To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department will take steps to persuade the Government of Algeria to allow an investigation of events in their country by the United Nations rapporteur on extrajudicial summary and arbitrary executions. [14765]

While a solution to the serious problems in Algeria must come from the Algerians themselves, we condemn unreservedly the violence which has prevailed there. In our regular contact with the Algeria authorities, we encourage Algeria's democratisation process. As part of our discussions, we have encouraged them to accept the proposed visit by the United Nations Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Summary and Arbitrary Executions and will continue to do so.