§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on relations with the Philippines following the recent elections;
(2) what arrangements Her Majesty's Government have made to obtain information about the conduct of the recent election in the Philippines; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonWe attach importance to our relations with the Philippines, as a member of the Association of South-East Asian Nations and a country of considerable strategic importance. Together with our European Community partners, we expressed the hope that the election would be held in accordance with the law and the constitution. The situation is still very confused, but we are concerned at the widespread allegations of electoral fraud.