Supplementary memorandum from the Ministry
of Defence
During the evidence session last week on the
US/UK Defence Trade Treaty, you asked me to consider whether the
Committee could have the opportunity to scrutinise the finally
agreed Implementing Arrangements (lAs) before completing your
Report and making any recommendation with regard to the ratification
of the Treaty. You reminded me that the Leader of the House had
only granted an extension of the Ponsonby period until 12 December
2007.
I have now considered your request, and on reflection
I think it is not possible to recommend to the Leader of the House
that there be any further extension.
As was set out in our Memorandum and oral evidence,
the Implementing Arrangements neither effect existing legislation
nor call for new. We have set out the principles we are following
in negotiating the lAs and I explained the boundaries we put on
the discussions with the US, going beyond which would lead me
to advise that we do not proceed to bring the Treaty into force.
As your Committee itself emphasised, it is critical
that we work hard to ensure that the Treaty is not stymied by
failure by Congress to endorse the efforts of the US Administration
through ratification by a vote in the Senate. I am going on the
Hill myself next week to help persuade members to give the Treaty
priority in their calendar. But the most significant lever will
be our own Parliamentary ratification. To delay will only increase
doubts in Congress and prejudice the Treaty's success.
However I am keen that you be kept fully in
the picture with regard to the progress of the negotiations on
the lAs and would be very happy for you to receive an informal
briefing from officials on their return from the latest negotiating
session in Washington.
Rt Hon Baroness Taylor of Bolton
Minister for Defence Equipment and Support
27 November 2007
| 
