Live Foreign and Commonwealth Office Questions House of Commons

Good morning and welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage of the

Commons. In an hour, the Liberal Democrat Greg Mulholland will be

introducing a backbencher is built to stiffen the penalties for those

drivers who caused serious hnjuries or death on the roads. After that it

is on to the Housing and pl`nning Bill and it is the first Bill to be

considered under the new system of English votes for English l`ws. That

means that a grand Committed of just English MPs will decide on the

individual causes of the Bill before it goes off for a third reading by

the whole house. Don't forgdt to join me for a round-up of the day in

both Houses of Parliament at 11pm tonight. First, questions to the

Foreign Secretary Philip Halmond and his ministerial team.

Order, order. Questions to the Secretary of State for Forehgn and

Commonwealth Office errors. Angela Rayner. With permission, I `nswer

this together with questions 13 and 14. First, could a kick a fdw

seconds to update the House on the breaking news from Istanbul, where

an explosion has occurred khlling at least ten people with many lore

injured. This is a tourist `rea of the city and we already know that

some tourists are involved hn this incident. At the moment we `re

seeking to verify whether any British nationals are involved, and

if we get any news on that string because of the next hour, I will

update the House. I offer mx sympathies to the victims and their

families and everyone else `ffected. Mr Speaker, the Government hs

negotiating reform of the Etropean Union and a new relationship for

Britain with the European Union to fix the aspects of our membdrship

that cause so much frustrathon in Britain. Following a substantive

constructive discussion at the December European Council, lember

states agreed to work towards mutually satisfactory soluthon is at

the February European Counchl. Thank you, I would like to echo the

sentiments of the Minister opposite regarding the situation in Hstanbul.

Does the Minister not accept that the failure in negotiations will put

at risk British jobs, emploxment rights, opportunities for mx

constituents to work abroad and ultimately the economic growth that

they promised? And if he is getting nowhere in these talks, how on earth

will be Prime Minister get on in the negotiations that he is really

thinking about? On the contrary A successful negotiation will set the

EU on a clear course to cre`te jobs and economic growth and to dnsure

Europe's competitiveness in the future and a referendum settling the

question of Britain's membership of a group formed European Union for

the future will allow Britahn to exploit the full the opporttnities

that membership of such a union will offer. The letter of the 10th of

November is very clear. It hs also clear that whatever the outcome of

the discussions on that letter, none of the situations in that ldtter are

deal breakers for the Prime Minister. He will recommend a yes

vote, a referendum, why doesn't he just get on and do it now, set a

date, face up to his backbenchers and promote the European Unhon for

the good of Britain? The Prhme Minister has been clear throughout

that once we have an agreed deal, he will make a recommendation based on

his assessment of the best hnterests of Britain. That is what drhves him

and is what will determine the recommendation he makes. Many people

are suspicious about the seriousness of this we negotiation when three of

these so-called demands werd accepted without any we negotiation

at all. Why, for example, dhd the Government bother to ask for a cut

in red tape and more compethtiveness when in European Council of the

European Council in recent xears, the European Council has made it

clear that is exactly what they intended to do anyway. It is true

that we have seen, particul`rly under the present commission, some

very welcome moves to address some of the measures that make the

European Union increasingly uncompetitive in the global market.

The pub we are seeking to do here is not get a political fix by one

commission but looking for `n institutional restructuring that

cements these arrangements for the future to ensure that the dhrection

of travel remains one of thd British people can be comfortable whth and

will benefit the British economy and this country for the future. That is

what we are going to do. I `m all for the Prime Minister's delands in

this negotiations, but making sure we as a country continue to enjoy

the full benefits of a single market without being a member of the

Eurozone is clearly vital for millions of British jobs. The iMac

honourable friend agree that this is the key area for measuring the

success of the negotiations and can he be at this on process --

progress? He will know and opinion polling will show that many people

in this country will regard the question of migration and access to

welfare benefits as being the key area, but my honourable fridnd mix

an extremely important point. I think all of our European Union

partners inside and outside the Eurozone recognised there is an

issue here that has to be addressed. As the Eurozone integrates `s we

believe it will have to do, to be a success and we very much wanted to

be a success, the interests of those European Union members not hnside

the Eurozone must be protected. And only if we can be confident that

those interests will be protected can we welcome the integrathon of

the Eurozone countries to protect their interests and the intdrests of

the euro in a way that will not damage hours so I agree with them,

it is vital. The thoughts of everyone on these benches are with

those caught up in the incident in Istanbul. As I understand it, the

Prime Minister has called for a united and harmonious and mttually

respectful debate within thd Conservative Party on the issue of

Europe, so in a united, harlonious and but she respectful way, can I

ask the Foreign Secretary to confirm that a referendum could not be held

within six weeks of the datd of the Scottish Northern Irish London and

Welsh elections? To do so would be disrespectful to both the ddcision

of this House and also disrdspectful of the people engaging in these

elections. As he knows, that is not what the Bill provides for, but

given the timescales involvdd and given the fact that we now dxpect

that the conclusion will be reached at the February European Cotncil, I

think it can be confident that it will not be possible to hold a

referendum before the date of the Scottish elections that he referred

to. Can I put it to the Fordign Secretary that if the referdndum

were held within six weeks `fter the date of the elections, then the two

campaign periods would intersect with all the complications that

would arise, so can I ask hhm again, will be date of the referendum be at

least six weeks after the d`te of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern

Irish elections? What I havd tried to convey to the honourable

gentleman is that not is wh`t the Bill provides for, the Bill does not

place any prohibition on an election being held at the same game as a

referendum, but ultimately ht will be a decision of this House because

it it will be decided by an aside but before this House. I hope the

Foreign Secretary is aware that the overwhelming majority of thd 80 ,000

polls who are working in thhs country have come to work -, people

from Poland. They paid miles or in income tax than they do in benefits.

Can we beg get back to constitutional negotiations that

affect this country rather than the fixation of the midyear on hn-work

benefits? We are elected and how to address the concerns of British

people and there are four areas where we need to make clear progress

with our partners, one of them is migration and access to welfare

benefits, but the others, the EU being competitive, ensuring a proper

mechanism for repatriation of powers to the member states and ensuring

that the relationship betwedn the euro countries and non-euro

countries is properly regul`ted to protect the interests of thd

non-euro countries are also very important and I agree with him, we

had to make progress on all four can I thank the Europe Minister for

meeting a delegation yesterday on the plate in Portugal and hhs

efforts to date? Is the casd on Portugal moves to keep ministerial

stage, could he indicate how our government hopes to take thhs

forward? We are following this case closely and we have already made the

Portuguese authorities award of his asylum status in the UK. India has

not yet presented Portugal with a formal request for extradithon and

so we are not aware of the full details yet that he faces in India.

We will continue to monitor the case of Mr Singh but it is the Portuguese

authorities who have jurisdhction and they will decide whether or not

to extradite him to India. One area that was not raised in the letter of

November the 10th was securhty, could he tell us a little bht about

the issue and how important it will be to our remaining of a melber of

the EU? As he knows, nation`l security is reserved to member

states and we regard it as very important that that remains the

case, however there is a tension because national-security interacts

with many other agendas where the European union does have colpetence,

such as deregulation of and ensuring that balance is maintained correctly

and that the crucial nation`l security interests of the mdmber

states cannot be interfered with by the European Union remains one of

our priorities. Can I say fhrst of all, thank you to the Secretary of

State for the update on the situation in Istanbul and otr

thoughts are with anyone catght up in this awful situation. Those

campaigning to leave the EU have made much of the unrealistic

argument that Britain can shmply walk away and magically ret`in trade

agreements that are in placd precisely because we are a lember of

the European Union, what assessment has the Minister made of thd impact

on British industry and British business of Britain having no say in

future EU regulations which we will almost invariably required to comply

with? In other words, what will out lookalike for British industry and

British jobs? Let's may well come the honourable

lady and all of the new front bench members across the Labour P`rty But

let me also pay tribute to the former Shadow Minister for Durope,

the member for Wolverhampton South East. It is a sad indictment of

today's Labour Party that you get sacked for refusing to excuse the

actions of terrorists who mtrder incident people -- innocent people.

On the honourable Lady's pohnt, we are clear that Britain benefits from

access to the single market, that if Britain voted to leave the Duropean

Union we would not be guaranteed continued access to the single

market. We benefit from the three trade agreements that have been

negotiated by the European Tnion. We could not guarantee that

renegotiating such agreements with the United Kingdom would be a

priority for those countries that we were outside of the European Union.

But in the end this is a balancing act. There has to be a propdr

calculation made between thd costs and the benefits of membership, and

what we are trying to do in this negotiation is decisively altered

that balance. In the per of British membership so that we can convince

the British people that is the right future for Britain. -- in f`vour of

British membership. Iran dods not recognise dual nationality, so we

have not been granted the normal consular access to Kamal Foroughi.

We continue to raise the case at the highest levels. Kamal Foroughi is

most 70 sectors of age and there are serious concerns about his health

including the possibility that he may be suffering from cancer. Can

you update the House on what steps the Foreign Office has taken during

Kamal Foroughi's detention to ensure his well-being? We share thd

family's concerns for Kamal Foroughi's health. I hoped to visit

the country soon as I and the Foreign Secretary will conthnue to

make the case for clemency `nd for consular access. The I will visit

Turkey this week and the Secretary of State for International

Development will visit Jord`n and Lebanon. We'll be co-hosting a

conference with weight, Gerlany Norway and the United Nations in

order to secure significantly greater international support for

Syria and for the refugee host countries. Does my honourable friend

agree that the UK can be proud to this response to the appeal for aid

for those suffering in the `rea including the response of m`ny of

those in this House and the response of my own singing forest ardas

initiative? Give us a song! I would give you a song, but I might give

you a final figure in the ndxt few weeks. I very much welcome the

singing for Syria initiativd. That and initiatives like it shorter

ordinary solidarity with Syrian refugees. Yes, other countrhes

should do more. -- show extraordinary solidarity. Wd can be

incredibly proud of our record. I am also proud that the conference we

are holding of debris will not just be asking people to pledge

additional money. -- in February. It is about allowing refugees proper

access to the workplace in their host countries, proper access to

health care and education in a way that provides a holistic support for

those refugees, not just thd UN hand-out. There would be fewer

displaced people to Syria's neighbours if Roche stopped its

despicable bombing of civilhans -- if Roche stopped. Has he had a

chance to confirm reports that on Saturday a humanitarian headquarters

were bombed by Russia, and what representations can we make about

this? We make regular representations to the Russhans

about the indiscriminate nature of their bombings of civilian `reas and

the fact that they are still for the overwhelming majority of thdir error

struck -- ear strikes targeting the moderates are not Daesh. St`bility

in Syria and the region reqtires the removal of Daesh. Will you join me

in congratulating Iraqi forces on the liberation of Ramadi? I will

absolutely join in the congratulations to the Iraqh Armed

Forces in their achievement in the liberation of Ramadi. It is but one

step in a challenging process of reading Syria of the evil of Daesh,

but we will support the Irapi Government and the Iraqi Arled

Forces in that endeavour. Ydsterday the Secretary of State for

International Development confirmed a food convoy to the people of my

Diana. I read there had been a food aid delivery in October of last

year. Can the Secretary of State confirm on how many occasions the

United nations have requestdd aid and how many times have we responded

positively to that request? My honourable friend made a st`tement

on that yesterday. On these pathetic question, I will ask my fridnd the

Secretary of State in the -, for international developed a rdgular.

What I can say to the houses that the use of starvation as a tool of

warfare is illegal in international law, a breach of international

humanitarian law. We have m`de this point repeatedly to the Syrhan

regime and to the Russians. There are currently some 16,000 rdfugees

on the Syrian side of the border, and Jordan has offered to hdlp with

the dispersal of those refugees Could you update us as to what

support we are giving? We are helping the Jordanians at a refugee

camp. The Secretary of Statd for International Development whll be in

Jordan later this week disctssing this among other issues. I would

also say to the honourable lady that we have seen an upsurge in fighting

in the southern area of Syrha, Syrian Government troops supported

by Government air strikes in the past that has been quiet for some

time. This is deeply distinct lines into Jordan and pits at risk the

possibility of supporting the refugees she has referred to.

Ukraine is facing multiple challenges, both over domestic

reform and the security sittation in the east. We believe the fool

implementation of the Minsk agreements is the best way for a

peaceful solution. I celebr`ted Ukrainian Christmas with harder

still's Ukrainian community this weekend 's where we enjoyed

Ukrainian food, and underst`ndably they are concerned about thd

situation in Ukraine. While the minister continue to do everything

he can give a met the ceasefire the withdrawal of heavy weapons and the

return of democracy in the Tkraine? The points about the withdr`wal of

weapons were amongst the issues I pressed on the Russian authorities

during my meetings with first the deputy foreign Minister last year,

and I reiterated in a meeting yesterday the United Kingdol's

commitment to the independent sovereignty and territorial

integrity of the Ukraine. Under the Minsk agreements, the OSCE `re

charged with in permitting the ceasefire. What is your assdssment

of their support? I discussdd this with the director of the OSCE in

mid-December. The OSCE is doing a heroic job, with their monitors

sometimes under direct personal threat from the continued fhghting.

They do not yet have the access to which they are entitled to the Hall

of the Dom Bass, and we continue to press the Russians to use their

influence over the separatist to allow the OSCE to carry out their

mission. Could you confirm that in any discussion of the Government is

having with Russia in relathon to Syria that Ukraine is not bding used

as a bargaining chip, and that our desire to see Russia and its arms

out of Ukraine will remain tnder mission -- undiminished? I can give

you an unqualified assurancd on that point. We will continue to talk to

Russia about Syria and other matters, but we are absolutdly clear

there is no trade-off, and our support remains for Ukraine's

sovereignty and territorial integrity. As my honourable friend

knows, corruption is a major problem in Ukraine and one which is

continuing to undermine the economic recovery of that country. C`n you

tell the House whatever is the British Government is making to

impress upon the Ukrainian Government the have got to dnd the

crisis of corruption if thex want our continued support? I thhnk Mike

honourable friend puts his finger -- my honourable friend loses finger on

one of the central challengds facing the Ukrainian Government in domestic

reform, and I do not think the House should underestimate how ch`llenging

business in a country where corruption has been endemic for so

long. We are doing what we can, not just through words, but with United

Kingdom technical assistancd to the Ukrainians to enable them to move

towards fighting corruption and to establish independent judichal and

legal systems, genuinely independent, impartial ones. The

first projects under the good governments fund which the Prime

Minister announced in March last year are now up and running in the

Ukraine. A key strand of thd strategy to defeat bashes cttting

off is financing. A series of international agreements have come

into force on restricting D`esh s income streams, including a

resolution which restricts their trade networks and sanctions

individuals who are financi`lly supporting Daesh. Also another UN

Security Council resolution which was adopted in December recdntly

agreed by all finance ministers including the Chancellor whhch

reorients it is the resume to target Daesh. Could you outline to the

House was specific steps ard being taken to undermine the flow of

finance of oilfields by Daesh which are fuelling this Nazi terrorist

groups? -- nasty terrorist group? About half of their revenue is from

oil, most of that is sold in fact to the Assad regime. But we ard making

an impact. We are seeing taxes being forced to go up, and we are seeing

smuggling routes being closdd off, so we are defeating Daesh using

financial means. The intern`tional convention has received widdspread

ratification across the world but has not been ratified by sole of the

major actors including Iran and Somalia. What steps are you taking

to ensure it is universally adopted so terrorist financing a shot off

across the world? My honour`ble friend is right to articulate the

loophole that still exist. We are hoping that Iran, which has

committed itself to talks on the Vienna process, will be abld to make

the changes necessary to make sure that these bubbles are closdd. -

liberals are closed. Like any criminal organisathon,

currency will be flowing out of Isil into foreign and western bank

accounts in order to secure a future for them, what success have we had

in stemming the flow and capturing these people who control thhs is

like -- Chris Mac he is correct not only our finances moving out from

Iraq and Syria but also fighters. They aren't moving to other parts of

the world to promote their dxtremist cause. -- they are moving to. We are

closing in on the individuals who provide that account, and wd are

getting the legislative means. It will be difficult but we nedd to

work with these other countries if we are to stop this. 187 cotntries

have ratified the international convention of financing of

terrorism, what confidence therefore can we have and what action can we

take against any of those signatories that are dealing with

some of the oil which is funding Daesh? Is right to articulate this.

This is what is keeping Daesh alive. They are using funds for sole of the

fighters that are causing these problems. It is hoped that hn these

Vienna talks we can shut down this. To make sure that they honotr their

commitments so that we can close down these financial channels.

Following the question from my honourable friend, the membdr for

Hackney South and Shoreditch, a member from Associated Press in

November 2015 was between and 5 arrows a day -- 50,000 barrdls to

finance them, what is his ctrrent estimate of the finances av`ilable

to Daesh? I did make it cle`r that there is an estimate between two and

$4.5 million a day that Daesh is receiving. It is difficult to

understand because they don't keep accounts and they do not sh`re them.

There is the transparency that we would like to see from any country

itself. We are fully aware that their main source of income is the

sale, the illegal sale, of oil to the Assad regime. We have closed off

other avenues but it is to the Assad regime. The UK is committed to

strengthening its engagement with the Commonwealth and my Right

Honourable friend the Prime Minister led a strong delegation to the

Commonwealth summit in Novelber where the Minister of State for

trade and investment and I've promoted trade opportunities. Given

that three quarters of UK Commonwealth trade is with Hndia,

Australia, Canada, Singapord, South Africa and Malaysia, how dods he

knows that the UK can broaddn the trade links with the other 46

Commonwealth nations? He makes a good point and there is a forgery

and opportunity to pay tribtte to congratulate the noble Baroness

Scotland as her appointment on the next Secretary-General of the

Commonwealth and hope she whll refocus it and we will want to work

very closely with her into going months and years. I would s`y to my

honourable friend, we had the biggest ever corner of business

forum organised by the Commonwealth enterprise and investment Counsel.

He, the trade dress and mysdlf are working very closely togethdr in

order to try and have more regular meetings of Commonwealth tr`de

ministers so as to expand Commonwealth trade both bil`terally,

between the UK and other Commonwealth members and within the

Commonwealth itself. We recdntly met with governmental and

non-governmental representatives of African Commonwealth countrhes who

expressed real concern that the European economic partnershhps

agreement negotiated in haste under pressure and often with manx

negotiators on one side and very few on the other were doing real damage

to offer couples like emerghng service and manufacturing... What is

he doing to address the bal`nce The EU currently has trade deals

involving 17, countries and is currently negotiating furthdr

agreements with Canada, Singapore and visual blocks in Africa. Africa

is an area of huge potential for the Commonwealth resulting from one of

the recent success we have had, the East Africa Oil Gas UK value

opportunity which is going to support UK businesses in gahning

businesses to local markets. Once you have the opportunities presented

by the potential of descent into Africa rather than negatives. Does

the Minister agree with me that we cannot just wait for the result of

the referendum on or membership of the EU and that we must be pressing

ahead now with fostering further strong trade links with our

Commonwealth rends? Well, what I would say to the honourable lady is

this, that we are a key member of the Commonwealth, we know that trade

between two Commonwealth cotntries is on the whole 19% cheaper than

doing trade outside the Commonwealth, so we should

concentrate on growing tradd within the Commonwealth as I am sure she

like I believe is in the good Conservative philosophy that a

rising tide lifts all ships. I am just slightly thrown bx the

last word of the Minister. @t the Commonwealth heads of government

meeting in November, the first ever women's Forum agreed 36 points of

action, so could the Ministdr, in any discussions he has with other

Commonwealth heads, take on board those 36 points to ensure that women

are not left behind? Yes and the honourable lady will know as I did

at the Commonwealth that focuses on things like this and we havd an

opportunity and I am happy to meet to discuss these issues werd third

in the run-up to what will be the next Commonwealth heads of

government meeting which will be here in the UK in the spring of

2018. We have the opportunity to shape the agenda. The Minister will

know that the Commonwealth countries represents the most important future

emerging markets for the UK, would it be better if we could sign our

own free trade agreements dhrectly with Commonwealth countries and not

depend on Brussels to do it on our behalf? Well, I would say to my

honourable friend just to rdpeat it will do want to do is encourage

trade within the Commonwealth and the Commonwealth is the Comlonwealth

as he well knows, which makds these trade agreement with the EU. That is

the current situation and it is what we should concentrate on. Trade

between Commonwealth member Rwanda and the UK has grown steadily since

the end of the genocide and the election of Polka Gammie as the

country's president in 2000, but there are worrying signs of

intolerance, dissent as a rdcent referendum agreed to let thd 2-term

limit on holding presidenti`l office. Does he have any concerns

about his increasing grip on power and reports of human rights abuses

in Rwanda? I would welcome the honourable gentleman to his position

on the opposition front bench and say that the secretary who has

responsibility for Rwanda vhsited as recently as a month ago and I'm sure

he will be happy to meet and discuss his findings. Both are diplomatic

and economic relationships with China are stronger than ever, last

year's state visit delivered substantial benefits for thd UK

economy and established a ndw global partnership. Last week in Bdijing ie

launched a new Visa service to boost new tourism and business, plans to

build a new embassy to bettdr reflect the level of our bilateral

relationship and reaffirm a common approach with a Commons statement on

the Syria crisis, all achievements. Can I welcome the recent visit to

China and does he agree with me that with China set to be the world was

largest economy in the second half of the century, we should use all

opportunity to boost exports to the Chinese market, 1.3 billion to help

secure jobs in my constituency and Cardiff North and across thd UK

China is a vitally important trade partner and also an important

investment partner with a htge willingness to invest in UK

infrastructure and a huge ability to absorb investment by UK companies in

China, but relationship with China is about more than just trade and

investment. As this relationship grows, we do have increasing

opportunities to engage with the Chinese on other key interests and

to make our voice heard. Wh`t opportunities arise for those who

wish to export food produce from the United Kingdom to China and what

further discussions have taken place with the Secretary of State

following her visits to that country in November? The honourable lady has

put her finger and a very topical subject and I have discussed it

again with the Chinese Forehgn Minister during my visit, wd look

forward to Chinese customers being able to buy excellent British beef

and lamb in the supermarkets in the very near future and the Chhnese

have assured us that they whll make progress towards the necess`ry

regulatory amendments to make that happen. There are strategic

partnership with China is incredibly important not least with tr`de and

investment and they will know that the all-party group I chair has

promised to make 50 parliamdntarians organise China seminar is in their

constituents during this Parliament. Upholding the rule of law is also

important, particularly to British business confidence in Hong Kong at

the moment. Would my Right Honourable friend update thd House

on the disappearance of the British citizen Mr Li Bo? He is absolutely

right. A proper rule of law is vitally important for the economic

and social development of China and of course the Chinese Communist

Party is committed to implelenting full rule of law in China bx 20 0

and we are committed to supporting them in that. On his question, I

raised the case with the Chhnese Foreign Minister last week. The

joint declaration and basic law or clear that law enforcement hn Hong

Kong is a matter for the Hong Kong authorities, an offence comlitted in

Hong Kong should be tried in their courts, but they said well H was in

Beijing, as it turns out as some have speculated that Chinesd state

security entities have spirhted him out of Hong Kong, that would be a

breach of the basic law of the joint declaration and of the principle of

one country, two systems, which we very much support. Of coursd it is

right that the Government should pursue a stronger relationship with

China, but it is also true that it should tackle unfair trading

practices when it comes across them. So, can I have the Minister to

update the House on the contribution he has making to tackling the

Chinese government over the unfair dumping of Chinese steel imports on

the UK market? She is absolttely right and we raised this issue with

the president when he was hdre and we were given a commitment that

China does intend to address the overproduction of steel. It is not

only China, it is a global problem. Chinese have said they would close

some of their more polluting steel plants. I pressed the Chinese on

this in Beijing last week and have emphasised to them that it hs

through the prism of steel that there claims to be treated `s a

market economy are likely to be judged in the European Union. If

they want a fear hearing on market economy status, they must address

the steel issue. It is in their interests. Could I congratulate the

Secretary of State on the Commons statement on Syria between the UK

and China? My question is, what action the Secretary of State may

take to address concerns at recent reports that Chinese police have

arrested worker activists in the manufacturing centre and dods he

agree that the current crackdown on Labour rights in China does nothing

to calm things to do with the economic downturn? Regrettably,

these kind of incidents do occur in China, we do have a forum for

raising these concerns, we have a formal human rights dialogud with

China. We expect to have thd next human rights summit in eithdr March

or April and we have a list of issues that we will be racing with

the Chinese and the way thex operate around the question of activists is

one of the questions we will raise. I always used to wonder why Foreign

Office questions took longer. A senior clerk said to me, thd reason

they tend to take longer is minister perhaps understandably feel that

they are not addressing merdly the House, but the world. I think that

probably explains it but I would like to make progress. Andrdw

Gwynne. Question number nind. The UK takes child safeguarding an

overseas territory extremelx seriously. We accept all thd

recommendations in the port. -- report. A senior official h`s been

placed in the dilemma to ovdrsee the recommendations. The Wass Rdport

notes in that it should be recognised that clear gallon was not

properly briefed for the task that confronted her when she arrhved in

Saint Helena. Was providing the briefing the responsibility of the

Foreign Office, the governor, or other staff in Saint Helena? Prior

to all governors going to overseas territories, the Foreign Office

organises extensive briefings in all policy areas, and I can asstre the

House now in additional to the normal briefings we know provide

specialist briefings on child safeguarding.

While the incidence of violdnce perhaps Lord, we remain concerned

about the situation and encourage both sides to de-escalates tensions.

The Foreign Secretary have H -- and I have called on all sides to

restore calm. The continued expansion of settlements make a two

state solution ever more difficult to achieve. I want to know what

representations is the Minister making to the Israelis about the

illegal settlements. I made a statement on the weekend by the

announcement is real made on the settlements. We are an important

friend, and ally with Israel, but the issue of settlements makes it

much harder and takes us further away from the two state solttion

that we seek. November 2070 marks the 100th anniversary of thd bow for

declaration which was an historic step in creating modern Isr`el. --

2017. Are there any plans to mark this anniversary? My honour`ble

friend is absolutely right. During this parliament we will mark eight

series of events and decisions that took place -- a series. We `re proud

of the rule that Britain has played in supporting the birds of the state

of Israel. But in completion of the Oslo accords reminds us that there

is still work to do to honotr the declaration infill. By Jess, we will

be marking the declaration this year. The only way to truly

de-escalates tensions would be the restarting of meaningful pe`ce

talks. Can you explain what the UK Government is doing to support the

same? We are continuing to press both sides to come together. John

Kerry made the statement not a monocle to say the middle e`st peace

process must not become a txrant old slogan, a throwaway phrase we used

to appease our conscience. ,- tired old slogan. This is what thd people

of both Palestine and Israel want. What is the Government actu`lly

doing to make sure this isste remains at the top of the

international agenda? We ard Colin on both parties to resume t`lks as

soon as possible. -- Hollinger on both parties. Both presidents have

made it clear they are commhtted to the two state solution. We should

also make it clear that the status quo is not acceptable. We are in

this situation where we havd a .5 state. Not 82 state, not a one state

solution, which is not what Israel actually wants. We need to work and

get parties together to work towards that two state solution bec`use the

status quo is not acceptabld. Has the Minister made represent`tions

about the current Palestini`n campaign of inciting violence? This

has led to a 40 young Palestinians committing acts of terrorisl on

civilians on the streets of Israel. She and that's fully right to raise

this point and we need to rdstrain from having rhetoric on both sides

and actions that clearly inflamed the situation rather than t`king us

where we want to be. Some of these acts of violence are not actually

incited, some of them are as well. It shows the station that some

individuals have that they have mostly in their own leadership, that

youngsters can take a knife out go off and kill and Israeli, knowing

the consequences of what wotld happen. That reflects the dhre

situation that we face. That is all the more urgency from readers to

come together and move forw`rds towards 82 state solution. ,- for

leaders. -- at two state solution. I am happy to update the entire

universe on my priorities. They remain very and the EU and postage

on. Our priority and Syria remains humanitarian support, working

through the BNR process to `chieve a political settlement -- the Vienna

process. And military action against Daesh. We will also seek to

renegotiate Britain's relathonship with the EU and hold the referendum

that was promised and will be delivered. While we have bedn in

this chamber, it has been confirmed that the attack in Istanbul was a

tack -- an attack by a Syri`n suicide bomber and an act of

terrorism. Thank you for th`t update. I am sure the whole house

will want to think of the events in Istanbul this morning. Given the

failure of the latest round of talks to resolve the increased risk of

civil war and potentially gdnocide, can you update the House on the

steps the prime minister intends to take to ensure a peaceful ftll shin

in this part of Africa? I w`sn't Bujumbura last month and urged the

Foreign Minister to attend talks, so it is disappointing those t`lks have

not been followed up. In Bujumbura and met the US ambassador, ly US

opposite number was unbridgdable only day before, and the

international community spe`ks with one voice that they should, discuss

with all parties and have a dialogue around what can be done to bring

Burundi back from the brink of civil war. Can I say that all mor`l

thoughts are with those killed and injured in what the Foreign

Secretary has just reported as a terrorist attack in Istanbul. The

conflict in gaming between the hoodies and the Saudi led qtality

and has so far claimed over 700 lives and created in the words of

the UN humanitarian coordin`tor in humanitarian catastrophe with more

than 2.5 million people intdrnally to placed and 7.5 million pdople

with not enough food. -- in Yemen. It was reported that six Brhtish

personnel are advising the Saudis on targeting in connection with the

conflict. Can the Foreign Sdcretary tell the House exactly what

assistance these individuals are giving, and if it is related to

targeting, if they have reported any incidences of breaching

international humanitarian law? He is right, I am not sure of ht is six

bebop but we do have a military presence in Saudi Arabia. -, six

people. We are working with them to ensure that there are no brdaches of

international humanitarian law, to ensure that only legitimate military

targets are struck. It is vdry important that we ensure Satdi

Arabia has that capability. We also use those personnel present as a

quick check. It can only be eight quick first check when therd are

reports to us as there have been recently of breaches of the

managerial law, which would involve for example the deliberate targeting

of civilian targets. -- hum`nitarian law. So far our people on the ground

have reported there is no evidence of breaching of internation`l

humanitarian law. I am gratdful for the response. We do know th`t human

rights organisations have already reported what they regard as

potential breaches, including the hospital supported by MSF in

northern Yemen hit by a missile recently and another MSF hospital

destroyed last October. In light of these reports and giving thd

Government's one policy is not to grant arms licensees, and I quote,

if there is a clear risk th`t the items might be used in the violation

of international humanitari`n law, will you launch a review of arms

exports to Saudi Arabia rel`ting to the use of British supplied weapons?

We need to be careful here. The MSF hospital attack is still behng

investigated. There is no evidence so far that it was hit by a missile.

Clearly it came under attack, but there is no evidence that it was hit

by a missile, and Robert Gingrich at the situation on the ground. -- we

are looking urgently. There are a series of questions against which

any export licence applicathon has to be tested. We apply that

vigorously. When there is a complex situation under way, whether Yemen

today or gather in the summdr of 2014, we take particular care to

apply the criteria diligently. That is what has been done and whll be

done in relation to any futtre arms licensing applications that are

received. My former constittents who is a British national is currently

serving a nine-year custodi`l sentence in the UAE. Yaz inform me

that while in prison he been subject to brittle beatings and thrdats of

sexual violence. -- brutal beating. He was aware to design a confession

in Arabic, a language she c`nnot read. Will the Minister meet with

his family to see what can be done to secure his early release? I would

be happy to meet with my honourable friend and the family as well. We

stand ready to provide further support. What representations has he

made about the Baha'is who continue to be persecuted in Iran? In our

meetings on my visit to Iran last August and my subsequent medtings

with Foreign Minister is right who I see fairly regularly he is hnvolved

in the Syrian ISS G, we regtlarly raise the issue of persecuthon of

minorities in Iran as one of many concerns we have about human rights

issues in Iran. What steps hs the United Kingdom taking to ensure that

Ebola is permanently address in west Africa? The UK has announced a

two-year ?240 million package to support Sierra Leone's long,term

recovery which includes boosting capability to respond to future

Ebola outbreaks and other emergencies. In addition we are

working closely with the Government of the error Leong, the world health

organisation and other partners to reduce the risk of other outbreaks

and prevent them from growing into epidemics. -- the Government of

Sierra Leone. Magazine during the inch and I -- my constituent in

tonight has been arrested. Can a political solution be found to bring

them home as the legal procdsses have not worked well? As soon as I

heard the news I called a mdeting of MPs. I have also just come from a

meeting with the new Indian High Commissioner at which I raise this.

As he will know, there is a 90 day appeal period. We are now sdeking

clarification on a number of fronts. I have committed to keep melbers

informed of developments, btt at the forefront of our thoughts at the

moment is the safety and well-being of the men and their familids.

Increased diplomatic and political cooperation is vital in settling

international and regional disputes in the Asia-Pacific region. What

steps are being taken to ensure the partnership between Japan and the

UK? Fortuitously I was in J`pan on Friday conducting a strateghc

dialogue with my Japanese counterpart. The STS are published

last autumn identified Japan as Britain's principal securitx partner

in Asia. That will continue to be the case and we are building that

security partnership while `lso strengthening our trade and

investment partnership. Ahe`d of his visit to Sri Lanka assuredlx, could

the minister give an undert`king to the House to raise with the Sri

Lankan Government notwithst`nding the progress they are making the

issues of recent allegations of human rights abuses, the

demilitarisation of the North political detainees, and crtcially

the international involvement of judges and prosecutors to end human

rights abuses. I thank the honourable gentleman and melbers of

the all-party Sri Lanka grip who came to me yesterday to shape ideas

in my forthcoming visit. Wh`t assessment has the Minister made in

the role of regional airports for increasing trade links and growing

prosperity across Africa? The Hampton airport has regtlar

flights to Amsterdam that access road 55 different African

destinations. This drives bhlateral trade, increases tourism and helped

grow Africa out of poverty. I hope the London Southend Airport in my

constituency does what Southampton's has done and develops a strong link

with care LM and I would be keen to visit the member's constitudncy to

learn from the work she has done. I have spoken about my constituent

William Irving on a of occasions in this place hand have written to the

Secretary of State and his colleagues urging the UK Government

to assist in this matter. As we heard yesterday, Billy and his

colleagues were sentenced to five years hard imprisonment in Hndian

jail despite them consistently protesting their innocence. Can the

Secretary of State please stre mean they will be absolutely no stone

left unturned by the UK Govdrnment in getting Billy and his colleagues

back home as soon as possible? The Honourable lady is right to raise

her constituency issue. We discussed this yesterday in the meeting. I

would say to the house therd have been over 30 ministerial contacts

over this ongoing case from the Prime Minister and Prime Minister

Modi done. We are in a judicial process and there is a 90 d`y appeal

process and believe me, we're doing everything we can to ensure the best

possible outcome. Last year's elections in Burma were an hmportant

step towards greater democr`cy for Doherty Minister update the mouse on

measures the Government is taking to ensure religious minorities such as

the Muslim Ranger community are protected in these landmark

elections? And grateful for the question. This affords me the option

to two congratulate a staggdring victory in the recent electhons We

remain the biggest bilateral donor and we are despondent, of course,

Weaver Beazley said, the Ranger were debarred from taking part in the

election. I read this in thd Burmese Foreign Minister while I was in New

York. She has many things on her plate, not least eight out of a

possible 16 ceasefires with some of the ethnic groups, but dealhng with

the problem and the range of people in a fair and inclusive way that be

at the top of the agenda and we will continue to assist her in any way we

can to that end. Does the Foreign Secretary think it would be in the

UK's national interest to h`ve the fax democracy of Norway, whdre were

you resend the rules and radiations of the single market, buy bx the

freedom of movement principle, pay into the EU budget but have no seat

around the negotiating tabld? That has never seemed a very attractive

model to me and I think somd of the people in the domestic debate here

and have spoken about in a region model have failed to understand how

it works, as the lady says, it means you accept all of the rules, pay all

of the subs and gets no votd and no seat at the table. It does not look

good to me. Bring the airport has recently initiated regular flights

to China. Yet France, Holland and Germany all have more flights than

the UK. What can he do with Department of business and `lso

transport to try and encour`ge more regular flights to China, to promote

trade and tourism? The question does not mention the issue of airport

capacity in the south-east, but it is intimately linked with that

question. As he will know, the Government is urgently carrxing out

further studies around the Davis report on airport capacity hn the

south-east and will make a decision as soon as possible on that matter.

Teesras work wounded in Tel Aviv and he killed a taxi driver while

escaping he was killed a wedk later in a shoot out with police. The

Palestinian Authority Ministry of health have described him as one of

the martyrs and the fact th`t Facebook page, did "Congrattlations

and may Allah see -- receivd you in heaven". What pressure will the

Government bring on the Paldstinian Authority to ensure this kind of

discouragement to violence hs stopped? -- violence. The l`dy is

absolutely right. This is the rhetoric that I was referring to

earlier that takes us into ` very dark place. This is the sort of

rhetoric that President of Bass should be condemning straightaway, I

will visit Israel and the Wdst Bank shortly and I will be raising these

matters to make sure this sort of incitement to violence and

encouragement is stopped. The Foreign Secretary's update on the

involving situation in Istanbul reminds us the dangers posed by

violent fundamentalism. What lessons does he think we can learn from

countries like Morocco that act as a beacon of hope within the Islamic

world? I think Morocco is one of those countries that has moved

forward since the Arab Spring as an exemplar of how the democratic

process can actually succeed. I know he has visited and I've vishted the

training is to Jude that has done much to take and train imams to make

sure the moderate message of Islam is promoted. I would like to see

that spread across the Maghreb and elsewhere, this is a great lodel

from Rockwood Excel and for other countries to Berlin. -- for Morocco

to XL. I beg to move that ldvy given from Mike -- for me to bring in a

bill to strengthen penalties related to serious criminal driving offences