Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment the Government has made of using the Joint Precision Airdrop System to provide aid to besieged Syrian civilians.

The UK does not possess a Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) capability. Our assessment is that, although JPADS is relatively precise, the size and weight of the system and the risk risk of collateral damage are such that it is not generally suitable for use in a populated environment. We continue to work with allies and partners on potential options for delivering aid but the most effective means remains road deliveries of large quantities, organised by Humanitarian agencies and coordinated with authorities on the ground.