To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether Russia is establishing, or is planning to establish, a forward air operating base in Syria; and whether they have discussed this issue with the government of Russia.

We are aware of reports that Russia may have deployed military personnel and aircraft to Syria, and we are monitoring those reports closely.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), discussed the situation in Syria with Foreign Minister Lavrov in June in the margins of the E3+3 talks with Iran, and discussions continue at official level. The Foreign Secretary continues to co-ordinate closely with regional and international partners on Syria and has had recent discussions with US Secretary of State John Kerry and Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir.