Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Green Excerpts

Tuesday 15th May 2018 Commons Chamber

[Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab)]

10. What steps he is taking to ensure the investigation and prosecution of any breaches of international humanitarian law in Syria.

[Chris Green (Bolton West) (Con)]

15. What diplomatic steps he is taking with his international counterparts to end the conflict in Syria.

[Victoria Prentis (Banbury) (Con)]

23. What diplomatic steps he is taking with his international counterparts to end the conflict in Syria.

--- Later in debate ---

[Alistair Burt]

The short answer is yes. It is a question of gathering the evidence and providing the right forum, but undoubtedly war crimes have been committed. We are working continually with authorities to see what mechanisms can be used to hold people to account. I wish we could be certain of the outcome.

[Chris Green]

Given the limited impact of the United Nations Security Council to date, does my right hon. Friend agree that when it comes to resolution by consensus its terms must be adhered to?

[Alistair Burt]

Absolutely, and I am grateful to my hon. Friend. We actually got resolution 2401 through by consensus. It called for a ceasefire and humanitarian access, particularly in relation to eastern Ghouta but it applied all over Syria. The resolution was then not adhered to by some of the parties who had signed up to it. If we are going to make any progress on Syria, UN resolutions have to be adhered to.