Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Strengthening NATO

Tuesday 14 January 2025 · 4 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Foreign Secretary discussed NATO with allies and plans to meet with the President-elect of the United States.
  • The Foreign Office appointed a new ambassador in Washington DC and is willing to consider requests from Committees in due course.
  • The Government has taken steps to secure the Indo-Pacific alliance and committed to waiting for input from President Trump's team before finalising agreements.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Foreign Affairs
Context

NATO has been a cornerstone of security for the Euro-Atlantic region for 75 years. The President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, has made statements about territorial acquisition that could affect NATO members like Denmark, Greenland, and Canada.

Question

What discussions have you had with NATO allies on strengthening the alliance? What discussions does the Foreign Secretary plan to have with the President-elect of the United States about the status of Denmark, Greenland, and Canada? Will the Foreign Secretary remind President-elect Trump that his pronouncements on expanding US influence are watched by adversaries?

Answer from Stephen Doughty (Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

NATO is the cornerstone of UK and Euro-Atlantic security. We regularly discuss NATO with our allies; NATO Foreign and Defence Ministers meet three times a year. The future of Greenland’s constitutional arrangements is a matter for Denmark and Greenland. It would be wrong to speculate on policy decisions by the incoming US Administration. I met with the Greenlandic Foreign Minister yesterday to discuss these issues.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Emily Thornberry Lab Islington South and Finsbury
Foreign Affairs
Context

The UK has appointed Lord Peter Mandelson as the new ambassador to Washington DC, which is an unusual decision given his lack of a traditional diplomatic career. This raises concerns among critics and parliamentary committees.

Question

May I congratulate the Foreign Office on the inspired appointment of our new ambassador in Washington DC? To silence critics and show respect to Parliament and its Committees, will the Foreign Office agree that Lord Mandelson should come before my Committee before leaving for the United States?

Answer from Stephen Doughty (Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We are convinced that Lord Mandelson will do an excellent job as our representative in Washington. It was a pleasure to meet him last week to discuss his plans. Obviously we have one ambassador at a time, but I am sure that we will consider any request from the Committee in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to allow Lord Mandelson to appear before the committee was not directly confirmed.

How: We Have One Ambassador At A Time

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Foreign Affairs
Context

Ministers have failed to provide answers about the future security and costs involved with the proposed treaty concerning the UK military base on Diego Garcia. There are concerns that the new US Administration under President-elect Donald Trump may affect this.

Question

Given the importance of Indo-Pacific security alliance, will the Minister give a straight answer? Will he make a commitment to wait until President Trump is in office and has had time to discuss this deal with his team before finalising any agreement with Mauritius?

Answer from Keir Starmer

The Indo-Pacific security alliance is paramount. We have made commitments to secure the future of the Diego Garcia base and have support from the US Administration and national security apparatus. We will come forward with details in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to delay finalising agreement until after new US administration is not directly confirmed.

How: We Will Come Forward With Details In Due Course

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Calum Miller Lib Dem Bicester and Woodstock
Foreign Affairs
Context

The President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, has made unpredictable statements about territorial acquisition, tariffs on neighbouring countries, and his approach to international relations.

Question

May I ask what steps your Government has taken to 'Trump-proof' UK foreign policy? What specific steps have been taken to accelerate an improvement in UK’s relationship with European partners since 5 November?

Answer from Stephen Doughty (Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We have made commitments to European security through NATO and shown leadership in tackling Russian shadow fleets. The special relationship with the US will endure, and we look forward to working with President-elect Trump and his team on a range of issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details on specific steps taken to 'Trump-proof' foreign policy are not provided.

How: The Special Relationship Will Endure

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email