Oral Answers to Questions

Gagan Mohindra Excerpts
Tuesday 4th February 2020

(4 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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The Secretary of State was asked—
Gagan Mohindra Portrait Gagan Mohindra (South West Hertfordshire) (Con)
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1. What diplomatic steps he is taking to strengthen relations with NATO allies.

Craig Williams Portrait Craig Williams (Montgomeryshire) (Con)
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7. What diplomatic steps he is taking to strengthen relations with NATO allies.

Dominic Raab Portrait The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and First Secretary of State (Dominic Raab)
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NATO protects nearly 1 billion people across 30 countries. It is the most successful alliance in history, and we are proud to be a leading member.

Gagan Mohindra Portrait Gagan Mohindra
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that NATO is the cornerstone of UK and Euro-Atlantic security? Will he support all efforts to increase burden sharing across the alliance?

Dominic Raab Portrait Dominic Raab
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Non-US defence investment has increased by £130 billion between 2016 and 2020. It is expected to rise further, by £400 billion, by 2024, and that is progress, but allies need to increase their defence spending in the way that he described. Of course, the UK is one of nine NATO allies meeting its 2% commitment, including a 20% increase in investment in new capabilities.