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Burma

When the hon. Member for Ilford, South (Mike Gapes) quoted Mr. Gareth Evans, he should not have quoted selectively. Mr. Evans wrote in his article:"““But as the days go by, with relief efforts impossibly hindered, only a trickle of the government's own aid getting through, and ""the prospect of an enormously greater death toll looming acutely with just a few more days, they””" —that is, the arguments that the hon. Gentleman says Mr. Evans supports—"““are sounding less compelling, and at least need revisiting.””" That is the case that Conservative Members have made. As for the responsibility to protect, I urge the Secretary of State to return to a bipartisan approach. The issue is currently being debated. The British ambassador to the United Nations has said that he does not think the responsibility to protect is relevant, while the Foreign Secretary said in an interview last night that it should indeed be considered. Rather than making cheap political points, the right hon. Gentleman should focus on the needs of the Burmese people at the moment.