§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Singaporean Government in relation to the use of the death penalty in that country. [151329]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised this issue during a meeting with his counterpart in Singapore on 8 January 2003. He stated the United Kingdom's opposition to the use of the death penalty and explained our experience of using long custodial sentences as an alternative. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Director General (Economic) also drew attention to the UK position when he met the Permanent Under Secretary of the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 4 March 2003.