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Business of the House

I had not realised that quite so much time had elapsed since I last granted the hon. Gentleman’s request for a debate on Africa. This is a matter that the Government take enormously seriously. As we speak, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development is in Abuja to do precisely what the hon. Gentleman seeks—to ensure that the British Government show their determination to support the African Union in achieving a peace settlement in Sudan. This Government use their energy, their authority and their influence to bring about such achievements. There is no doubt that we take these issues enormously seriously, and we will go on doing so. I will look into whether it will be possible to have a debate on the matter in due course.