NATO
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in implementing a customer-funded approach to the NATO Communication and Information Systems Services Agency budget; and if he will make a statement. [127566]
Mr Robathan, Minister of State, Ministry of Defence: The NATO Communication and Information Systems Services Agency (NCSA) was subsumed into the new NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA), which was established on 1 July 2012. Elements of the NCIA programme are already customer-funded, and we expect all business to be financed in this way from 2014.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in implementing the new NATO Command Structure; and if he will make a statement. [127567]
Mr Robathan, Minister of State, Ministry of Defence: The new NATO Command Structure (NCS) was agreed in principle at the Lisbon summit in 2010, since when the new geographic footprint and allocation of senior level posts amongst the allies has been agreed. The United Kingdom has retained the post of Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR) and is filling the post of Commander of the Maritime HQ at Northwood. The allocation of the remaining posts should be agreed in December 2012. Initial operating capability for the NCS is planned for December 2013 with full operating capability to follow no later than December 2015.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) achieved and (b) planned savings for the NATO Agencies Reform Programme are. [127568]
Mr Robathan, Minister of State, Ministry of Defence: The new NATO agencies structure has only been in place since 1 July 2012 so it is too early to make a realistic assessment of savings achieved. The agencies have been directed to deliver an initial saving of 20% on their running and personnel costs while maintaining capability and service delivery.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the NATO Agencies Reform Programme; and if he will make a statement. [127569]
Mr Robathan, Minister of State, Ministry of Defence: The reform of NATO's agencies is a key element of the wider programme of transforming the North Atlantic Alliance for the 21st Century. Under plans agreed by Heads of State and Government at the Lisbon summit in 2010 the Alliance has transitioned to a new structure that comprises three core agencies covering communications and information, support, and procurement, all of which were formally established on 1 July 2012. Additionally, an Office of Shared Services has been set up to take forward the provision of shared services across the three agencies and NATO HQ, thus achieving savings through collective procurement and rationalisation.