§ 11. Mr. Desmond Swayne (New Forest, West)If he will make a statement about UK relations with Dubai. [54295]
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Derek Fatchett)Our relations with Dubai are good. As an indicator of that, our trade statistics with Dubai show that in 1997, United Kingdom exports were worth more than £900 million.
§ Mr. SwayneThe trade with Dubai affords tremendous opportunities for British business based on our expertise, experience and the competitiveness of our tenders. Does the Minister agree that our relations with Dubai stand to be damaged by the continued detention of George Atkinson? What representations will the Minister make to the Government of Dubai consequent on the decision by the United Nations working group on arbitrary detention to describe Mr. Atkinson's detention as "arbitrary"?
§ Mr. FatchettI welcome the first part of the hon. Gentleman's comments, particularly his reference to the competitiveness of British exports in the middle east. It is good to hear him talking in those terms, unlike many of his colleagues, and I welcome his comments.
We continue to make representations on Mr. Atkinson's behalf. The hon. Gentleman has been vigilant in his support for his constituent. We shall continue to liaise with him, with Mr. Atkinson's family and with the authorities in Dubai, and we shall take up the points that have been made about Mr. Atkinson's detention.