To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has recently made to the Gulf states Governments concerning a democratisation of their political systems.

We have explained to Governments of the Gulf countries our policy for promoting good government, democracy and human rights. Every state in the region needs to find its own way to provide for popular participation in government. We welcome the commitment of Kuwait to hold elections to the national assembly in October, as we welcome both the establishment of Oman's consultative council in December 1991, and plans to establish a similar council in Saudi Arabia.