Topical Questions 2024-07-30
2024-07-30
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about tax avoidance in British tax havens such as the British Virgin Islands.
A builder living on Portland, a B&B owner in Weymouth and a shopkeeper on Swanage high street all pay their fair share of tax, yet some individuals take advantage of offshore tax havens such as the British Virgin Islands to avoid paying their fair share. My constituents play by the rules; we ought to know a bit more about those who choose not to. Can the Secretary of State set out what steps his Department is taking to throw open the books in British tax havens and implement public registers of beneficial ownership?
I raised this issue in opposition—I think it was the subject of the last speech I gave before the election—and it is an issue that I intend to take up with full vigour. We were concerned that parts of the last Government were turning a blind eye to these issues. I hope to come forward with further proposals in the coming weeks.
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Under Review
Further Proposals
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Humanitarian situation in Sudan, especially the displacement crisis and ethnic cleansing in Darfur.
The Foreign Secretary will get full support from the Opposition in imposing open registers of beneficial ownership on the overseas territories. Can I ask the Foreign Secretary to pay special attention to Sudan, which is suffering the largest displacement crisis in the world? There is clear evidence of ethnic cleansing once again in Darfur, and the human misery that I saw on the border with Chad earlier this year was among the most harrowing that I have ever seen.
I am very grateful to the right hon. Gentleman. I was able to raise the issue of Sudan with G7 Foreign Ministers in my first days in office, and I continue to hold discussions with the United States, which, as he will know, has summoned a gathering in Switzerland to try to achieve peace.
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Both main parties committed to restoring the 0.7% international development target in their manifestos.
Both main parties committed in their manifestos to restoring the 0.7% international development target. As the Foreign Secretary will have seen, last year we reached nearly 0.6%. Will he discuss with the Treasury returning to 0.7%, not in one bite, but over the next two years? That would secure the best value for money for British taxpayers and also help those most in need.
I paid tribute to the right hon. Gentleman earlier, but this is one area that was left in a mess. Frankly, £3.4 billion being spent on refugees in hotels is the lion's share of that amount. That is a lot for me and my hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for development to deal with, but we will do all we can to get back to that 0.7% as soon as possible.
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Left In A Mess
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Five years since the illegal revocation of articles 370 and 35A, leading to persecution by Indian armed forces.
Next week marks five years since the illegal revocation of articles 370 and 35A took away what little autonomy the Kashmiris had and paved the way for further persecution of the Kashmiris by the Indian armed forces. Will the Minister make it clear that she is committed to upholding international law? Will she confirm that the UK will uphold UN resolution 47, which demands the birthright of the Kashmiris—the right to a free and fair plebiscite?
I thank the hon. Member for his passionate defence of human rights in Kashmir. He of course understands the UK Government's position that all countries should respect sovereignty, human rights and the rule of law, and we push all parties to work towards upholding United Nations resolutions.
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Under Review
Upholding Un Resolutions
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Q5
Direct Answer
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Escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, resulting in civilian casualties.
This weekend, we saw an escalation across the UN blue line when Hezbollah and Israel exchanged rocket fire and 12 Druze children tragically lost their lives. One child dying in war is too many, no matter what nationality they may be, but this region is a tinderbox. What is the Foreign Secretary doing to calm the area now that we have seen an escalation, because surely that could be a disaster for the region?
The hon. Lady is right: the situation on the de facto border between Lebanon and Israel is very concerning. We urge all parties to act with caution. The UK condemns the strike in the Golan heights, which has tragically claimed the lives of 12 people. Hezbollah must cease its acts and its destabilising activity. I was pleased to speak to the Prime Minister yesterday, and I will say more on Lebanon in the coming hours.
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Q6
Direct Answer
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The humanitarian situation in Gaza with half a million people facing acute food insecurity and 29 children dying from malnutrition.
On 19 July, the Foreign Secretary stated that half a million people in Gaza are in phase 5 of acute food insecurity, the classification that indicates starvation and famine. UNICEF reports that 29 children have died from malnutrition. How do the Government plan to change that, as Palestinians face the harrowing reality of death by starvation because of a political choice?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising the issue, which we have discussed previously in this Question Time. We are deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza; we have reflected that in our policy response, but also in our humanitarian response. For example, in the statement that the Foreign Secretary made on his visit to the region, he committed £5.5 million to UK-Med, which is providing a field hospital on the ground that is desperately needed. We have also ensured that there will be continued provision of the items of medicine, food and nutrition that are required; we will play our part in that.
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Q7
Direct Answer
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Concern about potential changes in US financial and military support if the Republican candidate wins.
The united support for Ukraine is not shared in the United States; there have been worrying comments by the Republican vice-presidential candidate. The Foreign Secretary knows Mr Vance. What assurances has he had from him regarding financial and military support for Ukraine should Trump win?
The US has committed over £135 billion in support for Ukraine, including the supplemental $61 billion, and we thank it for that. I was very pleased to meet with J. D. Vance at the Munich conference and subsequently in Washington DC, and I continue to have good conversations with him about these very important issues.
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Q8
Partial Answer
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The MP noted the destruction and loss of life in Bangladesh, expressing concern about the impact on British citizens. She welcomed the Minister's conversations with Bangladeshi counterparts.
I am concerned about the destruction and loss of life in Bangladesh, which affects many of my constituents. I welcome the conversations the Minister has had with Bangladeshi counterparts urging calm. What measures are being taken to support British nationals there? Will you join me in thanking the Bangladeshi community for their contributions?
I thank my hon. Friend for being so active on this issue, including in the parliamentary engagement on Bangladesh last week. The UK is deeply concerned about the violence by state and state-sponsored actors. We have updated the travel advice available on the FCDO website. We are very open to taking personal emails from hon. Members who have concerns either in Bangladesh or in the UK.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify any concrete measures beyond updating travel advice and accepting emails, did not mention thanking the Bangladeshi community
Under Review
Looking To Take Personal Emails
Response accuracy
Q9
Direct Answer
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The MP expressed concern about the step-by-step abandonment of Israel by the UK, which he believes could delay a peace settlement in the Middle East.
In quick succession, the new Government have renewed unconditional funding for UNRWA despite Hamas links and endorsed the International Criminal Court's case. Following Hezbollah attacks, will you reflect on abandoning one of our closest allies and its impact on delaying a peace settlement? Will you reconsider these steps?
There is absolutely no abandonment of our close ties and relationship with Israel. It was hugely important for me to speak to both the Prime Minister and President, and we reaffirmed this. The UK provided £21 million in funding for UNRWA, including an extra £1 million to implement recommendations to ensure neutrality.
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Q10
Partial Answer
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The MP raised concerns about Israel not complying with its international legal obligations, especially regarding the recent rulings by the International Court of Justice.
Following ICJ rulings, what steps are being taken to ensure Israel complies with its international legal obligations? What is your assessment of expansion in 2023 and how will you address it?
My hon. Friend has raised these issues numerous times in Parliament. The expansion this year is unacceptable, exceeding what we have seen over the past 20 years combined. We are keeping these issues under review.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps to ensure compliance or address expansion specifically
Under Review
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Q11
Partial Answer
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The MP urged for an immediate ceasefire, securing hostages' return, and re-establishing a dedicated peace process.
Will the Government commit to urgently securing a ceasefire in Gaza, getting hostages home, and establishing a dedicated peace process towards a two-state solution?
I think the hon. Lady speaks for the whole House in her comments, and I give her that undertaking.
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Did not provide concrete commitment or steps towards ceasefire and peace process
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Q12
Partial Answer
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The MP asked about the UK's role in securing the full implementation of the Colombian peace agreement, given its UN Security Council penholder status.
What steps are being taken to support peace and human rights in Colombia? As a UN Security Council penholder for Colombia, what new initiatives will the Government take towards full implementation of the 2016 peace agreement?
I thank my hon. Friend for her interest; she has visited the region and raised these issues. Colombia is a human rights priority country, and we work closely with the Government to address violence against women and girls. The UK committed £80 million to peace, stability, and human rights in Colombia.
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Did not provide details of specific initiatives or steps beyond general support
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Q13
Partial Answer
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The MP raised the issue of Turkey's illegal invasion and occupation of northern Cyprus, asking for steps to resolve this frozen conflict.
What initiatives will the Government take in resolving the frozen conflict in Cyprus on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation as per UN Security Council resolutions?
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question; I know he has an interest in this issue over many years. We remain committed to a bizonal, bicommunal federation on political equality and adherence to UN Security Council resolutions. We will continue engaging with the United Nations envoy and process.
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Did not provide concrete steps or initiatives beyond commitment
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Q14
Partial Answer
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The MP asked about the assessment of using the overseas development budget to fund asylum accommodation policy.
What assessment has been made of the potential implications for asylum accommodation policy of using the overseas development budget? How will this affect restoration of ODA as a percentage of GNI?
We are committed to restoring ODA to 0.7% of GNI as fiscal circumstances allow, reconnecting with countries in the global south. Previously, there was an uncontrolled expansion of so-called in-donor refugee costs. In 2023, £4.3 billion (27.9%) of UK ODA went to in-donor refugee costs.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific assessment or concrete impact on asylum policy
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Q15
Partial Answer
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The MP raised concerns over the disputed Venezuelan election result and its implications for the land dispute with Guyana.
Following the disputed Venezuelan election, what steps will the Government take to work with American colleagues to prevent any incursion in Guyana's disputed territory?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. The election result is of huge concern, and I issued a statement yesterday. There are ongoing discussions with American friends and Guyana regarding threats from Maduro in the past.
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Did not provide specific steps beyond mentioning ongoing discussions
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Q16
Partial Answer
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The UK has recently fallen out of the top 10 manufacturers globally. This issue is significant for economic growth.
It has just been revealed that the UK has fallen out of the top 10 manufacturers globally. Does my right hon. Friend agree that strengthening our country's trading relationship with the European Union, in respect of goods as well as services, needs to be an essential part of achieving the Government's ambitions for growing the economy?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right that our biggest trading relationship is with the European Union. We are committed to a new veterinary deal and dealing with issues of qualifications, but we will take forward discussions with the European Union in good spirit as soon as the Commission is in place.
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Did not directly address whether strengthening trade relationship with EU is essential for economic growth
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Q17
Partial Answer
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Ethiopia may recognise the Republic of Somaliland. This could impact British foreign policy.
Ethiopia is on the cusp of recognising the Republic of Somaliland. Will the Minister look at where British policy is, to make sure that it reflects the new reality? Might she have time to meet me to discuss how we can strengthen and deepen the relationship between Britain and the Republic of Somaliland?
The UK has encouraged dialogue between Ethiopia and Somalia on the Ethiopia-Somaliland memorandum of understanding. We have also expressed our full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. I would be happy to meet the right hon. Gentleman to discuss any issue, including that one.
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Did not directly address if British policy will reflect new reality or whether specific meeting will take place
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Q18
Partial Answer
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There is a chronic human rights situation in West Papua. In 2019, President Widodo invited the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit but it has not happened yet.
I welcome my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and his team to their places. I have discussed with many of them the chronic human rights situation in West Papua over many years. In 2019, President Widodo invited the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua, but that visit has not yet taken place. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that such a visit takes place, with both the Indonesian Government and the United Nations?
The UK strongly supports efforts by authorities and civil society in Papua. We continue to monitor the situation, including internal displacement caused by clashes between separatists and Indonesian security forces. The UK remains supportive of a visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
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Did not provide specific steps being taken by the government
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Q19
Partial Answer
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The Irish Republic has stated that thousands of people they believe to be there illegally have come from the UK.
Has the Foreign Secretary had an opportunity to meet his counterpart in the Irish Republic, given the ministerial statements there in recent months regarding the thousands of people they believe to be there illegally, who they say have come from the United Kingdom? What can be done to try to resolve that matter in a way that will satisfy both nations?
I was very pleased, alongside the Prime Minister, to meet the Irish Taoiseach and discuss that and other issues.
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Did not provide steps being taken or discussion points from meeting
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Q20
Partial Answer
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There has been a use of lethal force on student protesters in Bangladesh which the UK government has condemned.
Mr Speaker, you and I are both old enough to remember Tiananmen Square. The use of lethal force on student protesters in Bangladesh has rightly been condemned by our Government. I urge the Government to put pressure on the Bangladeshi investigation, so that it has an international element, because a country that can just turn off all communications with the outside world and that controls all institutions, right down to its stormtrooper-like police, should not be allowed to mark its own homework.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has been clear that what happened in Bangladesh is not acceptable and we have raised it on a number of occasions.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address putting pressure for an international investigation
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Q21
Partial Answer
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A constituent of the MP went missing in Sardinia and the Italian authorities have ended active search efforts.
A 25-year-old constituent of mine went missing in Sardinia on the evening of Saturday 13 July. The Italian authorities called off the search on Friday, so will the Foreign Secretary meet me to urge the Italian authorities to help to find my constituent?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for representing his constituent's family concerns. Consular officials are providing support and have remained in contact with Italian authorities. The ambassador has raised this case, but they have ended active search efforts.
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Did not confirm a meeting to discuss urging further actions
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Q22
Partial Answer
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The Caribbean is at the sharp end of the climate crisis with recent devastation from Hurricane Beryl.
I thank the Foreign Secretary and his team for the £500,000 committed to the Caribbean after the devastation on Grenada and Carriacou as a result of Hurricane Beryl, but can I press him and the team on the fact that the Caribbean is at the sharp end of the climate crisis? Will he tell the House what plans he has to advocate at COP29 for a replacement of the $100 billion climate finance deal?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for taking up such issues from the Back Benches. He will know that I was dealing with these matters on day one in office, and we want to take up those issues as we head to COP.
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Did not provide specific plans for advocating climate finance
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Q23
Partial Answer
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Reports estimate that up to 50,000 children require health-related treatment due to the conflict and destruction of medical facilities.
I am sure the House will agree that the situation in Gaza, particularly for children, is absolutely horrific. Does the Secretary of State agree that, along with international partners, we must secure a mechanism that allows these children to be treated here in the UK, especially as many hospital facilities in Gaza have been erased?
The issue of medical treatment in Gaza is taken very seriously. We are supporting UK-Med with £5.5 million towards its operations, including trauma and public health support.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address securing mechanisms for treating children from Gaza in the UK
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Q24
Partial Answer
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Growing concern over rising hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Hezbollah is an Iranian-funded terror group entrenched in southern Lebanon.
All of us here want to see an end to the conflict in Gaza and Israel, and that means getting to a lasting peace as soon as possible. There is growing concern that we are seeing rising hostilities in the north of Israel with Hezbollah, with a deadly increase in attacks targeted against civilians. Will the Foreign Secretary reassure us that Britain will play a full part in working with Israel and other allies to counter the threat?
Further escalation is in nobody's interests. I reassure my hon. Friend that we understand who sits behind Hezbollah—that is Iran. It has been engaged in a lot of activity to drive forward escalation in the region, so I of course want to give him that reassurance.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide concrete actions or commitments on how Britain will counter Hezbollah threat
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Q25
Partial Answer
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111 hostages are unaccounted for in Gaza, including foreign nationals and Israeli citizens. Bodies were recovered from under Khan Yunis city, highlighting Hamas's disregard for humanitarian areas.
In Gaza, 111 hostages are unaccounted for. Some are foreign nationals, but most are Israeli citizens. Recently, bodies were recovered from under the city of Khan Yunis, demonstrating that Hamas have complete contempt for humanitarian areas. What action is the Foreign Secretary taking to secure the release of the hostages? Will he guarantee that Hamas will play no further part in the governance of a state of Palestine?
It was very important for me to meet the hostage families when I was in Israel, and I have spoken to hostage families since returning back to the country. We are of course giving all the assistance we can to the Israeli authorities to ensure that the hostages get out. I want the hon. Gentleman to understand that we have this as a No. 1 concern. Those hostages need to be returned.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide concrete actions or guarantees about future governance by Hamas
Response accuracy