Mr John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): I warmly welcome the Government’s policy of not intervening militarily in Syria, but may I seek assurances from the Secretary of State that every action will be taken by the Government and by friendly Governments around the world to make sure that perpetrators of atrocities in Syria are outlawed, and that should they seek to leave their country they will stand trial and any wealth and money they have forfeited?
The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): Our position remains that there needs to be a robust response to the illegal use of chemical weapons. The House of Commons has ruled out military participation in any such response, but we will pursue every diplomatic, political and other channel to continue to deliver the robust message that my right hon. Friend calls for.
September 4, 2013
He did not answer the question did he.
Assad should be declared as having commited war crimes because he used chemicals that are banned. This worked in Bosnia. Yet nobody seems to raise it except were you have here, and then it was brushed over with flimfalm. How odd!
September 4, 2013
Thanks John, for saying the right thing once again in Parliament. I am pleased to note that you did not name the perpetrator, I trust that the government will ensure, if it turns out that the opposition were responsible for the atrocity (or similar, like beheadings, throwing people off buildings etc.) that they will also be censored and punished.