Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the (a) political and (b) security situation in Iraq.

The UK wants to see a stable, peaceful and prosperous Iraq. In partnership with the Iraqi Government, we aim to counter threats and foster stability and development, while promoting UK interests and values. We are encouraged by this period of relative security stability in the country and will continue to work with Iraq and other regional partners to ensure this continues. With the transition of the Global Coalition Against Daesh's military mission, Operation Inherent Resolve, set for September this year, the UK is working at pace to implement new defence and security agreements with the Government of Iraq.

Elections are due to take place in Iraq in November this year. We continue to monitor the election build-up and look forward to a free and fair election.