§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends to make any representations to the Government of Turkey concerning the initiation of political dialogue with the Kurds of north-west Turkey; what recent reports he has received about the treatment of Kurds in Turkey; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs discussed human rights issues with the Turkish Foreign Minister716W during his visit to Turkey in April. We welcome Prime Minister Demirel's recognition of a Kurdish identity and his Government's intention to make human rights improvements a top priority. We look forward to the early implementation of the Government's programme of democratic and human rights reform.