Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of UK relations with Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

The UK is committed to maintaining a constructive dialogue with the Government of Zimbabwe which will enable us to pursue shared interests, support Zimbabwe's most vulnerable people, and deepen our strong people-to-people links and raise issues relating to human rights and corruption. We would like to see the Government of Zimbabwe meet its international and domestic obligations by respecting the rule of law, safeguarding human rights, and delivering political and economic reform for the benefit of all Zimbabweans. I [Andrew Mitchell] recently made a statement on 31 August highlighting the UK's issues surrounding Zimbabwe's Elections.