§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on human rights violations in Commonwealth countries; and if he will list those Commonwealth countries in which elections have not been held in the past five years on the basis of universal adult suffrage with a secret ballot and opposition parties being allowed to participate.
§ Mr. WaldegraveWe receive representations about human rights in many countries, including some Commonwealth members. Where Commonwealth countries' practice on human rights give cause for concern, we make representations as necessary. Such representations are sometimes more productive if undertaken without publicity, and it would not always be helpful to disclose full details.
Details of the second part of the question are not readily available. I shall reply to my hon. Friend on this part in due course.