DEFENCE
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to deter threats overseas to UK interests. [182087]
Dr Murrison, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for International Security Strategy: I refer my right hon. Friend to the written evidence submitted by the Ministry of Defence to the House of Commons Defence Committee's ongoing inquiry into “Deterrence in the 21st Century” which is available at the following link:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmdfence/writ...
The deterrence of threats to the UK's security, influence and prosperity is the primary peacetime role of the armed forces. On a routine basis, the armed forces work closely with other instruments of national power, and with allies and partners, to deter a wide range of threats to UK interests, at home and abroad.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress his Department has made on defence engagement; and if he will make a statement. [182354]
Dr Murrison, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for International Security Strategy: The Ministry of Defence has made good progress implementing the International Defence Engagement Strategy (IDES) published on 7 February 2013.
In Burma, Thailand and Vietnam we have established Defence Sections and have accredited Defence Attachés (DA). Our DA in Libya is now in place and with an expanded Defence Assistance and Training Team are providing significant support to developing their security. Our new defence section in Somalia is playing a key role in supporting the co-ordination of international efforts to enable African Union and Somali National Security Forces to maintain control and provide a safe and secure environment. Recently we saw the utility of Defence Engagement activities when we rapidly redeployed HMS Daring to the Philippines. We have also endorsed a number of regional Defence Engagement strategies which are being taken forward by our overseas posts. Additionally the statement highlighted an Army initiative to align Brigades regionally to deliver better effect. The proof of concept for this initiative is progressing well.
The IDES set out to enable better cross-Government co-ordination and we have made good progress. Defence engagement is now providing strong support to wider Government policy objectives including our Prosperity and Security agendas. The joint governance we put in place with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office demonstrated by the establishment of the Defence Engagement Board is working well and enables us to make better balanced decisions about where to engage and why.