Oral Answers to Questions Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateAlison Thewliss
Main Page: Alison Thewliss (Scottish National Party - Glasgow Central)Department Debates - View all Alison Thewliss's debates with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
(8 years, 7 months ago)
Commons Chamber The Minister for Europe and the Americas (Sir Alan Duncan)
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            The Minister for Europe and the Americas (Sir Alan Duncan) 
        
    
        
    
        We continue to have important regard for the Council of Europe and we will continue to work closely with it. We consider it an important forum for the co-operation of the countries that attend such meetings.
 Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Central) (SNP)
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Central) (SNP) 
        
    
        
    
        UK firms have been granted 194 licences and made some £3.3 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia during the two years of war in Yemen, completely eclipsing the UK Government’s aid efforts. Can the Foreign Secretary really claim that the licensing regime is legally and morally legitimate? Will he put more efforts into peace than into war?
 Boris Johnson
    
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Boris Johnson 
        
    
        
    
        We have the strongest and most rigorous criteria— there must be a clear risk of a serious violation of international humanitarian law—of any country in the world. That remains the position.