Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with NATO allies on the potential impact of the retirement of naval assets on the UK's ability to contribute to NATO operations.

NATO remains the cornerstone of UK Defence. As such, the Royal Navy continues to make and fulfil a leading contribution to NATO. The retirement of naval assets announced by the Secretary of State on 20 November has no impact on current commitments.

The Strategic Defence Review will look at enhancing the UK’s contribution to NATO and sustaining a “NATO first” defence policy, while protecting vital UK sovereign requirements and strategic reach.