David Cameron has instructed security officials to give high level briefings to privy councillors from all sides of the Commons in a bid to answer questions from sceptical MPs on the effectiveness of airstrikes in Syria.
The meetings on Monday in No 10 are said to be at a higher level of security briefing, but Downing Street insisted that officials were not acting as advocates for airstrikes, something that would challenge their impartiality.
Downing Street also indicated that the terms of a draft motion are being discussed with MPs to broaden support for airstrikes.
With the prime minister away on Monday for climate change talks in Paris, and due to spend most of the day in Bulgaria on talks about the future of the EU on Thursday, Wednesday looks like the only plausible day for Cameron to stage a Commons vote this week.
Downing Street is still insisting it has no timetable for calling a vote, but it is clear it is waiting for a signal from the shadow cabinet and parliamentary Labour party.
Signs over the weekend suggest that Jeremy Corbyn is persuading many Labour MPs there are too many holes in Cameron’s case for airstrikes.
No 10 again said Cameron will not call a Commons vote unless he is sure there is a clear majority in support.
Michael Fallon, the defence secretary, will also give evidence to the defence select committee on Tuesday.
