Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Turkish counterpart on the effect on non-Muslims of the rapid incorporation of Islam into that country's education system.

Religious education is compulsory in Turkey's education curriculum and generally amounts to around two hours a week. Christian and Jewish children can apply for exemption from these classes. We have discussed freedom of religion issues with the Turkish authorities and are in dialogue with minority religious communities in Turkey.