Foreign Affairs Committee Report Consular Response to Covid-19 2023-05-02
2023-05-02
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Foreign Affairs Committee published a report, HC 643, on 28 July 2020, titled 'Flying Home: The FCO's consular response to the COVID-19 pandemic', which made recommendations for improvement.
What steps has his Department taken in response to the recommendations of the Foreign Affairs Committee's third report of Session 2019-21, HC 643, published on 28 July 2020?
As set out in our consular and crisis strategy 2022, we have an extensive programme of lessons learned from previous crises. We continue to improve our crisis response capability systems and structures.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify which specific recommendations were addressed or how they were implemented.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Select Committee report in 2020 showed that the FCDO was behind other countries in repatriating citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. The recent Sudan crisis seems to demonstrate ongoing issues with lesson implementation.
Why did the FCO fail to learn from previous crises? The committee's report in 2020 revealed how the FCDO lagged behind other nations in evacuating individuals, and the Sudan situation shows that lessons were not applied. When will the Minister take control of his department?
The safety of all British nationals in Sudan remains our utmost priority. We on the Conservative side, and many across the House, will welcome the successful evacuation of more than 2,300 passengers.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address why lessons from previous crises were not applied or provide a timeline for improvement.
Changed Subject To Recent Success
Response accuracy