To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the certification process is for UK military units participating in the EU battle groups; and who certifies them. (154259)

Before being part of any EU Battle Group package, nations are required to certify that their contribution meets the defined standards and criteria as set out in the EU Battle Group concept. As such, UK military units participating in an EU Battle Group are nationally certified following a number of Battle Group level exercises to assess and validate their competencies and readiness.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what UK (a) brigade, (b) battalions and (c) companies formed the core of the EU battle group in the first half of 2005. (154223)

The UK commitment to provide a European Union battle group on standby from January to June 2005 was covered by the Joint Rapid Reaction Force. Once the characteristics of any appropriate EU operation were known, the most appropriate units would have been selected from those forming the Joint Rapid Reaction Force at the time. This included 1st Battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles as the Spearhead Land Element (replaced by 1st Battalion the Royal Green Jackets in April 2005, now 2nd Battalion The Rifles), and 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment who provided the airborne taskforce capability throughout.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when UK military units participating in EU battle groups have to be certified for the 2008 EU battle group. (154260)

Member states contributing to the EU battle group are required to certify one month in advance of the standby period that their battle group package meets the battle group standards and criteria. Any UK military units expected to participate in the UK commitment to provide an EU battle group on standby from July to December 2008 should therefore be certified by 1 June 2008.