Algeria

Lord Risby Excerpts

Thursday 27th March 2014 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Risby]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to deepen their bilateral relationship with Algeria.

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con)]

My Lords, the UK is committed to a strong and enduring partnership with Algeria, which is a key regional partner playing an important role in supporting regional stability. Building on a visit by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister in January 2013—and, indeed, the appointment of my noble friend as trade envoy—the UK plans to continue the high level of engagement that has characterised the relationship in recent years. The UK-Algeria high-level dialogue in January this year saw further progress on a range of issues, including security, trade, migration and education. The third meeting of the strategic security partnership will take place later this year.

[Lord Risby (Con)]

My Lords, given the enormous interest and desire to learn English in Algeria, whether in schools, universities or the government sector and in the private sector as well, can my noble friend indicate how we are helping to fulfil this widespread ambition and opportunity? Further, given the growing commercial links, can my noble friend comment on whether a double taxation agreement, moving this forward, is now taking place because it is a great advantage to some of our European partners who already have such an arrangement?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

I take this opportunity, if I may, to pay tribute to my noble friend’s work as a trade envoy. His work has facilitated some major contracts for British companies, including most recently the International Hospitals Group and Surrey Satellite Technology. Turning to his specific questions, of course, English is a powerful tool in our trade across the world and I am delighted to state that the British Council is upgrading its services. It is reopening a teaching college in September, supporting English in schools. Also there is agreement for 100 Algerian PhD students to take up places at UK universities. On the issue of the double taxation agreement, some noble Lords may know that these negotiations have started, are continuing and, indeed, we have exchanged draft texts on the agreement.