Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Ian C. Lucas and Julian Brazier

Monday 23rd November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Ian C. Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab)]

13. What assessment he has made of the potential effect of UK withdrawal from the EU on defence and national security.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Julian Brazier)]

This Government believe we can, and indeed will, succeed in reforming and renegotiating our relationship with the EU. The cornerstone of our security is NATO, but the EU plays an important role complementing NATO, for example recently in imposing sanctions on Russia. Defence remains a sovereign issue.

[Ian C. Lucas]

The UK, together with other EU partners, has worked hard in areas—such as in Mali on EU training missions—which have made a significant contribution to defence. Will the Government give close consideration to how such missions would continue if Britain were to withdraw from the EU?

[Mr Brazier]

I can only repeat my earlier answer. We are confident that the renegotiation will succeed. The hon. Gentleman is right to say that the mission to which he refers, and others including the anti-piracy mission off the horn of Africa, have been a success.