To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning NATO command, control and communication information interoperability. [9976]

[holding answer 18 January 1996]: Much work has been done, in recent years, to improve interoperability of United Kingdom and NATO command, control, communication and information systems. The pace of change in information systems technology means that it has been necessary to maintain a constant programme of work to build on current achievements.Recently, major initiatives such as the joint Warrior interoperability demonstration and the interoperability symposium in The Hague have assisted progress. Particular successes have been achieved in naval and air systems including the joint tactical information distribution system.