Desmond Swayne debates involving the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office during the 2019-2024 Parliament

Mon 24th Feb 2020

Syria: Security Situation

Desmond Swayne Excerpts
Monday 24th February 2020

(4 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

James Cleverly Portrait James Cleverly
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The Government will continue to work with international partners to seek a consensus, to address the actions of the Assad regime and to put in place a politically sustainable future for the people of Syria. I have no doubt that we will continue to do so at the UN level and others.

Desmond Swayne Portrait Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)
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Come off it—we wield no influence that will restrain either Russia or the regime, do we?

James Cleverly Portrait James Cleverly
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My right hon. Friend’s question is characteristically pithy. I happen to disagree. We still have significant influence on the international stage and we will use it to ensure that this conflict is brought to an end as quickly as possible.

Oral Answers to Questions

Desmond Swayne Excerpts
Tuesday 4th February 2020

(4 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Dominic Raab Portrait Dominic Raab
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I am happy to correct the record as to which Attenborough I meant. We are lucky to have had so many fantastic Attenboroughs in this country. I also repeat that we are ambitious for COP26.

Of course, I will look carefully at the case the hon. Member raises. In all these consular cases, we want to provide the most effective representation to secure people’s release and to provide the reassurance they need and comfort to the family.

Desmond Swayne Portrait Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)
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What proposals has the Minister for the Wilton Park conference on Nigeria later this month as regards reducing the persecution of Christians in that country?

Andrew Stephenson Portrait Andrew Stephenson
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As my right hon. Friend knows, we take freedom of religion and belief extremely seriously, and the Prime Minister’s envoy, my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham and Rainham (Rehman Chishti), is working closely with me on the plans for that conference.