Topical Questions 2023-12-12
2023-12-12
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Foreign Secretary has been on international duties.
Given that the Foreign Secretary is unavailable, I ask what specific steps you are taking in his absence to manage your department's key priorities and how frequently will you provide updates to Parliament?
The Government are focused on our vital priorities, notably: supporting Ukraine, standing with Israel, and providing aid to Palestinian civilians. The Foreign Secretary and I met global leaders at COP28, who welcomed the UK's leadership at this critical time.
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Assessment & feedback
The frequency of updates to parliament was not addressed
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
UK has provided significant military, humanitarian and economic support to Ukraine.
Considering the substantial contributions by the UK since February 2022, what specific steps are being taken to encourage NATO allies to enhance their civil and military support for Ukraine?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to put it in those terms. The Foreign Secretary met the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba at the NATO-Ukraine Council. My hon. Friend will know that nearly £10 billion in military, humanitarian and economic support has been provided by Britain since February 2022, and we were the first country to provide lethal aid.
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Maduro regime is threatening Guyana's borders.
Given the similarities between Putin's actions and Maduro's, can you reaffirm the UK's support for Guyana's territorial integrity?
Yes, I can. Yesterday I attended a meeting convened by the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, and it put out a statement last night which I very much hope will reassure the right hon. Gentleman.
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Assessment & feedback
The specifics of support for Guyana were not provided
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
Marine protected areas around South Georgia are reviewed every five years.
What progress has been made on protecting the waters around the South Sandwich Islands, and improving management around South Georgia?
The South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands marine protected area provides comprehensive protection against the entire maritime zone. It has been rated one of the most sustainable in the world. The Government are currently undertaking their second five-year review, and a report is expected early next year.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Navalny has not been heard from in nearly a week.
With the recent disappearance of Alexei Navalny, can you join international counterparts in pressing for his location and safety?
We condemn this outrageous detention, and we will continue to make representations in Moscow and elsewhere for consular access and Mr Navalny's release.
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Assessment & feedback
The urgency of the search was not specified
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
Malaria cases and deaths remain above pre-pandemic levels.
What additional steps will the Government take to recover lost ground in eradicating malaria globally?
My hon. Friend is right to ask that question. British scientific expertise has delivered two new malaria vaccines, and as a result of our replenishment of the Global Fund we are working to ensure that 86 million mosquito nets are delivered, providing 450,000 seasonal malaria chemoprevention treatments.
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
RSF involvement in atrocities has been highlighted.
Did you discuss external support for RSF during your visit to COP28 in Dubai?
I raise these issues not only at the COP but whenever I have the opportunity to do so, not least in discussions with Hamdok, the last Prime Minister of Sudan. While we welcome the call from last Saturday's Intergovernmental Authority on Development summit for an immediate cessation of hostilities, we remain acutely concerned by the events that are taking place, many of which bear the hallmarks of ethnic cleansing.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific state sponsors were not named
Response accuracy
Q8
Direct Answer
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Context
Venezuela's actions regarding Essequibo are unacceptable.
What steps are being taken with allies to deter any use of force by the Maduro regime against Guyana?
Venezuela's actions with regard to Essequibo in Guyana are completely unacceptable. The border was settled in 1899, and we are working with our regional partners, such as Brazil, and with international bodies including the United Nations Security Council, the Commonwealth—as has already been mentioned—and the Organisation of American States to de-escalate tensions.
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Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
Over a hundred aid workers and seventy journalists have been killed.
Given the targeting of journalists, will you impress on Israel their specific obligations under international law?
As I said earlier, we do stress the importance of abiding by the rules of war. I pay tribute to the brave humanitarian workers who put themselves in harm's way, unarmed, to help their fellow citizens.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific obligations were not stressed
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Negotiations with Port Louis are ongoing.
What precedent do the current negotiations have in relation to sovereignty of other uninhabited overseas territories?
As raised earlier in substantive questions, we continue to have our negotiations on the British Indian Ocean Territories, which we are taking forward in good faith.
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Assessment & feedback
No direct link was made between BIA and other territories
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
Cyprus citizens and government are denied information about US military flights from RAF Akrotiri to Israel, raising concerns.
It is not just citizens of the United Kingdom but the Government of Cyprus who are being denied information as to what the US military may be flying from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to Israel. Is that not something that they should know about, given the risks, and is it not something that we should know about, given the complicity?
When it comes to Cyprus we have been working closely with our allies attending to the need for security, which may pertain to the release of hostages, so I think this is entirely a good thing.
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Assessment & feedback
Details about transparency on US military flights were not addressed
Working Closely With Allies
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Q12
Direct Answer
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Context
The all-party parliamentary group on Japan hosted over 60 companies in Parliament, highlighting the importance of UK-Japan relations amidst increasing securitisation.
I am a vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on Japan, and we have recently hosted more than 60 companies in Parliament, for which we thank the Minister for Investment and Blick Rothenburg. With increasing securitisation in international politics, is it not more important than ever to big up UK-Japan commercial opportunities? As the Japanese say: ganbatte ne!
The UK-Japan bilateral relationship has never been stronger. The Hiroshima accord that the Prime Minister agreed with Prime Minister Kishida on 19 May cements and builds on a period of sustained growth and deepening of our enhanced global strategic partnership.
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Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
Palestinian civilians, many of them children, have been killed since the outbreak of conflict on October 7th. The House is concerned about ongoing violence and loss of life.
As many of us go home tonight and kiss our children, parents in Gaza will be searching for body parts to recognise their children and burying them. Families broken; futures stolen. Is the Minister comfortable with over 18,000 innocent Palestinian civilians being killed, many of them children? When will he do the right thing and call for a ceasefire?
The hon. Lady reflects the pain and agony that those parents feel with great eloquence, and it is felt across the House, but the issue is how we address the causes of what happened on 7 October and the fact that a pogrom was imposed by Hamas, killing so very many Jewish people. We have to move towards a moment where the political skies clear and there is an opportunity for a new political initiative.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific call for ceasefire
Causes Of Violence
Response accuracy
Q14
Direct Answer
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Context
The House is discussing the recent joint statement from Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding normalization.
I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. Does my hon. Friend recognise the recent joint statement from Armenia and Azerbaijan as a historic milestone towards the normalisation of relations? Can he tell us what this Government are doing towards bringing about a lasting peace treaty?
We are greatly encouraged by the joint statement from Azerbaijan and Armenia confirming their intention to normalise relations. As I made clear to both countries during my recent visit, we fully support their efforts to achieve a historic and lasting peace.
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Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a debate about the UK's intention to proscribe the IRGC.
In answer to question 9, the Minister seemed to say that the Government were planning to completely proscribe the IRGC. Could he confirm that? If that were the case, it would be welcomed across the House.
To be clear, I said that we would be introducing a new sanctions regime.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific confirmation on proscription
New Sanctions Regime
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
My constituent Amani Ahmed arrived here from Gaza for her PhD just days before the outbreak of the war and is now desperately trying to bring her husband and three children to the UK. UK Visas and Immigration advises travelling to the nearest visa application centre but that is impossible as they are unable to leave Gaza. Can the Minister urgently intervene to ensure that Amani's family are able to join her safely in the UK?
The hon. Lady will know that there is a specific track to pursue on this, and if she has not already been in touch with the crisis centre at the Foreign Office, that is what she should do immediately.
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Assessment & feedback
Urgent assistance for Amani's family
Specific Track To Pursue
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Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
Anas Abu Srour, an Israeli citizen, was arrested by the Israeli army and detained for six months in administrative detention. A petition has gathered over 6,000 signatures.
Last week I was contacted by Kennington Bethlehem Link, a voluntary group dedicated to working with Israelis and Palestinians. It raised the case of Anas Abu Srour, who was arrested by the Israeli army. This week it was announced that he had been detained for six months in administrative detention, and the reason for his arrest is still unclear. A petition of support has been signed by over 6,000 people in nine days, so will the Minister please ask the Foreign Secretary to work urgently with his Israeli counterpart so that we can find out why he was imprisoned?
If the hon. Lady will make available to me the full details of that case—assuming that she has not already told the Foreign Office—I will look into it for her and ensure she gets an answer.
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Assessment & feedback
Investigation of Anas Abu Srour's case
Full Details Required
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
HALO Trust has destroyed its 2 millionth landmine and needs further funding to deal with the outcome of Ukraine.
That great world-beating British charity, the HALO Trust, has just announced the destruction of its 2 millionth landmine. Will the Minister join me in congratulating the trust, and also pledge further funding, which will be vital and necessary if it is to be able to deal with the outcome of Ukraine?
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to pay tribute to the HALO Trust. Before I returned to Government I was an ambassador for the trust, so I speak with some pride in this matter. If he looks carefully at the International Development White Paper, which drew strength from all across the House in its commitments and identifying important aspects, he will see that HALO is mentioned there.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific funding for Ukraine
International Development White Paper
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
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Context
Raffaele Mincione, a British citizen, is being taken through the Vatican state courts.
It is good to see you back in your place, Mr Speaker. Is the Department monitoring the case of Raffaele Mincione, the British citizen who is currently being taken through the Vatican state courts, and is it making any representations to the Vatican courts about his case? Will officials agree to meet me to discuss the case?
I can certainly organise for someone to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss that but, as he will know, arrangements with the Vatican were substantially changed in the year 1534, in the reign of King Henry VIII. As far as I know, there has been no change since then to reverse that.
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Monitoring and representation on Mincione's case
Historical Context
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Q20
Partial Answer
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Context
India's supreme court has upheld the Indian Government's decision to revoke article 370 of the constitution, affecting special status for Jammu and Kashmir.
India's supreme court has upheld the Indian Government's decision to revoke article 370 of the constitution, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. What assessment has the Minister made of the situation, as many Kashmiri constituents are quite worried?
We took note of the supreme court decision, and we continue to discuss with both parties the need both to resolve the continuing situation and to have constructive dialogue with the Kashmiris involved.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific UK stance on Supreme Court's decision
Continuing Discussions
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