Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alistair Carmichael and David Lidington

Tuesday 23rd February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Lidington]

I very much agree with what my hon. Friend says. In all our dealings with the Belarusian Government, we do make clear the need for them not only to move to international and European standards on capital punishment, but to take action to improve what remains a dismal human rights record in that country.

[Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD)]

Further to the Minister’s answer to the question from the right hon. Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart), is he aware of the concerns of Reprieve that drugs manufactured by UK company Hikma Pharmaceuticals were exported last year to the state of Arkansas for use in lethal injections? Hikma has told me in correspondence that it does not export for this purpose but that

“any sales to these entities usually occur through the use of distributors”.

This seems such an obvious loophole, so why is nobody closing it?

[Mr Lidington]

I am happy to look into the case that the right hon. Gentleman describes and to write to him in due course.