Answer from Ben Wallace

I regularly engage with NATO allies, including most recently at the NATO Defence Ministers' meeting where we demonstrated solidarity with Ukraine. We successfully lobbied for Finnish NATO membership and hope to achieve similar success for Sweden soon.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific details on future plans or further steps taken to strengthen NATO unity beyond recent successes.

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Q2 Tom Randall
Defence
Context

The MP inquires about a newly agreed NATO maritime centre based in the UK, questioning whether it is part of a long-term plan and seeking more details.

Question

Welcoming the announcement at the NATO Defence Ministers' conference that NATO has agreed a new UK-based maritime centre to support undersea infrastructure security, can my right hon. Friend assure me that this new centre is part of a long-term alliance plan? Can he provide further details on its role?

Answer from Ben Wallace

I am delighted that NATO will host its new Maritime Centre for the Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure in the UK. The centre is part of NATO's long-term plan to secure undersea infrastructure, bringing together allies and industry for greater situational awareness and intelligence sharing.

Answered
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Q3 Kevan Jones Lab
Defence Democracy & Elections
Context

The MP inquires about a resolution passed by the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to create a democracy resilience centre, asking for efforts at the upcoming summit to persuade the last member nation to agree.

Question

Noting that NATO was created to protect democracy and safeguard values underpinning it, I reference a resolution from a year ago proposing a democracy resilience centre within NATO. Understanding this has been agreed by all nations but one, can the Secretary of State put effort behind persuading that member at the upcoming summit?

Answer from Ben Wallace

I think it is best if I write to the right hon. Member about the details and will look into it, happy to discuss what needs progress with him. We aim to get to the bottom of this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide a commitment or timeline for persuading the remaining member nation but offers to write and discuss details.

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