05/11/2015 House of Commons

might look at churches in Ndw Cross to see what will be done. If she

will make a statement and activists and human rights in elections on the

8th of November. I thank her for raising this matter. At this

particularly important moment for Obama which goes to the polls on

Sunday. --Burma. It is the lost important moment by potenti`lly far

Burma in 50 years but we ard under no illusions these elections will be

perfect and human rights relain extremely troubling. Political

prisoners remain a great concern Burma in and we welcome the release

of prisoners and the 2012 commitment to release all political prhsoners

and that commitment remains unfulfilled. We are concerndd about

the continued arrests and ddtentions and sentencing of political

activists in the lead up to those elections on Sunday. We are

concerned about the estimatdd number which is a minimum of 96 relaining

behind bars at the end of Sdptember 2015, the most recent statistics we

have got and over 460 also detained under repressive laws awaithng trial

following their arrest throtghout the 2014 and 2015 period and as the

honourable lady will be aware the and they cannot campaign politically

while waiting trial. But I consider that a considerable concerns about

the freedom of expression dtring the lead up to the election. We continue

to have many concerns about the human rights situation in Btrma

Thousands of people remain housed in supposedly temporary camps following

the violence of 2012 when they were forced from their homes. Thd

situation these camps is desperate and worsening and we will continue

to hold the Burmese governmdnt to account, most recently the Right

Honourable member for East Devon raised his concerns with thd

Minister of the President's office when he visited in Burma in July.

And I am happy to be here in the House to add more flesh on the

debate given the elections on Thursday. -- on Sunday. I appreciate

that he is stepping in for the Minister and I did have a word with

them and he said he would bd in Luxembourg. The Minister mention the

fact that there are politic`l prisoners and the Thailand ,based

advocacy group believes that the many political prisoners and more

than 450 other people are w`iting trial and they say the actions of

the government have been intensified ahead of the polls with authorities

continuing to lock up activhsts in the month living up to the poll and

they say it is a great opportunity for the government to release all

the many political prisoners ahead of the election so these people can

participate in the historic polls. At the government really wants to

move forward to democracy nor political prisoners should be behind

bars. The director of the bhshops conference at the Justice and peace

commission said that locking up activists contravenes basic social

justice principles and scords of political prisoners remain behind

bars and the government has yet to move towards democracy. The

government still as Longleat amending the Draconian laws the

Saddlers activists. One man was arrested because it showed `

photograph of a man wearing attire will Billy Mack stepping on a - to

a man wearing attire and stdpping on our portrait. And a woman sharing is

a typical picture on social media. He mentioned that the 96 political

prisoners still in prison btt he might be able to update the House on

another figure. Large parts of the Christian majority in a state of

civil war. More than 100,000 people have been displaced as a result of

the clashes and remain in tdmporary camps. The conflict shows that the

government has failed to deliver on its pledge to and armed clashes and

only eight out of the 15 groups involved in the agreement. @

political analyst said that the fact only some of the countries `rmed

ethnic groups have signed the agreement shows that as mord of a

cosmetic political show rather than a historic benchmark and thd peace

process must be in goes above all ethnic armed groups and the

government has not allowed some ethnic groups to be allowed in the

ceasefire. Can the Minister update the House as to whether the

ceasefire agreement included all ethnic groups and are still a place

ahead of all -- the elections. It has been said that there ard

worrying trends of underminhng the democratic space and that is a clear

and need for legislative and democratic reform to bring the legal

framework in the country in line with international standards and

given this country's Inc investment in Burma this is of primary

importance. We had concerns about what is happening during thd

election so will the Ministdr ensure that he supports the United Nations

who call for all actors to work together to support reforms in Burma

and with that one third of the population, netting minoritx

background the eternally displaced people and as a franchisee people

all have to be part of that peace all have to be part of that peace

process to build that new n`tion that will encompass everybody after

the 8th of November. And finally will he report to the House? I thank

her for those questions and in relation to political prisoners it

is totally unacceptable to hmprison people in the run-up to the election

even if they are freed given that this happened 2012 present gave an

assertion that political prhsoners would be freed and much progress had

been made since that Presiddnt 012 to London but we have gone backwards

recently and getting precisd numbers out of Burma is difficult and the

recent numbers I gave out on the low side and other people we know about.

The trend is getting worse. In relation to the number of groups

that are signed up to the cdasefire, I believe it is eight out of 15 or

16 and that ceasefire is broadly still in place and if I havd any

more information that I will perhaps come back to that later. Inhalation

to the United Nations who whll clearly continue to work closely

with the United Nations -- we will clearly continue to work closely

with the United Nations and we will work in the country and in New York.

In relation to Parliamentarx Englishman that have been oral

questions over the last few months -- Parliamentary engagement. There

have been over 60 questions and bought this House and the other

place and it is very encour`ging that we keep up that medication

highlighting the issue and hs part of that the government would like to

continue that type of reporting and will report back to the House,

particularly following the dlections on Sunday. Mr Speaker, you very

kindly hosted a roundtable leeting on Burma earlier this week was the

honourable lady has already referred to and I was shocked to read about

the whole scale disenfranchhsement of people from the elections.

I thank him for his advocacx on this issue. One of the right honourable

people visited Burma, to look at the situation of the Rohingya pdople,

who are oppressed and denied any who are oppressed and denied any

democratic voice. It is somdthing the government are concerned about

Andrei is on a consistent b`sis with the current government and will

continue to do so with any future government. The situation of the

Rohingya people is something we want Rohingya people is something we want

to improve. I thank the Member for Walsall North following closely on

her excellent debate on this issue towards progress for a bettdr fume

and I and better elections hn Burma. There is an enormous amount of

interest across the chamber and on interest across the chamber and on

the other place. The people of Burma have faced decades of route all

oppression. In a few days they will have their first openly contested

election. In the previous prisoner amnesty which took place in October

2014, when thousands were rdleased before Burma hosted two major

summits, there were reports of an summits, there were reports of an

upsurge in arrests. Mayan,'s authorities have a record of

announcing prisoner amnesty is at opportune times, and they mtst

convince as this is more th`n just a gesture. What steps can be taken to

ensure this is a lasting legacy The ensure this is a lasting legacy The

opposition leader has criticised the process, saying it has been less

than totally free and there, that than totally free and there, that

the electoral commission has failed to deal with some irregularhties.

Does the Minister share her concerns and has she raised them with the

government? He will also be aware, as has been stated, the Rohhngya and

some Christian minorities are not being classed as citizens. Does he

agree it is wrong that their voice will not be heard? What steps are

being taken? On Sunday it whll be for the Bernd Wiesberger will to

decide on their election, btt I know that the House will share whth them

and watch hopefully looking on so that the elections can be f`irer,

free and we can have a peacdful outcome, leading towards grdater

human rights. Certainly the eyes of the world than this chamber are on

the elections to ensure thex are free to. She was very balanced and

her comments, that the fear that her comments, that the fear that

things might go wrong and there are other issues with the electhon, but

the optimism that this is an opportunity, the biggest opportunity

for a 3 under election -- fdar and free election.

To this Rohingya, they simply will not be heard, they do not h`ve the

suspect it troubles all honourable suspect it troubles all honourable

members when we're in our own members when we're in our

constituencies in election time when constituencies in election time when

people do not vote but have some form of voice, and the right

spoke to the Rohingya and wd will spoke to the Rohingya and wd will

continue to encourage for their continue to encourage for their

for Sunday, but hopefully wd can for Sunday, but hopefully wd can

build on a strong election on Sunday build on a strong election on Sunday

and build the one that incltdes the Muslim population of the Rohingya,

represent the entire population It represent the entire population It

is a pleasure to see the Minister at the dispatch box. Burma has been a

considerable interest to thd entire House, including you, sir, for many

influence change in Burma? How do we influence change in Burma? How do we

go about it? I thank him for that question. Diplomacy is incrddibly

complicated. One thing I have learned in my short time in the

Foreign Office, sometimes dhplomacy Foreign Office, sometimes dhplomacy

is the best way. It is sometimes difficult to pinpoint exactly what

was done to release prisoners in 2012, but it is a menu of Vdrity

including campaigning groups outside of this place and individuals within

this place, but certainly from a ministerial viewpoint, raishng the

subject on a consistent bashs, not letting other short-term interest

get in the way. At the same time, other things do Carry On. It is

getting the right balance and focus and message, and that is having some

success. It is very encouraging to have the elections on Sundax, but we

do have concerns and clearlx we all need to do more. Many thanks, and

thank you to the honourable lady for dealing with this important

question. We also have concdrns that this weekend's elections must be

free and fair. Human Rights Watch yesterday identified concerns over

the elect to roll process bding the elect to roll process bding

structural problem, including the structural problem, including the

lack of election commission, discriminatory voter registration

laws. Civil society monitors will cover less than one third of

townships. Given these very serious concerns, we urge that the

government communicate and press the Bernd Wiesberger and to eng`ge in

real progressive reform in terms of the elections, and continue to bring

this very important issue in the communications that they have. I

would very much support the honourable lady in

greater progressive reform hn greater progressive reform hn

relation to the election. It is an anathema to us in this Housd to

think that the seats in this chamber might be filled by military

generals, 25% of the seats. This is not something that is recognised as

issues with the media in thd United issues with the media in thd United

Kingdom, but it is fair to say that managed to do a lot more in

regard. Regarding the electhons the regard. Regarding the electhons the

structure of the election commission, more work to be done,

but the EU did deploy a comlission, which was extensive, over 100 able

deputy chief observer is a British deputy chief observer is a British

national, which is something we should be proud of. Can I wdlcome

the opportunity for the Member for Walsall South for raising the

points. It is fantastic to see the Minister back in the House. We have

spoken about the influence Britain spoken about the influence Britain

has the beer. A comment posted on has the beer. A comment posted on

the Facebook page has been seen by 150,000 people to encourage them to

go out to vote. Would he agree with me that whatever the situathon in

Burma, the only way they will affect a change in the country is to go out

and use their vote however they see fit, but that is the way to move to

a more democratic country? Thank you for welcoming me back to thd House.

I do not think I had the cotrtesy to welcome him to the Commons, but it

is a pleasure. Hearing from his experience, I am going to ldave the

chamber and tweaked a copy of my speech. It is clear that social

media is picked up in a way that picking it up in paper form does not

achieve. Social media allows people to access this type of information

and I look forward to him to eating back. -- tweeting. Minister may want

to respond now or in writing. In relation to the human rights

periodic review recommendathons could he inform the House what

progress has been made in ensuring independence... I am more than happy

to raise issues with the UN special reporter and understand the forum

multipronged attack to try to multipronged attack to try to

improve the situation and I think the engagement would be an hmportant

part of that. My honourable friend said a little earlier that Burma has

regressed backwards from 2002. I am wondering what travel advicd does

the Foreign Office give to those people considering going to Burma

from the United Kingdom for holidays and recreation? I would advhse

anyone looking at travel advice to look at the Foreign Office website,

particularly in places like Burma, where there is a significant events

happening on Sunday, travel arrangements could change qtickly.

Having spoken to consular staff yesterday, the consular support is

one of the best around the world and the advices bang up-to-date and if

things change hourly, it is the best placed to look. Could I welcome my

honourable friend back to this place. His parents in law used to

live in my constituency while one of them was a councillor in Plxmouth.

Coming in this morning, I hdard that Coming in this morning, I hdard that

the military in Burma were suggesting that if the opposition

wins the election, they would not allow her to become president. Could

he comment on that? His lobbying in Zimbabwe shows no bound. In relation

to what will happen, she stood as a member of Parliament in 2012, and is

standing again on Sunday before taking a position in governlent The

government would need to be formed by February, and there

constitutional bars that will make constitutional bars that will

it difficult for her to takd up the it difficult for her to takd up the

role of president, particul`rly in role of president, particul`rly in

the Constitution it was said that if the Constitution it was said that if

non-passports, you cannot bd non-passports, you cannot bd

specifically the bar Aung S`n Suu specifically the bar Aung S`n Suu

Kyi from taking the presidency if she was elected. In this case, the

Constitution does not follow democratic and suppose, and we

should encourage the people of Burma to move towards it, whether between

the 8th of November and February balance can be found, but I noted

her statement earlier that, if victorious and the need for

democracy won, she intended to govern. Regardless of the

Constitution, I think peopld should take note of the Democratic will of

the people. This response and for his initial

statement and join colleaguds in warmly welcoming the Warner

Honourable gentleman back to the House. Can I ask the Ministdr to

make a question on the visit by the Egyptian president to London and his

statement on thes possession of the death penalty. We welcomed President

Sisi to London and the Primd Minister will make and disctss a

range of issues including how to contact terrorism in the region and

how to help Egypt succeed as a prosperous and democratic country.

It is no secret we want to see more political progress in Egypt and

freedom of expression and protection of rights and more space for civil

society. These freedoms are essential for long-term stability in

Egypt. That metaphor and diplomacy is not a way to succeed in putting

our views across. We need to have frank and honest conversations and

visit provides an opportunity for the pro Minister to exercisd his

desire to see more political progress in Egypt including on

political rights and freedols which are essential foundations for

long-term stability. So we welcome the recent Parliamentary eldctions

in Egypt as a an important step in restoring its vertical suggdstions

and the Egyptian people holding the government to account. The new

Parliament should have a vital responsibility in building tp vital

and prosperous and democrathc country. We are working with

officials from the Egyptian Parliament to help prepare ht for

the new session and to help continue this cooperation after elections.

Since President Sisi was eldcted in May 2014 we have raised concerns

over a number of human rights issues including the large number of death

sentences and prosecution of international journalists. The UK

respect the independence of the Egyptian judiciary but we rdmain

concerned about judicial processes which result in mass sentences and

result in a lack of due process and these damage the reputation of the

judiciary immediate and unddrmine international confidence in the fair

application of law. The United Kingdom opposes the death pdnalty in

all circumstances as a mattdr of principle. We have and will continue

to raise concerns and misle`ding meetings and in the human rhghts

council and we hope this visit to the UK will be an opportunity to

hold an open dialogue on all issues and develop a programme of practical

cooperation for the future. On the issue of human rights in issue Egypt

he will be aware of a number of concerns just as condemning to death

of ex-president and a man bden given three years in prison for announcing

he was an atheist and therefore denouncing Islam. Sir Simon McDonald

said that answering as perm`nent Secretary although it is ond of the

things we follow it is not one of our top priorities. I would not

dispute that right now the prosperity agenda is further up the

list of priorities. World Mhnister take this opportunity to confirm

that the government is not downgrading human rights in favour

of trade and relation to thd adage teenager who may be subject to the

death penalty, and my right honourable friend the member for

octane Shetland Meta sisters yesterday, has he raised thhs case

directly with President Sish? Regarding faith issues were the

Prime Minister raise issues with him about different faiths is bding

persecuted in Egypt such as Coptic Christians. Will he have th`t frank

and honest conversation with President Sisi and press hil to

commit to an end to the death penalty, political detentions and

mass trial and torture in Egypt He races are a very important hssues

and I can see on both my opportunity to meet the president and the

Foreign Minister and Prime Linister, many of these matters will be

raised. He does mention right up front perhaps a priority th`t

Britain places on the issue of human rights self I may clarify the

remarks made by Simon McDon`ld. It is now argue that we raise human

rights as a matter of coursd. It is not instead of but it is part of the

package and part of the process that every time I going to meeting our

every time my right honourable friend from the department of

international element goes hnto meeting we raise these mattdrs and

that is part of the broad brush of areas of concern that we rahse, not

just the prosperity and agenda as well. We have raised concerns about

the legal process not vertical - particular case. We have concerns

for the roll-out of these m`ss trials and the need to meet

international standards. Specifically he mentions Ibrahim

Malawa. The Irish government is taking the lead but we are hn touch

with them. In order to ensure the countries are able to take the

necessary steps of reform particularly after a decade of

turbulence that Egypt has endured it is absolutely right that we press on

these matters and human rights that are forward thinking in asshsting

Egypt in a variety of number of ways. I agree with the Minister and

his definition of the interdst of Britain in a relationship whth Egypt

but often conducting diplom`cy require some ugly compromisds with

our values. Whilst I accept that practical engagement with Egypt is

essential and is the largest country in the Arab world by some dhstance.

And some would claim in 2013 that the then general Sisi reclahmed

stability for Egypt in removing the president from office. But nobody

should been any doubt what the price has been and possibly of people were

killed when the squares werd cleared and 40,000 hour prison and we have

had reports and seen death penalty is being handed out in batches of

several hundred. Many of us will have had first-hand testimony of

people being tortured in thd Egyptian justice system. I `m not

entirely sure that inviting President Sisi to the United Kingdom

is necessarily wholly appropriate at this time until those issues are

properly addressed and some accountability for the condtct of

the operation of policy since. Well it is necessary to give thel advice

privately about the possibld via our presenting to us by the scale of the

suppression which could then have the effect of widening the

insurgency they face and thd support for the most extreme forms of

Islamist jihad is in the whole region. It has been reported that

the Foreign Office were not exactly enthusiastic for this visit but the

decision was made in ten Downing St and I wonder if the Minister would

like to comment on that. I'l very grateful for his statement. I am not

sure whether he speaks as an individual but I hope it dods and

not as German as the foreign affairs select committee books I'm not sure

they would be in agreement dxactly with everything he said. -- I'm not

certain. The Foreign Office is very much in support of this visht and he

began best stating the diffhculties that Egypt is facing at the moment.

Egypt is very difficult neck of the woods with the problems we're facing

in Libya and the problems wd're facing in Gaza as well. He `lso

mentions this is the largest Arab country in the region and often we

are eating goes other Arab countries follow and it is important that we

help Egypt take those footsteps to a democratic place. That is why the

Prime Minister invited Sisi President to this country so that we

can have that dialogue to encourage up asperity agenda but also to

encourage importance of polhtical reform and that is how we c`n help

Egypt succeed in taking those steps towards a stable and prosperous and

democratic place. When I first of all thank the honourable melber for

Carshalton and Wellington for raising this issue? -- Wellhngton.

When the original demonstrations take place in 2011 was a grdat sense

of hope and expectation for a better of hope and expectation for a

future on the part of the pdople and future on the part of the pdople and

events since then have dashdd these hopes. We all want to see stability

in Egypt in the wider Middld East and the House will be only too aware

of the terrorist threat in Dgypt given the possible cause of the

Russian plane crash but does the Minister think that securitx is

furthered by the mass arrests and trials that we have seen since

President Sisi seized power? Amnesty International have assessed the tens

of thousands of people are currently detained in a crackdown on dissent

that is targeted alleged supporters of the banned Muslim brotherhood and

human rights activists and perceived opponents of the government and

journalists. As the Mr recehved assurances that British and other

journalists are free to operate in Egypt? Mass trials have seen courts

are free to operate in Egypt? Mass trials have seen Courtown down death

sentences including on the former president long prison sentences

What assessment has the govdrnment made of the fairness of those trials

given the concerns that had been expressed about the lack of proper

legal representation and thd wholly inadequate opportunities to present

a defence? There are also rdports of torture being used against those

being detained including thd use of sexual violence against womdn. As

the government seen these rdports and if so what specific

recommendations have been m`de to the Egyptian government? Thd

Minister said the premise that will be raising a range of issues with

the Minister today and can he confirmed the Prime Minister will be

raising all of these specifhc human rights issues with President Sisi

during the discussions todax? And finally will those discussions also

cover the status of the Moose, brotherhood and the United Kingdom

and if so can the Minister tell the House when the review carridd out by

John Jenkins will be published? Firstly can I thank her for her

observations and questions `nd I welcome her to this place. That is

much we can agree on and we want to see a stable Egypt and other huge

concerns expressed about thd terrorism is situation that the

country actually faces which has been underlined by the Russhan plane

incident where there will bd a statement in more detail following.

Had in the protest law, and also the anti-terror law, which is

specifically where a eejit hs facing a terrorist threat, but that should

freedoms of normal people -, Egypt. freedoms of normal people -, Egypt.

The key findings will be published shortly, and on the question of the

agenda with the Prime Minister, all I can say is that there is nothing

which is off the table from that perspective. As chairman of the

all-party Egypt group, may H disagree with my honourable friend

and say that we warmly welcome the visit of the president, and we think

it is a tremendous opportunhty for the United Kingdom to engagd for all

the reasons he has set out. Egypt has done work in trying to bring

about a solution between Israel and the Palestinians. Would he not agree

that it is important for thd British Government to give its expertise in

counterterrorism because Egxpt is under serious threat, and of course

human rights and democracy `re essential, but stability in Egypt is

a precondition of human rights. Can I welcome my right honourable friend

to his position as chairman of the group. Can I say that I was

personally involved in making sure that he and I and other members will

have the opportunity as parliamentarians to meet Barack

Obama one to raise many of these issues that have been brought up

today. He speaks appropriatdly about Egypt's wider role, the

bring together peace and parties, bring together peace and parties,

and we attended a meeting in Cairo as part of the donor conferdnce

which was an accused of by Barack Obama one himself --

and initiative of president Sisi. I thank him for bringing this

important question to the House and I thank the Minister for his answer.

A stable Egypt is vital for the wider region, but we cannot support

stability at all costs. We do not just have a humanitarian

Egypt to stand up for human rights Egypt to stand up for human rights

in their country, we also h`ve a responsibility to promote it in this

country, because this would inherently create a more st`ble

Egypt. What assurances can he get that human rights in Egypt will

remain on the agenda today, given reports this morning that the UK

Government's decision to suspend flights to the tourist resort means

they will be less resect -- are likely to be less receptive to

discussions? I pay tribute to her expertise in this area, but when

this statement is released, it will become apparent that we are

conflating two separate isstes. conflating two separate isstes.

There is a security threat to deal There is a security threat to deal

with flights, which is why they have been suspended. That is sep`rate to

the commitment in encouraging advancement in human rights, but

also the prosperity agenda `s well. So I hope it is not the casd that

the urgency of us having to deal with looking after and making sure

British citizens are secured a broad British citizens are secured a broad

does not affect the importance of this visit taking place. Dods my

right honourable friend agrde that we need stronger relationshhps with

countries in the Middle East, therefore it is right we ard

engaging in dialogue with President Sisi. As expressed by my honourable

friend, stability in Egypt hs far preferable to chaos in the region

and for our own security. She articulates the exact questhon that

many countries and governments have to ask themselves, how best to be

influence and exert changing countries taking steps forw`rd, or

encourage to take steps forward One way of doing it is by shouthng from

afar and the other is by engaging with them and having privatd

conversations and providing assistance and expertise, which we

can take to the country to lake sure we can facilitate change th`t way.

Is it -- it is not so open `nd overt, but I can see change taking

place through that way. Can I also commend the honourable membdr for

bringing this matter to the floor of the House. The Foreign and

Commonwealth Office may havd set priorities which mean that Chrissy

rights have more priority. Stability rights have more priority. Stability

and prosperity inevitably follows, and a government founded on

oppression and denial of hulan rights will never be a stable

government. Will he assure the House that the Foreign Office will review

its priorities and put democracy and respect for human rights at the top

of this list of priorities? At the beginning of this year, I h`d the

honour of taking 50 companids on a delegation to Cairo, and visited the

new Suez Canal as well. It was during the meetings they ard that we

could raise these issues. Companies will not invest in places that they

do not feel secure in the jtdicial process. I hear what he says, but I

make it clear, I never shy `way from any opportunity to raise thdse

not necessarily make the front pages not necessarily make the front pages

of the newspapers, but I gu`rantee that these matters are raisdd by us

and the MOD as well. Steven`ge is home of the Coptic Cathedral, and I

am concerned about Coptic Christians in Egypt. Will be raised? I visited

Cairo, -- Coptic churches. H raised Cairo, -- Coptic churches. H raised

this matter. It will also bd raised during the visits in the next couple

of days. In July 2013, after the military coup, the then Fordign

Secretary said we cannot support military interventions in ddmocratic

processes. The new regime sdems to be taking a completely diffdrent

tack. What has happened since then is that the human rights record in

Egypt's has plummeted. The Linister knows that there was a trial were

520 death sentences were issued after one hour, 683 were issued

without a single defendant being present. We do not hear abott it

because 125 journalists are locked up. Canty understand that endorsing

President Sisi is likely to make people more engaged with radical

terrorism than the other wax around? -- cant he understand? I do not

agree with her on the issue of elections and so forth, or the

position of President Sisi. He was elected and have a referendtm as

well. There are no parliamentary elections which have taken place in

place on the 23rd of Novembdr, place on the 23rd of Novembdr,

providing additional scrutiny to what the executive is doing. We take

every opportunity to raise ` mass arrest, and on the issue of Al

Jazeera journalists, 20 werd arrested in December 2013 and we

took every opportunity to m`ke it clear that we had concerns `bout the

manner of these arrests not least because two Britons were involved.

They were convicted in absentia and we are now requesting a full pardon

cleared. What assessment has he made cleared. What assessment has he made

of how effective the parlialentary elections in Egypt's will bd -- in

Egypt will be? And has he dhscussed this with President Sisi? The

elections were well overdue and we are pleased that the first round of

elections have actually takdn place. This is a new parliament, there is a

lot of work to be done as they take footsteps and understanding how they

need to hold the executive to account. I am pleased to sed that

there will be a partnership scheme under Westminster foundation for

democracy and indeed our own funds from the Commonwealth officd,

providing financial assistance to help train and make sure thdy are as

effective as possible in holding them to account. Can I commdnd my

honourable friend for the work he is doing in this area, particularly

encouraging human rights behng raised at every occasion. C`n he

through the government for the through the government for the

hospitality they are giving to so many thousands of refugees

Syria. Egypt is not often mdntioned Syria. Egypt is not often mdntioned

regarding bridal work -- vital work regarding bridal work -- vital work

in this respect. There is a terrorism group in the

Peninsula, and has pledged hts Peninsula, and has pledged hts

allegiance to eyes -- Isil, and they are... Is this question, Mr Chris

Bryant. Will bid Leader of the House give us business for next wdek? On

Monday the ninth, we will do the remaining stages of the Scotland

Bill. On Tuesday it will