On Wednesday 2 July the House of Lords International
Relations and Defence Committee will hear from the three
external reviewers of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) as it
holds an evidence session focusing on the Review's findings and
implementation.
The session will start at 2.30pm and will be available to
watch live or on demand at Parliament
TV or attend in person in Committee Room 4, Palace
of Westminster.
Giving evidence will be:
-
The Rt Hon the of Port Ellen KT,
Review leader, Strategic Defence Review; Defence Secretary
(1997-1999} and NATO Secretary General (1999-2004);
-
General Sir Richard Barrons, Reviewer,
Strategic Defence Review; former Commander of Joint Forces
Command; and
-
Dr , Reviewer, Strategic
Defence Review; Senior Fellow at the Center on the United
States and Europe, Brookings; and former US presidential
advisor.
Questions will include:
- While the SDR rightly emphasises NATO and Euro-Atlantic
security, how should the Government address emerging and
persistent threats in other strategically important regions, such
as the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East?
- In your view, how can the Government ensure that a
‘NATO-first' approach does not come at the expense of strategic
autonomy or operational independence?
- How should the UK shape its defence and security relationship
with the US in response to the US' shift in strategic priorities?
- To what extent is successful implementation of the SDR
dependent on the programme of Defence Reform? For instance, are
there specific reform areas that you see as critical enablers?
- What role, formal or informal, do you as Reviewers have in
monitoring implementation of your recommendations?
- How would you assess the strengths and limitations of the
external reviewer model as a mechanism for shaping government
policy?
