Orders of the Day — European Communities (Amendment) Bill — [4th Allotted Day]

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 6:03 pm on 17 October 2001.

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Photo of Angus Robertson Angus Robertson Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Defence), Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) 6:03, 17 October 2001

Perhaps I can help the hon. Gentleman by giving a clear example of NATO's inability to fulfil the role that he suggests. Several days ago, Austria's air force was scrambled because a Turkish plane, which could not verify its course, was flying in Austrian airspace, and it was not clear whether it would continue to Germany or Italy. As Dr. Lewis is aware, Austria is not a member of NATO, so the co-operation that Mr. Miller is proposing could happen only in a European context, and not in a NATO one.