Oral Answers to Questions

Alistair Burt Excerpts
Tuesday 28th October 2014

(9 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Tobias Ellwood Portrait Mr Ellwood
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I certainly will raise the matter with my Algerian counterparts. The hon. Lady has raised an important issue. She will be aware that regulations governing religion in Algeria came into force in May 2007. They are designed to be multi-faith and not to focus on one particular religion. I would be delighted to meet her to discuss the matter in more detail.

Alistair Burt Portrait Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire) (Con)
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The atmosphere in which religious discrimination takes place is affected by other issues in a country, including economic pressures and the like. Does my hon. Friend think that the recent successful elections in Tunisia will ease the atmosphere in respect of persecution across the area more generally? Does he also think that economic development in the area, which is necessary for justice to prevail, is getting a boost from our work in Algeria?