To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Memoranda of Understanding are in force as a result of agreements with foreign governments entered into by Ministers in his Department; and what executive actions each entails. (144471)

Comprehensive records of Memoranda of Understanding are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, it is estimated that there are in the region of £3,000 Memoranda of Understanding and similar arrangements relating to international defence co-operation in force at present. These cover all aspects of international defence co-operation, such as detailing the general arrangements for co-operation, the organisation of deploying on, and hosting of, international training and exercises, the exchange of personnel and units, equipment and research collaboration and the protection of classified information. Details of individual defence co-operation Memoranda of Understanding are not normally released into the public domain without the consent of participating countries.