Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the Government's policy is on the role of Parliament in military interventions in the Red Sea.

As the Prime Minister explained in his 15 January 2024 oral statement to the House, the need to maximise the security and effectiveness of the 12 January military operation against the Houthis meant it was not possible to bring this matter to the House in advance. The Prime Minister came to update the House at the earliest possible opportunity. The Government remains committed to continuing to update the House.