To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 23 November 2006, Official Report, column 173W, on submarines, in what circumstances it has been envisaged that provision for EUFOR-designated submarines may need to be made; whether UK submarines could be used in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement. (107222)

It has not been envisaged that submarines might be required for either EUFOR Althea in Bosnia or EUFOR Democratic Republic Congo.

The EU Requirements Catalogue, which sets out the capabilities needed for the EU to be able to carry out European Security and Defence Policy operations, recognises the possible need for submarines in some potential missions, for example in enforcing an embargo.

In our response to the EU Requirements Catalogue we have included submarines among the forces we might potentially be willing to make available to be used in EU led operations. Any request by the EU to use UK submarines would be judged on a case by case basis and in the context of current commitments.