Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of relations between the UK and Qatar; and if he will make a statement.

The UK continues to be deeply concerned by the tensions in the Gulf. The continuation of the dispute threatens the long-term security, stability and economies of States in the region and is in no-one's interests. The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, other Ministers and I are engaging with all our partners in the Gulf to encourage de-escalation and to get firmly behind Kuwait’s mediation efforts. For the Gulf’s stability and security it is crucial that Gulf Cooperation Council unity is restored. All sides need to maintain a dialogue and find a resolution that everyone can support to restore Gulf Cooperation Council unity. The Foreign Secretary is in regular contact with his counterparts on next steps.