Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to increase the UK's contribution to UN peacekeeping activities; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Mark Francois, Minister of State for the Armed Forces: Membership and engagement with multilateral organisations such as the UN, NATO and in some cases the EU, provide us with opportunities to achieve our security ends more efficiently and effectively than through bilateral channels alone - especially where we can combine efforts with like-minded countries. Various options related to the UK's future contribution to UN peacekeeping are currently being explored. These must be weighed against our role as the fifth biggest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping, our national interest and our ongoing national, bilateral, and multilateral obligations and commitments. Any decision to increase our contribution will be made with these factors in mind.

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