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Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative). It was answered on Tuesday, 28 February 2012 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.


Somalia

Question
There is growing concern among British Somalis that the sense of isolation experienced by those who chew the drug khat is being exploited by al-Shabaab to recruit in the UK. Now that the UK is completely out of step with Europe, as the only country not to have banned khat, will the Foreign Secretary raise the matter with the Home Secretary as a matter of urgency?
Answer

Khat is certainly quite popular among many Somali people. Indeed, the only other bit of air activity I saw when I visited Mogadishu four weeks ago were planes arriving to deliver khat. However, I will certainly look at the point my hon. Friend raises and discuss it with the Home Secretary, as he suggests.


Secondary information

Type
Oral question
Reference
541 c141 
Session
2010-12
Oral question type
1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Politics and government Somalia
Link
View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk