Wednesday 10th April 2019

(5 years ago)

Westminster Hall
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Thangam Debbonaire Portrait Thangam Debbonaire
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The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. I am also baffled—why do this? I hope the Foreign Secretary will be able to use the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group later this month as a place to talk openly, frankly, but firmly to the Sultan’s representatives and ask that very question.

Stephanie Peacock Portrait Stephanie Peacock (Barnsley East) (Lab)
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I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this important debate. It is outrageous what is going on. Does she agree that the Government should review the deployment of our troops to Brunei?

Thangam Debbonaire Portrait Thangam Debbonaire
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I would certainly like us to use the fact that we have troops in Brunei as a measure of leverage. I understand the strategic position that those troops hold, but it is important that we do not just give troops unconditionally when the nation of Brunei and the Sultan are benefiting from those troops.