Follow us on twitter. And now live to london for british Prime Minister question time. It is with the house of commons, bringing you Prime MinisterDavid Cameron taking questions from the house of commons. Prime minister cameron is in southland for the independence vote. William hague will step in for the Prime Minister. Prior to question time members are finishing other business. Now live to the floor of the british house of commons. There was no monitoring whatsoever as the volume of pakistan from the trade Union Facility and civil service, we now have controls in place but 23 Million Pounds last year and we have already reduced the number of full time taxpayer funded Union Officials from 200, fewer than can this summer. Questions to the Prime Minister. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my right hon. Friend. And the leader of the opposition in scotland to listen and talk to us about the huge choice they face and the message to the scottish people is simple from england, wales and Northern Ireland, we want you to stay. I join the Prime Minister to gin dobbin who died over the weekend. Hardworking and principles parliamentarian, respected on both sides of the house. You will be very sadly missed and i know the thoughts of the house are with his family and friends. This morning i have meetings with ministerial colleagues and others and in addition to my duties in the house i will have further meetings later today. Can i join you in tribute to dobbins, he is sorely missed and our thoughts and prayers are on their families. Mr. Speaker, the best impact is discriminatory, damaging and not even working. Outside of this house we are fairly clear when the government now listens, scratching this rigid policy because be warned, we will. This is a basic issue of fairness because if you live in private rental accommodation to receive housing benefits these rules apply. And we had a situation which neighboring households should be treated equally, asking about the private members, there are proposals in the bill to cost the country 1 billion pounds and because we introduce a cap on overall spending making those changes would mean finding savings elsewhere. I havent heard any suggestions on that. Assuming a no vote in a scottish referendum, who in the government will represent england for the new revolution settlement, who speaks for england, do we need a voice and a new deal . There are many of us, representing your chair for 25 years i can speak for england. And a far bigger area than they represent themselves and of course all of these debates, wants the referendum is concluded. Can i thank the right hon. Member for the words that hes said about our good friend and colleague jim dobson and at my tribute on his sudden and tragic death over the weekend. A thoroughly decent man who stuck to his principles and fashionable to say politicians are in it for themselves and out of touch, he was the absolute opposite of that. Our deepest sympathies, we will miss him greatly. Historic is a much early used word in politics but the people of scotland will make a truly historic decision. And we want to be heard loud and clear, we want the problem to stay. I agree with the right hon. Lady and that is a clear message from her side of the house and our differing political perspectives on this side of the house, and we will hear from this house, parliamentarians have made an immense contribution for generations and we want to Stay Together and cant imagine life on these aisles without them, she is a london m b and is familiar with what she just said. And the secretary of state for wales and we are all proud to be british. We would all be diminished if scotland was separated from the people in the rest of the u. K. Were dep in scotland, we need to go further. Will he confirm there will be further the evolution. Sitting out new powers, will be published in january . The right hon. Lady, to agree to develop a program for change. We set out a process for how that change, all parties have endorsed that time table, and it means immediate action after the referendum to start the legislative process. And a bill published by the end of january. The introduction of the bill after a the general election regardless of who forms the government. That is a clear timetable showing scotts can change without irreversible separation or risks to jobs and their future. For the clarity of that answer, does he agree the time has come to give power to whales and the regions of england . It is a story about scotland the implications are felt by all the people of the United Kingdom. We are already steadily devolving increased power to parts of england and wales and in this government whales has received more primary lawmaking power and moving towards devolving tax and borrowing power for the first time and we want to see the evolution in Northern Ireland and england the localism act, the power of Business Rates and local authorities and city deals have the local areas more failure of the governance and the great strength of the United Kingdom is it is not a rigid union, it is a living, Flexible Union and that is one of its greatest trends. A fundamental principle of our polity is solidarity. We want the u. K. To stick together in the cause of social justice. Does he agree with me that it would be wrong to set the Different Countries of the u. K. Against each other whether it is on workers rights or not . The right hon. Lady makes a powerful point about solidarity in the u. K. And for 300 years we and our predecessors with scottish parliamentarians and their predecessors, they have sat together to implement a great for pursuit and developments across and we led the way at times of world crisis, democratic peoples elsewhere. The next 300 could be as turbulent and dangerous. To tear apart a union so for rubin, so it is a tragic mistake for all our people. People in scotland can be sent in that with a no vote there would be change and more power to scotland. Does he agree with me that held against that 70 is the uncertainty that the yes vote would bring on some any issues like jobs, pensions, mortgages and other things . The uncertainty the answer to one. It was across a range of selfish business, and the Business Case should not be made. And including currency, regulation, pension, and exports around the world. And the uncertainty is bad for business. Sovereignty and the Currency Union are incompatible. He is right. Many of us point out in many years in relation to another currency. This is not an opinion poll. It is not an election where you can results four five years later. It is a permanent decision that would affect generations and fair for the votes cast next fears they will be the most important vote that can be cast in any country at any time and the voters must way that vote heavily. Next weeks decision as he rightly said was about much more than that. For sure there must be changed. We must have that and we will but not by tearing this country apart. We must not become foreigners to each other. The right hon. Lady puts it extremely well. We want the best for scotland as we all want the best for our own constituents in all parts of the u. K. And the people of england, wales and Northern IrelandPolice Scotland is better off in the u. K. And the u. K. Is better off with scotland and it. This referendum is the most important choice for people of scotland will ever make. A choice between the opportunity and security of staying in the u. K. Or of leaving forever without the u. K. s influence in the world. And a great future together in the United States. Mr. Speaker, since 2012, my right hon. Friends and i have been supporting the policy of the government not to walker a consolation prize in the event of a no vote by of it is no longer the policy of the government, when and why did it change and what opportunity has there been for this house to express its view . It has been the policy of the government for some time to be open to further the evolution, this is an example in wales during the lifetime of this government. The statement by the Party Leaders made in the last few days, statements by Party Leaders in a campaign, not statements of government policy but a statement of commitment from the three main Political Parties akin to statements by Party Leaders in a general Election Campaign on what they intend to do afterwards and they made those statements. In 2012 the chancellor said himself a target for 1 trillion by 2020. I wonder whether he would confirm that this government is on course to miss his target, 330 billion. Nobody can claim to know what the figure will be in 2020. A great deal of work, a great deal of work has to be done, but we have greatly intensified the promotion of british exports. That is why i in my time as foreign secretary open 20 new embassies and consulates including many the Party Opposite flows when they were in power. We revamped u. K. We had huge increases in china and indiana and brazil and everybody of all businesses must join in making that happen by 2020. Mr. Speaker, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, deputy Prime Minister and leader of the opposition are rightly campaigning today for the future of our union. On a daily basis in my constituency i see the Strong Family and business links between my local airports and scottish airports. Does my right hon. Friend, the leader of the house agree with me that our great kingdom is Better Together as united written . And i say that as somebody with proud scottish ancestors. I absolutely agree with my right hon. Friend and what he can seek at airports and what we all experience around other parts of england and wales are good example of his point. Two thirds of scottish exports are exported to the rest of the United Kingdom. Twice for the rest of the world put together. Why would anyone choose to place an International Border where those exports are going and do so and necessarily. My right hon. Friend makes a powerful point. Next fears status talks could support the most historic and important decision we ever had the privilege to consider. The process galvanized and energized every community in scotland. And congratulate those who went around conducting this. He is right. We have different things. Of course we applaud the people of scotland, in mens interest, i thought it very important that there is that high turnout in any such referendum. I absolutely congratulate the people of scotland, i dont congratulate those such as his own party that failed to be straight with the people. Who have never explained what its value will be, who have never explained how long it would take to rejoin the European Union, who have never explained how schools and hospitals and 6 billion pound black hole in finances, havent explained their threat not to pay debt would be disastrous for scotlands longterm future, they are passionate about scotland and preparation. Theyre not passionate about telling the truth to the people of scotland. Embracing three centuries, the garrison cultures have welcomed thousands of scottish soldiers, many with their families. We wish that to continue. Does the leader of the house agree, cease to be part of the u. K. This poses serious security for separate scotland without the capacity to defend itself. My hon. Friend makes an extremely important point. He sees the participation and work and sacrifices, members of the armed forces from scotland are deployed in colchester. I see that in my own country in my own constituency. And this is important, scotland security, her majestys naval base, clyde, the largest employment site in the whole of scotland. It gets bigger with the deployment of everything. These are put at risk by the campaigns of separation as well as putting a risk to security of all of us. Last thursday i attended a Public Meeting in my constituency where they were consulting patients about how to deal with a cut of 22 to 24 by the year 2018. 22 to 24 is officially notified to them by n h s, and the concerns about the general election, the concerns my constituents can expect. The concern the government has raised antitrust budgets in line with that, was not committed to do it in the last general election. The secretary of state for health will want to discuss with him the details of the situation. I hope he did explain that overall since the last election the number of nurses should be made to 3,700 and doctors are up 6,500. There are a number of people treated with dignity and respect is up 10 . We have now been ranked as the Top Health System in the world according to the commonwealth moving from seventh in the world four years ago. Good morning, right hon. Friends. On the initiative in creating the in vick this game, from all the participants to this country on our behalf. Absolutely. This is an extremely important continuation of the developing sports in history we had in this country. We are now established as one of the great nations in the world. Were also a country that thinks deeply about the welfare of Service Veterans and his Royal Highness prince harry has been one of the great champions of this and we wish him and everyone involved in the games well. In 2012 the Prime Minister said he wanted to see Economic Growth with rising Living Standards for all. Can the leader of the house tell us why britain has seen one of the largest falls in real wages of any e. U. Country be nestle by cyprus, portugal and paul bogard greece . He might remember there was the deep recession that came about under the prius government. That has to be paid for. After four years of the policies of my right hon. Friend we have the fastest growth of the g7 economy, we have employment nearing a record high, we have many apprentice ships that started in this time. This is a remarkable recovery. Does the leader of the house agree with me that Scottish Independence is not about getting over western stuff for embarrassing of the Prime Minister or the leader of the opposition, it is not about defeating the old enemy but it is about scotland turning it back on 300 years of Successful Union and rejecting so much that this country has made to make us all proud of being part of Great Britain . It is not about any individual or party for reelection. It is a far longer term decisions than that. Other nations regard as within the and if scotland voted yes people who count on our contributions to peace, stability and human rights would be disappointed. Those who dont share those priorities and believes would be quietly satisfied and that is another thing we have to bear in mind. At the end of last month my constituents disappeared in qatar, he had been arrested by the secret service there because he was investigating the a humanrights abuses of workers who were working to build the infrastructure for the 22 world cup. I thanked the Foreign Office for their help in securing his release but what action will he take to speak to the ambassador of catarrh about the disgrace of arresting him in the first place and the treatment of those who were preparing those facilities . The hon. Member raises an important case and he is right to say the Foreign Office has pursued success in doing so as we will do in any parallel cases in the future. I know the embassy in the front office will want to follow up these matters and that is for my successor to determine. I will draw his attention to the question asked by the hon. Member and ask him to write something about it. With mounting evidence of an imminent, vibrant and growing economy especially in manufacturing and engineering, the secretary of state agree with me that scotland should remain with us to share in the fruits of that success and second to give us a better footprint in the global for a . Yes i do. This is another very good point. The economic turnaround brought about in the u. K. Means that employment in scotland is now at a record high, there have been 7 consecutive courses of Economic Growth in scotland and a quarter of a million more private sector jobs in scotland than there were four years ago and that is a reminder of the potential if we continue to work together. That is the message that i again repeat to the people of scotland today. I welcome suggestions the Prime Minister would attend a crucial Climate Summit at the end of this month. Will he confirm that the Prime Minister will go and will he tell us what bold new initiatives the Prime Minister will take with him . That is what my constituents want to protect. Order order can i just say for future reference it is disorderly to display images in that way and all courtesy to the hon. Lady whose principal commitment i respect. If everybody did that on every cause it would make a mockery of this. I ask the hon. Lady to take a view much wider than her own immediate preoccupation. Thank you, mr. Speaker. The Prime Minister will attend the un general assembly, and we finally decided his precise schedule and of course looking at the meeting that the hon. Lady referred to and britain will continue to play a leading role in the worlds in bringing about legally binding agreements on Climate Change. Is an important period beating up at the end of next year we are one of the most active countries in the world in Climate Change diplomacy and the Prime Minister and other ministers in new york will be fully conveying whoever attends the meeting. Will my hon. Friend explain to the house why it is the possibility there could be a yes vote, finance is leaving scotland, many businesses are thinking of leaving scotland. A very powerful point. The anxieties of businesses are very clear and while we can understand people doubting the word of politicians about economic events it is very important to listen to businesses say they will do with their jobs and headquarters with investments, a country that separated itself from the fastestgrowing economy of the g7 and put it aside outside the European Union without thinking of the implications of doing that and ended up with no central bank and unsure what currency it was going to use, would find it difficult to attract new business to its shores. An Investment Partnership means Health Service vulnerable to some of the worst possible items this government private investors will be able to hold the government and both administrations through the investors to dispute several tribunals. In that respect, how can a leader of the house guarantees that the Health Service including the Health Services in the boat said ministrations will be exempt . The Business Innovation skills dealing with these held a briefing about such matters. I have no doubt we can furnish her with more details on the issues but it is very important to maintain a commitment to free trade that has been a characteristic of the United Kingdom over many centuries. This is another major opportunity to boost free trade across the world. Mr. Speaker, next week in favor of an independent scotland, major damage in implications for whales. Does my right hon. Friend agree with me that my fellow welch citizens who care about the future of the welsh nation should be hoping and praying for this . Yes. Absolutely. I think they are. I regularly consult with one welch citizen and on the evidence of that they are very much hoping and praying that the u. K. Will not be broken up as my xbon. Friendspeaks very well for that is a trend that is continuing. Of course, were always trying to seek further improvements by three inducing the old bill targets of Less Government is not the way forward. When i travel abroad and im asked where i come from, im proud to say i am british. Does my right honorable friend agree with me that you can be proud to be british but still have your own identity being english, scottish, welsh or from Northern Ireland and we should all relate together and continue as Great Britain . I dont anything good to put it better. My friend has his own identity and certainly a different way last night he has expressed that beautifully including his identity with United Kingdom and that is how so many of us think in britain and lets hope its possible to continue to do so. Mr. Speaker, can i support the business of the primer star, deputy Prime Minister and also leader of the opposition, speaking director to the people of scotland. My right honorable friend and myself and honorable members, speaking on behalf of the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland, want the United Kingdom to Stay Together and it is my hope that some of those who are pulling today may be disappointed. That is certainly my hope as well. Im very pleased the right honorable gentleman has been able to make this point because it means that in this short question time we have heard from members from england, wales and Northern Ireland with a very clear message to the people of scotland that we want them to stay. Mr. Speaker, my parents will soon celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. My mother was born in aberdeen, and my father in cambridge. Is my right honorable friend reassured that there is no need for any senior politician to come to their Anniversary Event . Because my parents know in their heads and in their hearts that in their union as any other union their happiest together and Better Together. Well, extended the congratulations of her majestys government to his parents last night and, indeed, of the whole of the house of commons, editing all the Political Parties and even of the Scottish National party probably on this occasion. They are an example to us all, particularly after 60 years. And i hope that example will be one that will continue to be heated and respected all over the uk. Mr. Speaker, contrary to the previous question, from the member, this campaign has been fraught by fear and intimidati intimidation. Somewhat ironic, mr. Speaker, that the majority of the scottish separatists around todays debate, yet just last friday an important factor of welfare reform [inaudible] justifies their priorities to come here rather than to debate. I dont think i need to add to his description of the Scottish National party. [laughter] by scottish prounionist friends have reminded me that the middle east piece envoy, g2 philanthropist year of award winner reportedly has said that he welcomes the publication of the choke off the report. So will my right honorable friend tell the house when we can expect the report to be published . Well, i can tell him that his work continues that lord chilcot has said lord chilcot has said he intensively published reports as possible are both areas know i dont have any fixed date i can give to my honorable friend or i will only observe that had that inquiry being set up when i and others was called for it and voted for it back in 2006, it would have by now reported long ago. And so it was sat up late. It is therefore reported late, it would look forward to it. Is it acceptable for young people to be having take away pizza lunchtime because the government has failed to prepare schools properly for the introduction of a free nutritious meal . Well, i think to put that into perspective, i think the latest figures are that 98. 5 of schools are now providing a hot meal as they were intended to do. That is going up all the time. There are Government Funds of course t two of those schools wo need new facilities to do so. And so i think it would be right to welcome the entirety of that picture rather than try to find fault with one small aspect of it. Order. Presentation of bills. Here on cspan2 will now leave the british house of comments as members move onto other business. Youve been watching primer stars question time aired lives and like wednesdays when parliament is in such good reminder you can see this weeks session again sunday night at nine each in a pacific on cspan. For more information go to cspan. Org and click on series two to every program weve heard from the british house of commons since october of 1989. We invite your comments about the Prime Ministers questions via twitter using hashtag pmqs. Today airing on the seek to provide live coverage of the u. S. Senate floor proceedings and key Public Policy events. And every weekend booktv, now for 15 years the only Television Network devoted to nonfiction books and authors. Cspan2 created by the cable tv industry and brought to you as a Public Service by local cable or satellite provider. Watch us in hd, like us on facebook and follow was on twitter. Now British Foreign secretary Philip Hammond a potential actions against isis. Iran, relations with the u. S. And eu. Its one hour 45 minutes. Order. I welcome members of the public visiting of the Foreign Affairs committee. This is one of our biannual meetings with the foreign secretary, the last of which took place on 20 march. Can i get a warm welcome to a new foreign secretary. We tried a couple times to get you while you were secretary of state for defense, albeit unsuccessful as you were taken off overseas but we are glad that youre here in your new capacity. On behalf of the committee, i give a warm welcome and congratulate you on your appointments. Thank you. Foreign secretary, i hope you been briefed on the groups that we are going to question your. Were going to start with iraq industry. Perhaps youd like to talk about the possible air war in syria, and whether not you think it is our National Interest to join in it. Well as it will be were, United States is already carrying out air strikes in support of the Iraqi Security forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga against isil. The Prime Minister has made clear that we rule nothing out, but at this stage it is not a specific ask and, therefore, nothing forced to consider. We are clear that there has to be a comprehensive response to the challenge posed i isil. It is absolutely clear that airstrikeairstrikes alone, whoey are delivered via, im not going to be a solution. But it is possible that an activity could be part of a wider package, which involves Political Initiative and, crucially, must involve an iraqi led, ideally regionally supported, operation on the ground to push back the gains that isil have made. You used the phrase that you not have a specific ask. Should i infer from that that youve had an informal ask and what you got all your ducks in a row you will get a specific ask . No, we have not had an and specific ask either. It is well understood by the group of likeminded nations that the u. S. Is looking at developing a policy for dealing with isil that will involve building a very wide coalition. Secretary kerry and secretary hagel are in the gulf this week coming up regional support, which would be about important part of that coalition. They may be clear at last weeks nato summit meeting that they hope for extensive nato support as well, not necessarily support in delivering kinetic military activity. Secretary kerry made it clear that he understands that different nations will have different appetites and will want to contribute in different ways to what will be a very broadbased and comprehensive response to the challenge of isil. Sorry to press you on this, but i presume there are some conversations going on which would lead you to say that if asked, this is what you would like to do . No, we have not had the such conversation. Thank you for the codification. I think that United States is well aware that this is a very sensitive subject in this country, and that we will want to look at what kind of package of action is proposed in order to deal with the challenge of isil. We want to think very carefully about how we can most effectively contribute to that, what other allies are proposing to do and think very carefully about what the position we should take. And as the Prime Minister made clear again yesterday, in this kind of situation where we are clearly, this would be premeditated involvement if we do decide that involvement was appropriate, we would come back to the house of commons for a debate and a vote on that proposition. Thats very helpful, thank tk you. If the raf was deployed would it be because theyre going to make a strategic difference to something that the United States was doing, or would it be more of a political gesture of support and solidarity . Different air forces have different niche capabilities, and we do have some niche capabilities. The tornado gr4 is an extremely capable aircraft for the type of operation that the u. S. Is currently carrying out in iraq. But i think it is probably realistic to say given the scale of the United States and is available, the primary driver would be divorced building a Political Coalition of nations rather than shortage of military hardware on the part of the United States. Can i just clicked on one point, just go back to one of my opening questions . I have been using the phrase iraq. Do you distinction between kurdistan and the Kurdistan Regional government and to request for help, and the Iraqi Government and a request for a . No. The sovereign entity with which we deal is iraq, and it is clear that any activity, whether it is the supply of weapons and equipment or indeed if in the future it would be a question of direct military activity, this would always have to be something that was done at the request of the government of iraq and with the full agreement of the government of iraq. So if the krg in irbil asked you for support, unless those endorsed by baghdad, he would not go along with a . Yes, it would have to be endorsed by baghdad. That is the legally responsible entity. That is very helpful, thank you. I think you quite rightly say that this campaign has to be iraqi led enriching supported. Can you say a little bit more about the new government that has been announced in baghdad . How committed are the kurds . Clearly, they have a timeline of three months, to show goodwill to Prime Minister alabadi. In the sunni region, of course there are sunni personalities who joined the coalition government, but where are we in terms of the tribes . Have they been at all involved in bringing the parties together . I think its probably fair to say it is early days. Literally early days. The program that Prime Minister designate alabadi has set down looks like a sensible program, and all the right noises are being made by all the relevant people. On the other side of the equation, it is fair to observe that a lot of the names in the government were names added and around the iraqi political scene for a long time. There is not a lot of fresh blood, so well have wait and see the level of demonstrated commitment to the program that has been sent out. If the program is delivered come it will represent i think significant progress. I should also say that the role of president barzani in the krg has been significant. Clearly, it is very important that the krg are supportive of the formation of this government and have focused attention on the need to build an inclusive Iraqi Government to push back isil, over and above agenda is about kurdish separatism, which were perhaps more to the force a few months ago. In terms of tribes, i think there is less sunni tribal buyin then we would like at this stage, but i think weve always recognized that its going to take more than simply standing up a government in baghdad for the sunni tribes that have aligned themselves with isil to switch back. They are going to need to see a sustained outreach that reflects their longstanding and justified grievances about the way their interests were ignored by the previous regime. I think only by doing that over the longterm will \mr. {|}\mister alabadi succeed gradually weaning them away from isil. Presumably on that i level of support and commitment and that of the u. S. Would be conditional on Prime Minister alabadi demonstrating that he can bring people together and move on the right direction, or there would be at least be something conditionally about that . Yes, i dont see this as a condition of in terms of the leader. This can only work if theres a credible Iraqi Government, credible Iraqi Security forces on the ground. If there isnt, much as we might like to anything, there isnt a sensible intervention thats likely to be effective that we could pursue. Just moving on to the position of iran and that of assad, clearly iran is a major player in iraq. Qasem soleimani is a major influence over what happens in terms of government formation in baghdad. With the uk government under any circumstances talk either directly to assad or to iran to influence what happens over the operation against isil in syria . As you know were in the process of reestablishing an embassy in tehran and we hope that over the coming months we will find that we are increasingly able to engage in a wide range of discussions with the iranians, as countries that have diplomatic relations do. That would be our ambition. The situation with the assad regime is very different. We dont recognize them. They have lost all legitimacy as a result of their barbaric treatment of their own population, which cannot be excused. It would be in my judgment inappropriate and counterproductive to talk about engaging with the assad regime. It is partly the brutality of the assad regime that has driven workers into the arms of isil. Im sure the iranians will hear that message loud and clear from your, foreign secretary. My final question, is it uk policy that the Islamic State, whether in iraq or syria must be destroyed totally . Or would containment as a strategy be on the table . Im glad youve opened the question because i heard the u. S. Secretary of state saying very clearly on friday, and it is my view as well, that there is no compromise, there is no containment strategy, there is no coexistence with an ideology such as isils it would have to be a strategy to crush the ideology, to delegitimate ties it, to cut it off from its sources of support and resource, and to see it wiped out. Thank you very much. Before i go to john baird, i apologize to mr. Oakton and sir simon gass for not welcoming them when they came into the committee room. John barron. Foreign secretary, following on your last answer ecological consequence, which i think the pentagon believes, is that one has to take the isis in syria if one is going to destroy it. Do you accept that there is a much higher risk integrating military from the west point of you in syria than the more limited objective of driving isis out of northern iraq, if only because of a syrian air defenses . It is such a fastmoving, fluid situation in syria that youre never going to sure is going to take the extremists place. They lurk in the shadows and have morphed into greece other extremists as well. What is your assessment . Yes, i agree with it. While the strategists always talk about the need to look at the single theater, because isil sees it as a single theater, the legal, military, practical, technical and cultural differences between iraq and syria are very significant. We are dealing with very different situations in the queue. And i move us onto the coalition of the willing . Quite rightly, in london and washingtons view, we need a Regional Coalition to take on the isis. The idea that you can just defeat isis from the air is sheer makebelieve. We all accept that i think. You can degrade but you cannot defeat them. It needs troops on the ground. I think theres also the pursuit of thinking which many of us would support that it shouldnt be western troops. The symbolism of the west taking on and defeating this caliphate would be too strong and the consequences to great. What exactly should the military role the of this Regional Coalition . Can you add a bit more to the bones . Fostering a Regional Coalition is one thing, ive actually defining the extent to which the ending is quite another. Well, of course we can sit here in this room and postulate all sorts of shapes of coalition. It depends on what the willing are going to do. Secretary kerry and hagel are exploring in the region right now this week what people might be willing to do. I think it is possible to envisage a situation where, with iraqi forces, including Kurdish Peshmerga, in the lead, there might be regional states, muslim countries, willing to contribute some level of ground force in support of those iraqi forces, perhaps specialist troops on the ground in country, training, specialist advice, which would be more directly engaged perhaps than what it was sensible for western countries to look at being able to do. Foreign secretary, what about, i mean what is the Foreign Office dining to do to address the concern that many of our traditional allies in the region have facilitated the rise of islamic militias in iraq and syria . Some have even perhaps been harboring extremists within their own country and perhaps even funding them. What is the Foreign Office going to do about this . How is that problem addressed when trying to put his Regional Coalition together . I think were very core with our allies that whatever attitude people have taken to different groups at different stages of their evolution in the past, there is no tolerance now for any support for isil or any of the organizations associated with it. We sponsored the u. N. Security Council Resolution and directed at trying to cut off financial and other support to isil. And uncomfortable with the countries that we are in dialogue with our now clear about their official position. That is not to say that some of them wont still Harbor Private individuals who may have been who may have different sympathies. We will give them to work with us in implementing the unscr to ensure that financial flows to isil are cut off. Having said that, isil is now an organization with significant wealth of its own and sources of income from kidnapping, extortion, taxation and oil revenues, which make it far less vulnerable to interruption of donations. If i may, if one looks at the name of the state, the socalled Islamic State, the islamic caliphate, the road to that would live through most of the arab capitals. So they have the biggest interest of anybody to ensure that the Islamic State does not achieve what it says on the tin. So, for example, saudi arabia has made it illegal, with some very heavy penalties, not just to be a member of isis, to fund them in any way. That has obviously been one of the issues in the past. There may be a distinction in the past between governments who have been clear and individuals who have got nothing to do with governments. One of the main concerns of governments now is to ensure that all other citizens are very good targeted at extirpating isil. Very briefly, do you think there is a general remaking about the threat and the need to respond real awakening about the threat and the need to respond to a . We saw egypt and the uae conduct strikes against extremists in libya. How far is this going to go, and do you have any thoughts about ensuring that it becomes a force for good, rather than potentially bad . I think they said some things that saudi arabia last week arrested nearly 90 members of the cell, and they wind up a couple of other cells. They are clearly taking action, but equally we must understand that not every organization in the region which has an islamist tendency is tarred with being isil, because clearly there is a range of different. I have been very unclear over the last few weeks about exactly who was doing what. It seemed to be a lot of responsibility was been put on the peshmerga. Now, i think the size of the peshmerga is irrelevant, the state of its forces, the armaments they have, and yet we are continually talking about the peshmerga as though theyre going to solve the whole problem. Have you made a fresh assessment of their capability . I dont think we ever thought the peshmerga could solve the whole problem. What the peshmerga were doing and are doing is holding the line against an isil assault on homeland come and doing it with great passion and conviction as you would expect, but isil has been has many of the targets were the peshmerga will not be the answer. As they were advancing south of baghdad, and the burden fell directly on the formal Iraqi Security forces. In syria, they are in conflict with other groups. The peshmerga happened to be in the front line at the point where this conflict came to the attention of the world, and it was the kurds who were holding the line against isil. They will remain an important part of that line, but certainly not the whole solution. Well talk about arming the peshmerga. The arms of going to baghdad first. Have they been distributed peshmerga, and is it an equal this tradition between the peshmerga of the berries medical parties . Various Political Parties . As i understand, the shipments that had been made so far have gone into baghdad for inspection, recognizing the sovereign control of the government in baghdad. And then have moved on, the shipments weve made the moved on in raf aircraft to irbil, where they been unloaded. We are attempting to ensure that the dish vision of the lines supplies with me is probably spread among the different groups to avoid any suggestion of favoritism between groups, because their code is not as far as were concerned. Can i take you to mount sinjar, because there was a lot of publicity surrounding a . It was a warning report in the guardian a few weeks ago. As is well known, i do not read it. It was suggested that the crisis on mount sinjar certainly were not over. Weve taken for granted a surveillance by the u. S. A. , which suddenly withdrew from mount sinjar because they said their own a small number left. Was that accurate . To know precisely what the state of play is now . Are there still people not able to get off the mountain without assistance from somebody else . I think it was