Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the UK, as a major stakeholder in the European Investment Bank, will take part in discussions in December about the Bank giving greater support to the European Defence Fund (EDF); and whether they expect the UK to benefit from the setting up of a single European Defence Market with the EDF deciding on apportionment of contracts across the EU.

As long as the UK is part of the EU it remains a full member of European Investment Bank (EIB). This means that the UK continues to have full representation on the EIB Board of Directors and will continue to participate in ongoing EIB business. The Chancellor also acts as an EIB Governor and continues to represent the UK at the EIB Board of Governors.

As stated in the government’s Future Partnership Paper on Foreign Policy, Defence and Development, the UK wants to explore how best to ensure that the UK and European defence and security industries can continue to work together. We will consider options and models for future participation in the Commission’s European Defence Fund including both the European Defence Research Programme and the European Defence Industrial Development Programme.

On the wider issue of the UK security relationship with the EU, the government has proposed a bold new strategic partnership with the EU, including a comprehensive agreement on security, law enforcement and criminal justice co-operation. The Prime Minister has made clear that United Kingdom is unconditionally committed to maintaining Europe’s security. And the UK will continue to offer aid and assistance to EU member states that are the victims of armed aggression, terrorism and natural or manmade disasters.