Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Bridget Phillipson and Michael Fallon

Monday 12th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) (Lab)]

4. What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the RAF’s military operations in Iraq and Syria.

[The Secretary of State for Defence (Sir Michael Fallon)]

The Royal Air Force has made a vital contribution to the counter-Daesh coalition, carrying out 1,092 strikes in Iraq and 75 in Syria, and providing essential intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. In Iraq, the RAF has helped Iraqi security forces reclaim significant territory, including supporting operations to liberate Mosul. In Syria, the RAF has already attacked Daesh’s capital in Raqqa while supporting opposition groups pushing back Daesh on the ground.

[Bridget Phillipson]

The RAF is making real progress in tackling Daesh in Iraq and Syria, and our thoughts at this time of year must be with our brave servicemen and women. Once Mosul has been liberated by the Iraqi Government what role does the Secretary of State anticipate for the RAF in Iraq?

[Sir Michael Fallon]

We shall be reviewing progress in Iraq and Syria with the military commanders at the counter-Daesh coalition meeting in London on Thursday, and will map out a road to longer-term peace in Iraq, including potential future deployments in different parts of Iraq that may help to continue the training we have been offering Iraqi forces, and further work on counter-terrorism. We will also discuss the need to control the spread of the return of foreign fighters from Iraq and Syria to the different countries that they came from.

--- Later in debate ---

[Sir Michael Fallon]

This year we have established regional defence staffs in the Gulf, based in Dubai; in Asia-Pacific, based in Singapore; and in Africa, based in Abuja. That fulfils the defence engagement commitment that we made in the strategic defence review last year. The new regional defence staffs will work with our international partners to protect and advance our interests by reinforcing bilateral and multilateral defence relationships.

[Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) (Lab)]

T2. I welcome the role that UK forces will play in Estonia as part of NATO’s forward presence. It is vital that we provide reassurance in facing the threat from Russia. What further steps will we take to bolster security in the Baltic states and in Poland?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Bridget Phillipson and Michael Fallon

Monday 12th September 2016 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fallon]

That is a suggestion I will certainly consider. Gibraltar is a key base for the Royal Navy. I think last week we had two, possibly three, ships from the Royal Navy calling in on Gibraltar, and Gibraltar of course retains its affiliation to the Crown despite the recent referendum.

[Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) (Lab)]

14. What steps he is taking to ensure support for quality apprenticeships and training programmes through current and future defence procurement.