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£4,000,000 was paid in October 1994, leaving a balance of £11,000, 000 to be paid in accordance with the exchange of notes.

Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the cleansing operation at the Maralinga site to be completed under the exchange of notes between Her Majesty's Government and the Federal Government of Australia concerning the former United Kingdom nuclear test and experimental programme sites at Maralinga, the Monte Bello islands and Emu field, Cm. 2533; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Soames: That is a matter for the Australian Government.

Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what visits officials have recently paid to inspect the cleansing operation at the Maralinga site; if such officials and their federal Government counterparts have held discussions with representatives of the Aboriginal people living in the area in relation to the exchange of notes between Her Majesty's Government and the Federal Government of Australia concerning the former United Kingdom nuclear test and experimental programme sites at Maralinga, the Monte Bello islands and Emu field, Cm. 2533; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Soames: There have been no such visits or discussions by my officials. Both the operation itself and any discussions with representatives of the Aboriginal people are matters for the Australian Government.

European Armed Forces

Mr. Cash: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to whom allegiance will be given by British forces in the

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proposed (a) European Army and (b) Anglo- French or European air force.

Mr. Soames: We have no plans for a European army, or for a bi- national or European air force.

Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to discuss the pooling or merging of (a) some and (b) all of the RAF and the French air force for operations (i) outside and (ii) within continental Europe (1) at the next Franco-British summit and (2) on other occasions;

(2) what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the proposal to merge (a) some and (b) all of the RAF and the French air force on an operational basis.

Mr. Soames: Discussions are taking place with French officials to identify ways in which British and French air forces may operate together more effectively outside the NATO area. That does not involve any merger of the air forces. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence intends to carry forward those exchanges at the forthcoming summit.

Defence Forces

Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on current levels of the defence forces.

Mr. Soames: The current strength of the Armed Forces--as at 1 September 1994--is 246,926--Royal Navy 53,961; Army 120,058; Royal Air force 72,907. Our armed forces are manned, equipped and supported to enable them to meet their commitments as laid out in the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1994".

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