Dr Julian Lewis:  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate he has made of the approximate numbers of captive Isil/Daesh fighters held, respectively, in regions of Syria under the control of (a) Syrian, (b) Turkish, (c) Kurdish and (d) any other armed forces or groups hostile to Isil/Daesh; under what circumstances and to which destinations those fighters are being released, if at all, from captivity in each of those differently controlled areas; and to which of those four categories of armed forces or groups is the UK giving military assistance to suppress Isil/Daesh.  [163140]

[Due for Answer on 9 March. Accidentally delayed.]

ANSWER

The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa (James Cleverly): The UK has not made an estimate of the numbers of Daesh fighters held across Syria. We are aware of reports that provide an estimate, including by the UN. Any decision in relation to the continued detention, transfer or prosecution of detainees is ultimately a matter for the authorities under whose jurisdiction the individuals are detained. The UK continues to encourage all parties to adhere to their legal obligations. As a leading member of the Global Coalition we work with all Coalition members and the Coalition's partner forces to continue tackling the threat from Daesh.