0:00:00 > 0:00:01for a round-up of the Day in both Houses of Parliament at 11pm. First,
0:00:01 > 0:00:03questions to the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and his team
0:00:03 > 0:00:17administers. -- his team of ministers.
0:00:26 > 0:00:33Order, order. Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign &
0:00:33 > 0:00:41Commonwealth affairs. Mr Chris Bryant. Nokia. Mr Derek Thomas.
0:00:41 > 0:00:48Number two, Mr Speaker.Boris Johnson.Thank you, Mr Speaker, we
0:00:48 > 0:00:52are delighted to be hosting next year's Commonwealth heads of
0:00:52 > 0:00:57Government meeting, one of the biggest summits the UK has ever
0:00:57 > 0:01:05posted. All member states have confirmed they will send high-level
0:01:05 > 0:01:09legislators. We want a great celebration for the Commonwealth,
0:01:09 > 0:01:14underpinned by real substance. We are working closely with young
0:01:14 > 0:01:18people across the Commonwealth to produce at the order of the summit.
0:01:18 > 0:01:25Thank you, Mr Speaker and thank you for the response Mr Secretary. Given
0:01:25 > 0:01:29that 40% of the world's young people live in the common love, what more
0:01:29 > 0:01:32can the department dude to nurture aspiration and create opportunity in
0:01:32 > 0:01:41the interest of peace across the Commonwealth? -- and the Department
0:01:41 > 0:01:44do to nurture.I thank you for putting a finger under huge
0:01:44 > 0:01:49opportunity that summit provides to focus on young people. I believe we
0:01:49 > 0:01:54should focus on particular on the education of young women and girls.
0:01:54 > 0:02:02This is the opportunity to change lives most erratically across the
0:02:02 > 0:02:13Commonwealth, and across the world. -- most dramatically.Thank you, Mr
0:02:13 > 0:02:19Speaker. Delighted that we are hosting next week. Next year, sorry.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23I wonder if the forwards secretary could take this opportunity,
0:02:23 > 0:02:27following the most recent meeting of the UN human rights Council, in
0:02:27 > 0:02:31terms of our bilateral relationship with Sri Lanka, to reach rate or
0:02:31 > 0:02:37Government's position on the run structured and ensure that -- to
0:02:37 > 0:02:48reiterate the Government's position on the Rome Statute. Workarounds
0:02:48 > 0:02:54should be properly investigated.I have raised those questions with the
0:02:54 > 0:02:59Government also like. We believe they are making progress but will
0:02:59 > 0:03:03continue to insist more must be done.Thank you, Mr Speaker. When
0:03:03 > 0:03:10one sees these use -- the huge economic growth of Commonwealth
0:03:10 > 0:03:13countries, will be Secretary of State agree with me that it's
0:03:13 > 0:03:16important to use this summit as an opportunity for us to start talking
0:03:16 > 0:03:23about how to recalibrate our export policy to focus on the common love?
0:03:23 > 0:03:29My honourable friend is entirely right. With 2.4 billion people in
0:03:29 > 0:03:35some of the fastest-growing economies of the world, the 52
0:03:35 > 0:03:38countries of the common wealth and represent a superb opportunity for
0:03:38 > 0:03:43the Scottish to free trade deals. That does not mean we will
0:03:43 > 0:03:48necessarily be relaxing our desire to do a fantastic free trade deal
0:03:48 > 0:03:55with the European friends and partners. -- -- for the UK to do
0:03:55 > 0:04:05street trade till.Perhaps it will be discussing how this is another
0:04:05 > 0:04:13sign of the sun setting on Empire 2.0 before it even risen.On the
0:04:13 > 0:04:16contrary, I'm sure the whole House will join with me in congratulating
0:04:16 > 0:04:23the Indian judge on his election and I'm sure the whole House will agree
0:04:23 > 0:04:27that it is a fine thing that another common law judge has joined the
0:04:27 > 0:04:31International Court of Justice.Mr Speaker, I referred he has to make
0:04:31 > 0:04:40entry in the member interest, would you agree with me that a positive
0:04:40 > 0:04:51way of showing a post Mugabe is a Barbie could be reactivated for that
0:04:51 > 0:04:59country to -- Zimbabwe could be reintegrated at the next summit.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04Good to make sure there is a path to new membership for a post Mugabe
0:05:04 > 0:05:10Zimbabwe?I think this would be a fine and noble aspiration for the
0:05:10 > 0:05:15Commonwealth and for Zimbabwe. Several steps need to be gone
0:05:15 > 0:05:20through before that can happen. There must be free and fair
0:05:20 > 0:05:26elections next year, then Zimbabwe must apply to the Commonwealth
0:05:26 > 0:05:33Secretariat and make clear to the Commonwealth and the world that
0:05:33 > 0:05:38Zimbabwe fulfilled the criteria on human rights, law and democracy that
0:05:38 > 0:05:43are necessary for membership. Produce further outline discussions
0:05:43 > 0:05:46you've had with the secretary of state for Brexit regarding the need
0:05:46 > 0:05:52for solidified to reach deals between the 52 Commonwealth
0:05:52 > 0:05:57countries. Would you agree this must be a priority for London 2018?I
0:05:57 > 0:06:06fully support the aspiration of the honourable member. Free trade steals
0:06:06 > 0:06:09and the prospect of increasing trade with Commonwealth of the partners
0:06:09 > 0:06:15will be at the heart of the summit. -- free trade deals and the
0:06:15 > 0:06:18prospect.Parliamentarians are meeting in February across the
0:06:18 > 0:06:22Commonwealth, organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary
0:06:22 > 0:06:27organisations. Would you consider hosting a reception for those 150
0:06:27 > 0:06:31parliamentarians, either at the Foreign Office, or maybe ten Downing
0:06:31 > 0:06:38St for a reception?I'm always grateful to my honourable friend,
0:06:38 > 0:06:42who is full of knowledge of these matters. I will consider the
0:06:42 > 0:06:46possibility of holding just such a reception. I can think of all sorts
0:06:46 > 0:06:55of suitable venues.Jessica Morden. Number three, Mr Speaker.Well, it
0:06:55 > 0:07:00will be well done when it gets to the box.Forgive me. Thank you, Mr
0:07:00 > 0:07:08Speaker. I have made repeated representations, as the Honourable
0:07:08 > 0:07:17member, can imagine, to the Government in Burma, particularly to
0:07:17 > 0:07:25the president. Charity return of the refugees. -- the President to urge
0:07:25 > 0:07:32the return of the refugees. We released the first UN statement on
0:07:32 > 0:07:40Burma in a decade. I believe Burma must heed these calls from the
0:07:40 > 0:07:42international community and take necessary steps that we have set
0:07:42 > 0:07:48out.Thank you, Mr Speaker. Three months on from the start of this
0:07:48 > 0:07:51current crisis and we continue to be shocked and horrified by the tragic
0:07:51 > 0:08:02stories we see the Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh. There have been
0:08:02 > 0:08:08reports of considering of the imposing some sanctions against
0:08:08 > 0:08:12Myanmar's leaders. Discussions have you had on this and what would be
0:08:12 > 0:08:18the Government's position?I have raised this already, as you can
0:08:18 > 0:08:23imagine, with our European friends and partners and the foreign affairs
0:08:23 > 0:08:31Council on the 16th of October. We had agreement table that we would
0:08:31 > 0:08:36suspend Burmese military visits and review all defence cooperation and
0:08:36 > 0:08:41got a further agreement to consider additional measures if the situation
0:08:41 > 0:08:46didn't improve. We will not be doing so.The UN has made it clear that
0:08:46 > 0:08:55Muslims could receive a legal status allowing them to lead a normal life
0:08:55 > 0:08:59in Bangladesh and access to labour market, education and health
0:08:59 > 0:09:02service. Will my right honourable friend continue to press these
0:09:02 > 0:09:09demands to the United Nations and directly with the Burmese
0:09:09 > 0:09:12authorities? My honourable friend is absolutely right. That is the
0:09:12 > 0:09:15critical thing. If these people are to have any confidence about the
0:09:15 > 0:09:27prospect of the return to Rakhine, they must have clarity as to their
0:09:27 > 0:09:30citizenship and the treatment in Rakhine.This is why the plan makes
0:09:30 > 0:09:35it clear that there must be citizenship rights and investment in
0:09:35 > 0:09:42development of equal treatment for all Rakhine's ethnic groups.Thank
0:09:42 > 0:09:46you, Mr Speaker. This morning, Amnesty International released a
0:09:46 > 0:09:49report highlighting repression and rights violations on the Rohingya
0:09:49 > 0:10:01people every single day. They've can pick Myanmar to an open-air prison.
0:10:01 > 0:10:09What discussions has the Honourable secretary had about this?I am
0:10:09 > 0:10:15grateful. In answer to another friend, I just detailed what we have
0:10:15 > 0:10:20been doing with our EU vendor partners. We have secured the
0:10:20 > 0:10:24suspension of military visits and will review matters with our friends
0:10:24 > 0:10:26and partners as things develop.
0:10:36 > 0:10:44Thank you. Since the outbreak of the violence, over 6000 violence
0:10:44 > 0:10:47refugees have crossed the border into Bangladeshi. Where there is an
0:10:47 > 0:10:54urgent need for life-saving aid. In light of the desperate situation,
0:10:54 > 0:10:58what support is the Government offering so that refugees can have
0:10:58 > 0:11:07access to the basic essentials that exist, clean water, and shelter?My
0:11:07 > 0:11:12honourable friend is entirely right that the UK is one of the biggest
0:11:12 > 0:11:17participants, or second biggest donor, to be humanitarian crisis in
0:11:17 > 0:11:22Bangladesh. I think we should all congratulate the Government of
0:11:22 > 0:11:27Bangladesh for the forbearance and energy be put into coping with this
0:11:27 > 0:11:32appalling, appalling crisis. The UK is contributing £47 million. That
0:11:32 > 0:11:42has helped to help sanitation for more than 138,000, emergency shelter
0:11:42 > 0:11:45for 130,000. We have provided counselling and psychological
0:11:45 > 0:11:52support that will reach women suffering from the trauma of war and
0:11:52 > 0:11:572000 survivors of sexual violence. Medical help for pregnant women to
0:11:57 > 0:12:01give birth safely. It is the record that the whole house can be proud
0:12:01 > 0:12:09of.There has been evidence of the fact that is ethnic cleansing and
0:12:09 > 0:12:15genocide that is taking place in Burma. What action has the
0:12:15 > 0:12:20Government taken with the UN about prosecution of the Buddhist monks
0:12:20 > 0:12:24and generals were carrying out ethnic cleansing in the
0:12:24 > 0:12:28International courts?As I agree very much with the honourable lady,
0:12:28 > 0:12:34unless the refugees are allowed to retire on, then this crisis, this
0:12:34 > 0:12:39porridge will indeed satisfy the definition of ethnic cleansing. As
0:12:39 > 0:12:45for genocide... -- this case will indeed satisfy the definition. We
0:12:45 > 0:12:52have received evidence and testimony of a troubling kind and what we will
0:12:52 > 0:13:01do is make sure that all testimony is collected and used so that the
0:13:01 > 0:13:05proper authorities can determine whether indeed it answers to be
0:13:05 > 0:13:09definition of genocide. As the Oracle lady will know, genocide is a
0:13:09 > 0:13:17strict legal tiring and we need to wait for judicial decision.-- as
0:13:17 > 0:13:23the honourable lady. Not a single innocent life has been lost and they
0:13:23 > 0:13:29have not been involved in any violence, according to them. Does my
0:13:29 > 0:13:33right honourable friend that no whitewash report will cover up the
0:13:33 > 0:13:39mounting evidence of the atrocities carried out?I agree with my
0:13:39 > 0:13:44honourable friend that it is vital that the Burnie 's Government
0:13:44 > 0:13:50acknowledge the scale of what is happening and the horror with which
0:13:50 > 0:14:00events are being greeted around the world. -- Myanmar Government. People
0:14:00 > 0:14:04have looked to hire for horror honourable leadership and we salute
0:14:04 > 0:14:14her for her democracy in the face of the generals, but it is vital she
0:14:14 > 0:14:17stands up and condemn what is happening and brings the nation
0:14:17 > 0:14:22together and so far, I am afraid to see, the Government has failed to do
0:14:22 > 0:14:29that they are.Question number four. Progress has been made since the
0:14:29 > 0:14:38signing of the peace agreement last November. They have disarmed and are
0:14:38 > 0:14:43a political party. A temporary ceasefire has been negotiated.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47Difficult challenges remain and it is vital that momentum continues,
0:14:47 > 0:14:54especially as the country prepares for elections next year.In light of
0:14:54 > 0:14:57the current crisis of implementation of the Colombia peace agreements,
0:14:57 > 0:15:06including colours of leaders, the changes and the lack of integration
0:15:06 > 0:15:09opportunities, will be minister make representations to the Colombian
0:15:09 > 0:15:16Government about their need to implement the agreement is signed.
0:15:16 > 0:15:23We support the Government end up lamenting the agreement is signed.
0:15:23 > 0:15:29We are concerned on attacks on human rights offenders which is stopping
0:15:29 > 0:15:35the peace. The majority of such attacks lies with the legal armed
0:15:35 > 0:15:40groups.-- illegal. Does my right honourable friend agree with the
0:15:40 > 0:15:49former presidents of Columbia that the continuing prohibition of drugs
0:15:49 > 0:15:55policy and the vast criminal enterprises serves to undermine
0:15:55 > 0:15:58peace, stability and the institutions of Columbia and its
0:15:58 > 0:16:03neighbours and will be Government work to move towards an evidence
0:16:03 > 0:16:08-based policy response?Mr Speaker, I think my honourable friend is
0:16:08 > 0:16:14right in pointing to the fact that drug smuggling and drug trading is
0:16:14 > 0:16:18becoming a main threat to the implementation of the peace
0:16:18 > 0:16:22agreement and indeed I am reassured that the Colombian Government is
0:16:22 > 0:16:26investigating the deaths of several individuals who have protested
0:16:26 > 0:16:34against eradication on the 5th of October.With the Minister see what
0:16:34 > 0:16:42he can do by way of the drag towards European action, bring support of
0:16:42 > 0:16:48pressure. The president can mean and implement a peace deal but at the
0:16:48 > 0:16:54moment, the progress simply isn't there to underpin the peace process.
0:16:54 > 0:17:01We must have action in these last six months.We are actively
0:17:01 > 0:17:04supporting the Colombian Government. We provided almost £20 million from
0:17:04 > 0:17:11the conflict security and stabilisation fund. I am also proud
0:17:11 > 0:17:15that UK led work has led to the resolution is to assist the peace
0:17:15 > 0:17:24building process we all want to see succeed.Number five, Mr Speaker. Mr
0:17:24 > 0:17:28Speaker, only a political solution will bring the long-term stability
0:17:28 > 0:17:32that Yemen needs.The parties must engage constructively. The United
0:17:32 > 0:17:39Kingdom is playing a part to try and bring other parties together in
0:17:39 > 0:17:46order to see it that tackles and mission which is needed.Yemen is in
0:17:46 > 0:17:51the grip of a humanitarian disaster with another 50,000 children
0:17:51 > 0:17:55expected to die before the end of the year due to famine and cholera.
0:17:55 > 0:18:01The UK power smack arms sales to Saudi Arabia have been worth 18
0:18:01 > 0:18:13times... -- the UK power trade. What will the UK contribute to the
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Yemen's construction, rather than deconstruction?The efforts being
0:18:16 > 0:18:20made now with the collision are both to give them assurances about the
0:18:20 > 0:18:24security they need to ensure there are no further missile attacks like
0:18:24 > 0:18:31the one on the 4th of November. Also, to seek to relieve the
0:18:31 > 0:18:36restrictions that are preventing humanitarian access getting through.
0:18:36 > 0:18:43No one doubts the scale at the moment and the United Kingdom, with
0:18:43 > 0:18:46others, is working on both the security for the coalition in the
0:18:46 > 0:18:51area as well as the need to relieve the restrictions so that
0:18:51 > 0:18:56humanitarian access can be given. The conflict in Yemen is a proxy war
0:18:56 > 0:19:03between Saudi Arabia and Iran in terms of achieving in that region.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07Would you agree with me that the UK should use all its diplomatic
0:19:07 > 0:19:12leveraged with its allies and players in the region to get a peace
0:19:12 > 0:19:16process under way to de-escalates this conflict and get a genuine
0:19:16 > 0:19:20peace process under way in Yemen's my honourable friend is right.That
0:19:20 > 0:19:27is a process under way led by the UN special representative, that we are
0:19:27 > 0:19:31supporting, it requires both sides to recognise that is not military
0:19:31 > 0:19:35answer to Yemen, there has to be a put cousin Lycian. We are working
0:19:35 > 0:19:42both with our ambassador in Yemen to try and ensure the parties get
0:19:42 > 0:19:51together.-- political situation. The scale of the crisis is truly
0:19:51 > 0:19:58frightening. The impact of the Saudi blockades could result in further
0:19:58 > 0:20:03deaths. Has the Prime Minister spoke into the crown Prince of Saudi
0:20:03 > 0:20:08Arabia and if she has not, can she do so in order to get the blockade
0:20:08 > 0:20:16lifted?Ministers, including the Prime Minister, have spoken to the
0:20:16 > 0:20:19Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. Representations have been made by
0:20:19 > 0:20:24other Ministers and continue to do so. We recognise the need for
0:20:24 > 0:20:29security for the coalition but we also recognise the need to lift
0:20:29 > 0:20:33these restrictions and make sure humanitarian access is given.Would
0:20:33 > 0:20:37my right honourable friend agree with me that the situation in Yemen
0:20:37 > 0:20:43points to the fact we have a field around policy? We have a country,
0:20:43 > 0:20:49capital in Iran that is taking hostages, developing missiles,
0:20:49 > 0:20:56threatening their neighbours and our policy is what? There is none.
0:20:56 > 0:21:07Well,... There is a significant policy. A number of difficult
0:21:07 > 0:21:10debates and conversations have detailed. Work is going on to
0:21:10 > 0:21:14explore opportunities there are for Iran to play a more constructive
0:21:14 > 0:21:19part in the region. In relation to human right sanctions and criticism
0:21:19 > 0:21:23of their actions with terrorist groups in the area and there
0:21:23 > 0:21:28stabilising of the region, the United Kingdom is clear position.
0:21:28 > 0:21:35That is engagement with Iran, which is important. The policy of that
0:21:35 > 0:21:42constructive engagement is actually very clear.Yesterday the Minister
0:21:42 > 0:21:47of State said that the Saudi blockades of Yemen did not breach
0:21:47 > 0:21:51international serenity of the law because it is intended to stop the
0:21:51 > 0:21:55smuggling of missiles. How did he respond then to the leaked briefing
0:21:55 > 0:22:00by the United Nations panel of experts on Yemen, which says there
0:22:00 > 0:22:05is no evidence of such smuggling and this is just another attempt by the
0:22:05 > 0:22:09Saudi coalition to justify obstructing the commodities that are
0:22:09 > 0:22:18civilian in nature?I do not agree with the conclusion, too. No, I do
0:22:18 > 0:22:23not agree with the UN assessment. It is clear that weapons have been
0:22:23 > 0:22:27smuggled into Yemen. They have been used to fire against parties to the
0:22:27 > 0:22:32coalition and we are quite sure that is the case. However, the point is,
0:22:32 > 0:22:37not only to give security to those who do not want to see such missiles
0:22:37 > 0:22:41pointed at their airports, but at the same time, to ensure they
0:22:41 > 0:22:45realise that these restrictions being put on entry to ports may not
0:22:45 > 0:22:49assist them in dealing with all the smuggling we are concerned about,
0:22:49 > 0:22:58but will damage the human Italian -- to managerial situation. --
0:22:58 > 0:23:05humanitarian situation.Thank you, Mr Speaker.I will take questions
0:23:05 > 0:23:11number six and 11 together. We defend human rights in a variety of
0:23:11 > 0:23:16ways. Funding human rights advocates, training judges and
0:23:16 > 0:23:22police, but it also involves our selves as Ministers raising with
0:23:22 > 0:23:29heads of state human rights issues across the world and continents.
0:23:29 > 0:23:34Last February, the Foreign Secretary said he wished to be a champion for
0:23:34 > 0:23:39the president of Egypt. With mass arrests, torture as an
0:23:39 > 0:23:46disappearances end deaths in custody now the norm in Egypt, what does the
0:23:46 > 0:23:53Government defined as champion in human rights?We continue to raise
0:23:53 > 0:23:59very strongly with the Egyptian Government about these issues. He is
0:23:59 > 0:24:03right to raise them. There are troubling issues within Egypt. We
0:24:03 > 0:24:10are studying them and we raise them with our American partners and
0:24:10 > 0:24:13European Union partners. The Foreign Secretary raised directly with the
0:24:13 > 0:24:18president of Egypt on his last meeting.Similar to the horrors that
0:24:18 > 0:24:22we witnessed last year in Syria, today we are confronted with another
0:24:22 > 0:24:29brutal siege of the area by the regime. What action will the
0:24:29 > 0:24:43Government take to protect civilians?We agree that the regime
0:24:43 > 0:24:48is horrifying the way it treats civilians. It has an extraordinary
0:24:48 > 0:24:52record of brutality and murder. We will document the abuses they have
0:24:52 > 0:24:57done. We call on them through every single channel not to conduct these
0:24:57 > 0:25:02operations and we will make sure people are held accountable for
0:25:02 > 0:25:06their crimes.Christians communities are under attack in a number of
0:25:06 > 0:25:11developing countries to whom we give very large amounts of international
0:25:11 > 0:25:15aid, including Pakistan. What steps will the Government take to make
0:25:15 > 0:25:20sure this aid is given on the condition these communities are
0:25:20 > 0:25:24protected?That is correct. Christian communities and other
0:25:24 > 0:25:29minority religious groups are under threat across the world, that is
0:25:29 > 0:25:35true of Christian communities in the middle east, Africa and Pakistan. We
0:25:35 > 0:25:40will support civil society organisations. We support in
0:25:40 > 0:25:44Pakistan the rights of Christian securities and minority amenities
0:25:44 > 0:25:48and we continue to advocate for them with the Government of Pakistan and
0:25:48 > 0:25:53we will continue that support into the future.
0:25:53 > 0:26:00The putts free first advisory board urged people to press the Qatari
0:26:00 > 0:26:06Government. -- this month's refurb's advisory board urged a flood of
0:26:06 > 0:26:14press Government.We have looked seriously into this issue. We have
0:26:14 > 0:26:17pressed this issue with the Qatari Government and will continue to
0:26:17 > 0:26:25press this issue.Can the Secretary of State tells what progress has
0:26:25 > 0:26:33been made in Sudan regarding the political situation and human rights
0:26:33 > 0:26:37situation?Thank you, Mr Speaker. We have a renewed dialogue with the
0:26:37 > 0:26:42Government of Sudan, as the member will be aware. The US Government has
0:26:42 > 0:26:46lifted sanctions in relation to Saddam. I met the Sudanese
0:26:46 > 0:26:51delegation as part of this dialogue. We had a human rights workshop at
0:26:51 > 0:26:57the centre of this dialogue and continue to press with their special
0:26:57 > 0:27:03rapporteur on human rights for exactly these issues.Thank you, in
0:27:03 > 0:27:09August, the American Government withheld $290 million from its
0:27:09 > 0:27:12military and economic aid for each of because of their recent track
0:27:12 > 0:27:20record on human rights. -- age for Egypt. With the Honourable Minister
0:27:20 > 0:27:25speak to his friend the secretary of state and ask them to learn some
0:27:25 > 0:27:28lessons from Donald Trump, at least? LAUGHTER
0:27:28 > 0:27:40To force President Sisi to clean up its act.We thank the Shadow
0:27:40 > 0:27:44minister for raising this issue. We agree strongly. There are disturbing
0:27:44 > 0:27:52signs in Egypt and that is why the Foreign Secretary has raised this
0:27:52 > 0:27:58issue directly with President Sisi and we will continue to do so.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Maintaining the integrity of the Antarctic Treaty is fundamental to
0:28:01 > 0:28:06protecting unpractical. The UK's leading role within this system has
0:28:06 > 0:28:09allowed us to put consistently for increased levels of protection for
0:28:09 > 0:28:13the content's runnable environment and we are committed to continuing
0:28:13 > 0:28:25to do so. -- vulnerbale environment. Recently on television we have
0:28:25 > 0:28:34reminded of the vulnerability of Antarctica. Yet an area some seven
0:28:34 > 0:28:43times the size of Germany, it was rejected. Will he take the
0:28:43 > 0:28:53opportunity of pressing the Russians to protect the area?And how to put
0:28:53 > 0:28:58that on our agenda but may I reassure my honourable friend at the
0:28:58 > 0:29:03UK is equal proponent of the proposal to establish a marine
0:29:03 > 0:29:06protected area in this seat, developed by the EU and its never
0:29:06 > 0:29:11states. British scientists are taking a leading role in preparing a
0:29:11 > 0:29:19final MBA proposal to be presented for the conservation of Antarctic
0:29:19 > 0:29:24Marine resources in early next year. Thank you, Mr Speaker. As the
0:29:24 > 0:29:32Honourable gentleman says, million people watched Blue Planet on Sunday
0:29:32 > 0:29:35and we want to do know what the Government is going to do to protect
0:29:35 > 0:29:42the beautiful environment around south Georgia. While the Government
0:29:42 > 0:29:47now committed to establishing a Marine Sanctuary found this British
0:29:47 > 0:29:54Overseas Territory? -- around this British Overseas Territory?This has
0:29:54 > 0:29:57been championed by my honourable friend the member for Newbury. Not
0:29:57 > 0:30:03just in the Antarctic that the UK champions Marine protection. We are
0:30:03 > 0:30:10on track to deliver horribly built manifesto around the territories.
0:30:10 > 0:30:20The south Georgia and south sandwich islands have been designated a
0:30:20 > 0:30:28sustainable use area, covering 100 monitors.Question number 80.Mr
0:30:28 > 0:30:36Speaker, the Foreign Secretary met Spanish foreign ministers. This was
0:30:36 > 0:30:40in Bath on the 3rd of November. The Prime Minister spoke to the Spanish
0:30:40 > 0:30:50Prime Minister on connect up. We are actively engaged with the Spanish
0:30:50 > 0:30:57Government in Madrid and the Spanish in London.The whole House is united
0:30:57 > 0:31:01in our concern for events in Catalonia. How it's been handled
0:31:01 > 0:31:08over recent weeks. Scotland is no stranger to independence referendum.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12Does the Minister share my belief that the success of our referendum
0:31:12 > 0:31:15in 2014 demonstrates the importance of having such referendums conducted
0:31:15 > 0:31:18according to the rule of law and subject to the rules agreed by both
0:31:18 > 0:31:25sides beforehand?I absolutely agree with my honourable friend. Catalonia
0:31:25 > 0:31:30is a matter for Spain in the same way that Scotland was for the UK.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34The Scottish referendum was a legal referendum following the signature
0:31:34 > 0:31:38of the Edinburgh agreement between the Scot Department and the
0:31:38 > 0:31:42Government of the UK. The referendum in Catalonia was not legal in that
0:31:42 > 0:31:45way and we fully support Spain in upholding the rule of law and
0:31:45 > 0:31:52constitution.Alison Taylor 's.The Honourable gentleman makes the point
0:31:52 > 0:31:56about the Scottish referendum been made a legal referendum but
0:31:56 > 0:32:00Catalonia has not had any legal right for a referendum. Would you
0:32:00 > 0:32:06put pressure on his colleagues in Spain to look to the referendum in
0:32:06 > 0:32:15Scotland as to how these rights can be respected?This is a matter for
0:32:15 > 0:32:19Spain and they should be upheld and not challenged in a legal way as
0:32:19 > 0:32:26they have been in Catalonia. -- in an illegal way.Does he not agree
0:32:26 > 0:32:30with me that the heavy-handed action of the Spanish police exacerbated
0:32:30 > 0:32:36matters? Does he also take heart from news breaking in Spain at the
0:32:36 > 0:32:40moment that the intent to give fiscal power to Catalonia similar to
0:32:40 > 0:32:46that of the Basque country and this has not been offered before?Nobody
0:32:46 > 0:32:53was to see violence as we saw on the television. If there is be progress
0:32:53 > 0:32:59on this, which is what the Spanish Government legally and properly
0:32:59 > 0:33:04decided, then we support any such legal and democratic action.Foreign
0:33:04 > 0:33:10Secretary.The Government published a paper that sets out our vision for
0:33:10 > 0:33:16a greater partnership with the EU on foreign policy and defence and
0:33:16 > 0:33:23development. Anthony to say that my discussions with our friends in the
0:33:23 > 0:33:28EU since then, this paper has had a good reception. -- I'm pleased to
0:33:28 > 0:33:32say.The so-called future partnership paper on foreign
0:33:32 > 0:33:35security policy published by the Brexit apartment in September had
0:33:35 > 0:33:42plenty of positive things to say about the value of EU and UK
0:33:42 > 0:33:48corporation but can the Secretary of State therefore updated House on
0:33:48 > 0:33:51what progress beyond the mighty fine words has been made on the Brexit
0:33:51 > 0:33:59negotiations?If by that the Honourable Judge remains progress on
0:33:59 > 0:34:03foreign policy and defence policy, then I must remind the House that
0:34:03 > 0:34:07this is not at the absolute centre of the negotiations because it is
0:34:07 > 0:34:14widely understood that the UK, contributing as we do 20% of
0:34:14 > 0:34:20European defence spending, 25% of European aid spending, will be there
0:34:20 > 0:34:25in a sport of way whatever the outcome of the negotiations. -- in a
0:34:25 > 0:34:32supportive way. As the PM has said, particularly warmly received by
0:34:32 > 0:34:38friends and partners, are committed defence and security of Europe is
0:34:38 > 0:34:43unconditional as it was has been and will be. -- our commitment to
0:34:43 > 0:34:49defence and security in Europe.Can they write on the friend confirm
0:34:49 > 0:34:55categorically that we will remain as committed as ever to European
0:34:55 > 0:35:01security after we leave the EU? -- time I right honourable friend
0:35:01 > 0:35:06confirm categorically.We certainly shall. You ask an important
0:35:06 > 0:35:09question. The answer cannot be repeated too often. It is to be hurt
0:35:09 > 0:35:15particularly in those countries that urged companies to shadow of Soviet
0:35:15 > 0:35:19domination at the media that we are there for the long term, as were the
0:35:19 > 0:35:25only borders of Estonia. -- as the idea on the borders of Estonia. We
0:35:25 > 0:35:31are committed to Nato, which is the guarantor of peace and stability in
0:35:31 > 0:35:37our continent. The UK is the second biggest contributor to the Nato
0:35:37 > 0:35:42alliance.EU funding has enabled an African union peacekeeping force to
0:35:42 > 0:35:47play a vital role in helping to stabilise Somalia in its transition
0:35:47 > 0:35:50to democracy. But we cannot be complacent. It supported for the
0:35:50 > 0:35:54Government to maintain some influence as we prepare to leave the
0:35:54 > 0:35:59EU. What we are and the Foreign Secretary gave that this important
0:35:59 > 0:36:08issue will not be forgotten during the Brexit negotiations? -- what
0:36:08 > 0:36:14assurances can the Foreign Secretary give?It was this year that we heard
0:36:14 > 0:36:18the Somalia conference, working with the EU. In particular make sure that
0:36:18 > 0:36:25the Somalia settle Government -- central Government collaborates
0:36:25 > 0:36:31closely with the member states to make sure that the fight can be
0:36:31 > 0:36:37prosecuted more successful. This is the work we arguing with -- that we
0:36:37 > 0:36:42arguing with the EU.This is not the point, that would you not have to be
0:36:42 > 0:36:52inside the European Union. -- is this not the point.He is right and
0:36:52 > 0:36:59I have to be at work support that we will offer in the future to a flying
0:36:59 > 0:37:03buttress outside the main body of the cathedral, but supportive of
0:37:03 > 0:37:09that cathedral. That's how the UK will continue to be on and
0:37:09 > 0:37:14unconditional basis.Mr Speaker, last week that the foreign affairs
0:37:14 > 0:37:18select committee Sir Simon MacDonald told the committee that more civil
0:37:18 > 0:37:21servants, unelected bureaucrats, would be sent to Brussels. Could you
0:37:21 > 0:37:25tell us how many of these officials will focus on foreign and Security
0:37:25 > 0:37:31policy with the EU, how much it will cost and whether it will be part of
0:37:31 > 0:37:36the settlement with the EU?I can tell the House, Andrew that all
0:37:36 > 0:37:41members will be please do this, that we will beef up our representation
0:37:41 > 0:37:47in Europe. -- I'm sure that all members. 50 more posts at least in
0:37:47 > 0:37:52other EU capitals and they will be strengthening and intensifying some
0:37:52 > 0:37:58bilateral relationships, which in my view have been allowed slightly to
0:37:58 > 0:38:04ossify under the EU recommends over the past 45 years. -- EU
0:38:04 > 0:38:10arrangements over the past 45 years. Sir Simon MacDonald did say that
0:38:10 > 0:38:15there is an initial Treasury pot of £250 million. How much of that has
0:38:15 > 0:38:19he secured to go through security policy co-operation has the
0:38:19 > 0:38:24Chancellor told him to go whistle?I don't think the member could have
0:38:24 > 0:38:30been listening to my last answer because I said that the increased
0:38:30 > 0:38:36diplomatic reputation that we would be making in the rest of Europe
0:38:36 > 0:38:39would be disbursed not just in Brussels but around the rest of the
0:38:39 > 0:38:42capitals. Of course, each and everyone of these individuals will
0:38:42 > 0:38:48be working on our common foreign and security objectives and making the
0:38:48 > 0:38:56case that I've made in an earlier answer, but we support for European
0:38:56 > 0:39:00defence and security is unconditional. -- that our support
0:39:00 > 0:39:03for European defence.Thank you. It's now nearly 50 years since the
0:39:03 > 0:39:06start of the troubles in Northern Ireland and none of us that lived
0:39:06 > 0:39:13the time ever want to go through it again. The Foreign Secretary had
0:39:13 > 0:39:16given its guarantee to BBC Northern Ireland that evil drug Brexit would
0:39:16 > 0:39:22leave arrangements on the Irish border would leave the arrangement
0:39:22 > 0:39:28absolutely unchanged. -- that a vote that for Brexit would leave
0:39:28 > 0:39:32arrangements. Family Foreign Secretary give the same promises
0:39:32 > 0:39:37today?My right honourable friend is right ask this question because I
0:39:37 > 0:39:43was recently in Dublin talking to all the political groups there and
0:39:43 > 0:39:53there's no question that the issue of the border is very alive in Irish
0:39:53 > 0:39:55politics. I repeatedly pledged to which she refers, that there can be
0:39:55 > 0:40:02no return to a hard-fought. There can be no hard worker. This would be
0:40:02 > 0:40:06on thinkable. It would be economic and political madness. -- no hard
0:40:06 > 0:40:14border. Everybody, on both sides of this House, understands the social,
0:40:14 > 0:40:18political and spiritual ramifications of alarming any such
0:40:18 > 0:40:24thing to happen. That's why it's so important that we get onto the
0:40:24 > 0:40:29second phase of the negotiations, that we get sufficient progress at
0:40:29 > 0:40:32the European Council in September.
0:40:38 > 0:40:43No one will have missed the fact that like so many of his initial
0:40:43 > 0:40:49promises over Brexit, he has turned from and guaranteed to an aspiration
0:40:49 > 0:40:56on a deal. I was listening to him and it did seem to me that like his
0:40:56 > 0:41:01partner from the sun, he now seems to be seeing it as up to the Irish
0:41:01 > 0:41:06to find a solution. It was his promise that border arrangements
0:41:06 > 0:41:10would not change and it is up to him to make sure it works. That is why I
0:41:10 > 0:41:16want to challenge the Foreign Secretary today. He put down for red
0:41:16 > 0:41:22lines and none of them related to the Irish land border, which is a
0:41:22 > 0:41:30crucial issue.Indescribably grateful to the Shadow Foreign
0:41:30 > 0:41:36Secretary but I think she is approaching the end. I went to
0:41:36 > 0:41:41accommodate... I am happy to indulge the frontbenchers to a degree but I
0:41:41 > 0:41:49want to allow backbenchers.Let me urge him today to add a fifth red
0:41:49 > 0:41:53line at a promise what you promise last year, Irish border arrangements
0:41:53 > 0:41:58will not change and if they do, he will refuse to stay in the
0:41:58 > 0:42:03Government.The right Honourable lady appeared harder question before
0:42:03 > 0:42:12she heard my first answer. -- prepare her third question. There
0:42:12 > 0:42:18will be no return to a hard order. We do not want a hard border east,
0:42:18 > 0:42:26south, west or east. Minister of State. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will
0:42:26 > 0:42:31answer questions ten and 13 together. We are concerned about the
0:42:31 > 0:42:36demolition of Palestinian property which causes unnecessary suffering
0:42:36 > 0:42:41and is harmful to peace. While we regularly raise these issues, our
0:42:41 > 0:42:48representative raised this on the 2nd of November.I thank the
0:42:48 > 0:42:53Minister for his answer. As we know, recently we have seen a clear
0:42:53 > 0:43:01indication from the Israel defence Minister... The military issue of
0:43:01 > 0:43:08the order for the intention to evacuate the communities in certain
0:43:08 > 0:43:13areas, does the Minister agree with me that Israel must be held to
0:43:13 > 0:43:20account if those things actually take place?This is continued
0:43:20 > 0:43:25conversation with the Israeli authorities where we make clear, as
0:43:25 > 0:43:30do others, that the threats to settlement is unacceptable. I
0:43:30 > 0:43:36visited the areas recently and I have representatives from the
0:43:36 > 0:43:40embassy. We wait to see what further developments will be. There is talk
0:43:40 > 0:43:44about further demolitions but the legal process holds them back.
0:43:44 > 0:43:50Israel can be in no doubt about our concerns of Palestinian property
0:43:50 > 0:43:56demolitions and the detriment to the peace settlement.Over at the years
0:43:56 > 0:44:01there has been 100,000 hectares of land taken, Palestinian land to give
0:44:01 > 0:44:07settlements. Will he at least called the Israeli Government to lift the
0:44:07 > 0:44:11order that is referenced in the village and put in measures guidance
0:44:11 > 0:44:16for UK businesses to stop trade with illegal settlements in a bid to
0:44:16 > 0:44:22break the cycle?I think we will keep our existing trade
0:44:22 > 0:44:25relationships which gives customers the chance to make their own
0:44:25 > 0:44:30decisions about where goods come from. We make our position on
0:44:30 > 0:44:36settlements clear and will continue to do so.I thank my honourable
0:44:36 > 0:44:40friend from his answers. The Prime Minister of Israel was recently
0:44:40 > 0:44:48here. What discussions did the Prime -- did he have about the peace talks
0:44:48 > 0:44:56so that we can create a state of Palestine alongside a secure state
0:44:56 > 0:45:03of Israel?The Prime Minister met the Prime Minister of Israel on the
0:45:03 > 0:45:082nd of November. She reiterated our continued opposition to settlement
0:45:08 > 0:45:12activity, but also encourage the Prime Minister to make the most of
0:45:12 > 0:45:16the likely opportunities that will come up when the Americans bring
0:45:16 > 0:45:20forward the proposals they have been discussing privately over some month
0:45:20 > 0:45:24for the prospects of peace. This is a chance which should not be missed
0:45:24 > 0:45:29by either side.This year marks 40 years since the historic visit to
0:45:29 > 0:45:39Israel which lead to lasting peace between Israel and Egypt. Does my
0:45:39 > 0:45:43right honourable friend agree that there can only be peace between
0:45:43 > 0:45:48Israel and Palestinians to the resumption of direct peace talks
0:45:48 > 0:45:53with issues of land borders can be resolved?The short answer to that
0:45:53 > 0:45:59is yes but I do not think we should missed that 40th anniversary and the
0:45:59 > 0:46:02extra ordinary activity that took place during that time. What we
0:46:02 > 0:46:07would give now for a similar gesture of peace on all sides that would
0:46:07 > 0:46:12bring this long-standing conflict to an end.Does the Minister believe
0:46:12 > 0:46:17that children in detention constitutes a breach of the United
0:46:17 > 0:46:23nation 's right of the children, in reference to Israel and the West
0:46:23 > 0:46:32Bank's?We express repeated concerns in relation to the treatment of
0:46:32 > 0:46:37children and ask them to adhere to UN principles. It is a matter of
0:46:37 > 0:46:42long-standing concern and we continue to raise it.Number 12, Mr
0:46:42 > 0:46:51Speaker.We have seen no evidence of any country successfully interfering
0:46:51 > 0:46:57with our robust electoral system but we know, of course, that Russia
0:46:57 > 0:47:01seeks to undermine our institutions to further their ends, including on
0:47:01 > 0:47:07social media and the best guarantee against that is a free, open press
0:47:07 > 0:47:12and an accessible media.How does the Foreign Secretary square that
0:47:12 > 0:47:17with the comments by the Prime Minister herself only last week?
0:47:17 > 0:47:23Saying that she believes there has been Russian interference in our
0:47:23 > 0:47:26political system. Will he do something about this and does he not
0:47:26 > 0:47:31think it is a disgrace that has not been one member of the security
0:47:31 > 0:47:33services interviewed by any committee in this house about what
0:47:33 > 0:47:39the real facts are?When the Prime Minister spoke of meddling in
0:47:39 > 0:47:45elections, as she did in her mansion house speech, she was referring to
0:47:45 > 0:47:48examples outside the UK and the honourable gentleman will recall
0:47:48 > 0:47:53that she made that clear at the Prime Minister question is on the
0:47:53 > 0:48:0613th of November.Question 14, Mr Speaker.A question that follows
0:48:06 > 0:48:13almost directly on from our comments and criticisms of what was going on
0:48:13 > 0:48:18in Russia. Freedom of the press is indispensable for prosperous
0:48:18 > 0:48:22societies around the world and that is why we announced funding from the
0:48:22 > 0:48:28FCO on the 2nd of November of £1 million for the next financial year
0:48:28 > 0:48:31to support projects which supports freedom of expression and the work
0:48:31 > 0:48:38of journalists.I am very proud of the Government activity on freedom
0:48:38 > 0:48:42of expression around the world and welcome the funding for areas of the
0:48:42 > 0:48:46world where press freedoms are curtailed. Can you confirm whether
0:48:46 > 0:48:51this £1 million funding is a one off or whether it will be reviewed and
0:48:51 > 0:48:55possible increased if it is deemed successful?We are going to review
0:48:55 > 0:49:01these excess of the funding. It is there to show the Government's
0:49:01 > 0:49:05commitment as part of our global button values agenda to a free press
0:49:05 > 0:49:09around the world. We are seeing across the world more journalists
0:49:09 > 0:49:14being killed, more journalist being locked up and that is not only a
0:49:14 > 0:49:18political disaster, an economic disaster as well. The companies that
0:49:18 > 0:49:22are the most prosperous and successful are also ones in which
0:49:22 > 0:49:28that is a free press able to expose corruption and enable democracy.In
0:49:28 > 0:49:31Hong Kong, freedom of the press and expression and assembly is
0:49:31 > 0:49:39guaranteed by Article 3.5 at the joint declaration. Yet, last week
0:49:39 > 0:49:45Beijing said they would imprison people for up to three years for
0:49:45 > 0:49:49disrespecting the Chinese national anthem. Resident Trump said nothing
0:49:49 > 0:49:54about this and his visit. What is he going to do about this to uphold
0:49:54 > 0:50:00values that we are legally obliged to uphold? -- resident Trump.We
0:50:00 > 0:50:07have made it clear to our Chinese partners that the joint declaration
0:50:07 > 0:50:11is valid and the one country, two systems, enshrining the values he
0:50:11 > 0:50:20draws attention to, remains in force.I think our early lunchtime
0:50:20 > 0:50:28exchanges would be incomplete if we did not have the intervention of
0:50:28 > 0:50:33this member.Members visit Bangladesh regularly. We have a
0:50:33 > 0:50:40special relationship. If the right Honourable member, the Minister for
0:50:40 > 0:50:48the middle east and Minister of Asia visited on the 20th of October.Is
0:50:48 > 0:50:50he satisfied with the level of support we are providing for the
0:50:50 > 0:51:00finger? -- Rohingya?It is a horrifying situation. Bernie is
0:51:00 > 0:51:06citizens that are driven out of their homes, provoked in large part
0:51:06 > 0:51:11by the military. We are providing millions of pounds worth of
0:51:11 > 0:51:16assistance. It makes the UK the single largest bilateral donor. We
0:51:16 > 0:51:20have sent experts to the camps in Bangladesh but there is always more
0:51:20 > 0:51:29to be done.Topical questions. Number one, Mr Speaker. The Foreign
0:51:29 > 0:51:33Secretary. Last week I visited Dublin where I discussed how to
0:51:33 > 0:51:36strengthen the bonds between Arab countries and address Ireland's
0:51:36 > 0:51:45unique circumstances. -- bonds between our countries. I am
0:51:45 > 0:51:50following the situation in Zimbabwe and the goal is to have free and
0:51:50 > 0:51:57fair elections next year. I am concerned by the suffering in Yemen.
0:51:57 > 0:52:02Urging humanitarian emergency supplies get through to the millions
0:52:02 > 0:52:08who depend on them.The United Nations special repertoire on
0:52:08 > 0:52:14expression of human rights reports the regime has undertaken
0:52:14 > 0:52:19harassment, persecution and staff of the BBC Persian service and their
0:52:19 > 0:52:27families, aimed at preventing them doing their jobs. Can the Foreign
0:52:27 > 0:52:32Secretary explain what representations he has made?We have
0:52:32 > 0:52:36made repeated representations to the Iranians about human right concerns
0:52:36 > 0:52:40but I would be happy to take up the issue she raises in person in the
0:52:40 > 0:52:46course of my visit to, or my rejected visit, in the next couple
0:52:46 > 0:52:50of weeks.Thank you, Mr Speaker. With the quality and talks breaking
0:52:50 > 0:52:55down in Germany and the possibility of the need for a second German
0:52:55 > 0:53:05election and given that any new UK trade deal needs unanimous consent
0:53:05 > 0:53:12from all EU governments, is the Foreign Secretary being advised we
0:53:12 > 0:53:16need more time to secure a trade deal?I think it is a thoughtful
0:53:16 > 0:53:21question about what is happening in Germany. I don't, as it happens,
0:53:21 > 0:53:26think the German Government will be any way incapacitated either from
0:53:26 > 0:53:30the gushy Asians in December or from going forward to do a great trade
0:53:30 > 0:53:41deal with the UK. -- either from the negotiations in December.Last
0:53:41 > 0:53:45Wednesday, the Prime Minister was asked a question about the elections
0:53:45 > 0:53:50in Somali land and in response locked about the different country
0:53:50 > 0:53:56of Somalia. Can the Foreign Secretary take her to one side and
0:53:56 > 0:54:05ask her to leave the foreign gas to him? Can he tell us how the Foreign
0:54:05 > 0:54:09Office is working to promote peace and democracy in Somali land in the
0:54:09 > 0:54:18wake of last week's post election violence?Thank you, Mr Speaker.
0:54:18 > 0:54:25Somali land is in fact a rear beacon of peace and stability in the region
0:54:25 > 0:54:32-- Rayer. We would congratulate the extra ordinary steps taken by the
0:54:32 > 0:54:38candidates in those collections to commit to ending FGM and to put the
0:54:38 > 0:54:44framework in place to do that.Thank you, Mr Speaker. In April last year
0:54:44 > 0:54:48had the pleasure to visit Palestine but also the sadness to witness a
0:54:48 > 0:54:55young Palestinian by being trade to throwing stones with no
0:54:55 > 0:55:00representation and it being conducted in Hebrew. With the Prime
0:55:00 > 0:55:09Minister plans to review children in military custody because back -- in
0:55:09 > 0:55:17military custody?I thank her for the question. I raised the issue
0:55:17 > 0:55:21with the Israeli authorities during my visit in August 2017 and
0:55:21 > 0:55:25Ministers and the British ambassador to Tel Aviv have spoken and written
0:55:25 > 0:55:30to the Israeli Justice Minister and the Israeli Attorney General.
0:55:30 > 0:55:37Reports of ill treatment of the Palestinian minors.The Secretary of
0:55:37 > 0:55:42State will be aware that despite the talks last week, the world is not on
0:55:42 > 0:55:48track to limit global warming. What steps is he taking to make sure we
0:55:48 > 0:55:54get back on track?As the whole house knows, the UK has been in the
0:55:54 > 0:56:00lead in championing measures to mitigate climate change and we
0:56:00 > 0:56:04should be proud of the impacts we have had this country to cut our own
0:56:04 > 0:56:09CO2 and working with friends partners around the world to permit
0:56:09 > 0:56:15the Paris accord.
0:56:15 > 0:56:19All the Foreign Secretary agree that there are several important
0:56:19 > 0:56:21preconditions to a successful expression of a global Britain,
0:56:21 > 0:56:25quite apart from the need to have a better funded Foreign Office, will
0:56:25 > 0:56:31be also a great image to be a far more effective coordination and
0:56:31 > 0:56:35expression of Britain's truly formidable soft power? -- will be
0:56:35 > 0:56:41also agree with me that the means to be a farmer effective coordination.
0:56:41 > 0:56:49My right honourable friend raises a fascinating conundrum, how to
0:56:49 > 0:56:54effectively Government could marshal the panoply of UK soft power. I
0:56:54 > 0:56:58never normally disagree in any way with an right honourable friend but
0:56:58 > 0:57:05I think our soft power is so huge and would not necessarily benefit
0:57:05 > 0:57:11from any political attempt to coordinate it. I believe the work of
0:57:11 > 0:57:19the British Council is often unsung and is a huge importance. That is an
0:57:19 > 0:57:22organisation I think all members of the House will want to support the
0:57:22 > 0:57:29properly funded.In April last year, one of my constituents was murdered
0:57:29 > 0:57:35in Trinidad, he was just 22. There has been secrecy amid allegations of
0:57:35 > 0:57:44corruption. The alleged killers has been adjourned several times. Paul
0:57:44 > 0:57:50Pogba Japan are Government except on the Trinidad authorities to enjoy
0:57:50 > 0:57:56this case is heard? -- what can our Government except on Trinidad.Kathy
0:57:56 > 0:58:01Hall of having been a survivor or a relative of somebody that has gone
0:58:01 > 0:58:07through homicide, when that happens abroad and in an unfamiliar context,
0:58:07 > 0:58:11the problems of the justice system. We will continue to monitor this
0:58:11 > 0:58:17case closely and we have specialised unit in the Foreign Office now to do
0:58:17 > 0:58:21with these kinds of cases.I wrote a noble friend will not be aware that
0:58:21 > 0:58:29the former mayor of Caracas floaters House arrest and made it out of
0:58:29 > 0:58:34Venezuela, managing to reach Spain. Any suggestion that Venezuelan
0:58:34 > 0:58:42cottages anything like -- is anything like democracy is
0:58:42 > 0:58:53ridiculous.I totally agree. He is but the latest opposition figure to
0:58:53 > 0:58:58flee from Venezuela. I raised our concerns with the Foreign Minister
0:58:58 > 0:59:04on the 10th of October denied that Venezuela is in crisis. This is a
0:59:04 > 0:59:09moral, this is wrong and it is why our Government has supported EU
0:59:09 > 0:59:14sanctions that have been adopted now.We continue to see report of
0:59:14 > 0:59:21violence and human rights violations in Kashmir. There seems little or no
0:59:21 > 0:59:26progress towards peace and security. What recent discussions have you had
0:59:26 > 0:59:29with the intent of mid-regarding Kashmir and what assessment have you
0:59:29 > 0:59:39made for the resolution of this? -- have you had with the Indian Prime
0:59:39 > 0:59:44Minister regarding Kashmir.This is an issue to be resolved with the
0:59:44 > 0:59:52governments of India and Pakistan. We continued to champion issues
0:59:52 > 1:00:02relating to human rights abuse whenever they occur.Henry Smith.
1:00:02 > 1:00:05Thank you, Mr Speaker. We have lost to thank the Kurdish administration
1:00:05 > 1:00:11for protecting minorities in the fight against Daesh over the recent
1:00:11 > 1:00:19years. -- we have a lot to thank. Can I call the Foreign Secretary to
1:00:19 > 1:00:26stick with his counterparts in Baghdad to the entire the
1:00:26 > 1:00:28intransigence of the Federal Iraqi Government was the aspiration of the
1:00:28 > 1:00:35Kurdish people for independence? -- towards the aspirations of the
1:00:35 > 1:00:39Kurdish people.This has been a difficult chapter for the Kurdish
1:00:39 > 1:00:44region and also Iraq. So far because at present on both sides and a
1:00:44 > 1:00:51desire to reconcile, been no nonphysical conflict on the area of
1:00:51 > 1:00:57the Government. It is essential that we find everything present
1:00:57 > 1:01:01constitutional difficulties to make sure that alongside the concerns of
1:01:01 > 1:01:06the Kurdish people are recognised, within a strengthened and united
1:01:06 > 1:01:10Iraq. The UK will do everything in its power to make sure that we put
1:01:10 > 1:01:17our words to that effect.Who shall we have, yes. I was going to call
1:01:17 > 1:01:25him but he is not standing. Jo Swinson.At the last foreign office
1:01:25 > 1:01:29questions, I was told that the UK could not pinpoint any direct
1:01:29 > 1:01:33Russian cyber attacks on this country. Today he tells us that the
1:01:33 > 1:01:39Prime Minister's comments last week about cyber espionage and disruption
1:01:39 > 1:01:44refer to other countries. Will you tell because what he thinks the UK
1:01:44 > 1:01:47is uniquely immune to Russian interference or is he just
1:01:47 > 1:01:52complacent about the threat?I should be clear that because of the
1:01:52 > 1:01:56sensitivity of the intelligence involved it is impossible for us to
1:01:56 > 1:02:04pinpoint these attacks in public and the Prime Minister in referring to
1:02:04 > 1:02:08middling in elections, was referring to meddling in other countries.If
1:02:08 > 1:02:16he will confine himself to a short sentence, I will call but if not I
1:02:16 > 1:02:20want.There is no hiding that the loss of a British judge on the ICJ
1:02:20 > 1:02:28is a major loss for British diplomacy. What listeners will --
1:02:28 > 1:02:31what lessons will be led to make sure this doesn't happen again?I
1:02:31 > 1:02:34can't quite agree with the construction offering places and
1:02:34 > 1:02:40events but I will repeat my congratulations to the Indian George
1:02:40 > 1:02:44and, as the us will not, it has been a long-standing objective of UK
1:02:44 > 1:02:54foreign policy to support India in the UN. -- to the Indian George
1:02:54 > 1:03:05and,.The military orders for the Bedouin villages will involve the
1:03:05 > 1:03:10forcible transfer of all four 400 people, something described by the
1:03:10 > 1:03:16director of the Israeli human rights organisation, as a war crime. If
1:03:16 > 1:03:21Israel believes that such actions can continue without consequence,
1:03:21 > 1:03:26what reasonable they have to think they can do anything other than
1:03:26 > 1:03:33carry on with these kinds of actions with impunity?Mr Speaker, the
1:03:33 > 1:03:37honourable gentleman's Woods and his concerns are echoed by the UK, as
1:03:37 > 1:03:43has been made repeatedly Lee. Concerns about demolitions and that
1:03:43 > 1:03:50are the things which we believe make a peace settlement more difficult.
1:03:50 > 1:03:55We are in contact with Israel in relation to this. We hope that cover
1:03:55 > 1:04:01an event, given opportunity for Israel to recognise it can have a
1:04:01 > 1:04:07viable two state solution, we will do everything we can to press for
1:04:07 > 1:04:12this as should the Palestinian Government.What representations
1:04:12 > 1:04:18have the minister made to the Government of Pakistan about human
1:04:18 > 1:04:25rights abuses?Thank you, Mr Speaker. This is a region of
1:04:25 > 1:04:35Afghanistan. So so interference in Berkshire and would be a serious
1:04:35 > 1:04:42issue. We are talking about a different region and we will do
1:04:42 > 1:04:46this.My constituent has been imprisoned in Egypt for several
1:04:46 > 1:04:52weeks, having taking tramadol with hotel management boyfriend's back
1:04:52 > 1:04:59pain. She may be tried on Christmas Day. -- having taking tramadol with
1:04:59 > 1:05:04her on holiday to manage her boyfriend's back pain. Will you make
1:05:04 > 1:05:07representations to the Egyptian authorities to make it known that
1:05:07 > 1:05:14this was a naive young woman that has made a bad mistake but not
1:05:14 > 1:05:19committed a crime in her mind?I think the honourable gentleman and
1:05:19 > 1:05:24recognise the work that he is doing on behalf of his constituents. I can
1:05:24 > 1:05:28tell him that we are providing every possible conciliar rate assistance
1:05:28 > 1:05:37to this lady and I have intervened myself to the Egyptian Foreign
1:05:37 > 1:05:41Minister.Does the Foreign Secretary regret the Russian veto of the UN
1:05:41 > 1:05:47thought into the investigation of the use of chemical weapons in
1:05:47 > 1:05:52Syria?I do, it is shameful. Another aspect of Russia's continual
1:05:52 > 1:05:59updating of some of the worst excesses of the Assad regime. This
1:05:59 > 1:06:02is where everything is able to copper nickel to Russia at the end
1:06:02 > 1:06:09of next month. -- this is one of the things that I intent to take up when
1:06:09 > 1:06:14I go to Russia at the end of next month.What assessment has befallen
1:06:14 > 1:06:20office-mate of the current political situation in Cambodia? -- has the
1:06:20 > 1:06:23Foreign Office made of the current political situation.As the House
1:06:23 > 1:06:30will be aware, the opposition leader in Cambodia has been arrested and
1:06:30 > 1:06:35imprisoned. Cambodia continues to be a 1-party state. Increasingly
1:06:35 > 1:06:39brittle crackdowns on the opposition. This is in every of
1:06:39 > 1:06:44extreme concern for the international community. Cambodia
1:06:44 > 1:06:53remains an outlier in the Asian community.Action is needed in
1:06:53 > 1:06:58Rohingya to bring about a composite end to this crisis. Can you update
1:06:58 > 1:07:03us on what discussions you have heard that the US allies or
1:07:03 > 1:07:07attempted take an international -- allies have urged them to take the
1:07:07 > 1:07:16lead?Any pressure on Burma and the Government would be greatly assisted
1:07:16 > 1:07:21by a greater pressure from the US. - Rex Tillerson, actively now
1:07:21 > 1:07:29engaging. Burma is not an error with the US is traditional in the year.
1:07:29 > 1:07:35-- is not a place where the US is traditionally in the lead. I have
1:07:35 > 1:07:38mentioned some of the things we've done at the UN and elsewhere to
1:07:38 > 1:07:42concerted pressure on the premise covered.In his discussions with the
1:07:42 > 1:07:46Government of India, I wonder if the Foreign Secretary could tell us what
1:07:46 > 1:07:49has been set by the human rights record in the state of the print
1:07:49 > 1:07:57job, and relation to one of my constituent that has been in custody
1:07:57 > 1:08:04since the 4th of May member -- the 4th of November without charge and
1:08:04 > 1:08:07possibly there have been charges of torture. And the Secretary of State
1:08:07 > 1:08:14if I speak and the House how he is working with the office of the Prime
1:08:14 > 1:08:22Minister -- to work with my constituent?We have not had a
1:08:22 > 1:08:28meeting with the constituent. We take any allegation of torture
1:08:28 > 1:08:34seriously. -- we have now had a meeting. It