USE OF UK AIRBASES FOR US AIRSTRIKES IN LIBYA

That this House is disappointed that the Secretary of State for Defence has authorised the US use of UK bases, in particular RAF Lakenheath, for US airstrikes in Libya; notes that such action has not been the subject of debate or a vote in the House of Commons; believes that the House must be given the opportunity to discuss the basis on which this authorisation was given; urges the Secretary of State to explain the legal background to this decision, in particular in relation to any assessment of whether the airstrikes were lawful under UK standards for (i) law on the use of force, (ii) international humanitarian law and (iii) human rights law; is concerned that the House has not been made aware of what further authorisation would be required for any future airstrikes in Libya carried out by the US from UK bases; and further urges the Government to reconsider this policy as a matter of urgency.