Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond today promised "full transparency on all issues concerning mangoes" as he welcomed the lifting of a European Union ban on their import from India.

A European Commission committee had earlier voted unanimously to remove the restriction banning Alphonso mango imports after significant improvements in India's mango export system.

Labour's Keith Vaz (Leicester East) raised the matter in the Commons, asking: "Will you join with me in welcoming the decision taken 30 minutes ago by the EU to raise the ban on the import of Alphonso mangoes from India?

"And will you agree with me that there are lessons that should be learned by the EU that before they make these decisions, there should be proper consultation and full transparency?"

Mr Hammond replied: "Yes, I'm absolutely clear there should be full transparency on all issues concerning mangoes.

"I'm delighted to see the greatest possible level of free trade in the international market for mangoes."

Before selecting Mr Vaz to ask his question, Speaker John Bercow joked about the MP's decision to sit next to his sister Valerie Vaz, also a Labour MP (Walsall South).

Mr Bercow said: "Note the sibling solidarity as brother and sister Vaz have today seated together."

Mr Vaz replied: "We will do this every day if it gets me called."