Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gavin Williamson and Adam Holloway

Monday 22nd October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Gavin Williamson]

The national shipbuilding strategy highlighted the fact that the definition was to apply to aircraft carriers, frigates and destroyers, and the strategy was welcomed on both sides of the House.

[Adam Holloway (Gravesham) (Con)]

9. What contribution UK forces are making to counter-Daesh operations in Syria and Iraq.

[The Secretary of State for Defence (Gavin Williamson)]

RAF strikes in Iraq and Syria will continue until Daesh has been defeated in both Iraq and Syria. In Iraq we have about 500 personnel participating in the coalition’s programme of training.

[Adam Holloway]

Can the Secretary of State give some indication of what we are doing to maintain the momentum against a fractured Daesh?

[Gavin Williamson]

It is important to remember that although Daesh has been considerably weakened and the amount of territory under its control has been massively reduced, it remains a great threat. In the last month alone the RAF has made 27 strikes against it, which goes to show that the tempo of operations is not actually slowing down. We cannot take it for granted that Daesh has been defeated, and we must continue to put pressure on it.