Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Written Statement of 21 October 2014, Official Report, column 63WS, on the Middle East, how many UK Reaper aircraft are conducting missions in Syria; and whether authorisations have been sought for any missions by those aircraft other than for surveillance.
Answer
No UK Reaper missions have been conducted in Syria other than for surveillance purposes. No authority has been granted for the discharge of weapons from UK Reaper aircraft operating in Syrian airspace. I am withholding information on the number of UK Reaper aircraft conducting missions in Syria as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.