uk not happy with local probe

8/13/2019 UK Not Happy With Local Probe

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UK not happy with local probe

November 19, 2013

British PrimeMinister David Cameron saysinvestigations carried out by the Sri Lankan

government on human rights related issues are notfully independent as most of them have beenmilitary-led inquiries!e told the British !ouse of Commons Britain"ants to see a proper# independent inquiry intothe incident "hich allegedly took place during the

"ar$n a briefing to the !ouse of Commons on his recent visit to Sri Lanka for the Common"ealthsummit# Cameron said that the Sri Lankan issue is no" an established part of Britain%s foreignpolicy "hich is to raise at every international forum the importance of a strong# united#prosperous and reconciled futurefor Sri Lanka!e said that at his meeting "ith President &a'apaksa in Sri Lanka he "as told that thegovernment needs time and that there "as no room for an international investigation(But $ made it clear to President &a'apaksa that he no" has a real opportunity# throughmagnanimity and reform# to build a successful# inclusive and prosperous future for his country#"orking in partnership "ith the ne"ly elected Chief Minister of the )orthern Province $ verymuch hope that he sei*es that opportunity#+ the British Premier saidCameron said that had he stayed a"ay from attending the Colombo summit President&a'apaksa "ould have been able to (set the agenda he "anted+
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($ chose to go and stand up for our values and to do all $ could to advance them $ believe thatthat "as the right decision for Sri Lanka# for the Common"ealth and for Britain#+ hesaid (Colombo Gazette)U!! "#$%'

&he rime ini*ter (r "avi+ Cameron)'

Let me turn to the Common"ealth# and then to the issues in Sri Lanka itself ,he

Common"ealth is a unique organisation representing . countries# a third of the "orld%spopulation and a fifth of the global economy $t is united by history# by relationships and by thevalues of the ne" Common"ealth charter "hich "e agreed t"o years ago in Perth Britain is aleading member !er Ma'esty the /ueen is the head of the Common"ealth and !is &oyal!ighness the Prince of 0ales did our country proud actingon her behalf and attending last"eek1s "ith all the international organisations to "hich "e belong# the Common"ealth allo"s us tochampion the values and economic gro"th that are so vital to our national interest 1t thissummit "e reached important conclusions on poverty# human rights and trade2n poverty# this "as the last Common"ealth meeting before the millennium development goals

e3pire 0e "anted our Common"ealth partners to unite behind the ambitious programme setby the 4) high-level panel "hich $ co-chaired "ith the Presidents of $ndonesia and Liberia5or the first time this programme prioritises not 'ust aid# but the vital place of anti-corruptionefforts# open institutions# access to 'ustice# the rule of la" and good governance in tacklingpoverty2n human rights# the Common"ealth reiterated its support for the core values set out in theCommon"ealth charter Common"ealth leaders condemned in the strongest terms the use ofse3ual violence in conflict6an issue that has been championed globally by the Secretary ofState for 5oreign and Common"ealth 1ffairs# my right hon 5riend the Member for &ichmond78orks9 7Mr !ague9 0e also called for an end to early and forced marriage# and for greaterfreedom of religion and belief 0e committed to taking urgent and decisive action against theillegal "ildlife trade ahead of the conference in London ne3t year 1nd Britain successfullyresisted an attempt to usher :imbab"e back into the Common"ealth "ithout first addressingthe deep concerns that remain about human rights and political freedoms,he 5oreign Secretary and $ also used the meeting to build the case for more open trade and fordeveloping our links "ith the fastest gro"ing parts of the "orld ,he Common"ealth backed adeal at ne3t month%s 0orld ,rade 2rganisation meeting in Bali that could cut bureaucracy atborders and generate ;


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to be heard by an international audience$ met the ne" provincial Chief Minister from the ,amil )ational 1lliance# "ho "as elected in avote that happened only because of the spotlight of the Common"ealth meeting $ took our'ournalists to meet the incredibly brave ,amil 'ournalists at the 4thayan ne"spaper in Faffna#many of "hom have seen their colleagues killed and "ho have themselves been beaten andintimidated $ met and heard from displaced people desperately "anting to return to their homes

and their livelihoods 1nd as part of our support for reconciliation efforts across the country# $announced an additional ?< million to support de-mining "ork in parts of the north# includingthe locations of some of the most chilling scenes from Channel @%s ()o 5ire :one+documentary0hen $ met President &a'apaksa# $ pressed for credible# transparent and independentinvestigations into alleged "ar crimes# and $ made it clear to him that if those investigations"ere not begun properly byMarch# $ "ould use our position on the 4nited )ations !uman&ights Council to "ork "ith the 4) !uman &ights Commissioner and call for an internationalinquiry )o one "ants to return to the days of the ,amil ,igers and the disgusting and brutalthings that they did 0e should also sho" proper respect for the fact that Sri Lanka suffered

almost three decades of bloody civil conflict and that recovery and reconciliation take time But$ made it clear to President &a'apaksa that he no" has a real opportunity# through magnanimityand reform# to build a successful# inclusive and prosperous future for his country# "orking inpartnership "ith the ne"ly elected Chief Minister of the )orthern Province $ very much hopethat he sei*es that opportunitySri Lanka has suffered an appalling civil "ar6and then of course suffered all over again fromthe ==@ tsunamiG but it is an e3traordinary and beautiful country "ith enormous potential1chieving that potential is all about reconciliation $t is about bringing 'ustice# closure andhealing to the country# "hich no" has the chance# if it takes it# of a much brighter future ,hat"ill happen only by dealing "ith these issues and not ignoring them

$ had a choice at this summitH to stay a"ay and allo" President &a'apaksa to set the agenda he"anted# or to go and shape the agenda by advancing our interests "ith our Common"ealthpartners and shining a spotlight on the international concerns about Sri Lanka $ chose to go andstand up for our values and to do all $ could to advance them $ believe that that "as the rightdecision for Sri Lanka# for the Common"ealth and for Britain $ commend this statement to the!ouse#+war+ iliban+ ("onca*ter North) (!ab)'

$ thank the Prime Minister for his statement Let me start by saying that all our thoughts are"ith the people of the Philippines as they struggle to deal "ith the devastation of ,yphoon!aiyan ,hirteen million people have been affected by the typhoon# over @ million of themchildrenG nearly . million have lost their homes and# as the Prime Minister said# thousands arebelieved to have lost their lives# including a number of British citi*ens ,he pictures "e haveseen are of terrible devastation 1s so often happens "hen disaster strikes any"here in the"orld# the British people have reacted by reaching deep into their pocketsH so far# ?. millionhas been donated by the British public through the Disasters >mergency Committee$ also "ant to thank our forces on !MS Daring and !MS $llustrious for the "ork they aredoing to help "ith disaster relief# and to commend the leadership of the Prime Minister and the$nternational Development Secretary in providing ?= million in aid 0e need to see the samefrom other countries# as the 4) appeal has only a quarter of the funds it needs ,herefore# may


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$ ask the Prime Minister "hat actions the overnment are taking to encourage other countriesto commit and free up resources as quickly as possible to the Philippines# so that this 4) aidtarget is metI Serious damage sustained to airports# seaports and roads continues to presentma'or logistical challenges for the emergency response# so may $ ask the Prime Minister "hatsteps are being taken to ensure that humanitarian relief is reaching those in very remote andisolated areas "ho have been "orst affected by the typhoonI

2n the Common"ealth !eads of overnment meeting6C!2M6"e "elcome thecommuniquJ%s conclusions on global threats and challenges# on programmes promotingCommon"ealth collaboration and# of course# on development 1t its best# the Common"ealthsummit gathers together . countries seeking to promote common values# includingdemocracy# accountability# the rule of la" and human rights $ believe that this !ouse is unitedin our abhorrence of terrorism and in recognising that "hat happened in Sri Lanka# particularlyto"ards the end of the conflict in ==# "hen tens of thousands of innocent civilians "eremurdered# totally fails the test of those values$t "as for that reason that# at the == Common"ealth summit# the last Labour overnmentblocked the plan for Sri Lanka to host the summit in =


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Singh right to believe that the attendance of !eads of overnment at C!2M "ould notachieve any improvement or prospects for improvement in human rights "ithin Sri LankaI$ndeed# the summit communiquJ failed even to reference the issue of human rights in SriLanka,he legacy of human rights abuses in Sri Lanka is in contradiction to the good traditions of theCommon"ealth 0e believe "e cannot let the matter rest Britain must do "hat it can to ensure

that the truth emerges about the crimes that "ere committed# so that there can be 'ustice forthose "ho have suffered so much 0hen the overnment act to make that happen# "e "illsupport them&he rime ini*ter'

$ am grateful to the right hon entleman for "hat he said about the response on thePhilippines $ agree "ith himH other countries need to do more# and "e "ill continue to "ork"ith them# through both the Department for $nternational Development and the 5oreign 2ffice#to make sure everyone lives up to their responsibilities !e asked specifically ho" "e "illensure that relief gets through ,hat is "hy !MS $llustrious# "ith seven helicopters# 'oining the1merican carrier there can make a difference6because of the lift capacity

$ am also grateful to the right hon entleman for his response on Sri Lanka and theCommon"ealth# but it is "orth recalling that# had "e listened to his advice# "e "ould not behaving this statement no" in the !ouse and discussing this issue iven that Labour agreed tothis conference taking place in Sri Lanka# criticising my attendance breaks ne" records foropportunism and double-speak Let me respond very directly $n ==# some time after the endof "ar# the last overnment agreed that the conference should take place in =


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attended 4nlike other Prime Ministers# he had a constitutional obligation to be present toprovide support and# if necessary# advice for the Prince of 0ales "ho "as representing !erMa'esty the /ueen $s not the rightness of the Prime Minister%s decision demonstratedeloquently by the quality and volume of the coverage he "as able to achieveI 2f course# thetest "ill be the e3tent to "hich there is a proper follo"-through $n that respect# "ill my righthon 5riend assure us that everything "ill be done to try to achieve unanimity of purpose at the

4nited )ations for an inquiry of the kind he has outlinedI

,he Prime MinisterH$ am very grateful for "hat my right hon and learned 5riend says about theimportance of attending ,his point about media organisations is important# because they havebeen unable to travel freely in the north of the country By taking respected organisations suchas the BBC# $,N# Sky and Channel @ directly to the areas affected in Faffna# they "ere ableliterally to shine a spotlight on the things that have happened !e is entirely right to say that"hat matters no" is follo"-through# but "hat is important is that this is no" an established partof Britain%s foreign policy6to raise at every international forum# in every "ay "e can# theimportance of a strong# united# prosperous and reconciled future for Sri Lanka# and that is

e3actly "hat "e "ill do

%nn Clwy+ (Cynon .alley) (!ab)'

,he report from the Select Committee on 5oreign 1ffairs on the 5C2%s human rights "orkstatedH(0e recommend that the Prime Minister should obtain assurances from the Sri Lankanovernment that people "ho approach him to talk about human rights "hile he is in Sri Lankato attend the C!2M do not face reprisals or harassment by security forces+0as he able toobtain those assurances from the Sri Lankan overnment# or notI

&he rime ini*ter'

$ made very clear to all the authorities $ spoke to ho" important it "as to be able to visit thenorth of the country# to meet refugees and displaced people and to raise their cases ,hat "ase3actly "hat $ "as able to do "ith the President ,he "orld "ill no" be "atching "hathappens to those people# and $ "as given assurances that people "ere being re-housed andgiven ne" livelihoods 0e "ill "atch very carefully to see "hat happens to the people $ met

r /enry $ellinham (North e*t Nor-ol) (Con)'

$ congratulate the Prime Minister on going to Faffna and raising those difficult questions "ith

President&a'apaksa Does the Prime Minister agree "ith me that as Sri Lanka "ill be in thechair of the Common"ealth running up to the Mauritius C!2M# it is incredibly importantthat it focus relentlessly on the agenda he encapsulated of good governance# the rule of la"#free trade and "ealth creationI

&he rime ini*ter'

,hat is absolutely the agenda "e should be addressing and pushing for $ "ould make the pointthat the role of the Common"ealth chair can be overstated# as it is the secretary-general "ho


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sets the agenda for the Common"ealth 1gain# ho"ever# the Common"ealth is a consensusorganisation 2nce the previous overnment had signed up to C!2M%s being in Sri Lanka#the natural consequence "as that Sri Lanka "ould be the de facto chair for t"o years ,hatflo"s from a Labour overnment%s decision# not our decision

r ac traw ($lacb4rn) (!ab)'

May $ press the Prime Minister on the question from my right hon 5riend the Member forCynon Nalley 71nn Cl"yd9I She asked him "hether undertakings "ere given that there "ouldbe no harassment of those he met and had dealings "ith in the north &e-housing is one thing#and it is important# but $ "ould be very grateful if he e3panded on that

&he rime ini*ter'

,he point $ "as trying to make "as that although undertakings that those people should not beharmed "ere vital# their cases should also be taken up by the Sri Lankan overnment ,heresponse of the Sri Lankan overnment to such issues is not to say that such people do note3ist or that there is nothing that can be done ,hey are saying# (Please give us time 0e aredealing "ith this+ $t is right for the international community to press them on these issues 8es#there "ere many more internally displaced people four years ago# but there are still too manytoday and they need to be properly looked after

r !ee cott (5l-or+ North) (Con)'

Does my right hon 5riend agree that the real issue at stake is the appro3imately @=#=== "omen#children and men6innocent people6"ho "ere slaughtered at the end of the conflict# and thatthe robust approach he sho"ed on the visit to Sri Lanka and C!2M should be carried

through# as their memories deserve 'ustice as "ell as the "ork that he has doneI $ have hadmany e-mails over the past fe" days thanking the Prime Minister for his robust approach# "hilealso asking him to ensure that "e take things for"ard in March if President &a'apaksa does nottake his stance

&he rime ini*ter'

$ am grateful to my hon 5riend for his comments $ challenge almost anyone in the !ouse to"atch even part of the Channel @ documentary about the events at the end of the "ar6"henthere "ere appalling levels of casualties among civilians in the north of the country "ho "ere#

it seems# targeted6and not to believe that there should be a proper independent inquiry 2fcourse# dreadful things happened throughout the "ar and it is for the Sri Lankan overnment todecide ho" they should be investigated $t is clear# ho"ever# that those particular events at theend of the "ar need an independent inquiry so that the issue can be properly settled

eremy Corbyn (5*linton North) (!ab)'

0ill the Prime Minister e3plain ho" e3actly he proposes to follo" up his demand for aninquiryI 0hat monitoring and reporting "ill there be# and "hat action "ill the Common"ealth


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take if and "hen Sri Lanka does not follo" up on the assurances he "as apparently givenIMany people are dead# and many people are very angry about the abuses of human rights bythe Sri Lankan overnment

&he rime ini*ter'

$ am grateful to the hon entleman for "hat he says ,he key thing is that the 4) highcommissioner for human rights# )avi Pillay# has made the point that there should be anindependent inquiry and has set the deadline for "hen it should at least begin $f it is not begun#there needs to be# as she has said# an international independent inquiry 0e are saying that "esupport that vie" and "ill put behind it Britain%s international diplomatic standing in all theorganisations of "hich "e are a member# including# of course# the 4nited )ations

ir %lan /a*elh4r*t (a--ron al+en) (Con)'

Does my right hon 5riend accept that the fierce reaction in the overnment-influenced press inSri Lanka throughout his visit ensured that human rights in that country "as the stand-outissueI 0ould he agree that in future C!2Ms# a stronger presence on the part ofCommon"ealth parliamentarians "ould help the "hole matter of the promotion of humanrightsI

&he rime ini*ter'

$ certainly agree "ith my right hon 5riend that links bet"een Common"ealth parliamentariansare very helpful for raising these issues !is first point is absolutely spot-onH because of visitingthe north and raising these issues# human rights# and questions about land reform#reconciliation# and investigations# "ere top of mind for the press# the media# and everyone in

Sri Lanka in a "ay that they simply "ould not have been

ie Gape* (5l-or+ o4th) (!ab6Co7op)'

,he Prime Minister says that the overnment "ill press the issue in March ne3t year at the4nited )ations !uman &ights Council $n the light of that council%s "oeful record6at onepoint# it actually praised the overnment of Sri Lanka for their internal policies6ho"confident can he be# given the authoritarian states and friends of &a'apaksa "ho are on thecouncil# that "e "ill get any"here on this in the 4)I

&he rime ini*ter'

$ think this is going to be very hard pounding for a very long period of time# but "hat the SriLankan overnment need to understand# and $ think understand more today than perhaps theydid a "eek ago# is that the issue is not going to go a"ay# and if they do not hold an independentinquiry# the pressure for an international inquiry "ill gro" and gro" 4sing the 4) humanrights machinery is the right "ay to do that

ir &ony $al+ry ($anb4ry) (Con)'


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,he 4) Special Court for Sierra Leone has been sitting in ,he !ague for some time no" $tdemonstrates that there is plenty of precedent sho"ing that if the 4nited )ations SecurityCouncil has the "ill# it is perfectly possible to devise mechanisms for independent 'udicialinquiries into crimes against humanity by 4) member states

&he rime ini*ter'

My hon 5riend brings considerable e3pertise and e3perience to this area $ "ould argue that theCommon"ealth# like the 4nited )ations# is of course an imperfect organisation# but even "iththe Common"ealth# it is possible to point to e3amples "here it has stood up for human rightsand for democracy6perhaps particularly recently in the case of 5i'i 0e have to use theseorganisations to get the results that are right# in terms of human rights and these sorts of issues

r Niel "o++* ($el-a*t North) ("U)'

$ thank the Prime Minister for "hat the overnment are doing on the Philippines disaster# andpay tribute to the many communities up and do"n the land "ho are contributing massively tothe public appeal# not least in my constituency# "here there is a community sit-out on theShankill road to raise fundsG $ pay tribute to those involved2n the Common"ealth summit#may $ press the Prime Minister on the issue of combating povertyI 0ill he tell us in more detail"hat has been done to combat corruption and promote good governanceI

&he rime ini*ter'

5irst of all# let me 'oin the right hon entleman in praising all those "ho are raising money forthe Philippines Disasters >mergency Committee appeal $ think it is incredibly striking# in all

our communities# ho" many people come straight out on to the streets and are rattling thosetins and raising that moneyG at the "eekend in my constituency# $ sa" rotary clubs doingprecisely that2n the issue of tackling poverty and the link bet"een corruption and poverty# inthe report from the high-level panel# "hich $ co-chaired# if "e look at the


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$ am responsible for many things# but holding up the $raq inquiry is not one of themConservative Members and# indeed# my right hon and hon 5riends on the Liberal DemocratBenches called for an inquiry# "e voted for an inquiry and "e "orked for an inquiry year afteryear before one "as finally set up $ very much hope that its conclusions "ill shortly beavailable for all to see

Nichola* oame* (i+ 4**e8) (Con)'

Does my right hon 5riend agree that the Common"ealth is in many "ays uniquely placed totake advantage of the global "orld in "hich "e all liveI 0ill he say a little more about theopportunities for commercial development bet"een Common"ealth countries# particularly thiscountry and the Common"ealthI

&he rime ini*ter'

My right hon 5riend makes a very important point ,he Common"ealth brings quite differentand disparate countries together6some of the largest on earth# such as $ndia# but also some ofthe smallest and most fragile island states in the "orld $t is a forum in "hich "e can discussissues# share values and perspectives# but also# yes# talk about business and trade# "hich is "hythere is a business angle to the events in "hich "e took part 0e should use all those forums topush for our agenda of free trade and trade facilitation# and there is an important meetingcoming up in Bali very soon

Keith .az (!eice*ter #a*t) (!ab)'

$ "elcome the Prime Minister%s third visit to $ndia# and his first to Calcutta $n Faffna# he sa"

the devastation and grief inflicted on the ,amil people by President &a'apaksa $s he a"are that"e continue to deport ,amil people from this country to Sri Lanka# "here they are torturedI0ill he speak to the !ome Secretary about updating the advice given on the !ome 2ffice"ebsite so that "e can protect those people# "ho are genuinely seeking asylum in our countryI

&he rime ini*ter'

,he asylum system should "ork on the basis of the best and latest information about "hethersomeone genuinely faces a risk of torture and persecution if they return 2f course# $ shone alight on some of the human rights abuses that are taking place# but it is also right to point out

that in Sri Lanka today "arfare# civil "ar# terrorism and violence of that kind are not takingplace# so "e should be clear and "elcome that $ thank the right hon entleman for "hat hesaid about my third visit to $ndia and my first to Calcutta ,his is part of building the specialrelationship that $ believe should e3ist bet"een Britain and $ndia# and "hich spans diplomacy#politics# trade and other international relations

r tephen :$rien (#++i*b4ry) (Con)'

$ congratulate the Prime Minister on the high impact that he and the British overnment have


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had in relation to the Philippines ,hat includes not 'ust the 5oreign and Common"ealth 2fficeand the Department for $nternational Development but the e3tension resourced through thearmed forces# "hich is most "elcome $n relation to C!2M# the Sri Lankan Presidentproposes a truth and reconciliation process# but that is not adequate to meet the concerns andan3ieties about alleged "ar crimes 0e therefore need to follo" the process proposed by thePrime Minister# ho"ever good the truth and reconciliation processes have been in South 1frica

and Mali

&he rime ini*ter'y

right hon 5riend makes an important point $ accept that the Sri Lankan overnment have setup some processes# including the ones to "hich he referred# but too many of them have beenmilitary-ledinquiries6basically# private inquiries into events at the end of the "ar6rather thana proper# independent inquiry# "hich is "hat needs to be held

r #l-yn !lwy+ ("wy-or eirionny++) (C)'

$ have to confess that $ thought it un"ise to go to Sri Lanka# but having heard the PrimeMinister%s statement and "hat he no" plans to do $ am changing my mind6not a bad thing#possibly 1s someone "ho has raised the ,amil question many times in the past = years or so#may $ urge him and the 5oreign Secretary to give due priority to the issue to ensure that at anearly stage "e "ill have a 'ust peace and reconciliation on this "orried islandI

&he rime ini*ter'

$ thank the right hon entleman for his kind and very generous remarks# and for the "ay in"hich he put them $ completely agree !aving made this visit# having taking this importantstand and having given the issue the attention it deserves# "e must no" make sure that "e

follo" through# but "e should do so on a basis of huge optimism about the potential future ofthe country $f proper efforts at reconciliation are made# there is no reason "hy that country#"hich is no" essentially at peace and is not suffering "arfare and terrorism# cannot be animmense success story in the future

imon /4he* ($ermon+*ey an+ l+ o4thwar) (!")'

1s somebody "ho "as very uncomfortable about the meeting happening in Sri Lanka in thefirst place and very troubled by our participation endorsing President &a'apaksa# may $# too#commend the Prime Minister for being e3tremely robust and effective on the "ar crimes issue#

and encourage him do"n that roadI 0as he able to ask any questions about disappeared peopleand about assassinations# and is there a chance that the Common"ealth# under its ne3tSecretary-eneral# "ill stand up for human rights better than it has been doingI

&he rime ini*ter'

$ thank my right hon 5riend for his very kind remarks and for "hat he said about myattendance at the summit $ did raise the issue of the disappeared# and at the refugee centre inthe displaced persons village $ met some people "ho told me about relatives "ho had


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disappeared ,he Minister of State# 5oreign and Common"ealth 2ffice# my right hon 5riendthe Member for >ast Devon 7Mr S"ire9# held a meeting "ith families of the disappeared# so theissue "as raised at every level in our engagement "ith the Sri Lankan authorities 0e mustcontinue to raise these issues in the months and years ahead ,here is much to commend in theCommon"ealth# but it is an imperfect organisation 1t its best it does stand up for values that"e all share and believe in# and the more it does so the better an organisation it "ill be

iobhain c"onah (itcham an+ or+en) (!ab)'

$n ans"er to a question# the Prime Minister suggested that he had made a tough and bravedecision to go to C!2M May $ tell him through you# Mr Speaker# that the tough and bravedecision "as that of those family members of the disappeared "ho "ere "illing to approachhimI ,hey are no" at serious risk for their lives# the lives of their families and the future ofrelatives they have not seen for years 0hat are the overnment going to do# and principally"hat is the British high commission in Colombo going to do# to ensure the safety of thosefamiliesI

&he rime ini*ter'

$ agree entirely "ith the hon Lady ,he bravery that "as sho"n "as by the displaced people"ho "ere prepared to meet me and to speak out about their concerns Bravery "as sho"n byall those "ho have lost relatives and "ho do not kno" "here they are 1lso# it "as incredible tomeet 'ournalists "ho have stood up for freedom of the press and risked assassination# tortureand persecution $n the offices of the 4thayan ne"spaper are pictures around the "alls of'ournalists "ho died reporting facts and truth in Sri Lanka 0e should do everything "e can#including through the high commission# to make sure that nobody "ho spoke out or met mesuffers in any "ay at all $t is no" very public "ho $ met and "here $ "ent# and our

engagement "ith the Sri Lankan overnment could not be clearer about the importance notonly of their safety# but of making sure that they are properly housed and have access to alivelihood as part of reconciliation

ar ritchar+ (&he rein) (Con)'

1t this time of national crisis for the Philippines# "ill the Prime Minister 'oin me in calling onthe splinter groups of the M)L5 and M$L5 in the southern Philippines to lay do"n their armsin order that the Philippines army can help the needy throughout the "hole of the country#rather than take up arms against rebel groupsI

&he rime ini*ter'

My hon 5riend makes an important point about the Philippines ,he over"helming priorityno" must be getting aid to people "ho need it and trying to put that country back togetheragain

"r #ili+h hite-or+ ($an-- an+ $4chan) (N)'


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$n the "ake of the disaster in the Philippines# our leading aid agencies have said that theincreased frequency and intensity of e3treme "eather events should act as a "ake-up call forthe international community to do a lot more on climate change Does the Prime Ministeragree# and "hat does he intend to doI

&he rime ini*ter'

$ do agree that climate change presents huge dangers for our planet ,here is a strong case forsaying that there are connections bet"een unusual "eather events and the climate change thatis taking place ,hat is "hy it is important to keep the issue high up the international agenda 1tthe Common"ealth conference $ "as able to raise the fact of the international climate fund# to"hich Britain has made a significant contribution# and ho" it should be helping these countries,he Common"ealth is a good place to make the point because many members are veryvulnerable small island states for "hom climate change is literally an e3istential challenge

arot ame* (to4rbri+e) (Con)'

Manufacturers in the black country "ill be reassured to hear that the Prime Minister and the5oreignSecretary used the Common"ealth meeting to promote our trading links "ith thefastest gro"ing parts of the "orld 0ill my right hon 5riend update the !ouse on the prospectsfor more open trade "ith $ndia follo"ing his very successful meeting "ith Mr ,ataI

&he rime ini*ter'

$ thank my hon 5riend for that question 0e continue to push "ith $ndia the case for a freetrade agreement 0ith $ndia being effectively in an election year# $ am not sure that "e "illmake huge progress no"# but "e continue to make the arguments and demonstrate the figures

for ho" beneficial it "ould be for both our countries# and for the >4# to have this agreement goahead

an+ra *borne (%yr, Carric an+ C4mnoc) (!ab)'

0hat progress can the Prime Minister point to in relation to human rights in theCommon"ealthI $s he# for e3ample# a"are of the e3cellent report of the Kaleidoscope ,rust#chaired by the hon Member for &eigate 7Mr Blunt9# on the state of lesbian# gay# bise3ual andtransgender people%s rights in the Common"ealthI 1n incredible @< countries still criminalisesame se3 activity by adults $s not that a disgraceI

&he rime ini*ter'

0e have a very clear vie" that there should be proper rights for lesbian# gay# bise3ual andtransgender people# and "e do raise these issues# including at the Common"ealth meeting# asthe Minister of State and the 5oreign Secretary did ,he report that the hon Lady mentions isan e3cellent report $t is still depressing that so many countries persecute gay people# but therehas in some countries been some progress in terms of greater rights and# as "e have done inthis country# celebrating gay marriage


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Geo--rey Cli-ton7$rown (&he Cot*wol+*) (Con)'

Despite the fact that . countries signed up to the communiquJ to uphold the Common"ealth%score values# does my right hon 5riend not think that the Common"ealth has a long "ay to goto uphold those core values# particularly if some countries thought that :imbab"e could creep

back inI

&he rime ini*ter'

$ completely agree "ith "hat my hon 5riend says 1t its best# the Common"ealth comestogether and signs up to important declarations# such as the Perth declaration on human rights#but sadly# at its "orst# those values are not al"ays stood up for in every case 0e can point tothe good places# such as 5i'i# e3cluded from the Common"ealth# given a path back to theCommon"ealth if the right things happen# but "e can all point to e3amples "here these valueshave not been properly upheld But it is an organisation that "e should be proud to belong toand "ant to make it deliver to its best

r at ca++en (olverhampton o4th #a*t) (!ab)'

iven "hat happened at the end of the "ar in Sri Lanka and "hat has happened since# "hydoes the Prime Minister think that the Sri Lankan overnment can be trusted to set up a properindependent inquiryI 0hy is it not right for us to press no" for "hat he said he might press forin March# "hich is an international inquiry in "hich the "orld can have trustI

&he rime ini*ter'

Fust to be clear# $ have not said "e might support itG $ have said "e "ill support it 0hat isrequired is an independent inquiry# and if there is not a proper independent inquiry# "e "ill6"ill# not might6push for an independent international inquiry in March ,hat is the rightapproach ,he Sri Lankan overnment need to be put to the test ,he "ar is over ,he terrorismis finished ,hey have this incredible opportunity $t is no good the shado" 5oreign Secretary'ust sitting there !e "as the first one "ho said there "as no point goingG there "as nothing totalk aboutG nothing Britain could do $t is the sort of stick-your-head-in-the-sand approach todiplomacy that does absolutely no good for this country or for human rights

"r 4lian !ewi* (New ore*t #a*t) (Con)'

Does the Prime Minister agree that the e3cellent "ork of the &oyal )avy in the Philippinescrisis "ell illustrates its unique capability not only to pro'ect po"er but to provide assistancearound the "orld# and "ill not that capability be massively increased "hen "e have t"o fleetcarriers providing that sort of potential for the futureI

&he rime ini*ter'

My hon 5riend is entirely right that our &oyal )avy does have these multiple purposes 2ne of


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the strengths of !MS $llustrious is that it has the ability to desalinate "ater# and it also carriesseven helicopters# and the t"o ne" carriers "ill be even more capable of such a role in thefuture

r $arry heerman (/4++er*-iel+) (!ab6Co7op)'

,he Prime Minister looks a little like someone sticking their head in the sand "hen it comes tothe environment 1ll the "orld%s scientists are looking at "hat is happening to our planet%sclimate# but $ read all the ne"s reports of the conference and sa" nothing on the environment#and there "as nothing on the environment in his statement today lobal "arming is going todestroy our planet 0hy did he not take a lead on that at the conferenceI

&he rime ini*ter'

$t is obviously quite difficult to take a lead at a conference if one does not attend# "hich ofcourse is "hat Members on the hon entleman%s 5ront Bench "ere suggesting $n mycontribution $ talked about the importance of integrating our goals on climate change into ourgeneral approach to tackling poverty $ made the point that# "ith so many small island statesthat are so vulnerable in the Common"ealth# this is an e3istential issue for them and "e shouldsupport them# including through the international climate fund# "hich is e3actly "hat "e aredoing

"r atthew --or+ (/en+on) (Con)'

5or some time no" many overnment Members have been privately pressing the Sri Lankanovernment to undertake an independent inquiry in order to allay the fears of our constituents#including my constituent# Mr Fana Mahalingam# "ho regularly corresponds "ith me on the

issue Does the Prime Minister agree that although peace has come through the ending ofviolence# the battle is no" for reconciliation# "hich could be achieved through an independentinquiryI

&he rime ini*ter'

$ completely agree "ith my hon 5riend 1n independent inquiry is essential# but "e should beclear that reconciliation is so much more than that ,here "ere issues put to me about restoringland topeople "ho have been moved from their homes# about the army needing to play areduced role in the north of the country# and about real change being needed "ith regard torespecting the elected chief Minister in the north of the country ,hat is both frustrating and yetquite e3citingH the country is# at one level# at peace# because there is no more "ar or terrorism#so the overnment can afford to be generous and magnanimous# and that is e3actly "hat theyshould do

/ei+i %le8an+er (!ewi*ham #a*t) (!ab)'

5urther to the question from the Chair of the !ome 1ffairs Committee# my right hon 5riendthe Member for Leicester >ast 7Keith Na*9# does the Prime Minister accept that over the past


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fe" years the British overnment have forcibly returned ,amil asylum seekers to Sri Lanka#only for them to be bundled into "hite vans at Colombo airport and sub'ected to horrifictortureI $s he proud of his asylum policiesI

&he rime ini*ter'

2ur asylum polices should be based on the latest information and on proper 'udgments about"hether people are likely to be tortured or persecuted on their return ,hat is not a decision thatis made by Prime Ministers# or even by Ministers# but it is right that those decisions areproperly taken account of in each case# and that is the "ay it should happen

;ichar+ $enyon (Newb4ry) (Con)'

Many people "ill be really pleased to see something in the communiquJ about the illegal tradein "ildlife ,he Prime Minister and his fello" Common"ealth leaders have grasped that that isabout not only the tragic loss of iconic species# but the funding of organisations such as al-Shabaab and the Lord%s &esistance 1rmy 0hat can he and his Common"ealth colleagues dono" to try to influence the demand for those items of trade# "hich is fuelling the high pricesthat poachers can get in 1frican countries# for e3ampleI

&he rime ini*ter'

My hon 5riend makes an important point ,here needs to be a process of education to try toreduce demand for those products# because that# of course# is "hat drives the trade in the firstplace $ am e3cited that ne3t year "e "ill be having that very important conference in the4nited Kingdom# bringing all the e3perts together# "hen "e can really give as big a boost aspossible

Kevin $rennan (Car+i-- e*t) (!ab)'$s it the Prime Minister%s position that the overnments ofCanada# $ndia and Mauritius# by deciding not to attend the summit# e3ercised a seriousmis'udgement and are sticking their heads in the sandI

&he rime ini*ter'

My point is simply thisH this country has a unique relationship "ith the Common"ealth and it"ould therefore have been completely "rong# opportunistic and irresponsible not to go $ thinkthat has been demonstrated amply this afternoon

r "avi+ N4ttall ($4ry North) (Con)'

$ thank the Prime Minister for his statement# "hich $ "armly "elcome $ think that he "asabsolutely right to go to Sri Lanka and demonstrate this country%s commitment to theCommon"ealth Does he agree that one concrete "ay of demonstrating our continuedcommitment to the Common"ealth "ould be to establish dedicated channels of entry at 4Kairports for Common"ealth citi*ens# on the grounds that if it is good enough for the >uropean4nion it is good enough for the Common"ealthI


17/25

&he rime ini*ter'

$ hear "hat my hon 5riend says# but $ think that my right hon 5riend the !ome Secretarymight have a fe" things to say about ne"# simpler routes for people to come to this country0hat "e have tried to do is improve our visa system 5or instance# in $ndia "e have introduced

a one-day visa system 2f course# "e should look at all countries on the basis of ho" "e canhave an improved visa system and encourage people "ho genuinely "ant to come here to visit#but "e should also ensure that there are not abuses# and $ am afraid that "e have to apply thoserules to Common"ealth countries as "ell

Chri* $ryant (;hon++a) (!ab)',he "ar may be over# as the Prime Minister says# but there arestill many Sri Lankans here in this country# particularly ,amils# "ho are seeking asylum and arebeing given first decisions that are so dubious that they have been overturned at appeal 0illthe Prime Minister# "ith the ne" information that he has personally gained# look again at the"ay "e treat people "ho are seeking asylum from Sri Lanka in this countryI

&he rime ini*ter'

1s $ have said# our "ork should be based on the latest evidence $t is not the case that everysingle ,amil "ho comes here or to another country "ould be persecuted on their return 0e"ould be making a great mistake if "e took a blanket vie" like thatG it should be done on theevidence

Crai hittaer (Cal+er .alley) (Con)'

Like other colleagues# $ thank my right hon 5riend for the tremendous effort that the Secretary

of State for D5$D and her Department are undertaking in relation to the truly shockinghumanitarian disaster in the Philippines ,his is of course Britain sho"ing# as al"ays# "here "emorally belong and should be $ kno" that it is very early days# but can the Prime Ministerupdate us on "hether any longer-term help has been requested or# indeed# offered for "hen theinitial crisis is overI

&he rime ini*ter'

0e are "orking on the issue of longer-term assistance ,he real need no" is to help "ith thedisaster in its recovery phase ,hat is "hy the heavy-lift equipment# the planes# the helicoptersand the "ork of the &15 are so vital ,hat is "hat needs to be done no"# and then "e needlonger-term planning about the needs of the Philippines and ho" "e can help

ohn Cryer (!eyton an+ an*tea+) (!ab)'

$s the Prime Minister a"are of any lobbying activities undertaken by the Sri Lankanovernment "ithin 0estminster# either directly or through third-party lobbying companiesI

&he rime ini*ter'


18/25

$ am frequently lobbied by the high commissioner for Sri Lanka "ho is here in the 4K# andobviously he "ants to put the best gloss on everything that is happening in his country# but oneof the most important things is going to see some of these things for yourself rather than simplyreading about them

r "avi+ $4rrowe* (#n-iel+, o4thate) (Con)'

Some hon Members may recall David Miliband# the chief e3ecutive of the $nternational&escue Committee# saying "hen 5oreign Secretary that the Sri Lankan overnment haveengaged in a "ar "ithout "itness Can the Prime Minister assure me that follo"ing his visit SriLankans can all benefit from a peace "ith "itnessesI

&he rime ini*ter'

My hon 5riend is entirely right 0hat is required is peace and reconciliation and proper rightsfor everyone "ho lives in Sri Lanka 1s $ said# the fact that the "orld is going to be "atchingho" this reconciliation takes place is very important

Nic mith ($laena4 Gwent) (!ab)'

iven the defiant tone of President &a'apaksa after the summit# does the Prime Minister reallybelieve that progress on human rights by March ne3t year is possibleI

&he rime ini*ter'

,hat decision rests "ith the Sri Lankan overnment $ do not think it is fair to say that they

have done nothing in response to the need for action or# indeed# international pressure 1s $said# the fact that an election has taken place in the northern province and a ne" chief ministerhas been elected "ho is part of the ,amil )ational 1lliance is a very positive step for"ard 0e"ill not get any"here if "e do not point to the positive things that are happening as "ell asbeing very tough and firm about "here further action is needed

r %n+rew !ove (#+monton) (!ab6Co7op)'

0hile recognising the good intentions of the Prime Minister in going to the north of Sri Lanka#that action has failed to drag any concessions out of President &a'apaksa or to convince hisCommon"ealth colleagues to sign a communiquJ criticising human rights in Sri Lanka 0hat

confidence does the Prime Minister have that in five months% time or so action can be taken onits chairmanship of the Common"ealth and on setting up a 4nited )ations investigationI

,he Prime MinisterH1s $ said# the decision "ill rest "ith the Sri Lankan President# but $ do notthink that anyone can be in any doubt that they are under more pressure today than they "ere a"eek ago# or a month ago# because of the international attention that has been shone on theseissues6they kno" that the "orld "ill be "atching 2ne only has to "atch President&a'apaksa%s press conference# "hich "as dominated by questions about human rights and


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inquiries into "hat happened at the end of the "ar# to see that there is pressure today that there"as not a "eek ago

Michael >llis 7)orthampton )orth9 7Con9HDoes the Prime Minister kno" that he "as describedrecently in the 1ustralian press as a(defender of democratic ideals and confident internationalstatesman+I$s it not the case that he "as right to go to Sri Lanka because of the constitutional

obligation of supporting the head of the Common"ealth and her representative the Prince of0ales# and because the concomitant publicity# both in the 4K and around the "orld# hashighlighted the issue front and centreI

,he Prime MinisterH$ am grateful to my hon 5riend $t "as right to take that stand and attend#and to stand up for the Common"ealth 1bove all# it "as an important meeting of a multilateralorganisation in "hich "e play an important part $ have been called quite a lot of things inrecent days# but let me put it this "ayH those vie"s are not al"ays necessarily shared "idely inthe Cameron household!u" $rranca-Davies 72gmore9 7Lab9H,he Prime Minister has made much of the spotlight his

visit has shone on human rights abuses in Sri Lanka 0hat do "e make of the fact that not only"as there no communiquJ# but that in the final statement there "as no mention of those humanrights abuses# let alone an inquiry into themI

,he Prime MinisterH1s the hon entleman "ill kno"# one of the strengths of theCommon"ealth# but also the source of some of its trouble# is that it is an organisation based onconsensus $f someone disagrees "ith a potential conclusion it is effectively struck out $t "asnot# therefore# possible to have everything in the communiquJ that "e "anted $s there#ho"ever# pressure on the Sri Lankan overnment to act# to reconcile and to sort these problemsoutI 1s $ said# there is more pressure today than there has been for a "hile

&ory Ste"art 7Penrith and ,he Border9 7Con9H$ congratulate my right hon 5riend the Secretaryof State for $nternational Development on the "ork in the Philippines $ encourage theovernment to make a clearer commitment over five years to ensure that the assistance in thePhilippines does not cease "hen the headlines cease

,he Prime MinisterHMy hon 5riend makes the important point that "e must be helpful in thelong term $ do not think it is possible no" to predict e3actly "hat the needs and priorities "illbe6"e are still in the recovery phase6but proper "ork should be done to see "hat "e can doto help 0ith our =Q of gross national income aid commitment# Britain is in the forefront ofdoing the right thing internationally $ am sure "e can bring some of that to bear in thePhilippines

Mr Peter Bone 70ellingborough9 7Con9H,he British people# seeing the television pictures fromSri Lanka of the Prime Minister smashing Muralitharan for si3# "ill think that the PrimeMinister is auditioning for a role in the >ngland 1shes team 1fter"ards# Muralitharan said thatthe situation in the north "as improving 0ould the Prime Minister like to comment on thatI

,he Prime MinisterH5irst# $ did not hit Muralitharan for si3 Secondly# $ think he "as being


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quite gentle "ith me $ certainly could not read "hich "ay the ball "as going to go and $ "asfairly lucky to hit it at all !e made a good point that a huge amount of progress has been madein terms of peace# stability and economic prosperity !is organisation is bringing together,amils# Sinhalese and others to help forge the country together !e is doing ama*ing "ork and"e should back that "ork !e also thought $ "as right to attend and to raise these issues 0hathe "ants# as a proud Sri Lankan# is to ensure that a fair picture is painted of his country# and he

is right to say that

Duncan !ames 7Chippenham9 7LD9H,he Prime Minister clearly succeeded in raising concernsabout human rights in Sri Lanka 1t the Common"ealth summit# did he or his officials get thechance to raise# "ith the overnment of Bangladesh# our overnment%s "ish for them toaddress concerns about the $nternational Crimes ,ribunal in Bangladesh# the upholding of fairtrial standards and the use of thedeath penalty for those convictedI

,he Prime MinisterHMy right hon 5riend the 5oreign Secretary raised those specific issues"ith the 5oreign Minister of Bangladesh 0e have a good engagement "ith that country# and

no issues are off limits

Dr Phillip Lee 7Bracknell9 7Con9H,he typhoon in the Philippines is 'ust the latest naturaldisaster to afflict the globe $n the light of such dreadful events# is the Prime Minister interestedin hearing more about my idea for the overnment to build a mobile army surgical hospitalcapability that Britain could deploy s"iftly into the field ,he deployment of naval forces#although very "elcome# can take days# but a M1S! unit can be deployed "ithin @ hours ofhis decision

,he Prime MinisterH$ "ould be interested to hear about that idea 1s my hon 5riend kno"s# "e

have emergency capabilities that can be sent out of the country very rapidly# but there is al"aysroom to see "hether "e can improve such an issue# either at a British level or by doing things"ith partners

1ndre" Fones 7!arrogate and Knaresborough9 7Con9H1mnesty $nternational has "elcomed thePrime Minister%s call for(genuine freedom of e3pression andan end to the intimidation of'ournalists+Does my right hon 5riend think that it "ould have been as easy to speak up for thefreedom of the Sri Lankan press had he stayed in LondonI

,he Prime MinisterH$ am grateful to my hon 5riend for "hat he says Being able to take'ournalists to the north of the country# particularly to the 4thayan ne"spaper# so many of "hose'ournalists have been in'ured or killed in the course of their "ork# "as a very po"erful "ay ofdra"ing attention to the importance of a free press and of freedom from intimidation

)eil Carmichael 7Stroud9 7Con9H$ "armly "elcome the Prime Minister%s statement# not leastbecause it rams home the importance of Britain%s involvement in the international community2n trade# does he agree that the "elcome ne"s about the 1irbus order# "orth ?@ billion# ise3cellent for the south-"est and for Stroud# "hich supplies parts of the aircraftI


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,he Prime MinisterH$t is very good ne"s that both >tihad 1ir"ays and >mirates airline haveeffectively ordered = aircraft each 2f course# the "ings are made in 0ales# the landing gear inBristol and# indeed# many of the engines "ill be made by &olls-&oyce in Derby $t is reallygood ne"s ,his is the high-end# high-skilled 'obs that "e need# and it has very much beenbacked by the overnment# because "e have put a lot of money into the 1erospace ,echnology$nstitute and the 1erospace ro"th Partnership that "e are building "ith the industry

Fames Duddridge 7&ochford and Southend >ast9 7Con9H,he Department for $nternationalDevelopment%s "ork in the Philippines has been innovative# successful and very popular !asmy right hon 5riend considered supporting disaster resilience programmes similar to the onementioned by my hon 5riend the Member for Bracknell 7Dr Lee9 more broadly# and looking atresilience planning for potential disasters# rather than simply "aiting for disasters to happenI

,he Prime MinisterHMy hon 5riend makes an important point 0e are looking specifically at"hether "e can do even better in the rapid response element $ remember# particularly from"hat happened in !aiti# that British firefighters and e3perts can play a vital 'ob in rescuing

people in the early stages of a disaster# but only if they get there quickly ,here is al"ays roomto try to do better# and $ kno" that my right hon 5riend the Secretary of State for $nternationalDevelopment "ill listen to those suggestionsMr &obin 0alker 70orcester9 7Con9H,he Common"ealth can be a po"erful force for good inthe "orld# as demonstrated by the centrality of human rights and shared prosperity to itscharter# but does the Prime Minister agree that it is only as good as the commitment of itsmembersI $ congratulate him on sho"ing a real commitment to both the Common"ealth andhuman rights# rather than taking the easy political option of running a"ay

,he Prime MinisterH1ny institution "orks only as "ell as the political "ill of its members 0e

can sometimes obsess too much about the precise make-up of the institution# but "e need tolook at the political "ill that goes into defending the values to "hich "e have signed up

!arriett Bald"in 70est 0orcestershire9 7Con9H,he Prime Minister rightly highlighted thee3tensive "ork done by the 5oreign Secretary to end the abhorrent practice of se3ual violencein conflict iven the evidence of that having occurred in Sri Lanka# "hat can our overnmentdo to assist the victimsI

,he Prime MinisterH,he first thing "e must do is to continue the 5oreign Secretary%s e3cellent"ork to drive the issue to the top of the international agenda Some really important steps inrelation to commitments from other countries and through the 4) have no" been made ,hespecific allegations are one reason "hy the independent inquiry that "e have talked about thisafternoon is so important

&ehman Chishti 7illingham and &ainham9 7Con9H0ith personal e3perience of being affectedby a natural disaster6$ lost .= relatives# as "ell as my grandfather# in the Kashmir earthquakein ==6may $ thank the then Secretary of State for $nternational Development and the currentSecretary of State for the "ork done by the 4K and the public then and no" to help rescuepeople and save livesI $ urge the overnment to provide long-term support and assistance to


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hard-to-reach rural areas "hose "hole livelihoods have been thro"n a"ay Such people needour help# as $ kno" from e3perience 0ill the Prime Minister make them a top priorityI

,he Prime MinisterH$ am grateful to my hon 5riend for "hat he has said !e speaks movinglyabout ho" his family "ere affected by the situation in Kashmir ,he key thing is to consider"hat long-term help and development assistance "e can provide for rebuilding and to look at

resilience against future natural disasters ,hat is something for "hich the international climatefund can be used

Fulian Smith 7Skipton and &ipon9 7Con9HDoes the Prime Minister agree that the Leader of the2pposition%s cynical approach to his e3cellent trip to Sri Lanka contrasts starkly "ith theincredible6Mr SpeakerH2rder $ have tried to be generous 0e have heard the point ,he Prime Ministerhas made his point of vie" very clear 0e do not need to rehearse the position of the Leader ofthe 2pposition ,he hon entleman needs to be a bit more delphic and perhaps a little lessclumsy

Mr ,obias >ll"ood 7Bournemouth >ast9 7Con9HMay $ "elcome the statement and the taskingsof !MS Daring and !MS $llustrious# "hich are 'oining the 4SS eorge 0ashingtonI ,hissituation underlines "hy "e need both ne" aircraft carriers and to ensure that one is al"aysavailable Does the Prime Minister agree that the ne" aircraft carriers and the ne" ,ype Asmust have the ability to assist in upstream engagement# stabilisation and humanitarian tasks# as"ell as having the high-end "ar-fighting capabilitiesI,he Prime MinisterHMy hon 5riend is right to raise the importance of the aircraft carriers andthe capabilities that they "ill bring $n particular# they "ill be used as a platform forhelicopters# for desalination and for command and control ,hey "ill bring a huge amount ofcapability to tasks like this one

Mr Philip !ollobone 7Kettering9 7Con9Hiven the generous response of the reat British publicto the disaster in the Philippines# it is clear that this is international aid that everyone cansupport 1ll of usapplaud the efforts of our servicemen and "omen and British charity "orkerson the ground iven that "e meet our target of =Q of gross national income# that "e are oneof the most generous charitable donors of international aid in the "orld and that the defencebudget is one of the tightest in 0hitehall# ho" is our military spending on such occasions offsetagainst our international aid targetI

,he Prime MinisterH$ think that "e have the right balance 1s a country# "e spend almost ?.billion on our defence budget $t is the fourth largest defence budget in the "orld and it still "illbe at the end of this Parliament 4nder this overnment# there is much better co-ordinationbet"een international development and defence ,hat is "hy "e have the conflict pool# "hichbrings 0hitehall Ministers and money together to "ork out ho" the money can best be spentSometimes that involves using our defence assets to help countries that are in need

Stephen Mosley 7City of Chester9 7Con9H$f you "ill bear "ith me for a second# Mr Speaker# $"as disappointed that the Leader of the 2pposition did not "elcome the ?@ billion order that1irbus gained over the "eekend 0ill my right hon 5riend 'oin me in "elcoming the deal andin congratulating the "orkers of Broughton# "ho manufacture the "ingsI $t is their e3pertise


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and skills that make 1irbus such a "orld-beater

,he Prime MinisterH,hat "as e3traordinarily skilfully done My hon 5riend is right to stand upfor the "orkers in Broughton# "hom $ have visited several times ,hey have incredible skillsand produce incredible technology 0e should be proud of our contribution to 1irbus%sinternational success and must do everything "e can to back it ,hat is "hy $ "ent to the Dubai

air sho"# "here far more British companies "ere holding stands and putting for"ard their"ares 0e should be full-hearted in supporting such industries

Bob Ste"art 7Beckenham9 7Con9HDid the Prime Minister detect any signs# even small ones#from the Sri Lankan overnment that crimes against humanity might have been carried out bytheir security forces "hen operating in the north of the islandI

,he Prime MinisterH$ obviously discussed that issue "ith President &a'apaksa# as "ell as theneed for an independent inquiry ,he Sri Lankan overnment%s current position is that they donot believe such an inquiry to be necessary and that they have their o"n processes and

procedures !o"ever# it is fair to say that they recognise that questions are being askedinternationally and that they "ill have to provide some ans"ers ,he ans"er is that "e mustkeep up the pressure

&obert !alfon 7!arlo"9 7Con9HMany people in our country "ill be proud of our overnmentfor standing up against mass murder and genocide in Syria and Sri Lanka ,he ,amils "ill becomforted by the Prime Minister%s strong visit to the north of Sri Lanka 0ill he continue toensure that the Sri Lankan regime is held accountableI $f there is evidence that any member ofthe Sri Lankan regime has committed "ar crimes# "hether from a Sri Lankan inquiry or a4nited )ations inquiry# "ill he look at bringing them to the $nternational Criminal Court for

'usticeI

&he rime ini*ter'

2f course# that remains an option# but the most important thing is to get the independentinquiry under "ay $ "ould urge colleagues "ho have not seen some of the evidence in therecent Channel @ documentary to look at that# because one really can see the need for rapidans"ers to the allegations made

r 4lian $razier (Canterb4ry) (Con)'

$ congratulate my right hon 5riends the Secretaries of State for $nternational Development andfor Defence for a model e3ample of a 'oined-up government response to the horrors in thePhilippines Did my right hon 5riend the Prime Minister have time# in the margins of theconference# to discuss "ith President !ussain the dialogue that he has managed6singlehandedly more or less6to get going bet"een himself and President Kar*ai over the vitalfuture of 1fghanistanI

&he rime ini*ter'


24/25

$ thank my hon 5riend for "hat he says about the 'oined-up nature of government bet"een theMinistry of Defence# the 5oreign 2ffice and the Department for $nternational Development,hat 'oined-up government is no" "orking "ell# through the )ational Security Council andthings such as the conflict pool# "hich brings money together for states# particularly thosefacing instability 0e have massively increased the amount of money going into that pool$ "asfortunate to sit ne3t to the Pakistani Prime Minister during one of the sessions and so had a

good conversation about the progress "e "ere making "ith the trilateral approach and thebetter relations bet"een Pakistan and 1fghanistan Both countries recognise their mutualinterests in peace and prosperity as democratic states living side by side

"avi+ ;4tley (accle*-iel+) (Con)'

$ "elcome today%s statement and the leadership the Prime Minister is sho"ing in thePhilippines# as "ell as the comments from my hon 5riend the Member for Stafford 7FeremyLefroy9 0ill the Prime Minister 'oin us in highlighting the important "ork that 5ilipinocommunity groups# such as MaccPinoy in Macclesfield# are doing across the country in raising

the important funds# clothing and food required by families and friends back in the PhilippinesI

&he rime ini*ter'

$t is important to recognise that there "ill be many people from the Philippines here in the 4Kdesperately "orried about their relatives back home 0e should be "ith them at this time andpraising their efforts to raise money and resources for the disaster recovery appeal

"r &h


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$t is notable that 1mnesty $nternational and !uman &ights 0atch# "hich might have had somedoubts about my attending# have made it clear that "e put for"ard human rights in a "ay thatBritain can be very proud of

uk not happy with local probe

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