Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many countries are now being considered by the National Security Council for possible interventions under the Building Stability Overseas Strategy; how many of those countries are seen as posing a terrorism-related threat to the United Kingdom; and how many are seen as failed or failing states that might, in the future, harbour or assist internationally active extremists.

The Government has a strong cross-departmental approach that draws on the most effective combination of defence, diplomacy, development assistance, security and intelligence to achieve the National Security Council's priorities and long-term goals on conflict, stability and security. The new Conflict Stability and Security Fund will continue to focus on those fragile and conflict-affected countries or regions where there are risks to the UK's interests, including from terrorism, and where we know we can have an impact. The Fund will be a mix of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) and non-ODA resources which will allow for a range of interventions, including the security sector reform and peace keeping support which are crucial to building stability and paving the way for sustainable peace.