Asked by: Lord Hunt of Chesterton (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are taking steps, in collaboration with UK allies, to use the latest technologies to provide early warnings to communities in Syria of chemical attacks; and whether those early warnings systems could be used by allied forces for aerial release of equipment such as medicines and face masks where appropriate.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The UK Government fully supports the US military action on 7 April 2017 against the Syrian air force base at Shayrut, from which it is assessed that the Syrian regime launched a chemical weapons attack against its own population. The US action reinforces the internationally-held red line that the use of chemical weapons is barbaric and illegal. It is not practicable to provide protection in advance against specific chemical weapons attacks, which take place indiscriminately and without warning. The UK has provided support to the White Helmets, which helps to ensure that they are among the first to respond to any attack and are able to save lives. In the face of continued intransigence by the Syrian regime and its backers, the UK will continue to work through options with our international partners to overcome the challenges before us.