G8

Baroness Primarolo Excerpts

Wednesday 19th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) (Lab)]

Now that the Prime Minister has had some time to reflect on his earlier remarks about the Labour party and the Assad regime, will he consider withdrawing his remarks and apologising? Everyone in this House is united in being opposed to the Assad regime and the brutal killings of thousands of people, but we have genuine questions about his stance on arming the Syrian rebels. The first question is—

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo)]

Order. Just one question.

[Rushanara Ali]

Sorry. Can the Prime Minister give a guarantee that humanitarian access will not get worse, and can he explain—

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

Order.

[The Prime Minister]

As I have said many times, we have made no decision to arm the rebels. The point I was making was simply that, whenever we talk about these issues, we should put out there, front and centre, how much we abhor this form of dictatorship, brutalisation and use of chemical weapons. It cannot be said often enough and it needs to be said by everybody, all the time. That is the point I was making and I certainly will not withdraw it.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the need for us to win this global race and to back our exports. At the beginning of Prime Minister’s Question Time, I announced that Ian Livingston, who has run BT so effectively, would join the Government as Trade Minister at the end of the year. Having first secured the services of Stephen Green, who led HSBC, one of the world’s strongest and best banks, we have now secured those of someone who has run a successful business here in the UK, but who also has a presence in about 78 markets overseas. I think that is great for Britain and great for our exports, and I am sure that it will be widely welcomed by Members in all parts of the House.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo)]

I thank the Prime Minister very much. Some 70 Back Benchers took part in questions on that important statement.