Oral Answers to Questions

Alison Thewliss Excerpts

Tuesday 8th September 2020 Commons Chamber

[Paul Holmes (Eastleigh) (Con)]

What recent assessment the Government have made of the political and humanitarian situation in Yemen.

[Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Central) (SNP)]

What recent assessment he has made of the political and humanitarian situation in Yemen.

--- Later in debate ---

[James Cleverly]

I agree with my hon. Friend on that. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary speaks with his international counterparts about the international effort to support Yemen, and I speak with the Yemenis themselves. The best thing that can happen for the people of Yemen is for the conflict to cease, which is why diplomatic pressure is applied to that end.

[Alison Thewliss [V]]

Today, Oxfam campaigners are visiting the new FCDO to hand in a letter on behalf of thousands of people, including my constituents, that calls on the UK Government to stop fuelling the war in Yemen and to reverse the decision to resume arms sales licences to Saudi Arabia. Does the Secretary of State not accept the inherent contradiction between selling arms with one part of the FCDO and providing aid with the other? Does he also accept that what Yemen needs is an urgent and immediate ceasefire, rather than an escalation of this five-year-old conflict?

[James Cleverly]

The UK has an internationally respected and robust arms trade licensing regime. We have a close working relationship with the allies that are involved in the conflict in Yemen, to minimise civilian casualties and collateral damage. It is completely legitimate for all countries around the world to defend themselves against external aggression, and we are proud of the work we are doing to help the people of Yemen through this difficult time.