Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Ranil Jayawardena and Boris Johnson

Tuesday 15th May 2018 Commons Chamber

[Boris Johnson]

I am proud to say that I have had repeated conversations with the Government of Pakistan about the UK contribution to the challenge that they face. As I am sure that the hon. Gentleman knows, 66% of adult women in Pakistan are illiterate. Through the Department for International Development, the UK is trying to tackle that issue, and I think that 6 million girls in the Punjab have been educated thanks to the UK’s generosity.

[Mr Ranil Jayawardena (North East Hampshire) (Con)]

3. What steps his Department is taking to strengthen UK diplomatic relations with Commonwealth countries.

[Andrea Jenkyns (Morley and Outwood) (Con)]

22. What steps his Department is taking to strengthen bilateral relations with Commonwealth countries.

[The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Boris Johnson)]

During the recent Heads of Government meeting at the Commonwealth summit, we announced the opening of nine new missions, to great acclaim throughout the Commonwealth. They include six high commissions in Lesotho, Swaziland, the Bahamas, Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu. As I have told the House before, we are expanding the UK diplomatic network to become the biggest in Europe.

[Mr Jayawardena]

I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s comments. It was great to see so many Heads of Government attending CHOGM last month. Does he agree with Her Majesty that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations under the worthy leadership of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales?

[Boris Johnson]

My hon. Friend asks an extremely good question, though he sets a very high bar in asking me in any way to disagree with Her Majesty the Queen, which I will not do because I think that the Prince of Wales will serve admirably as the next head of the Commonwealth.