The UK frequently discusses the violence against civilians in Idlib with Russia and China in meetings of the UN Security Council, most recently on 30 September. The UK was recently involved in textual negotiations with Russia and China and other Security Council members on a draft resolution on Idlib which was, to our great disappointment, vetoed by Russia and China on 19 September. The previous Prime Minister raised the situation in Idlib with President Putin at the G20 Summit on 28-29 June.

The UK regularly presses the Coalition on the importance of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and of conducting thorough and conclusive investigations into alleged violations of IHL. We welcome the release of over 100 statements by the Coalition Joint Incident Assessment Team from investigations into alleged breaches of IHL in Yemen.

We welcome the improvements in the quantity and quality of JIAT’s statements. While we recognise there remains room for improvement and will continue to provide support, we are encouraged by the progress JIAT has made.

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​The Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria provide a thorough risk assessment framework for regulating the export of arms and dual-use equipment from the UK. The Government will not grant an export licence if to do so would be inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria, including if there is a clear risk that the equipment might be used for internal repression, or in the commission of serious violations of International Humanitarian Law.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is leading a review of the Government's approach to Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict. This is an opportunity to take into account recent developments in the field of Protection of Civilians policy, including research and analysis by governments, international organisations, NGOs and academia. In this context, the recent report by the Royal United Services Institute and Save the Children will inform the review, which we expect to conclude by the end of 2019.

​The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is leading a review of the Government's approach to Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict – an initiative that coincides with the 20th anniversary of the first Protection of Civilians Resolution to be agreed by the UN Security Council in 1999 (UNSCR 1265). The review involves contributions from both the Department for International Development and the Ministry of Defence. It is an opportunity for the Government to take into account recent developments in the field of Protection of Civilians policy, including work by states, international organisations, civil society and academia, and to consider a wide range of issues including inter alia, casualty recording and civilian-harm tracking mechanisms. The review will be completed by the end of 2019.

​The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is leading a review of the Government's approach to Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict. This is an opportunity to take into account recent developments in the field of Protection of Civilians policy, including research and analysis by governments, international organisations, NGOs and academia. In this context, the recent report by the Royal United Services Institute and Save the Children will inform the review, which we expect to conclude by the end of 2019.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is leading a review of the Government's approach to Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict. This is an opportunity to take into account recent developments in the field of Protection of Civilians policy, including research and analysis by governments, international organisations, NGOs and academia. In this context, the recent report by the Royal United Services Institute and Save the Children will inform the review, which we expect to conclude by the end of 2019.

​The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is leading a review of the Government's approach to Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict. The review involves contributions from both the Department for International Development and the Ministry of Defence. It is an opportunity for the Government to take into account recent developments in the field of Protection of Civilians policy, including work by states, international organisations, civil society and academia, and to consider a wide range of issues, including children in conflict zones, casualty recording and civilian harm-tracking mechanisms. The review will be completed by the end of 2019.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is leading a review of the Government's approach to Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict – an initiative that coincides with the 20th anniversary of the first Protection of Civilians Resolution to be agreed by the UN Security Council in 1999 (UNSCR 1265). The review involves contributions from both the Department for International Development and the Ministry of Defence and is an opportunity for the Government to take into account recent developments in the field of Protection of Civilians policy, including work by states, international organisations, civil society and academia, and to consider a wide range of issues, including inter alia casualty recording and civilian harm-tracking mechanisms. The review will be completed by the end of 2019.

The Government operates one of the most robust export control regimes in the world. We will not issue any export licences that are inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria, including Criterion 2(c): whether there is a clear risk that the goods might be used in the commission of a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law.

The UK does not routinely track the use of specific weapons once sold to another country. Our current approach is to focus on a rigorous risk assessment before a licence is issued and consider whether goods might be used in a way which is inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria. The UK does not carry out end-use verification checks overseas once the licence is issued. However, we can and do respond quickly to changing international situations and review, suspend or revoke licences as necessary when circumstances require.

We have played a leading role in diplomatic efforts, including bringing together key international actors to try to find a peaceful solution. I visited the region from 25 to 29 September in support of UN efforts to make political progress and alleviate the humanitarian situation. I met Yemeni, Saudi, Emirati and Oman representatives, as well as UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and urged all parties to engage constructively with the UN Special Envoy in order to reach an enduring political settlement in Yemen. The UK has also hosted a series of Quad meetings of foreign ministers from the US, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, and the former Foreign Secretary visited Aden in March, which was the first visit to Yemen by a Western foreign minister since the start of the conflict in 2015.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

The consultation on Legal Protections for Armed Forces Personnel and Veterans will close on 13 October 2019. The Ministry of Defence will study carefully the responses on its proposals (on a statutory presumption against prosecutions arising from overseas incidents occurring more than 10 years previously; on a partial defence that takes account of the operational context; and on limiting the courts’ discretion to extend the three-year time limit for bringing civil claims for personal injury or death) before deciding how to take these measures forward.

The proposed civil litigation longstop will not preclude Service personnel or civilians deployed on overseas operations from bringing claims in relation to PTSD or other conditions that manifest or are diagnosed more than 10 years after the incident which caused the condition, as section 11 of the Limitation Act calculates time limits from the later of (a) the date on which the cause of action accrued or (b) the date of knowledge.

The Government is reviewing its strategy on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict. By undertaking this review, in the 20^th anniversary year of the first UN Security Council Resolution to focus on the Protection of Civilians, the Government will be able to ensure that its evolving approach reflects the changing international landscape and the complexity of many – often protracted – conflicts. The review also provides an opportunity for the Government to consider recent research by academics and NGOs in this important field. We aim to complete the review by the end of 2019.

We have not received reports of this incident. We regularly discuss the situation in Syria with the Government of Turkey, and have made clear to Turkey the importance we attach to protection of civilians in Afrin.

The Secretary of State will build on the work of his predecessor and continue to have regular engagement with his US counterpart on counter-terrorism activities. We have not sought to make an independent assessment of the accuracy or impact of US strikes in Somalia; this would be challenging, given the difficult security environment. The main cause of civilian casualties in Somalia is the insurgency and indiscriminate terrorist activity of Al-Shabaab. Support from the US and others to the Federal Government of Somalia's efforts to counter terrorism is critical to limiting Al-Shabaab's capability to inflict harm.

An independent Royal Fleet Auxiliary attitude survey was conducted in 2017 and all members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary were encouraged to participate. Of the 45% of staff who completed this survey, 42% were satisfied with Royal Fleet Auxiliary life in general.

This information is not held by the Department. As Ministry of Defence Civil Servants, the pay of members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary is governed by HM Treasury Public Sector Pay Guidance.

As at 1 April 2019 the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) employed 1,880 personnel. There were 137 women and 1,743 men, equating to 7.3% of RFA employees being women. The average age of ratings was 43 years and the average age of officers was 39 years.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold this information as Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel are not mandated to record it. The Biannual Civilian Personnel Report, produced by Defence Statistics, does, however, contain published information on MOD civilian staff which includes Defence wide LGBT+ and BAME statistics.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold this information as Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel are not mandated to record it. The Biannual Civilian Personnel Report, produced by Defence Statistics, does, however, contain published information on MOD civilian staff which includes Defence wide LGBT+ and BAME statistics.