asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have raised with the Government of Egypt the lack of official procedures for their citizens to convert from Islam to any other religion. [HL4472]

The UK regularly raises its concerns about human rights issues with the Egyptian Government and will continue to do so when appropriate. My honourable friend the Minister for the Middle East, Kim Howells, raised the specific issue of religious freedom directly with the Speaker of the Egyptian Parliament during his visit to the UK on 21 January 2008. On 11 March, officials from our embassy in Cairo met the Egyptian Deputy Minister for Human Rights and expressed UK concerns about human rights abuses in Egypt, including in relation to freedom of religion and belief. Most recently, our ambassador in Cairo raised a number of human rights concerns with the Egyptian Minister of the Interior on 22 April. We acknowledge the steps the Egyptian Government have taken to engage with us on these issues and welcome the willingness they have demonstrated to hold further human rights dialogue.

We recognise the difficulties Egyptian citizens face in their attempts to have religious conversion recognised under Egyptian law. We continue to urge the Government of Egypt to implement transparent and effective procedures in this respect.