To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the European Parliament report calling for an “Integrated European Armed Force”; and what assessment they have made of its compatibility with their opposition to the creation of a European army. [HL1724]

Any decision over the use of UK Armed Forces remains with the Government. The UK's policy remains that there will be no standing European army, navy or air force. We have just one set of military forces and they belong to the UK, not to any international organisation, although that is often the framework in which they will be used. Any national contribution to EU-led crisis management operations is strictly voluntary and the UK has a veto over the launch of any EU-led operation. The European Parliament has no direct role in European military defence matters and this report is therefore a contribution to a debate rather than establishment of a new policy.