Oral Answers to Questions

Jack Lopresti Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con)]

7. What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Government's actions with respect to Libya; and if he will make a statement.

[Jack Lopresti (Filton and Bradley Stoke) (Con)]

11. What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Government’s actions with respect to Libya; and if he will make a statement.

[The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr William Hague)]

The UK continues to take a leading role in international efforts to protect civilians in Libya. The case for action remains compelling. Gaddafi’s regime persists in attacking its own people and wilfully killing its own civilian population. We have taken diplomatic action, including co-chairing the Libya contact group, and have played a key role in military action by NATO and provided more than £13 million of humanitarian aid to the Libyan people.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Hague]

Yes, I certainly join in what my hon. Friend says about Royal Air Force air and ground crews, and of course the Royal Navy is also playing an important role in the vicinity of Libya. The number of sorties continues to mount, with hundreds over the weekend, and the UK continues to play a very strong role, including through strike sorties. I am pleased to say that more nations have been involved in those strike sorties, reflecting the continued increase in the tempo of the military activity and the strengthening of the international coalition.

[Jack Lopresti]

What are the outcomes so far of having British military officers on the ground in Libya to advise the Libyan rebels?

[Mr Hague]

These are early stages for the deployment to which my hon. Friend refers. What I can say is that we are confident that that military liaison advisory team is giving real and worthwhile assistance to the transitional national council for the objectives of helping with headquarters operations—how to organise headquarters and logistics—which I set out in my announcement. That is beginning to have some effect, but it is too early to give a definitive account.