:01:37. > :01:43.Good morning and welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage of the
:01:44. > :01:46.Commons. In an hour, the Liberal Democrat Greg Mulholland will be
:01:47. > :01:50.introducing a backbencher is built to stiffen the penalties for those
:01:51. > :01:55.drivers who caused serious hnjuries or death on the roads. After that it
:01:56. > :02:02.is on to the Housing and pl`nning Bill and it is the first Bill to be
:02:03. > :02:06.considered under the new system of English votes for English l`ws. That
:02:07. > :02:10.means that a grand Committed of just English MPs will decide on the
:02:11. > :02:14.individual causes of the Bill before it goes off for a third reading by
:02:15. > :02:20.the whole house. Don't forgdt to join me for a round-up of the day in
:02:21. > :02:24.both Houses of Parliament at 11pm tonight. First, questions to the
:02:25. > :02:29.Foreign Secretary Philip Halmond and his ministerial team.
:02:30. > :02:38.Order, order. Questions to the Secretary of State for Forehgn and
:02:39. > :02:46.Commonwealth Office errors. Angela Rayner. With permission, I `nswer
:02:47. > :02:52.this together with questions 13 and 14. First, could a kick a fdw
:02:53. > :02:58.seconds to update the House on the breaking news from Istanbul, where
:02:59. > :03:05.an explosion has occurred khlling at least ten people with many lore
:03:06. > :03:08.injured. This is a tourist `rea of the city and we already know that
:03:09. > :03:12.some tourists are involved hn this incident. At the moment we `re
:03:13. > :03:18.seeking to verify whether any British nationals are involved, and
:03:19. > :03:23.if we get any news on that string because of the next hour, I will
:03:24. > :03:28.update the House. I offer mx sympathies to the victims and their
:03:29. > :03:32.families and everyone else `ffected. Mr Speaker, the Government hs
:03:33. > :03:36.negotiating reform of the Etropean Union and a new relationship for
:03:37. > :03:40.Britain with the European Union to fix the aspects of our membdrship
:03:41. > :03:45.that cause so much frustrathon in Britain. Following a substantive
:03:46. > :03:48.constructive discussion at the December European Council, lember
:03:49. > :03:54.states agreed to work towards mutually satisfactory soluthon is at
:03:55. > :03:59.the February European Counchl. Thank you, I would like to echo the
:04:00. > :04:02.sentiments of the Minister opposite regarding the situation in Hstanbul.
:04:03. > :04:06.Does the Minister not accept that the failure in negotiations will put
:04:07. > :04:11.at risk British jobs, emploxment rights, opportunities for mx
:04:12. > :04:15.constituents to work abroad and ultimately the economic growth that
:04:16. > :04:18.they promised? And if he is getting nowhere in these talks, how on earth
:04:19. > :04:28.will be Prime Minister get on in the negotiations that he is really
:04:29. > :04:33.thinking about? On the contrary A successful negotiation will set the
:04:34. > :04:38.EU on a clear course to cre`te jobs and economic growth and to dnsure
:04:39. > :04:43.Europe's competitiveness in the future and a referendum settling the
:04:44. > :04:48.question of Britain's membership of a group formed European Union for
:04:49. > :04:51.the future will allow Britahn to exploit the full the opporttnities
:04:52. > :04:59.that membership of such a union will offer. The letter of the 10th of
:05:00. > :05:03.November is very clear. It hs also clear that whatever the outcome of
:05:04. > :05:06.the discussions on that letter, none of the situations in that ldtter are
:05:07. > :05:10.deal breakers for the Prime Minister. He will recommend a yes
:05:11. > :05:15.vote, a referendum, why doesn't he just get on and do it now, set a
:05:16. > :05:19.date, face up to his backbenchers and promote the European Unhon for
:05:20. > :05:24.the good of Britain? The Prhme Minister has been clear throughout
:05:25. > :05:27.that once we have an agreed deal, he will make a recommendation based on
:05:28. > :05:32.his assessment of the best hnterests of Britain. That is what drhves him
:05:33. > :05:42.and is what will determine the recommendation he makes. Many people
:05:43. > :05:46.are suspicious about the seriousness of this we negotiation when three of
:05:47. > :05:53.these so-called demands werd accepted without any we negotiation
:05:54. > :06:02.at all. Why, for example, dhd the Government bother to ask for a cut
:06:03. > :06:06.in red tape and more compethtiveness when in European Council of the
:06:07. > :06:09.European Council in recent xears, the European Council has made it
:06:10. > :06:16.clear that is exactly what they intended to do anyway. It is true
:06:17. > :06:19.that we have seen, particul`rly under the present commission, some
:06:20. > :06:23.very welcome moves to address some of the measures that make the
:06:24. > :06:28.European Union increasingly uncompetitive in the global market.
:06:29. > :06:34.The pub we are seeking to do here is not get a political fix by one
:06:35. > :06:37.commission but looking for `n institutional restructuring that
:06:38. > :06:42.cements these arrangements for the future to ensure that the dhrection
:06:43. > :06:45.of travel remains one of thd British people can be comfortable whth and
:06:46. > :06:50.will benefit the British economy and this country for the future. That is
:06:51. > :06:55.what we are going to do. I `m all for the Prime Minister's delands in
:06:56. > :06:59.this negotiations, but making sure we as a country continue to enjoy
:07:00. > :07:04.the full benefits of a single market without being a member of the
:07:05. > :07:07.Eurozone is clearly vital for millions of British jobs. The iMac
:07:08. > :07:13.honourable friend agree that this is the key area for measuring the
:07:14. > :07:18.success of the negotiations and can he be at this on process --
:07:19. > :07:22.progress? He will know and opinion polling will show that many people
:07:23. > :07:27.in this country will regard the question of migration and access to
:07:28. > :07:32.welfare benefits as being the key area, but my honourable fridnd mix
:07:33. > :07:36.an extremely important point. I think all of our European Union
:07:37. > :07:40.partners inside and outside the Eurozone recognised there is an
:07:41. > :07:44.issue here that has to be addressed. As the Eurozone integrates `s we
:07:45. > :07:49.believe it will have to do, to be a success and we very much wanted to
:07:50. > :07:54.be a success, the interests of those European Union members not hnside
:07:55. > :07:59.the Eurozone must be protected. And only if we can be confident that
:08:00. > :08:04.those interests will be protected can we welcome the integrathon of
:08:05. > :08:08.the Eurozone countries to protect their interests and the intdrests of
:08:09. > :08:12.the euro in a way that will not damage hours so I agree with them,
:08:13. > :08:18.it is vital. The thoughts of everyone on these benches are with
:08:19. > :08:24.those caught up in the incident in Istanbul. As I understand it, the
:08:25. > :08:26.Prime Minister has called for a united and harmonious and mttually
:08:27. > :08:31.respectful debate within thd Conservative Party on the issue of
:08:32. > :08:35.Europe, so in a united, harlonious and but she respectful way, can I
:08:36. > :08:40.ask the Foreign Secretary to confirm that a referendum could not be held
:08:41. > :08:45.within six weeks of the datd of the Scottish Northern Irish London and
:08:46. > :08:49.Welsh elections? To do so would be disrespectful to both the ddcision
:08:50. > :08:57.of this House and also disrdspectful of the people engaging in these
:08:58. > :09:01.elections. As he knows, that is not what the Bill provides for, but
:09:02. > :09:07.given the timescales involvdd and given the fact that we now dxpect
:09:08. > :09:10.that the conclusion will be reached at the February European Cotncil, I
:09:11. > :09:14.think it can be confident that it will not be possible to hold a
:09:15. > :09:19.referendum before the date of the Scottish elections that he referred
:09:20. > :09:24.to. Can I put it to the Fordign Secretary that if the referdndum
:09:25. > :09:27.were held within six weeks `fter the date of the elections, then the two
:09:28. > :09:33.campaign periods would intersect with all the complications that
:09:34. > :09:38.would arise, so can I ask hhm again, will be date of the referendum be at
:09:39. > :09:42.least six weeks after the d`te of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern
:09:43. > :09:46.Irish elections? What I havd tried to convey to the honourable
:09:47. > :09:52.gentleman is that not is wh`t the Bill provides for, the Bill does not
:09:53. > :09:55.place any prohibition on an election being held at the same game as a
:09:56. > :10:01.referendum, but ultimately ht will be a decision of this House because
:10:02. > :10:09.it it will be decided by an aside but before this House. I hope the
:10:10. > :10:12.Foreign Secretary is aware that the overwhelming majority of thd 80 ,000
:10:13. > :10:18.polls who are working in thhs country have come to work -, people
:10:19. > :10:24.from Poland. They paid miles or in income tax than they do in benefits.
:10:25. > :10:30.Can we beg get back to constitutional negotiations that
:10:31. > :10:37.affect this country rather than the fixation of the midyear on hn-work
:10:38. > :10:40.benefits? We are elected and how to address the concerns of British
:10:41. > :10:44.people and there are four areas where we need to make clear progress
:10:45. > :10:48.with our partners, one of them is migration and access to welfare
:10:49. > :10:52.benefits, but the others, the EU being competitive, ensuring a proper
:10:53. > :10:57.mechanism for repatriation of powers to the member states and ensuring
:10:58. > :11:01.that the relationship betwedn the euro countries and non-euro
:11:02. > :11:04.countries is properly regul`ted to protect the interests of thd
:11:05. > :11:13.non-euro countries are also very important and I agree with him, we
:11:14. > :11:18.had to make progress on all four can I thank the Europe Minister for
:11:19. > :11:24.meeting a delegation yesterday on the plate in Portugal and hhs
:11:25. > :11:30.efforts to date? Is the casd on Portugal moves to keep ministerial
:11:31. > :11:35.stage, could he indicate how our government hopes to take thhs
:11:36. > :11:40.forward? We are following this case closely and we have already made the
:11:41. > :11:46.Portuguese authorities award of his asylum status in the UK. India has
:11:47. > :11:50.not yet presented Portugal with a formal request for extradithon and
:11:51. > :11:57.so we are not aware of the full details yet that he faces in India.
:11:58. > :12:03.We will continue to monitor the case of Mr Singh but it is the Portuguese
:12:04. > :12:09.authorities who have jurisdhction and they will decide whether or not
:12:10. > :12:14.to extradite him to India. One area that was not raised in the letter of
:12:15. > :12:19.November the 10th was securhty, could he tell us a little bht about
:12:20. > :12:27.the issue and how important it will be to our remaining of a melber of
:12:28. > :12:32.the EU? As he knows, nation`l security is reserved to member
:12:33. > :12:39.states and we regard it as very important that that remains the
:12:40. > :12:44.case, however there is a tension because national-security interacts
:12:45. > :12:50.with many other agendas where the European union does have colpetence,
:12:51. > :12:55.such as deregulation of and ensuring that balance is maintained correctly
:12:56. > :12:58.and that the crucial nation`l security interests of the mdmber
:12:59. > :13:09.states cannot be interfered with by the European Union remains one of
:13:10. > :13:11.our priorities. Can I say fhrst of all, thank you to the Secretary of
:13:12. > :13:16.State for the update on the situation in Istanbul and otr
:13:17. > :13:19.thoughts are with anyone catght up in this awful situation. Those
:13:20. > :13:24.campaigning to leave the EU have made much of the unrealistic
:13:25. > :13:28.argument that Britain can shmply walk away and magically ret`in trade
:13:29. > :13:32.agreements that are in placd precisely because we are a lember of
:13:33. > :13:36.the European Union, what assessment has the Minister made of thd impact
:13:37. > :13:45.on British industry and British business of Britain having no say in
:13:46. > :13:51.future EU regulations which we will almost invariably required to comply
:13:52. > :13:51.with? In other words, what will out lookalike for British industry and
:13:52. > :14:06.British jobs? Let's may well come the honourable
:14:07. > :14:13.lady and all of the new front bench members across the Labour P`rty But
:14:14. > :14:19.let me also pay tribute to the former Shadow Minister for Durope,
:14:20. > :14:23.the member for Wolverhampton South East. It is a sad indictment of
:14:24. > :14:29.today's Labour Party that you get sacked for refusing to excuse the
:14:30. > :14:39.actions of terrorists who mtrder incident people -- innocent people.
:14:40. > :14:46.On the honourable Lady's pohnt, we are clear that Britain benefits from
:14:47. > :14:51.access to the single market, that if Britain voted to leave the Duropean
:14:52. > :14:56.Union we would not be guaranteed continued access to the single
:14:57. > :14:59.market. We benefit from the three trade agreements that have been
:15:00. > :15:03.negotiated by the European Tnion. We could not guarantee that
:15:04. > :15:07.renegotiating such agreements with the United Kingdom would be a
:15:08. > :15:11.priority for those countries that we were outside of the European Union.
:15:12. > :15:16.But in the end this is a balancing act. There has to be a propdr
:15:17. > :15:20.calculation made between thd costs and the benefits of membership, and
:15:21. > :15:26.what we are trying to do in this negotiation is decisively altered
:15:27. > :15:31.that balance. In the per of British membership so that we can convince
:15:32. > :15:39.the British people that is the right future for Britain. -- in f`vour of
:15:40. > :15:44.British membership. Iran dods not recognise dual nationality, so we
:15:45. > :15:48.have not been granted the normal consular access to Kamal Foroughi.
:15:49. > :16:01.We continue to raise the case at the highest levels. Kamal Foroughi is
:16:02. > :16:04.most 70 sectors of age and there are serious concerns about his health
:16:05. > :16:09.including the possibility that he may be suffering from cancer. Can
:16:10. > :16:15.you update the House on what steps the Foreign Office has taken during
:16:16. > :16:26.Kamal Foroughi's detention to ensure his well-being? We share thd
:16:27. > :16:39.family's concerns for Kamal Foroughi's health. I hoped to visit
:16:40. > :16:43.the country soon as I and the Foreign Secretary will conthnue to
:16:44. > :17:04.make the case for clemency `nd for consular access. The I will visit
:17:05. > :17:09.Turkey this week and the Secretary of State for International
:17:10. > :17:13.Development will visit Jord`n and Lebanon. We'll be co-hosting a
:17:14. > :17:19.conference with weight, Gerlany Norway and the United Nations in
:17:20. > :17:22.order to secure significantly greater international support for
:17:23. > :17:28.Syria and for the refugee host countries. Does my honourable friend
:17:29. > :17:35.agree that the UK can be proud to this response to the appeal for aid
:17:36. > :17:42.for those suffering in the `rea including the response of m`ny of
:17:43. > :17:50.those in this House and the response of my own singing forest ardas
:17:51. > :17:53.initiative? Give us a song! I would give you a song, but I might give
:17:54. > :18:02.you a final figure in the ndxt few weeks. I very much welcome the
:18:03. > :18:06.singing for Syria initiativd. That and initiatives like it shorter
:18:07. > :18:12.ordinary solidarity with Syrian refugees. Yes, other countrhes
:18:13. > :18:19.should do more. -- show extraordinary solidarity. Wd can be
:18:20. > :18:22.incredibly proud of our record. I am also proud that the conference we
:18:23. > :18:32.are holding of debris will not just be asking people to pledge
:18:33. > :18:37.additional money. -- in February. It is about allowing refugees proper
:18:38. > :18:41.access to the workplace in their host countries, proper access to
:18:42. > :18:45.health care and education in a way that provides a holistic support for
:18:46. > :18:51.those refugees, not just thd UN hand-out. There would be fewer
:18:52. > :18:57.displaced people to Syria's neighbours if Roche stopped its
:18:58. > :19:06.despicable bombing of civilhans -- if Roche stopped. Has he had a
:19:07. > :19:13.chance to confirm reports that on Saturday a humanitarian headquarters
:19:14. > :19:17.were bombed by Russia, and what representations can we make about
:19:18. > :19:22.this? We make regular representations to the Russhans
:19:23. > :19:25.about the indiscriminate nature of their bombings of civilian `reas and
:19:26. > :19:31.the fact that they are still for the overwhelming majority of thdir error
:19:32. > :19:39.struck -- ear strikes targeting the moderates are not Daesh. St`bility
:19:40. > :19:45.in Syria and the region reqtires the removal of Daesh. Will you join me
:19:46. > :19:57.in congratulating Iraqi forces on the liberation of Ramadi? I will
:19:58. > :20:00.absolutely join in the congratulations to the Iraqh Armed
:20:01. > :20:06.Forces in their achievement in the liberation of Ramadi. It is but one
:20:07. > :20:11.step in a challenging process of reading Syria of the evil of Daesh,
:20:12. > :20:21.but we will support the Irapi Government and the Iraqi Arled
:20:22. > :20:28.Forces in that endeavour. Ydsterday the Secretary of State for
:20:29. > :20:33.International Development confirmed a food convoy to the people of my
:20:34. > :20:37.Diana. I read there had been a food aid delivery in October of last
:20:38. > :20:45.year. Can the Secretary of State confirm on how many occasions the
:20:46. > :20:50.United nations have requestdd aid and how many times have we responded
:20:51. > :20:55.positively to that request? My honourable friend made a st`tement
:20:56. > :21:02.on that yesterday. On these pathetic question, I will ask my fridnd the
:21:03. > :21:04.Secretary of State in the -, for international developed a rdgular.
:21:05. > :21:10.What I can say to the houses that the use of starvation as a tool of
:21:11. > :21:14.warfare is illegal in international law, a breach of international
:21:15. > :21:22.humanitarian law. We have m`de this point repeatedly to the Syrhan
:21:23. > :21:29.regime and to the Russians. There are currently some 16,000 rdfugees
:21:30. > :21:32.on the Syrian side of the border, and Jordan has offered to hdlp with
:21:33. > :21:39.the dispersal of those refugees Could you update us as to what
:21:40. > :21:49.support we are giving? We are helping the Jordanians at a refugee
:21:50. > :21:53.camp. The Secretary of Statd for International Development whll be in
:21:54. > :21:58.Jordan later this week disctssing this among other issues. I would
:21:59. > :22:08.also say to the honourable lady that we have seen an upsurge in fighting
:22:09. > :22:13.in the southern area of Syrha, Syrian Government troops supported
:22:14. > :22:16.by Government air strikes in the past that has been quiet for some
:22:17. > :22:19.time. This is deeply distinct lines into Jordan and pits at risk the
:22:20. > :22:28.possibility of supporting the refugees she has referred to.
:22:29. > :22:32.Ukraine is facing multiple challenges, both over domestic
:22:33. > :22:38.reform and the security sittation in the east. We believe the fool
:22:39. > :22:49.implementation of the Minsk agreements is the best way for a
:22:50. > :22:56.peaceful solution. I celebr`ted Ukrainian Christmas with harder
:22:57. > :23:00.still's Ukrainian community this weekend 's where we enjoyed
:23:01. > :23:04.Ukrainian food, and underst`ndably they are concerned about thd
:23:05. > :23:08.situation in Ukraine. While the minister continue to do everything
:23:09. > :23:16.he can give a met the ceasefire the withdrawal of heavy weapons and the
:23:17. > :23:21.return of democracy in the Tkraine? The points about the withdr`wal of
:23:22. > :23:25.weapons were amongst the issues I pressed on the Russian authorities
:23:26. > :23:35.during my meetings with first the deputy foreign Minister last year,
:23:36. > :23:39.and I reiterated in a meeting yesterday the United Kingdol's
:23:40. > :23:44.commitment to the independent sovereignty and territorial
:23:45. > :23:53.integrity of the Ukraine. Under the Minsk agreements, the OSCE `re
:23:54. > :24:04.charged with in permitting the ceasefire. What is your assdssment
:24:05. > :24:11.of their support? I discussdd this with the director of the OSCE in
:24:12. > :24:19.mid-December. The OSCE is doing a heroic job, with their monitors
:24:20. > :24:23.sometimes under direct personal threat from the continued fhghting.
:24:24. > :24:28.They do not yet have the access to which they are entitled to the Hall
:24:29. > :24:35.of the Dom Bass, and we continue to press the Russians to use their
:24:36. > :24:40.influence over the separatist to allow the OSCE to carry out their
:24:41. > :24:43.mission. Could you confirm that in any discussion of the Government is
:24:44. > :24:49.having with Russia in relathon to Syria that Ukraine is not bding used
:24:50. > :24:55.as a bargaining chip, and that our desire to see Russia and its arms
:24:56. > :25:01.out of Ukraine will remain tnder mission -- undiminished? I can give
:25:02. > :25:05.you an unqualified assurancd on that point. We will continue to talk to
:25:06. > :25:12.Russia about Syria and other matters, but we are absolutdly clear
:25:13. > :25:14.there is no trade-off, and our support remains for Ukraine's
:25:15. > :25:24.sovereignty and territorial integrity. As my honourable friend
:25:25. > :25:28.knows, corruption is a major problem in Ukraine and one which is
:25:29. > :25:32.continuing to undermine the economic recovery of that country. C`n you
:25:33. > :25:35.tell the House whatever is the British Government is making to
:25:36. > :25:38.impress upon the Ukrainian Government the have got to dnd the
:25:39. > :25:47.crisis of corruption if thex want our continued support? I thhnk Mike
:25:48. > :25:52.honourable friend puts his finger -- my honourable friend loses finger on
:25:53. > :25:57.one of the central challengds facing the Ukrainian Government in domestic
:25:58. > :26:00.reform, and I do not think the House should underestimate how ch`llenging
:26:01. > :26:06.business in a country where corruption has been endemic for so
:26:07. > :26:08.long. We are doing what we can, not just through words, but with United
:26:09. > :26:15.Kingdom technical assistancd to the Ukrainians to enable them to move
:26:16. > :26:19.towards fighting corruption and to establish independent judichal and
:26:20. > :26:22.legal systems, genuinely independent, impartial ones. The
:26:23. > :26:25.first projects under the good governments fund which the Prime
:26:26. > :26:33.Minister announced in March last year are now up and running in the
:26:34. > :26:41.Ukraine. A key strand of thd strategy to defeat bashes cttting
:26:42. > :26:43.off is financing. A series of international agreements have come
:26:44. > :26:49.into force on restricting D`esh s income streams, including a
:26:50. > :26:52.resolution which restricts their trade networks and sanctions
:26:53. > :26:57.individuals who are financi`lly supporting Daesh. Also another UN
:26:58. > :27:00.Security Council resolution which was adopted in December recdntly
:27:01. > :27:07.agreed by all finance ministers including the Chancellor whhch
:27:08. > :27:14.reorients it is the resume to target Daesh. Could you outline to the
:27:15. > :27:19.House was specific steps ard being taken to undermine the flow of
:27:20. > :27:33.finance of oilfields by Daesh which are fuelling this Nazi terrorist
:27:34. > :27:41.groups? -- nasty terrorist group? About half of their revenue is from
:27:42. > :27:46.oil, most of that is sold in fact to the Assad regime. But we ard making
:27:47. > :27:54.an impact. We are seeing taxes being forced to go up, and we are seeing
:27:55. > :28:03.smuggling routes being closdd off, so we are defeating Daesh using
:28:04. > :28:07.financial means. The intern`tional convention has received widdspread
:28:08. > :28:12.ratification across the world but has not been ratified by sole of the
:28:13. > :28:18.major actors including Iran and Somalia. What steps are you taking
:28:19. > :28:23.to ensure it is universally adopted so terrorist financing a shot off
:28:24. > :28:26.across the world? My honour`ble friend is right to articulate the
:28:27. > :28:30.loophole that still exist. We are hoping that Iran, which has
:28:31. > :28:33.committed itself to talks on the Vienna process, will be abld to make
:28:34. > :28:37.the changes necessary to make sure that these bubbles are closdd. -
:28:38. > :28:51.liberals are closed. Like any criminal organisathon,
:28:52. > :28:53.currency will be flowing out of Isil into foreign and western bank
:28:54. > :29:00.accounts in order to secure a future for them, what success have we had
:29:01. > :29:09.in stemming the flow and capturing these people who control thhs is
:29:10. > :29:15.like -- Chris Mac he is correct not only our finances moving out from
:29:16. > :29:20.Iraq and Syria but also fighters. They aren't moving to other parts of
:29:21. > :29:25.the world to promote their dxtremist cause. -- they are moving to. We are
:29:26. > :29:31.closing in on the individuals who provide that account, and wd are
:29:32. > :29:36.getting the legislative means. It will be difficult but we nedd to
:29:37. > :29:44.work with these other countries if we are to stop this. 187 cotntries
:29:45. > :29:49.have ratified the international convention of financing of
:29:50. > :29:53.terrorism, what confidence therefore can we have and what action can we
:29:54. > :29:57.take against any of those signatories that are dealing with
:29:58. > :30:04.some of the oil which is funding Daesh? Is right to articulate this.
:30:05. > :30:11.This is what is keeping Daesh alive. They are using funds for sole of the
:30:12. > :30:18.fighters that are causing these problems. It is hoped that hn these
:30:19. > :30:21.Vienna talks we can shut down this. To make sure that they honotr their
:30:22. > :30:26.commitments so that we can close down these financial channels.
:30:27. > :30:32.Following the question from my honourable friend, the membdr for
:30:33. > :30:37.Hackney South and Shoreditch, a member from Associated Press in
:30:38. > :30:53.November 2015 was between and 5 arrows a day -- 50,000 barrdls to
:30:54. > :31:00.finance them, what is his ctrrent estimate of the finances av`ilable
:31:01. > :31:08.to Daesh? I did make it cle`r that there is an estimate between two and
:31:09. > :31:12.$4.5 million a day that Daesh is receiving. It is difficult to
:31:13. > :31:16.understand because they don't keep accounts and they do not sh`re them.
:31:17. > :31:21.There is the transparency that we would like to see from any country
:31:22. > :31:26.itself. We are fully aware that their main source of income is the
:31:27. > :31:31.sale, the illegal sale, of oil to the Assad regime. We have closed off
:31:32. > :31:42.other avenues but it is to the Assad regime. The UK is committed to
:31:43. > :31:45.strengthening its engagement with the Commonwealth and my Right
:31:46. > :31:49.Honourable friend the Prime Minister led a strong delegation to the
:31:50. > :31:53.Commonwealth summit in Novelber where the Minister of State for
:31:54. > :32:00.trade and investment and I've promoted trade opportunities. Given
:32:01. > :32:05.that three quarters of UK Commonwealth trade is with Hndia,
:32:06. > :32:09.Australia, Canada, Singapord, South Africa and Malaysia, how dods he
:32:10. > :32:12.knows that the UK can broaddn the trade links with the other 46
:32:13. > :32:19.Commonwealth nations? He makes a good point and there is a forgery
:32:20. > :32:24.and opportunity to pay tribtte to congratulate the noble Baroness
:32:25. > :32:26.Scotland as her appointment on the next Secretary-General of the
:32:27. > :32:32.Commonwealth and hope she whll refocus it and we will want to work
:32:33. > :32:36.very closely with her into going months and years. I would s`y to my
:32:37. > :32:42.honourable friend, we had the biggest ever corner of business
:32:43. > :32:48.forum organised by the Commonwealth enterprise and investment Counsel.
:32:49. > :32:52.He, the trade dress and mysdlf are working very closely togethdr in
:32:53. > :32:57.order to try and have more regular meetings of Commonwealth tr`de
:32:58. > :33:00.ministers so as to expand Commonwealth trade both bil`terally,
:33:01. > :33:10.between the UK and other Commonwealth members and within the
:33:11. > :33:14.Commonwealth itself. We recdntly met with governmental and
:33:15. > :33:17.non-governmental representatives of African Commonwealth countrhes who
:33:18. > :33:21.expressed real concern that the European economic partnershhps
:33:22. > :33:26.agreement negotiated in haste under pressure and often with manx
:33:27. > :33:30.negotiators on one side and very few on the other were doing real damage
:33:31. > :33:35.to offer couples like emerghng service and manufacturing... What is
:33:36. > :33:41.he doing to address the bal`nce The EU currently has trade deals
:33:42. > :33:43.involving 17, countries and is currently negotiating furthdr
:33:44. > :33:49.agreements with Canada, Singapore and visual blocks in Africa. Africa
:33:50. > :33:54.is an area of huge potential for the Commonwealth resulting from one of
:33:55. > :33:57.the recent success we have had, the East Africa Oil Gas UK value
:33:58. > :34:01.opportunity which is going to support UK businesses in gahning
:34:02. > :34:05.businesses to local markets. Once you have the opportunities presented
:34:06. > :34:11.by the potential of descent into Africa rather than negatives. Does
:34:12. > :34:15.the Minister agree with me that we cannot just wait for the result of
:34:16. > :34:19.the referendum on or membership of the EU and that we must be pressing
:34:20. > :34:31.ahead now with fostering further strong trade links with our
:34:32. > :34:38.Commonwealth rends? Well, what I would say to the honourable lady is
:34:39. > :34:41.this, that we are a key member of the Commonwealth, we know that trade
:34:42. > :34:49.between two Commonwealth cotntries is on the whole 19% cheaper than
:34:50. > :34:53.doing trade outside the Commonwealth, so we should
:34:54. > :34:58.concentrate on growing tradd within the Commonwealth as I am sure she
:34:59. > :35:00.like I believe is in the good Conservative philosophy that a
:35:01. > :35:18.rising tide lifts all ships. I am just slightly thrown bx the
:35:19. > :35:24.last word of the Minister. @t the Commonwealth heads of government
:35:25. > :35:28.meeting in November, the first ever women's Forum agreed 36 points of
:35:29. > :35:32.action, so could the Ministdr, in any discussions he has with other
:35:33. > :35:38.Commonwealth heads, take on board those 36 points to ensure that women
:35:39. > :35:41.are not left behind? Yes and the honourable lady will know as I did
:35:42. > :35:44.at the Commonwealth that focuses on things like this and we havd an
:35:45. > :35:48.opportunity and I am happy to meet to discuss these issues werd third
:35:49. > :35:51.in the run-up to what will be the next Commonwealth heads of
:35:52. > :35:58.government meeting which will be here in the UK in the spring of
:35:59. > :36:01.2018. We have the opportunity to shape the agenda. The Minister will
:36:02. > :36:06.know that the Commonwealth countries represents the most important future
:36:07. > :36:11.emerging markets for the UK, would it be better if we could sign our
:36:12. > :36:14.own free trade agreements dhrectly with Commonwealth countries and not
:36:15. > :36:21.depend on Brussels to do it on our behalf? Well, I would say to my
:36:22. > :36:24.honourable friend just to rdpeat it will do want to do is encourage
:36:25. > :36:27.trade within the Commonwealth and the Commonwealth is the Comlonwealth
:36:28. > :36:32.as he well knows, which makds these trade agreement with the EU. That is
:36:33. > :36:42.the current situation and it is what we should concentrate on. Trade
:36:43. > :36:47.between Commonwealth member Rwanda and the UK has grown steadily since
:36:48. > :36:51.the end of the genocide and the election of Polka Gammie as the
:36:52. > :36:57.country's president in 2000, but there are worrying signs of
:36:58. > :37:01.intolerance, dissent as a rdcent referendum agreed to let thd 2-term
:37:02. > :37:09.limit on holding presidenti`l office. Does he have any concerns
:37:10. > :37:14.about his increasing grip on power and reports of human rights abuses
:37:15. > :37:19.in Rwanda? I would welcome the honourable gentleman to his position
:37:20. > :37:26.on the opposition front bench and say that the secretary who has
:37:27. > :37:31.responsibility for Rwanda vhsited as recently as a month ago and I'm sure
:37:32. > :37:39.he will be happy to meet and discuss his findings. Both are diplomatic
:37:40. > :37:45.and economic relationships with China are stronger than ever, last
:37:46. > :37:50.year's state visit delivered substantial benefits for thd UK
:37:51. > :37:56.economy and established a ndw global partnership. Last week in Bdijing ie
:37:57. > :38:00.launched a new Visa service to boost new tourism and business, plans to
:38:01. > :38:05.build a new embassy to bettdr reflect the level of our bilateral
:38:06. > :38:10.relationship and reaffirm a common approach with a Commons statement on
:38:11. > :38:15.the Syria crisis, all achievements. Can I welcome the recent visit to
:38:16. > :38:18.China and does he agree with me that with China set to be the world was
:38:19. > :38:23.largest economy in the second half of the century, we should use all
:38:24. > :38:27.opportunity to boost exports to the Chinese market, 1.3 billion to help
:38:28. > :38:33.secure jobs in my constituency and Cardiff North and across thd UK
:38:34. > :38:36.China is a vitally important trade partner and also an important
:38:37. > :38:41.investment partner with a htge willingness to invest in UK
:38:42. > :38:45.infrastructure and a huge ability to absorb investment by UK companies in
:38:46. > :38:50.China, but relationship with China is about more than just trade and
:38:51. > :38:53.investment. As this relationship grows, we do have increasing
:38:54. > :38:59.opportunities to engage with the Chinese on other key interests and
:39:00. > :39:06.to make our voice heard. Wh`t opportunities arise for those who
:39:07. > :39:10.wish to export food produce from the United Kingdom to China and what
:39:11. > :39:16.further discussions have taken place with the Secretary of State
:39:17. > :39:20.following her visits to that country in November? The honourable lady has
:39:21. > :39:24.put her finger and a very topical subject and I have discussed it
:39:25. > :39:28.again with the Chinese Forehgn Minister during my visit, wd look
:39:29. > :39:32.forward to Chinese customers being able to buy excellent British beef
:39:33. > :39:36.and lamb in the supermarkets in the very near future and the Chhnese
:39:37. > :39:39.have assured us that they whll make progress towards the necess`ry
:39:40. > :39:46.regulatory amendments to make that happen. There are strategic
:39:47. > :39:49.partnership with China is incredibly important not least with tr`de and
:39:50. > :39:53.investment and they will know that the all-party group I chair has
:39:54. > :39:56.promised to make 50 parliamdntarians organise China seminar is in their
:39:57. > :40:00.constituents during this Parliament. Upholding the rule of law is also
:40:01. > :40:04.important, particularly to British business confidence in Hong Kong at
:40:05. > :40:09.the moment. Would my Right Honourable friend update thd House
:40:10. > :40:16.on the disappearance of the British citizen Mr Li Bo? He is absolutely
:40:17. > :40:20.right. A proper rule of law is vitally important for the economic
:40:21. > :40:25.and social development of China and of course the Chinese Communist
:40:26. > :40:29.Party is committed to implelenting full rule of law in China bx 20 0
:40:30. > :40:35.and we are committed to supporting them in that. On his question, I
:40:36. > :40:39.raised the case with the Chhnese Foreign Minister last week. The
:40:40. > :40:42.joint declaration and basic law or clear that law enforcement hn Hong
:40:43. > :40:47.Kong is a matter for the Hong Kong authorities, an offence comlitted in
:40:48. > :40:52.Hong Kong should be tried in their courts, but they said well H was in
:40:53. > :40:57.Beijing, as it turns out as some have speculated that Chinesd state
:40:58. > :41:05.security entities have spirhted him out of Hong Kong, that would be a
:41:06. > :41:08.breach of the basic law of the joint declaration and of the principle of
:41:09. > :41:13.one country, two systems, which we very much support. Of coursd it is
:41:14. > :41:17.right that the Government should pursue a stronger relationship with
:41:18. > :41:20.China, but it is also true that it should tackle unfair trading
:41:21. > :41:24.practices when it comes across them. So, can I have the Minister to
:41:25. > :41:29.update the House on the contribution he has making to tackling the
:41:30. > :41:34.Chinese government over the unfair dumping of Chinese steel imports on
:41:35. > :41:39.the UK market? She is absolttely right and we raised this issue with
:41:40. > :41:43.the president when he was hdre and we were given a commitment that
:41:44. > :41:48.China does intend to address the overproduction of steel. It is not
:41:49. > :41:52.only China, it is a global problem. Chinese have said they would close
:41:53. > :41:56.some of their more polluting steel plants. I pressed the Chinese on
:41:57. > :42:01.this in Beijing last week and have emphasised to them that it hs
:42:02. > :42:05.through the prism of steel that there claims to be treated `s a
:42:06. > :42:09.market economy are likely to be judged in the European Union. If
:42:10. > :42:11.they want a fear hearing on market economy status, they must address
:42:12. > :42:19.the steel issue. It is in their interests. Could I congratulate the
:42:20. > :42:25.Secretary of State on the Commons statement on Syria between the UK
:42:26. > :42:29.and China? My question is, what action the Secretary of State may
:42:30. > :42:33.take to address concerns at recent reports that Chinese police have
:42:34. > :42:36.arrested worker activists in the manufacturing centre and dods he
:42:37. > :42:43.agree that the current crackdown on Labour rights in China does nothing
:42:44. > :42:50.to calm things to do with the economic downturn? Regrettably,
:42:51. > :42:54.these kind of incidents do occur in China, we do have a forum for
:42:55. > :42:59.raising these concerns, we have a formal human rights dialogud with
:43:00. > :43:04.China. We expect to have thd next human rights summit in eithdr March
:43:05. > :43:08.or April and we have a list of issues that we will be racing with
:43:09. > :43:13.the Chinese and the way thex operate around the question of activists is
:43:14. > :43:18.one of the questions we will raise. I always used to wonder why Foreign
:43:19. > :43:22.Office questions took longer. A senior clerk said to me, thd reason
:43:23. > :43:25.they tend to take longer is minister perhaps understandably feel that
:43:26. > :43:30.they are not addressing merdly the House, but the world. I think that
:43:31. > :43:31.probably explains it but I would like to make progress. Andrdw
:43:32. > :43:44.Gwynne. Question number nind. The UK takes child safeguarding an
:43:45. > :43:52.overseas territory extremelx seriously. We accept all thd
:43:53. > :43:58.recommendations in the port. -- report. A senior official h`s been
:43:59. > :44:08.placed in the dilemma to ovdrsee the recommendations. The Wass Rdport
:44:09. > :44:14.notes in that it should be recognised that clear gallon was not
:44:15. > :44:19.properly briefed for the task that confronted her when she arrhved in
:44:20. > :44:24.Saint Helena. Was providing the briefing the responsibility of the
:44:25. > :44:34.Foreign Office, the governor, or other staff in Saint Helena? Prior
:44:35. > :44:36.to all governors going to overseas territories, the Foreign Office
:44:37. > :44:42.organises extensive briefings in all policy areas, and I can asstre the
:44:43. > :44:50.House now in additional to the normal briefings we know provide
:44:51. > :45:00.specialist briefings on child safeguarding.
:45:01. > :45:06.While the incidence of violdnce perhaps Lord, we remain concerned
:45:07. > :45:13.about the situation and encourage both sides to de-escalates tensions.
:45:14. > :45:20.The Foreign Secretary have H -- and I have called on all sides to
:45:21. > :45:23.restore calm. The continued expansion of settlements make a two
:45:24. > :45:27.state solution ever more difficult to achieve. I want to know what
:45:28. > :45:34.representations is the Minister making to the Israelis about the
:45:35. > :45:37.illegal settlements. I made a statement on the weekend by the
:45:38. > :45:43.announcement is real made on the settlements. We are an important
:45:44. > :45:46.friend, and ally with Israel, but the issue of settlements makes it
:45:47. > :45:55.much harder and takes us further away from the two state solttion
:45:56. > :46:01.that we seek. November 2070 marks the 100th anniversary of thd bow for
:46:02. > :46:08.declaration which was an historic step in creating modern Isr`el. --
:46:09. > :46:13.2017. Are there any plans to mark this anniversary? My honour`ble
:46:14. > :46:16.friend is absolutely right. During this parliament we will mark eight
:46:17. > :46:28.series of events and decisions that took place -- a series. We `re proud
:46:29. > :46:34.of the rule that Britain has played in supporting the birds of the state
:46:35. > :46:38.of Israel. But in completion of the Oslo accords reminds us that there
:46:39. > :46:47.is still work to do to honotr the declaration infill. By Jess, we will
:46:48. > :46:52.be marking the declaration this year. The only way to truly
:46:53. > :46:58.de-escalates tensions would be the restarting of meaningful pe`ce
:46:59. > :47:04.talks. Can you explain what the UK Government is doing to support the
:47:05. > :47:08.same? We are continuing to press both sides to come together. John
:47:09. > :47:16.Kerry made the statement not a monocle to say the middle e`st peace
:47:17. > :47:20.process must not become a txrant old slogan, a throwaway phrase we used
:47:21. > :47:29.to appease our conscience. ,- tired old slogan. This is what thd people
:47:30. > :47:32.of both Palestine and Israel want. What is the Government actu`lly
:47:33. > :47:36.doing to make sure this isste remains at the top of the
:47:37. > :47:40.international agenda? We ard Colin on both parties to resume t`lks as
:47:41. > :47:50.soon as possible. -- Hollinger on both parties. Both presidents have
:47:51. > :47:54.made it clear they are commhtted to the two state solution. We should
:47:55. > :48:00.also make it clear that the status quo is not acceptable. We are in
:48:01. > :48:05.this situation where we havd a .5 state. Not 82 state, not a one state
:48:06. > :48:12.solution, which is not what Israel actually wants. We need to work and
:48:13. > :48:19.get parties together to work towards that two state solution bec`use the
:48:20. > :48:21.status quo is not acceptabld. Has the Minister made represent`tions
:48:22. > :48:28.about the current Palestini`n campaign of inciting violence? This
:48:29. > :48:38.has led to a 40 young Palestinians committing acts of terrorisl on
:48:39. > :48:41.civilians on the streets of Israel. She and that's fully right to raise
:48:42. > :48:45.this point and we need to rdstrain from having rhetoric on both sides
:48:46. > :48:50.and actions that clearly inflamed the situation rather than t`king us
:48:51. > :48:55.where we want to be. Some of these acts of violence are not actually
:48:56. > :48:58.incited, some of them are as well. It shows the station that some
:48:59. > :49:02.individuals have that they have mostly in their own leadership, that
:49:03. > :49:06.youngsters can take a knife out go off and kill and Israeli, knowing
:49:07. > :49:11.the consequences of what wotld happen. That reflects the dhre
:49:12. > :49:14.situation that we face. That is all the more urgency from readers to
:49:15. > :49:27.come together and move forw`rds towards 82 state solution. ,- for
:49:28. > :49:31.leaders. -- at two state solution. I am happy to update the entire
:49:32. > :49:35.universe on my priorities. They remain very and the EU and postage
:49:36. > :49:42.on. Our priority and Syria remains humanitarian support, working
:49:43. > :49:49.through the BNR process to `chieve a political settlement -- the Vienna
:49:50. > :49:57.process. And military action against Daesh. We will also seek to
:49:58. > :50:05.renegotiate Britain's relathonship with the EU and hold the referendum
:50:06. > :50:10.that was promised and will be delivered. While we have bedn in
:50:11. > :50:16.this chamber, it has been confirmed that the attack in Istanbul was a
:50:17. > :50:23.tack -- an attack by a Syri`n suicide bomber and an act of
:50:24. > :50:27.terrorism. Thank you for th`t update. I am sure the whole house
:50:28. > :50:34.will want to think of the events in Istanbul this morning. Given the
:50:35. > :50:40.failure of the latest round of talks to resolve the increased risk of
:50:41. > :50:48.civil war and potentially gdnocide, can you update the House on the
:50:49. > :50:52.steps the prime minister intends to take to ensure a peaceful ftll shin
:50:53. > :50:59.in this part of Africa? I w`sn't Bujumbura last month and urged the
:51:00. > :51:10.Foreign Minister to attend talks, so it is disappointing those t`lks have
:51:11. > :51:17.not been followed up. In Bujumbura and met the US ambassador, ly US
:51:18. > :51:23.opposite number was unbridgdable only day before, and the
:51:24. > :51:27.international community spe`ks with one voice that they should, discuss
:51:28. > :51:30.with all parties and have a dialogue around what can be done to bring
:51:31. > :51:38.Burundi back from the brink of civil war. Can I say that all mor`l
:51:39. > :51:41.thoughts are with those killed and injured in what the Foreign
:51:42. > :51:46.Secretary has just reported as a terrorist attack in Istanbul. The
:51:47. > :51:51.conflict in gaming between the hoodies and the Saudi led qtality
:51:52. > :51:56.and has so far claimed over 700 lives and created in the words of
:51:57. > :52:01.the UN humanitarian coordin`tor in humanitarian catastrophe with more
:52:02. > :52:07.than 2.5 million people intdrnally to placed and 7.5 million pdople
:52:08. > :52:13.with not enough food. -- in Yemen. It was reported that six Brhtish
:52:14. > :52:18.personnel are advising the Saudis on targeting in connection with the
:52:19. > :52:20.conflict. Can the Foreign Sdcretary tell the House exactly what
:52:21. > :52:29.assistance these individuals are giving, and if it is related to
:52:30. > :52:34.targeting, if they have reported any incidences of breaching
:52:35. > :52:41.international humanitarian law? He is right, I am not sure of ht is six
:52:42. > :52:48.bebop but we do have a military presence in Saudi Arabia. -, six
:52:49. > :52:53.people. We are working with them to ensure that there are no brdaches of
:52:54. > :52:58.international humanitarian law, to ensure that only legitimate military
:52:59. > :53:02.targets are struck. It is vdry important that we ensure Satdi
:53:03. > :53:10.Arabia has that capability. We also use those personnel present as a
:53:11. > :53:14.quick check. It can only be eight quick first check when therd are
:53:15. > :53:17.reports to us as there have been recently of breaches of the
:53:18. > :53:24.managerial law, which would involve for example the deliberate targeting
:53:25. > :53:30.of civilian targets. -- hum`nitarian law. So far our people on the ground
:53:31. > :53:34.have reported there is no evidence of breaching of internation`l
:53:35. > :53:46.humanitarian law. I am gratdful for the response. We do know th`t human
:53:47. > :53:51.rights organisations have already reported what they regard as
:53:52. > :53:57.potential breaches, including the hospital supported by MSF in
:53:58. > :54:00.northern Yemen hit by a missile recently and another MSF hospital
:54:01. > :54:05.destroyed last October. In light of these reports and giving thd
:54:06. > :54:09.Government's one policy is not to grant arms licensees, and I quote,
:54:10. > :54:15.if there is a clear risk th`t the items might be used in the violation
:54:16. > :54:24.of international humanitari`n law, will you launch a review of arms
:54:25. > :54:29.exports to Saudi Arabia rel`ting to the use of British supplied weapons?
:54:30. > :54:33.We need to be careful here. The MSF hospital attack is still behng
:54:34. > :54:38.investigated. There is no evidence so far that it was hit by a missile.
:54:39. > :54:42.Clearly it came under attack, but there is no evidence that it was hit
:54:43. > :54:51.by a missile, and Robert Gingrich at the situation on the ground. -- we
:54:52. > :54:55.are looking urgently. There are a series of questions against which
:54:56. > :55:00.any export licence applicathon has to be tested. We apply that
:55:01. > :55:08.vigorously. When there is a complex situation under way, whether Yemen
:55:09. > :55:13.today or gather in the summdr of 2014, we take particular care to
:55:14. > :55:17.apply the criteria diligently. That is what has been done and whll be
:55:18. > :55:24.done in relation to any futtre arms licensing applications that are
:55:25. > :55:28.received. My former constittents who is a British national is currently
:55:29. > :55:34.serving a nine-year custodi`l sentence in the UAE. Yaz inform me
:55:35. > :55:41.that while in prison he been subject to brittle beatings and thrdats of
:55:42. > :55:45.sexual violence. -- brutal beating. He was aware to design a confession
:55:46. > :55:50.in Arabic, a language she c`nnot read. Will the Minister meet with
:55:51. > :55:55.his family to see what can be done to secure his early release? I would
:55:56. > :56:08.be happy to meet with my honourable friend and the family as well. We
:56:09. > :56:12.stand ready to provide further support. What representations has he
:56:13. > :56:21.made about the Baha'is who continue to be persecuted in Iran? In our
:56:22. > :56:25.meetings on my visit to Iran last August and my subsequent medtings
:56:26. > :56:33.with Foreign Minister is right who I see fairly regularly he is hnvolved
:56:34. > :56:40.in the Syrian ISS G, we regtlarly raise the issue of persecuthon of
:56:41. > :56:45.minorities in Iran as one of many concerns we have about human rights
:56:46. > :56:49.issues in Iran. What steps hs the United Kingdom taking to ensure that
:56:50. > :56:57.Ebola is permanently address in west Africa? The UK has announced a
:56:58. > :57:01.two-year ?240 million package to support Sierra Leone's long,term
:57:02. > :57:04.recovery which includes boosting capability to respond to future
:57:05. > :57:08.Ebola outbreaks and other emergencies. In addition we are
:57:09. > :57:11.working closely with the Government of the error Leong, the world health
:57:12. > :57:15.organisation and other partners to reduce the risk of other outbreaks
:57:16. > :57:29.and prevent them from growing into epidemics. -- the Government of
:57:30. > :57:41.Sierra Leone. Magazine during the inch and I -- my constituent in
:57:42. > :57:49.tonight has been arrested. Can a political solution be found to bring
:57:50. > :57:55.them home as the legal procdsses have not worked well? As soon as I
:57:56. > :58:05.heard the news I called a mdeting of MPs. I have also just come from a
:58:06. > :58:09.meeting with the new Indian High Commissioner at which I raise this.
:58:10. > :58:14.As he will know, there is a 90 day appeal period. We are now sdeking
:58:15. > :58:18.clarification on a number of fronts. I have committed to keep melbers
:58:19. > :58:22.informed of developments, btt at the forefront of our thoughts at the
:58:23. > :58:29.moment is the safety and well-being of the men and their familids.
:58:30. > :58:35.Increased diplomatic and political cooperation is vital in settling
:58:36. > :58:40.international and regional disputes in the Asia-Pacific region. What
:58:41. > :58:46.steps are being taken to ensure the partnership between Japan and the
:58:47. > :58:51.UK? Fortuitously I was in J`pan on Friday conducting a strateghc
:58:52. > :58:58.dialogue with my Japanese counterpart. The STS are published
:58:59. > :59:02.last autumn identified Japan as Britain's principal securitx partner
:59:03. > :59:06.in Asia. That will continue to be the case and we are building that
:59:07. > :59:11.security partnership while `lso strengthening our trade and
:59:12. > :59:15.investment partnership. Ahe`d of his visit to Sri Lanka assuredlx, could
:59:16. > :59:18.the minister give an undert`king to the House to raise with the Sri
:59:19. > :59:22.Lankan Government notwithst`nding the progress they are making the
:59:23. > :59:24.issues of recent allegations of human rights abuses, the
:59:25. > :59:31.demilitarisation of the North political detainees, and crtcially
:59:32. > :59:42.the international involvement of judges and prosecutors to end human
:59:43. > :59:47.rights abuses. I thank the honourable gentleman and melbers of
:59:48. > :59:53.the all-party Sri Lanka grip who came to me yesterday to shape ideas
:59:54. > :59:59.in my forthcoming visit. Wh`t assessment has the Minister made in
:00:00. > :00:00.the role of regional airports for increasing trade links and growing
:00:01. > :00:13.prosperity across Africa? The Hampton airport has regtlar
:00:14. > :00:16.flights to Amsterdam that access road 55 different African
:00:17. > :00:22.destinations. This drives bhlateral trade, increases tourism and helped
:00:23. > :00:26.grow Africa out of poverty. I hope the London Southend Airport in my
:00:27. > :00:31.constituency does what Southampton's has done and develops a strong link
:00:32. > :00:36.with care LM and I would be keen to visit the member's constitudncy to
:00:37. > :00:40.learn from the work she has done. I have spoken about my constituent
:00:41. > :00:43.William Irving on a of occasions in this place hand have written to the
:00:44. > :00:46.Secretary of State and his colleagues urging the UK Government
:00:47. > :00:51.to assist in this matter. As we heard yesterday, Billy and his
:00:52. > :00:55.colleagues were sentenced to five years hard imprisonment in Hndian
:00:56. > :00:59.jail despite them consistently protesting their innocence. Can the
:01:00. > :01:03.Secretary of State please stre mean they will be absolutely no stone
:01:04. > :01:08.left unturned by the UK Govdrnment in getting Billy and his colleagues
:01:09. > :01:16.back home as soon as possible? The Honourable lady is right to raise
:01:17. > :01:19.her constituency issue. We discussed this yesterday in the meeting. I
:01:20. > :01:24.would say to the house therd have been over 30 ministerial contacts
:01:25. > :01:27.over this ongoing case from the Prime Minister and Prime Minister
:01:28. > :01:32.Modi done. We are in a judicial process and there is a 90 d`y appeal
:01:33. > :01:39.process and believe me, we're doing everything we can to ensure the best
:01:40. > :01:43.possible outcome. Last year's elections in Burma were an hmportant
:01:44. > :01:46.step towards greater democr`cy for Doherty Minister update the mouse on
:01:47. > :01:52.measures the Government is taking to ensure religious minorities such as
:01:53. > :01:54.the Muslim Ranger community are protected in these landmark
:01:55. > :02:01.elections? And grateful for the question. This affords me the option
:02:02. > :02:06.to two congratulate a staggdring victory in the recent electhons We
:02:07. > :02:10.remain the biggest bilateral donor and we are despondent, of course,
:02:11. > :02:14.Weaver Beazley said, the Ranger were debarred from taking part in the
:02:15. > :02:18.election. I read this in thd Burmese Foreign Minister while I was in New
:02:19. > :02:24.York. She has many things on her plate, not least eight out of a
:02:25. > :02:29.possible 16 ceasefires with some of the ethnic groups, but dealhng with
:02:30. > :02:33.the problem and the range of people in a fair and inclusive way that be
:02:34. > :02:38.at the top of the agenda and we will continue to assist her in any way we
:02:39. > :02:43.can to that end. Does the Foreign Secretary think it would be in the
:02:44. > :02:47.UK's national interest to h`ve the fax democracy of Norway, whdre were
:02:48. > :02:51.you resend the rules and radiations of the single market, buy bx the
:02:52. > :02:56.freedom of movement principle, pay into the EU budget but have no seat
:02:57. > :03:00.around the negotiating tabld? That has never seemed a very attractive
:03:01. > :03:03.model to me and I think somd of the people in the domestic debate here
:03:04. > :03:08.and have spoken about in a region model have failed to understand how
:03:09. > :03:12.it works, as the lady says, it means you accept all of the rules, pay all
:03:13. > :03:17.of the subs and gets no votd and no seat at the table. It does not look
:03:18. > :03:22.good to me. Bring the airport has recently initiated regular flights
:03:23. > :03:27.to China. Yet France, Holland and Germany all have more flights than
:03:28. > :03:32.the UK. What can he do with Department of business and `lso
:03:33. > :03:41.transport to try and encour`ge more regular flights to China, to promote
:03:42. > :03:46.trade and tourism? The question does not mention the issue of airport
:03:47. > :03:49.capacity in the south-east, but it is intimately linked with that
:03:50. > :03:56.question. As he will know, the Government is urgently carrxing out
:03:57. > :03:59.further studies around the Davis report on airport capacity hn the
:04:00. > :04:10.south-east and will make a decision as soon as possible on that matter.
:04:11. > :04:14.Teesras work wounded in Tel Aviv and he killed a taxi driver while
:04:15. > :04:18.escaping he was killed a wedk later in a shoot out with police. The
:04:19. > :04:24.Palestinian Authority Ministry of health have described him as one of
:04:25. > :04:29.the martyrs and the fact th`t Facebook page, did "Congrattlations
:04:30. > :04:32.and may Allah see -- receivd you in heaven". What pressure will the
:04:33. > :04:34.Government bring on the Paldstinian Authority to ensure this kind of
:04:35. > :04:42.discouragement to violence hs stopped? -- violence. The l`dy is
:04:43. > :04:47.absolutely right. This is the rhetoric that I was referring to
:04:48. > :04:51.earlier that takes us into ` very dark place. This is the sort of
:04:52. > :04:55.rhetoric that President of Bass should be condemning straightaway, I
:04:56. > :04:59.will visit Israel and the Wdst Bank shortly and I will be raising these
:05:00. > :05:04.matters to make sure this sort of incitement to violence and
:05:05. > :05:07.encouragement is stopped. The Foreign Secretary's update on the
:05:08. > :05:12.involving situation in Istanbul reminds us the dangers posed by
:05:13. > :05:16.violent fundamentalism. What lessons does he think we can learn from
:05:17. > :05:23.countries like Morocco that act as a beacon of hope within the Islamic
:05:24. > :05:26.world? I think Morocco is one of those countries that has moved
:05:27. > :05:31.forward since the Arab Spring as an exemplar of how the democratic
:05:32. > :05:36.process can actually succeed. I know he has visited and I've vishted the
:05:37. > :05:41.training is to Jude that has done much to take and train imams to make
:05:42. > :05:46.sure the moderate message of Islam is promoted. I would like to see
:05:47. > :05:50.that spread across the Maghreb and elsewhere, this is a great lodel
:05:51. > :06:02.from Rockwood Excel and for other countries to Berlin. -- for Morocco
:06:03. > :06:09.to XL. I beg to move that ldvy given from Mike -- for me to bring in a
:06:10. > :06:10.bill to strengthen penalties related to serious criminal driving offences