Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the government of Bahrain about the treatment of the democracy movement in that country; and if he will make a statement.

I discussed the importance of political reform with the Bahraini authorities during my visit to Bahrain in June for the UK-Bahrain Joint Working Group. We continue to believe that the only way to promote peace and stability in Bahrain and address the legitimate aspirations of all Bahrainis is through dialogue leading to an inclusive political settlement.