Live Foreign and Commonwealth Office Questions House of Commons

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

comments on a day when, once again, there will be plenty of leadership

discussion going on among the politicians outside Parliament.

Inside the Commons, a Lib Dem albeit adjusting a ten minute rule to allow

EU citizens to stay in the UK after the Government completes

negotiations on leaving the EU. There are also debates on the

invitations of leaving the EU on energy policy and the environment,

and a second debate concerning the results of SAT tests, after pupils

fail to meet targets in reading, writing and mathematics. Don't

forget to join me for a round-up of both houses tonight at 11 o'clock.

First is his questions to the Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and

his ministerial team. The first question from Labour's Richard

burden concerns the Israel Palestine situation.

Order, order. The clerk will now proceed to read the title of the

private bill set down for this day. The question is at the bell now be

read a second time. As many as are of the opinion, say "aye". To the

contrary, "no". . I think the ayes have it. Question to the Secretary

of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. Mr Richard

burden. Mr Speaker, before answering this question, with your permission,

may I take this opportunity to say, two weeks ago I had the difficult

task of responding to the written a Foreign Office question committed by

our former colleague Jo Cox. Given her act of role in foreign affairs,

I completed this task, as I believe it is what she would have wanted.

Given the frequency and passion with which she spoke and indeed influence

policy in this very form at Foreign Office question, I thought it

appropriate to begin by paying attributed to her. -- paying tribute

to her. It is warm we welcomed in the House. The honourable gentleman,

perhaps more than anyone in this House, knows of what he speaks. I

thank the Minister. Thank you, Mr Speaker. We are deeply concerned by

continued demolition of Alice in the property buyers really authorities

and the worrying spike in demolitions this year. -- demolition

of Palestinian property by Israeli authorities. We regularly raise our

concerns with the Israeli Government, and we make it clear

that such actions do not encourage the confidence building measures

needed for talks to recommence. Can I associate myself with the words

the minister has said about former colleague and our friend Jo Cox. She

was an exceptional member of Parliament. And she was an

exceptional person as well. Perhaps the greatest tribute to that any of

us can give to Jo Cox is to continue her work to support human rights

throughout the world. One of the things that Jo Cox was passionate

about was justice for the Palestinians. According to United

Nations 649, Palestinian structures have been demolished this year by

Israel. They have displaced a thousand people, over 400 of them

being children. It is getting worse and not better. I know the Minister

condemns these things, but it is real deal they can continue with the

culture of impunity, why should they stop? -- if Israel feel they can

continue. My question is, what can the international community do to

show Israel that has not got it realistic, -- impunity, and what

actions with the ministers abroad? We absolutely agree that we are

concerned about the rate of demolitions. We need to place

additional pressure on Israel, and indeed the Palestinians, to come to

the table. I am pleased we held a summit in Paris to address the

challenges we face. The extent of demolitions taking place is

highlighted in a report produced by Russia, the US, the EU and the UN,

which underlies the very concerns that the honourable gentleman

outlines. Could I also be associated with the very moving words of my

honourable friend with regard to our late colleague Jo Cox. Onto the

general point, my honourable friend is quite right about not moving

towards a situation where people are going to talk together. But there is

the other side of the coin. 36 Israelis have been murdered this

year, for foreign nationals have been murdered this year. Instead of

condemning those murders, the Palestinian Authority have glorified

them. Surely, giving even this weekend that the Israeli Prime

Minister said that he would meet without condition, we should be

urging on the Palestinian authorities to do precisely that. Mr

Speaker, my honourable friend raises an important issue. We raise these

issues and discuss them at Foreign Office questions on a regular basis,

but we have had the Paris summit, we have had a meeting between Prime

Minister Netanyahu and the president CC in Egypt. We are now seeing this

comeback onto the agenda. The concern I had, which I raised at the

Paris summit, is that with all the other distractions and concerns in

the Middle East, we have lost sight of something that needs to be

resolved. My right honourable friend makes an important point that the

actions of the Palestinians did not go unnoticed, and we require the

leadership of President Bass to make sure he makes it very clear that

these actions must be condemned. As well as the demolition of

Palestinian homes in the West Bank, Israel continues to arrest and

detain Palestinian children in Israel and the occupied Palestinian

territories. G four arrests have been providing services to Israeli

security checkpoints and presence have been found to be in breach of

their fundamental human rights obligations. Would you join me in

calling for gene for S two withdraw from its relevant contracts with the

Israeli state agencies? I will certainly look at the case she

raises. My friend the Foreign Secretary is also concerned about

Palestinian children detained in Israeli prisons, and raise it with

the Secretary of State John Kerry. I also raised myself on my visit to

Israel. The demolition of Arab houses and Jewish houses was started

by scum of the British, in between the wars during the terms of the

British mandate for Palestine. -- started BIOS, the British. Had the

Minister has conversations with his Israeli counterpart as to the

legitimacy of using British mandate law today? Well, it is wrong, I

think, for any Government around the world, given our legacy and the

bread of which we have had influence over the last couple of hundred

years 2.2 British policy and say that that is the cause. All laws can

be updated. There is a responsible to borrow sides to come together and

resolve this matter for the long-term. Mr Speaker, embassies and

high commissions play a key role in promoting British interests and

assisting British companies in entering new markets. The Prime

Minister, Foreign Secretary and I have led delegations of businesses

overseas, and we work to sleep with UKTI to ensure our businesses

receive continued support and advice. -- we work closely with

UKTI. I have a constituent who has written to one particular embassy in

many times, and whilst the knowledge has correspondence, he has never

received any answers or further response. This is preventing him

from fulfilling an important part of a significant business deal. With

the minister be able to provide any assistance in receiving a full

response Romney and busy? I am aware of this case, and grateful of the

honourable lady to raise this matter. If anybody is concerned

about their constituents not getting support from embassies, let us know.

I understand the head of the UKTI in Morocco, where this company was to

trade, has spoken to the company directly, and I can only apologise

there was a delay in the normal level of support we would expect for

any company wanting to do business in Morocco or anywhere else. Would

my honourable friend not agree that not enough small and medium

businesses export around the world, and our balance of payments and

trade is whitening? Therefore we need to constantly review everything

we do in trade policy. Would he agree in particular that embassies

around the world could help with digital linking. My honourable

friend raises a very important point and covers at particular area of

interest. I should see the Foreign Secretary had an opportunity to

brief ambassadors and High Commissioners when they returned to

the UK last week because of the new environment that we now find

ourselves in, the rural embassies and high commissions can play across

the world in exploring new markets and opportunities as well as old

ones is now critical. Mr Speaker, first of all I would

like to welcome the honourable lady to her place with her compact team,

a model, I hope, of improved productivity in the UK economy. Time

will tell. As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister announced

last month, the Government is creating a new EU units which will

bring together the brightest and best from Whitehall and the private

sector, including lawyers, financial experts and trade experts. And Jess,

the Government is actively seeking to recruit trade specialists,

including approaching former civil servants who have retired or moved

to the private sector. Can he tell the House who much this

is going to cost? Not at this stage but what I can tell him is in the

circumstances in which we find ourselves, facing the opportunities

which we now do, recruitment of trade specialists, whatever that

cost us, is likely to be an investment well worth making.

As the Foreign Secretary heartened by the fact that since to leave the

EU a number of key countries and economies including India, China,

Australia, have already approached the UK regarding further link trade

and how well this compares with the stalled trade talks between the EU

and the US and Canada? Yes, it is a source of some optimism that a

number of significant economies around the world have indicated that

they would be open to the idea of cheat agreements with the UK. My

honourable friend makes a point which is very obvious but

nonetheless important, that legal shooting a trade deal between two

countries is always good to be much easier than negotiating a trade deal

between one country and on the other hand 28 countries.

Last week in committee Oliver Letwin stated we clearly need a new kind of

highly skilful and experienced trade negotiators. I hope he sees irony in

the fact that the best negotiators are based in Brussels but can he

provide assurance that from now on we will bring in the best trade

negotiators notwithstanding their nationality? He had in mind the

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. I was puzzling about that

I am grateful for clarification. I am happy to answer the question. As

I said earlier in response to the initial question we will need to

hire a significant numbers of trade negotiators. I see no reason and I

said this a couple of weeks ago in the House, node is why we would not

hire people who were non-British if they were the best people to do the

job. Clearly people would not want to hire the citizen of another

country to negotiate a trade deal with that country but having entered

that caveat I would hope that we would put together the best and most

capable teams from whenever. Thank you. I am sure the Foreign Secretary

will agree that the Prime Minister's treat envoys have done an important

role around the world. As our relationship with the European Union

changes will he make representations to ensure that that programme is

rolled out across Europe as well? It is a good point that my honourable

friend reasons. That will be an issue for the new Prime Minister

because trade envoys are personal appointments of the Prime Minister.

Does the Foreign Secretary agree with the assessment made by a former

secretary of the Foreign Office that to deal with political and legal

complexities of leaving the EU the Foreign Office itself will need to

double in size? I recognise that there is a huge and complex task

ahead of us in negotiating both are except from the European Union, and

perhaps more importantly the new arrangements that Britain will have

with the EU 27. This is a project that will have limited judicial.

Once the negotiations are completed the task will be done. I am not sure

that increasing the size of the Foreign Office will necessarily be

the most appropriate way of doing that. Having a specialist unit that

will deal with this short to medium-term task may be the most

efficient way of delivering the outcome.

The incoming Prime Minister told us yesterday that she intends to make a

success of Brexit as part of that is going to be trade stocks with

countries throughout the world. How is the message already gone out to

our embassies and high commissions that even before Brexit happens that

initial talks about trade should start with other countries? The

message that has gone out is that Britain will need to redouble its

efforts in international trade and refocus where about trade is

concentrated in the future. I should also be clear about this, until we

have served in Article 15 of this we remain a fool participating member

of the European Union and our ability to negotiate new trade

agreements is restricted by continued application of EU law

until we have negotiated are except. -- we remain a complete member of

the European union. We regularly raise human traits with

the Chinese authorities. I recently discussed human rights are fortnight

ago. In addition last month my right honourable friend raised concerns

about detention of human rights defenders with the supreme court.

Following a UK withdrawal from the EU we would need to develop a new

set of trading relationships with China. What we're sure to the

minister gave that this will not diminish our ability or resolve to

publicly condemn the Chinese Government for human rights abuses?

The honourable gentleman will now that we are keen on getting a date

for the annual human rights dialogue, that is the architecture

within which we can reason individual cases, but we continue to

raise individual cases and that there is no dialogue will have to

increase that. Can the Minister say what action he

has taken to question the Chinese Government on the brutal persecution

of those who peacefully practice, end relation to the live harvesting

of organs. I have raised concerns about this duelling the annual UK

human rights dialogue and we will continue to do this. We pay close

attention to this and remain concerned at restrictions on freedom

of religion of any kind. Good I associate myself with the Minister's

remarks in relation to Jo Cox. An advocate of refugees. We miss her

very much. Her memory inspires as to work for those whose voice is really

hurt. In relation to the China human rights situation, according to

Amnesty International, over the past year at least 248 human rights

lawyers and activists have been targeted by the authorities. One

prominent lawyer and 12 others are now under arrest on charges of

subverting state power. What is the assessment of this? Would he agree

that on occasion the Government approach lacks assertiveness? I

would like to associate myself with the remarks of the honourable weedy

and disassociate myself with the concluding remarks.

-- honourable -- honourable lady remarks. We have raised remarks with

the Chinese Foreign Minister and will continue so to do.

With permission I will answer this question and question 11 together.

As the Prime Minister has said we must ensure that the interests of

all parts of the United Kingdom are properly taken into account as we

progress these negotiations so as we prepare for talks with the European

Union we will involve the Scottish, Welsh as Northern Ireland

governments as well as the near of London, the overseas territories and

other regional interests and officials of the new EU units will

be making contact with counterparts in the devolved administrations.

While that answer is encouraging it does not give a lot of detail. Much

like the plans of the Brexiteer is went into the referendum. Can the

Foreign Secretary tell us what formal roll with Scottish Government

other devolved governments have in the process of organising Brexit? We

will consult with the Scottish Government. We will consult

formally. We will also maintain an informal dialogue including a senior

official level on an ongoing basis. The Scottish and have been very

clear that EU nationals have to be a priority. Given the net financial

contribution does the Foreign Secretary not agree that EU

nationals, the financial contribution they make, should be

more of a priority than new nuclear weapons?

I am not sure that the two issues need to be set in priority order,

they can both be pursued in parallel. The decision to renew our

nuclear deterrent is separate from the negotiations that we will be

carrying out with the European Union including negotiations to ensure the

rights of EU nationals and the reciprocal rights of EU nationals.

Regardless of whether or not the Scottish Government is involved in

the negotiations can the Foreign Secretary please confirm that these

negotiations are about as leaving the European Union and are not some

sort of renegotiation of our terms of membership that will result in a

halfway House where we are half and and half out of the European Union?

I can confirm that. The next Prime Minister has made very clear that

Brexit means Brexit. We will be negotiating are except from the

European Union that we will of course also be seeking to negotiate

an Agreement between the United Kingdom and the EU 27 to regulate

our trade and other relationships with the EU.

With the Foreign Secretary agree that it is better that Scotland's

plays a productive role in securing a new relationship between the UK

and the EU rather than looking to join as a new member with the usual

and put a border across this island? Yes, I agree very strongly with what

my honourable friend says. Scotland's's best future is in a

strong United Kingdom, trading effectively with the European union.

We saw the case for independence when we had the previous referendum

others did not stack up at $100 per barrel of oil. It certainly does not

stack up at $50 per barrel of oil. The Highlands and Islands currently

benefits from an additional 192 earlier new rules in transition

funding, can the Minister guarantee that given the new incoming Prime

Minister's haste to get on with Brexit that the UK Government will

guarantee that funding for the Highlands and Islands? There are

many... Britain is a significant net contributor to the European union

but within that significant net contribution there are a significant

number of flaws to particular regions, particular projects within

the UK and one of the issues that we will have to address is how the

disappearance of those funds from Russells are to be protected in the

future and that will be an important part of the negotiations.

In the EU Scotland has benefited from access to EU research funding

and a wealth of talented researchers. The Guardian reported

that the thought to leave the EU has unleashed a wave of discrimination

against UK researchers. What message does he have for those universities

and research staff and workers who benefit from being part of the EU

and how will he is your Scotland and our interests are protected? This is

not an issue just about Scotland, it is wider than that. I would say two

things. First of all, so long as we are a complete member of the

European Union and are paying the samba should not be any

dissemination against the UK, UK institutions, UK applicants are

funding, or a UK citizens. We must picture that is not. Secondly, the

point of negotiating an arrangement for's relationship with the EU 27

after we leave the European Union is to protect collaborative research,

educational projects, cultural exchanges, as well as our important

trading relationships going forward. Can I begin by thanking the Foreign

Secretary for him welcoming me to this new job. We are a compact team

but we have the advantage of being made at all to difficult women

therefore we are formidable and up for the task. If rumours of

promotion are true this may be my final session with the Secretary of

State before he takes another job. We have seen that everyone is in

flux. He has a reputation as being both formidable and approachable so

I will be sorry if our acquaintance is so brief. The Secretary of State

has said that he has given assurances that he will consult

Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, London, Gibraltar on negotiating

strategy for a Brexit prior to tripling Article 50 - will this also

apply to Her Majesty 's opposition saw that concerns of communities we

represent our reflected? First of all, I am surprised to hear

at the honourable lady saying she expects promotion. I thought those

expecting promotion through their hat in the ring yesterday on the

Labour side, but maybe she will be a late entrant to that competition. On

the substance of her question, of course there will be extensive

discussion about all of these issues in Parliament, and the opposition of

course will have an opportunity to present its use, and we shall listen

carefully to them. I was hoping to get greater assurance that that

there would be formal consultation with the opposition prior to the

start of negotiation, because we must avoid the mistakes made by the

outgoing Prime Minister before his resignation, where no proper

discussion took place, and it was a totally artificial timetable. At the

Prime Minister done those things, perhaps we would have got a better

and more inclusive deal, the country may not have voted for Brexit, and

he might not be stepping down tomorrow. Does he accept that the

Prime Minister has made a mistake, and can you guarantee those mistakes

will not be made by the new Prime Minister? Can I say that I may have

been a bit closer to those negotiations that she was, and I

think I can confidently say that engaging with the opposition would

not have affected the outcome. Questions and answers are taking too

long, so what we need now is a couple of very pithy enquiries, not

elongated ones. Alex Almond. The whole of Scotland is deeply

concerned about the Foreign Secretary, given his recent couple

that comments during the referendum, for example when he said it would

take longer to negotiate than the Second World War. So will it take

longer to negotiate Brexit and the Second World War? And how would any

future lay Chancellor of the Exchequer deal with such

uncertainty? I think the concern is this, and he will recognise this. If

a future treaty between the United Kingdom and the European Union 27 is

deemed to be of mixed confidence, it will have to be ratified by 27

national parliaments. I think I am writing the shortest time that has

been done in any EU treaty is just under four years. That is after

taking into account the time it takes to negotiate. As the Foreign

Secretary is seen in the poll at the weekend across European countries

from YouGov, which showed two things? One was that the UK

Government was deeply unpopular, and there were majorities in every

country surveyed looking for work to an independent Scotland in Europe.

-- looking forward. Why is the UK so unpopular and Scotland so popular in

Europe? I think if there is one thing to be taken into account by

the last two weeks, is his do not read polls.

Our condolences go to the victims and families of those involved in

this terrorist attack recently. Where human rights abuses exist, we

have raised them with the Bangladeshi Government. The

Government fund a normal programmes that support civil society and

Bangladesh. -- a number of programmes. Supporters of the

opposition Bangladeshi national party have told me that hundreds of

party workers have now disappeared, and the Amnesty report referred to

at least 43 in four disappearances in their latest international

report. Whatever their true number, will you agree with me that the

political situation in Bangladesh is no very serious and it is vital

political rights... I have made it clear that justice must be done.

When human rights watch identify Bangladesh as having the highest

rate of child marriage, this is a fundamental human rights,

particularly for those girls that are forced into marriages at such an

early age. What is the Government doing to make his views known to the

Bangladesh Government, and through the column and other organisations,

that this is not acceptable? It is clearly not acceptable, and we

continue to have a robust dialogue with the Bangladesh Government. We

are significant aid donor working on these projects within that country.

Hindu priests have been brutally murdered, and other religious

minorities savaged. What actions have my honourable friend taken to

inform the Bangladeshi Government that this is completely unacceptable

and they have to face up to their responsibilities? Indies, I can only

repeat what I have just said. We have robust discussions with the

Government of Bangladesh. We are very concerned about the situation

in that country, not least from connections with Daesh and other

organisations, and basic human rights as well. What specific

representations have been Minister made to the government following the

brutal murders in dhaka, in an area that should be secure, and yet

murderers and terrorists have been allowed in?

I have written to express my condemnation of this senseless act

of horror. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The relations

with India remain extremely good. I spoke only this week to eight

high-level grip -- a high-level group of Indian businessmen here in

the UK, and of course they want to know what is happening now with our

relationship with India following the recent referendum. For

individuals and businesses in Cheltenham, the UK's position in the

EU is increasingly important. How will it change a post Brexit? Of

course, we still have 1.5 million Indians in this country, or people

of Indian descent, and the connections are huge and robust.

People go between India and the UK a lot. And clearly early discussions

about the shape of a trade relationship with India will form

part of discussions over the next year or so. On the diplomatic front,

what discussions has the Minister had with the Indian Government on

the recent events in Kashmir? We are very saddened by the recent reports

of the arm wrestling Kashmir and offer our condolences to the victims

and families. -- tragic events in Kashmir. I am delighted my

honourable friend reference the fact discussion about a future trade

relationship will take place in parallel with our excellent

negotiations, but what kind of capability does he need to recruit

to the Department to get into the detail of those discussions? My

honourable friend will know that trade policy is with UKTI, what I

would say to him that I will repeat what my right honourable friend the

Foreign Secretary said earlier. We need to recruit and train more trade

negotiators. We are still a member of the EU until the end of the

negotiations have taken place, but there is absolutely no reason not to

start having exploratory talks, which we are beginning to do.

Mr Speaker, with permission, could I answer that question number 12? I

attended the French ministerial conference on the Middle East peace

process in Paris on the 3rd of June. We are in close contact with the

French Government and will consider how the UK might contribute and

their plans develop. Pity the Foreign Secretary could not attend

the conference. Will he be attending are advising successor to attend the

main conference later this year, and will he joined France and other

European countries in recognising Palestine if Israel refuses to

cooperate? To make it clear, the summit was actually moved at short

notice to accommodate, I think it was, the Secretary of State for the

United States, my honourable friend the Foreign Secretary was in Africa

at home, and that is why I was able to attend. I hope he did not feel he

was short-changed by the fact that I was there instead of the Foreign

Secretary. It was an important meeting to have, as I mentioned

earlier, to register the need for the international community to play

its part, and we put forward to moving this process forward.

Discussions will take place in the coming months in order to bring the

parties together. Could I thank the Minister for his answer, but it

might of recent moves made by the Egyptian Foreign Minister, does the

Minister believe that chances for success are improving, and what

steps will be Government take to ensure that both Israel and

Palestine are sufficiently incentivised to come to the table to

talk? She is absolutely right to say that both parties need to be

efficiently incentivise. The worry I have had in visiting both the

Palestinian areas and Israel is that the leaders on both sides are not

necessarily speaking for the people, who genuinely want something

different. The concern I have is that unless we see the affirmative

steps taking place to reverse the current trends that we have been

seeing, we will drift towards an entrenched position of a one state

reality of perpetual occupation and indeed of conflict as well. Will the

Minister assure us that the Foreign Secretary or his successor will

attend the peace conference that the French are planning later this year?

Mr Speaker, I think on the day or the day before a reshuffle is about

to take place, I will heed his comments and we will do our best. I

would suggest that the comments or the implication that somehow the

Foreign Secretary is not engaged in these matters - we have these

overseas and summits, and there are a lot of bilaterals that take place,

not least that the Nato conference in Warsaw, where my honourable

friend had bilaterals with his necessary counterpart, and these

very important issues are raised there as well. Question number nine.

Mr Speaker, we have these discussions regularly, and are

consistent focus is on securing a comprehensive and durable solution

which tackles the causes as well as consequences of migration. Thank

you, and I'm grateful for that answer, but will he reaffirmed this

Government's commitment to operations of the year, and can he

confirm that we will continue to cooperate with our European allies

in relation to the refugee crisis? I can confirm that, added the prime

ministers as Robbie after the referendum that we would continue

our contribution, which is day saved more than 60,400 lives and has

destroyed more than 160 smuggling vessels. -- the Prime Minister

confirmed after the referendum. Major aid agencies and charities

seem to have a different take on what is happening in camps and

movement spanning governments. Is he keeping in touch with them? My

colleagues in the departments for International development are in

constant contact with the main aid agencies, and are very large

humanitarian effort in Turkey and Syria and neighbouring countries

Revenant and Jordan is very much focused by the UN and other such

agencies. In view of the fact of the loss of life and hardship arising

from the refugee crisis are clearly long time and in danger of becoming

institutionalised, will he get confirmation of the proposal put

forward of the establishment of a UN humanitarian zone? While that was

indeed a constructive proposal, I do not want to underestimate the

difficulties of getting agreement of the Security Council and anything

through the UN. We have operation Sofia, which is working, to which

many European countries are contributing, and I think we should

get back to work more effectively, help the Libyans to build up the

capacity of their own coastguard and use the internet is available. Does

the Minister accept that in respect of the Brexit negotiations, much

work will require to be done to secure joint UK EU efforts in

Northern Africa in tackling the escalating refugee crisis? I think

that so long as we remain members of the European Union, and afterwards,

it is going to remain in the interests of this country that we

work very closely with our European friends and allies. This is a

problem that will be with us for our generation, and it will need

concerted international corporation. Number ten, Mr Speaker. We have got

eight Commonwealth trade envoys representing British business with

expanded representation in a number of countries, and we are looking

forward next year to the inaugural Commonwealth trade ministers meeting

here in London in March, currently co-hosted between ourselves and the

Government of Malta. I thank the Minister for his reply. With the

decision to withdraw from the EU, many British companies will be

looking to expand their business with Commonwealth countries. What

specific plans does the Government have two help support them in that

respect? This is something we are concentrating on. Enter Commonwealth

trade is projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2020. The Commonwealth

includes a quarter of the world's landmass and 50% of the population

is under the age of 30, so there are some huge and important

opportunities there. With my honourable friend make sure

that small countries in Africa and Asia are not left behind off what I

believe will be a trade bonanza? I hope my honourable friend is right.

Three quarters of Commonwealth trade is with South Africa, Malaysia, and

other countries, and who needs to expand that into other countries. --

and Britain needs to expand that. The Caspian, the South Caucasus,...

In order to provide opportunity for small firms particularly from

Scotland will he encourage BP in work with the Government of

Azerbaijan to deliver pipelines? Indeed. That is an economic and

strategic interests of the UK and he makes a strong point about Scotland.

Many companies are in Azerbaijan in the wake of this investment. Another

example of how the Foreign Office is helping deliver for Scotland.

At number of people but we were speaking to our concerned at the

impact that the UK leaving the European Union will have on

diplomatic work to encourage countries like Georgia to move

towards Western Europe. What assessment has the Foreign Secretary

made of this? We were active in both the preparation for and at the Nato

summit meeting in Warsaw to emphasise that our commitment to

working closely with countries like Georgia, to bring them into the

Europe, Atlantic family of nations continues, and those governments

will understand that commitment. Significant military progress has

been made in Iraq, Syria and Libya. Iraqi security forces have liberated

a tone, and in Libya the Libyan national army is winning the battle.

We need to see physical progress now in Syria, Libya and Iraq. Thank you

for that reply, what initiatives has he undertaken recently to ensure

that the international effort concentrates on securing the defeat

of SME rather than that of the Allies and proxies? In Syria there

are two separate battles, the civil war between the regime and

supported, and the battle between the international community against

Daesh. We have always been clear that there cannot be lasting success

against Daesh SB resolve the political crisis in Syria and create

a regime which is acceptable to the sedate Muslim population Syria

giving them an alternative to the appalling offer from Daesh. --

acceptable to the Sunni Muslim population. Can he therefore assure

the House that no British support has been offered to any Libyan

militia group not allied to GNA? If we were minded to commit combat

forces to activity in Libya we would first come to the House of Commons.

We are working closely with the Government of National accord

including talking to them about how we can use exemptions from the UN

arms embargo to forge a closer working relationship between

militias and that Government. She will be interested to know that

later this afternoon I will be meeting the Prime Minister at a

London. My priority is to address head on Islamist extremism and the

threats to the rules -based international system while

responding to the foreign policy challenge of implementing the UK

decision to leave the EU and negotiating the terms of Britain's

future relationship with the EU 27. What steps are being taken to make

sure that our embassies are in their best position to forge excellence

trading deals for the United Kingdom? As one of my colleagues

said earlier we had all are senior people in London last week for the

annual leadership conference and I set out to them the challenge to the

Foreign Office and its network as we move into this new phase where we

will be seeking to redouble our efforts to build trade relationships

around the world beyond the European Union. I can tell the House that I

got a resounding response, that they are up for that challenge.

Earlier today the permanent Court of arbitration ruled against Chinese

claims in the South China Sea backing a case brought by the

Philippines. Does the Minister agree that this ruling must be respected

and noncompliance by the Chinese Government would not only caused

severe reputational damage to China but also constitute a breach of

international law? The UK's position has always been and will remain that

we urge respect for international law under the rules -based

international system and decisions arising from international tribunal

is that she will know that the ruling is 501 pages long, it arrived

on my desk just before coming over here to answer questions, and the

honourable lady is obviously super efficient, we will study the

decision carefully and if the honourable lady can give me any

insight into her understanding of page 4302I would be grateful. What

assessment has the Secretary of State made of the threat of nuclear

proliferation especially across Asia and the Middle East? We take this

threat of nuclear proliferation very seriously indeed. We have made huge

progress over the last 18 months in shutting down the Iranians nuclear

weapons programme. We remain deeply concerned about the programme in

North Korea and about the risk of proliferation particularly from

North Korea and we work closely with allies and partners around the world

to address that challenge. Given the upsurge in violence over

the weekend can ministers set out what action they have taken over the

situation in the safe sedan? -- South Sudan. I attended the

signing one year ago and there was optimism. But now we are watching

events closely. We urge both sides to begin toxic again. After five

decades of armed conflict in Colombia where 200,000 people have

lost their lives and millions have been displaced and historic

ceasefire has been agreed between both sides. Can the Minister update

the House on blood andpos-macro? Yes, I welcome the bilateral

ceasefire reached on the 23rd of June. This is a significant step

towards ending 50 years of conflict that has affected the life of so

many Colombians. We will continue to support Colombia juicing this piece.

Over the weekend forces opened fire in

Kashmir. Will the Minister informed them that opening fire on funeral

protesters bat on funeral processions is not correct? I refer

to what I said earlier,. The situation in the Maldives continues

to deteriorate. What steps are being taken to persuade the Government to

change the trajectory it is going on at the moment? We encourage that

governments to engage constructively with the United Nations and

Commonwealth envoys and implement the recommendations. It is crucial

that this is reached. Supreme court Lord's note advise a

refusal to permit resettlement would be unreasonable and

disproportionate. Will the secretary advise on a quick decision? As the

honourable gentleman will now we have been studying options around

the British Indian Ocean Territory and the situation of those

islanders. The current Prime Minister has taken a great interest

in this budget will now fall to the new Prime Minister. The people of

Gibraltar are concerned at pressure from Spain now that we are leaving

the European Union. Will the Minister confirm that the Government

will be involved in the negotiation and recognise an immediate boost to

the economy will be given by agreeing a free trade agreements

between Gibraltar and the UK and by ruling out any redundancies in the

Ministry of Defence force? I saw the Chief minister yesterday,

my third such conversation with him since the UK referendum. I have not

only be the British Government to complete involvement in Gibraltar in

the course she shuns about our exit from the EU and our subsequent

relationship with the EU 27 but I have also invited the achievement of

stuff to identify the key economic priorities for the people of

Gibraltar that we should be looking to as we approach those

negotiations. Judicial executions in Iran have

increased by more than doubled since 2010 and there have been 2400

executions since the President was elected three years ago. What

representations has the Government moved to the Government of Iran into

the execution of children including one believed to have been hanged 20

was just 14 or 15 years old? We regularly make representations to

the Government of Iran about the widespread abuse of human rights in

Iran including the widespread use of the death sentence and the

unacceptable practice of imposing death sentences on miners. We will

continue to make such representations at every opportunity

is. Common will countries are already large investors in the UK,

will the governments continue to support business groups to make sure

that track record continues? Yes we will and we will continue to work

with the Commonwealth enterprise and investment Counsel on promoting in

track and wealth trade. Can I thank the Foreign Secretary for the event

yesterday to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the massacre? Will he

join with me today saying it is not only important to remember that but

also redouble our efforts to shore future generations free hate and

intolerance can read? Of course, anyone who was there last night will

have heard testimony of people who survived the terrible events 21

years ago. They are harrowing tales. Utterly needless slaughter that

occurred. The process of remembering is not just to remember about to

make sure that we apply the lessons we remember and make sure this could

never happen again. An important economic relationship

that we have with India is the Tata steel portfolio, will he make sure

that the protection of this continues to be at the forefront of

our diplomatic relationship with India? I can tell my honourable

friend that this remains a high priority for the Secretary of State

for business. Clear Martin died in Italy 40 years ago, her death was

reported as suicide -- Claire Martin. I am happy to discuss this

tragic case but it remains that the UK cannot carry out investigations

in the Italian judicial system any more than the Italian Government can

do so here but I understand that the magistrate has offered a meeting

with the family and I hope this will provide a way forward.

There the bursary of the Iran nuclear deal falls in two days. One

discussions are you I promise that is not the planted question, but

there is a meeting happening this afternoon between the Iranian

central bank, the United States Treasury, and international banks

based in London in an attempt to make some progress on this matter so

that the people of Iran can start to benefit from the seminal deal that

was done a year ago. It is a pleasure to welcome back to

the House to let city. -- Tulip Siddiq. My constituents have been

detained in Iran for 100 days now. Will the Minister join me in

denouncing the Iranian authorities and ensuring that Nazanin and her

daughter are returned to their home as soon as possible? We are

continuing to lobby the Iranians regularly, about all our citizens

there, including her constituent. I spoke on the 4th of July to the

Foreign Minister and subsequently followed up with a letter. The

Minister for the Middle East met her family on the 18th of May, and we

will continue to push the Iranians on this case, both consular access

to her, Iran does not recognise dual nationality, this is the challenge,

and also for more information about the charges that are alleged against

her. On my recent visit to Kiev, there was palpable fear from the

Ukrainians that sanctions may start to be lifted against Russia

President Putin. Does my rate honourable friend agree that that

cannot happen until meaningful discussions have taken place on

Ukraine's sovereign borders? I would go further than that and say it

cannot happen until Russia has complied with its obligations under

the Minsk agreement. My honourable friend, I also met with the

Ukrainian Foreign Minster at the weekend in Warsaw, and he is right,

there is a concern by Ukrainians that Britain's departure from the

European Union may lead to a weakening of European Union resolved

on this issue. I very much hope that will not be the case. It is

certainly true that we have been one of the leading advocates of a tough

line within the European Union. The can. In light of the ongoing events

in Sudan, many of us find both issues with the content and context

of the UK dialogue. What red lines does the UK Government have in that

dialogue? I will get the Minister for Africa to write to him in more

detail, but the dialogue as an important juncture in the

relationship. We were invited by Sudan to commence this. I make it

very clear that we need to continue to support Saddam. It is the source,

post and a transit country for migration, so it affects the rest of

Europe and what is going on there. -- to support Sudan. We want to

continue to help the humanitarian situation there which is dire. They

need our support. Can I join with those welcoming the fact that a

large number of big players in the global economy are queueing up to

the financial trade deals with the UK? Made many Korean constituents

would very much like to know whether that includes South Korea, a

brilliant trade partner with the UK. -- my very many Korean constituents.

The UK has an existing free-trade agreement with the Republic of

Korea, and under that agreement, the UK has seen its exports to career

more than double over a very short period of time. Once we are outside

the European Union, depending on the details of the arrangements may

make, we will be ready to enter into new trade agreements with all

countries around the world. The UK will remain an advertising trading

nation delivering prosperity by our success around the globe. -- and

outward facing trading nation. What recent discussions have the

Government had with Turkey about their opposition to the Syrian

Democratic forces offensive to relieve a very important strategic

battle? In fact, I met my Turkish opposite number and also sat next to

the president and the binary session at the Nato summit in Warsaw at the

weekend, and we discussed this issue. Of course the STF assault is

vitally important, and it will close a strategic gap and cut off supplies

into Syria, supplies and rooms for fighters going into Syria, in a very

important way. The tracks' concern is the role of Kurdish organisations

within the STF, including some that are associated with prescribed

associations. -- the Turks' concern. The UN is seeking to reassure the

Turks and allowing the STF to deliver his objective. We have run

out of time. We recently marked the first anniversary of the dreadful

terrorist attack in Tunisia. What work is being done by the Foreign

Office to support the families of the victims and to mark that

dreadful event? I had the honour of representing Britain at the

anniversary that took place the two -- to mark the tragic events. We

have done everything we can to provide support to those believed,

injured, and those affected by the mental trauma of what they saw. That

help continues, and I am pleased to confirm the announcement the Prime

Minister made on the weekend that there will be amoral belts, probably

expected to be in the North of England, to mark the horrific events

-- there will be a memorial belt. Can the Foreign Secretary Calley has

what progress has been made in persuading her allies -- our allies

to provide support to women who have escaped sexual slavery under Daesh

and are in great need of medical and psychological support that they

cannot access properly and either Syria or Iran? The honourable lady

is absolutely right to give attention to those who have faced

persecution by Daesh. We have had a number of debates on this matter. It

is many minorities, and we are making sure we are as supporting

NGOs directly targeting people providing support, in the immediate

aftermath but also in the long-term. Fiona McTaggart. The reason I was

steamy is that I spoke this morning to my constituent whose husband has

been detained in South Sudan since the 18th of June without charge, and

it seems to me that in view of the situation and turmoil there are,

that it is urgent for the British authorities to demand his release or

his charge instantly. This man is a diabetic, he is not being properly

the Darfur, and it is time that we defended our citizens. -- he has not

been properly looked after. We have already touched on the concerns we

have inside Sudan, the stability we have seen, despite the transitional

Government of national unity. I'll ask the Minister for Africa to get

in touch with her to find out what consular support is being provided.

I'm sorry I cannot accommodate all colleagues, but I will take Joanna

Cherry. Can the Minister tell us whether following upon Brexit, the

United Kingdom will continue to participate in the Paris climate

change agreements, or whether that agreement will require to be

rewritten? Mr Speaker, this is a prime example of where we need to

come down and not scaremonger. We are absolutely committed to that and

to our climate change targets by 2050 of reducing emissions.

Actually, I thought I was going to include the honourable lady, but

that really will have to be the last one. Hannah Bardell. The Minister

will recall the case of Mike is it and who was killed in Israel last

year. -- the case of my constituent. We now have the autopsy report, but

it is in Hebrew, and her family are being suggested that they should

assume the cost of that. Can the Minister tell me if this is

something the SCO can support on? I am grateful for his support of our,

but the family are desperate, and require support. This has been a

very difficult case for the family and for everybody involved, and we

were able to meet Members of Parliament that were involved. I

also raise this with the Israeli authorities as well. It is not

normal for the Foreign Office to provide the translation facilities.

Perhaps if we can discuss this outside the chamber, we can work

through something and provide assistance to the family. Foreign

Office questions tend to break box office records, and so I think the

ministers should take some pride in that fact. The other way of looking

is that I am giving them additional speaking opportunities. Point of

order, we will come to the honourable gentleman, we are saving

him up. My honourable friend who is standing for the leadership of my

party heard her constituency windows broken, and the police have

confirmed that such an incident has taken place. Can we take the

opportunity of deploring such hooliganism, whoever commits it and

whichever party is involved? It is totally unacceptable, and one hopes

the police will apprehend the culprits as quickly as possible. I

thank the honourable gentleman for his point of order. Of course, it is

not strictly in any residual sense a matter for the chair, but it is a

matter for the chair in one respect, and that is that in common with all

colleagues, the chair believes in democracy and peaceful exchange of

opinion.