NATO Summit

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Excerpts

Monday 16th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this issue. It is fair to say that we have been pressing for reform of NATO for some time, as has the United States, recognising these issues. NATO does recognise the issue and it is still working on that question. It is important that we have made our offensive cyber-capabilities available to the alliance. One or two other countries are now doing that as well, and I look forward to seeing others do the same.

[Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) (Lab)]

The Brussels declaration highlighted how arms control should

“continue to make an essential contribution to achieving the Alliance’s security objectives”.

Can the Prime Minister confirm what steps the Government are taking on that, particularly with regard to small arms, which can be so devastating?

[The Prime Minister]

We have one of the most robust and rigorous arms export regimes in the world. The hon. Gentleman mentions small arms, and some work on that is being led by the French. It is something that we have looked at previously, to try to ensure that firearms are not transported for criminal purposes, particularly across Europe. We continue to work on that.