Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Rosindell Excerpts

Monday 26th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Brief questions, please. A sentence will suffice, I am sure.

[Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con)]

T2. Will the Secretary of State categorically reassure the House that the Government will stop forthwith handing over control of national security assets via the EU defence and procurement schemes?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Stuart Andrew)]

The UK remains unconditionally committed to European security by playing a leading role in NATO and maintaining our strong transatlantic links. The UK will retain sovereign control over its armed forces. The agreement simply allows us to work together when we think that is in our best interests. That will only be as a third-party relationship, respecting the UK’s sovereignty and the EU’s autonomy.