To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Azerbaijan on the prison conditions of (a) Farhad Aliev and (b) Rafig Aliev; and if he will make a statement. (166750)

As my right hon. Friend the Member for Ashfield (Mr. Hoo), then Minister for Europe stated in his reply to the hon. Member’s question on this subject on 16 January 2007, Official Report, column 991W, we reminded the Government of Azerbaijan of the need to respect the right of access to appropriate medical care, in light of concerns about Farhad Aliev’s health. Through international bodies, including the EU and Council of Europe, we continue to raise our concerns about overall prison conditions with the Government of Azerbaijan. The authorities in Azerbaijan are working with international partners to make improvements to conditions and health care in their prisons. While improvements have been made, overall conditions remain a concern.