Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alistair Burt and Faisal Rashid

Tuesday 21st November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Alistair Burt]

I do not agree with the conclusion—[Interruption.] No, I do not agree with that UN assessment. It is perfectly clear that weapons and weapons parts have been smuggled into Yemen, and have been used to fire against parties to the coalition. We are quite sure that that is the case. However, the point is not only to give some security to those who do not want to see such missiles pointed at their airports, but at the same time to ensure that the coalition partners realise that the restrictions being put on entry to ports may not assist them in dealing with all the smuggling they are concerned about, but will certainly damage the humanitarian situation and make it worse. That is what we are trying to persuade the coalition partners to relieve.

[Faisal Rashid (Warrington South) (Lab)]

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