Written question asked by Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 10 January 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 January 2012. It was answered by Jeremy Browne (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 17 January 2012 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Burma: Political Prisoners

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he raised the issue of the release of prisoners during his recent visit to Burma.

Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), to the House on 16 January 2012, Official Report, columns 28-29WS.During his recent visit to Burma the Secretary of State met the President, Foreign Minister and Speaker of the Lower House and set out very clearly that the release of all political prisoners was one of the central conditions which we would expect the Burmese Government to fulfil before a more fundamental shift in our relationship could take place.He also discussed the issue of political prisoners with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.We are all pleased to hear that a significant number of political prisoners in Burma were released last week, including 88 Generation and ethnic leaders. I warmly welcome these releases as a further demonstration of the Burmese Government's commitment to reform. I hope that this positive step will contribute to greater democratic participation in the upcoming parliamentary by-elections.

Secondary information