Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gerald Jones and Boris Johnson

Tuesday 9th January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Boris Johnson]

I do agree with my right hon. Friend. Our approach must be extremely circumspect, guarded and tough, but we should also be in the business of encouraging reformers and progressives in Iran who are capable of taking that country forward in a different direction, as Mikhail Gorbachev and others expressed the hopes of many people in their country, in a different way.

[Gerald Jones (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney) (Lab)]

7. What steps he is taking to promote human rights in discussions with his counterparts in other countries.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gerald Jones and Boris Johnson

Tuesday 21st November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Boris Johnson]

We certainly shall. My hon. Friend asks an important question. The answer cannot be repeated too often, and it needs to be heard particularly in the countries that emerged from beneath the shadow of Soviet domination. They need to hear that we are there for the long term, as we are there on the borders of Estonia. We are committed, above all, to NATO, which is the guarantor of peace and stability in our continent. The UK, let the House never forget, is the second biggest contributor to the NATO alliance.

[Gerald Jones (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney) (Lab)]

22. EU funding has enabled an African Union peacekeeping force to play a vital role in helping to stabilise Somalia during its transition to democracy, but we cannot be complacent and it is essential for the Government to maintain some influence on EU policy in Somalia as we prepare to leave the European Union. What reassurances can the Foreign Secretary give us that this important issue will not be forgotten during the Brexit negotiations?

[Boris Johnson]

The hon. Gentleman will recall that, earlier this year, in May, we held the Somalia conference, working with our European friends and partners particularly to make sure that the Somali central Government in Mogadishu collaborate more closely with the federal member states on a new national security architecture for Somalia, so that the fight against al-Shabaab can be prosecuted more successfully. That is the work we are doing with our European friends and partners, and that will continue under any circumstances.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gerald Jones and Boris Johnson

Tuesday 17th October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Boris Johnson]

If I may humbly correct the hon. Lady there has been no loss of EU funding so far. As she will understand, EU funding will continue for some years—let me put it like that. [Interruption.] In the meantime, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development has made it clear that, one way or the other, we will get through the very considerable sums that are needed—whether it is through the Caribbean Community or the Caribbean Development Bank. The assessments of the requirements are only now coming in. We must wait to see exactly what the bill and the requirements are before we start pushing out the money. When we have a full understanding of the requirements, we will ensure that the UK stands behind the plan.

[Gerald Jones (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney) (Lab)]

9. What recent representations he has made to his Myanmar counterpart on the treatment of the Rohingya people.