Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Leslie Excerpts

Tuesday 17th October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Duncan]

It is the rule of law that needs to govern the decision affecting the future of Catalonia. We fully defend the rule of law and actively assert that this can take place only within the proper workings of the Spanish constitution.

[Mr Chris Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op)]

13. If he will encourage his counterpart in Malaysia to welcome Commonwealth observers at the forthcoming general election in that country.

[The Minister for Asia and the Pacific (Mark Field)]

We encourage all countries, including Malaysia, to conduct open and transparent election processes. Naturally that should include external observation missions, which I believe—and I am sure the hon. Gentleman believes—are important to achieving a legitimate democratic outcome.

[Mr Leslie]

I welcome the Minister’s statement. Election observers can help to check that electoral registration in constituencies and districts, campaign finance and polling day are all above board. Will the Minister do what he can to help our friends in Malaysia show the entire world that these elections can be free and fair?

[Mark Field]

I very much hope so. As the hon. Gentleman points out, Malaysia is an important partner for the United Kingdom, with co-operation across a range of areas, including security, prosperity, education, foreign policy and Islamic finance. He will be glad to know that I have a routine meeting—tomorrow morning, no less—at the Foreign Office with the high commissioner to Malaysia, and I will ensure that his heartfelt views are put forward.