In order to maintain operational and personnel security, we do not comment on rules of engagement or on UK targeting procedures.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1544", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Milton Keynes North"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Lancaster"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-10T16:40:20.41Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Syria: Military Intervention"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the UK has changed its targeting practices and widened its rules of engagement in Syria.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4083", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alison McGovern"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wirral South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alison McGovern"} ], "uin" : "2986"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/748135", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/748135/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The protection of civilians is a priority for the UK, and we will continue to work closely with the US and other partners to that end. We have provided significant support to humanitarian planning for Raqqah operations. This has included involvement in the Coalition's civil-military planning process and detailed engagement with the UN and agencies.<\/p>
Arranging the safe passage of civilians to areas of safety hinges entirely on the goodwill of parties to the conflict. UK aid does not currently go to Daesh-held areas because Daesh are blocking humanitarian access. In areas of the Raqqah Governorate liberated from Daesh, DFID-funded partners are supporting the displaced with food, shelter, healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene assistance.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1544", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Milton Keynes North"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Lancaster"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-10T16:44:21.827Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Syria: Military Intervention"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to support humanitarian planning to ensure that civilians are protected and are offered safe routes to voluntarily evacuate during the military offensive to capture Raqqa.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4083", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alison McGovern"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wirral South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alison McGovern"} ], "uin" : "2987"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/748136", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/748136/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The RAF's targeting process is rigorous: the protection of civilians is at its heart. Commanders constantly weigh the arguments for and against strikes in their consideration of whether or not to give permission. Parameters are set in advance of each planned strike to minimise the risk of collateral damage. UK aircrews always operate in accordance with International Humanitarian Law, the Law of Armed Conflict and under strict Rules of Engagement. Our pilots can - and do - decide, right up to the last minute, NOT to strike if they have any reason to believe there is a risk of causing civilian casualties.<\/p>
There is no evidence from the operations so far - either from our own detailed assessments which take place after every strike, or from the information provided to us by third parties - that any RAF airstrikes have caused civilian casualties.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1544", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Milton Keynes North"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Lancaster"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "2984"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-10T16:39:21.757Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Syria: Military Intervention"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent estimate he has made of the level of civilian casualties in Syria as a result of the recent Counter-Daesh military assault on Raqqa.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4083", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alison McGovern"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wirral South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alison McGovern"} ], "uin" : "2988"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/749757", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/749757/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
On 2 July, I announced the signature of a contract with BAE Systems worth around £3.7 billion to start the manufacture of the first batch of three Type 26 Frigates with the first steel to be cut later this month. This is an excellent deal for the taxpayer and a momentous commitment for Scotland that will strengthen and secure our shipbuilding industry on the Clyde for the future.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/88", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Michael Fallon"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sevenoaks"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sir Michael Fallon"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-10T16:53:18.477Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Type 26 Frigates"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on agreeing a contract for the Type 26 frigate.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4601", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Bowie"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andrew Bowie"} ], "uin" : "900309"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/749758", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/749758/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK has not taken part in negotiation of this treaty, and does not intend to sign, ratify or become party to it. It will not be binding on the UK. The UK does not accept that this treaty can constitute a development of customary international law binding on the UK or other non-parties. The UK continues to pursue step by step nuclear disarmament consistent with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/88", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Michael Fallon"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sevenoaks"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sir Michael Fallon"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-10T16:54:50.52Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nuclear Disarmament"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on his Department's policies of the draft treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons published by the UN in May 2017.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4453", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tommy Sheppard"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Edinburgh East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tommy Sheppard"} ], "uin" : "900315"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 5, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }