Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 80 of the July 2018 White Paper, The future relationship between the UK and the EU, Cm 9593, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the operations of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance of UK involvement in EU operational planning.

The White Paper makes clear that the UK will continue to collaborate with European allies and partners on military and civilian operations around the world. Our Armed Forces are engaged in operations across the globe including with the EU. The UK has conducted this activity for many years alongside its long-standing commitments to the Five Eyes Intelligence enterprise. There are no indications that our proposed future relationship with the EU will have any effect on the Five Eyes relationship.