Dr Julian Lewis:  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will publish the obligations of the countries participating in the AUKUS agreement towards one another; whether those obligations (a) have been or (b) will be included in a formal treaty document; and whether those obligations include an obligation to consider an attack upon one as an attack against all participating states.  [59699]

[Due for Answer on 25 October] 

ANSWER 

The Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa (James Cleverly): Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (AUKUS) is a concrete articulation of the UK's ambition, made in the Integrated Review, to deepen defence, security and foreign policy ties with like-minded allies across the globe. The first step is an 18-month programme of work to identify the optimum way to deliver a nuclear-powered (not armed) submarine capability to the Royal Australian Navy. The exact nature of any future agreement on submarines will be worked out as part of this feasibility study.

In addition, our three countries have committed to enhance the development of joint capabilities and technology sharing. And we will foster deeper integration of security and defence-related science, technology, industrial bases and supply chains. AUKUS is an enhanced security partnership, reflecting the unique level of trust and cooperation between the UK, US and Australia. It does not include an obligation to consider an attack upon one as an attack against all participating states.