§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights situation in Turkey. [17785]
§ Mr. David DavisOur concerns about human rights form a major part of our dialogue with Turkey, both bilaterally and with our EU partners. The Turkish Government have undertaken to make a number of reforms in this area. We look forward to seeing these put into effect.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the total number of people who applied for visas at each British post in Turkey; and how many(a) were accepted, (b) were rejected and (c) resulted in re-application in each of the last 24 months. [18307]
978W
§ Mr. BaldryIn 1993 and 1994—the last two years for which full figures are available—the total number of applications made at entry clearance issuing posts in Turkey was:
1993 1994 Ankara 4,840 3,371 Istanbul 47,390 39,257 Total 52,230 42,628 Of these a total of 47,971 were issued and 2,744 were refused in 1993; and 38,130 were issued and 2,881 were refused in 1994.
Records are not kept of the numbers of applicants who reapply.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held at the United Nations involving Britain concerning the Turkish military action in Iraq. [18308]
§ Mr. David DavisNone.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what direct representations have been made to the Government of Turkey concerning the invasion of the Kurdish areas of Iraq; and what response he received. [18418]
§ Mr. David DavisWe have made a number of representations to the Government of Turkey, both bilaterally and together with our EU partners. The Turkish Government have stated that the operation will be of limited duration and their forces withdrawn immediately Turkish objectives have been met.