Topical Questions 2022-04-26
2022-04-26
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The UK is involved in providing sanctions and aid to Ukraine amidst Putin's ongoing war.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities, the MP noted that despite the conflict in Ukraine, there are issues of rising food prices globally affecting poor communities. She specifically mentioned Yemen where food prices have increased by 150% according to an IMF report. She asked what assessment has been made regarding the impact and for details on the Government's response.
The hon. Lady is absolutely right: we are working closely with our international allies. We committed extra billions at the spring meetings last week to help provide food aid to the rest of the world. We are also restoring our humanitarian budget, as part of our aid budget in the UK, to deal with the crisis.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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The Independent Review of Persecuted Christians by Bishop of Truro was mentioned earlier and a formal review is due this summer. The FCDO has made progress on adopting the report's recommendations.
The independent review of persecuted Christians that was carried out in 2019 by the Bishop of Truro has been mentioned this morning, and it has its formal review this summer. The FCDO has made progress in adopting the report's recommendations, but will the Secretary of State assure the House of further progress in this area by the summer?
I am working very closely with my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton (Fiona Bruce), who is our religious freedom envoy. I am pleased to be hosting and attending the global summit to promote the freedom of religion in July, and we continue to make progress on implementing all the recommendations of the Truro review.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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There are wars, a climate crisis, food price surges and 300,000 children face death by starvation in Somalia. The UK's reputation is tarnished after aid cuts and closing the DFID.
Wars rage in Africa, the middle east and now Ukraine. There is a growing climate crisis, food prices are surging and 300,000 children face death by starvation in Somalia. Britain's reputation is in tatters after two years of callous aid cuts, having shut down the world-renowned Department for International Development. It is clear that Britain needs a strategy for long-term development to stop lurching from crisis to crisis. Can the Secretary of State confirm today exactly when the new strategy will be published? Will it be backed with the funding, focus, ambition and expertise needed to make a lasting difference in the world?
We will be publishing our new development strategy this spring. There are some key elements to the strategy: first, we will restore the budget for women and girls and restore the budget for humanitarian aid. In the face of the appalling crisis in Ukraine, we have already committed £220 million of development funding, and we are one of the largest donors.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Across Keighley and Ilkley, there is no shortage of goodwill to help those affected by the conflict in Ukraine, including a volunteer group led by Caroline Hyde working to help refugees within the community. This requires coordination with European counterparts for safe passage.
Across Keighley and Ilkley, there is no shortage of good will to help those who are affected by the conflict in Ukraine—including from Ilkley and Surrounds Support for Ukrainian Evacuees, a volunteer group led by Caroline Hyde that is working to help those seeking refuge within our community. Of course, that is dependent on the Government working with our European counterparts to ensure the safe passage of refugees from Ukraine. What discussions has the Foreign Secretary had with her counterparts to make sure that that happens?
I congratulate my hon. Friend on the fantastic work that he is doing with the local community in Keighley and Ilkley. We are seeing people across Britain really contributing to the effort to support the people of Ukraine. We have now issued more than 70,000 visas to Ukrainians. We are working with Foreign Ministers right across Europe to ensure that we are completely co-ordinated, particularly with those Governments that are close by, like the Poles.
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
A UN-sponsored truce in Yemen has led to the release of 14 foreign captives, including UK national Luke Symons and his family. It is intended to open roads, allow fuel through the port of Hodeida and commercial flights from Sanaa to Jordan and Egypt. However, it could collapse at any minute.
We are now three weeks into the UN-sponsored truce in Yemen, which has resulted in the release of 14 foreign captives including UK national Luke Symons and his family. It is also intended to open roads, allow fuel through the port of Hodeida and allow commercial flights from Sanaa to Jordan and Egypt. But it is a fragile truce that could collapse at any minute, so can the Minister tell me what steps the UK is taking to support Hans Grundberg, the UN special envoy for Yemen, to keep the peace and to prevent a return to conflict and a re-escalation of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen?
The UK welcomes the two-month truce announcement in Yemen. I reassure the hon. Gentleman that we continue to support the UN special envoy and co-ordinate closely with international and regional partners.
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Assessment & feedback
specific steps to support Hans Grundberg, the exact actions being taken to prevent conflict re-escalation
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
A £40 million support package over ten years was announced in 2016 for the Chagos island community.
Will my right hon. Friend update the House on the £40 million support package over 10 years that was announced in 2016 for the Chagos island community?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question and for being such a strong voice for the Chagossian community; I know that he has a large Chagossian community in his constituency of Crawley. We have gone to great lengths to find projects for that money that will benefit the Chagossian community. I would like to meet my hon. Friend to discuss what more we can do.
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Assessment & feedback
specific projects and timeline, exact mechanisms for funding distribution
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Human Rights Watch reported that the Rwandan regime engages in arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, and torture. The Home Secretary dismissed concerns about asylum seeker safety.
According to Human Rights Watch's World Report 2020, the Rwandan regime is active in arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, and torture in official and unofficial detention facilities. Despite the Home Secretary's nonchalant dismissal of legitimate concerns about the safety of asylum seekers, what mechanisms will be used by the Foreign Secretary for oversight to ensure that similar mistreatment does not occur to vulnerable individuals being sent to Rwanda?
There is an agreement between the Government of Rwanda and the UK, ensuring that the rights of those transferred from the UK are protected. The UN Refugee Agency recently sent 119 refugees to Rwanda, describing it as a very safe country. In December, the UN stated that Rwanda had done an excellent job on integrated refugees.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific oversight mechanisms were not detailed
Changed Subject
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Q8
Direct Answer
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Context
Afghan refugees have settled in Exmouth. Some friends and family remain in Afghanistan.
Exmouth has welcomed Afghan refugees, but their relatives are still there. What assurances can be given that UK aid reaches those who need it most in Afghanistan?
Last month, a donor conference raised over £2.4 billion for Afghanistan. We work through international agencies to ensure that funds reach the people who need it most, especially women and girls. The Taliban's adherence to commitments will be pressed by the UK.
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Q9
Direct Answer
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A devastating fire occurred in the Hargeisa market, affecting Somaliland's people.
The recent fire at the Hargeisa market had a terrible effect on livelihoods. What practical help will be given to rebuild lives?
The UK leads diplomatic and development efforts, chairing an international co-ordination group assessing response options. The ambassador met Somaliland's President, Cabinet members, the mayor of Hargeisa, and the fire service commander to shape our response.
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Q10
Partial Answer
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The Taliban suspended secondary school classes for girls in Afghanistan.
Will the Government work with international allies to pressurise the Taliban to allow equal access to education?
The UK supports increasing education availability, particularly for girls in Afghanistan. We press international organizations to ensure funds reach those most in need.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions were not detailed
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Q11
Partial Answer
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Abdullah al-Howaiti was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for a crime committed at age 14.
Will the Secretary of State make representations to her Saudi counterparts regarding the second death sentence given to Abdullah al-Howaiti?
I will follow up on that case after this questions session.
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Q12
Direct Answer
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The Westminster Foundation for Democracy's 30th anniversary is being celebrated.
Will the Foreign Secretary play a leading role in events celebrating this anniversary and ensure continued support for democracy projects?
Funding issues were resolved, allowing the Westminster Foundation for Democracy to continue its excellent work. The foundation supports democracies fighting back against authoritarian regimes.
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Q13
Partial Answer
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A Scottish solicitor was accused of being hacked using Pegasus spyware by the Spanish Government.
If this occurred, does it constitute a breach of privilege and will the matter be raised with the Spanish ambassador?
We raise all kinds of issues in our strong international relationship with Spain. I am not going to speculate on the details without corroborating them, but we will always stand up for the rule of law.
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Specific action was not committed
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Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
The need for independent media, especially in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and suppression of journalism.
Next Tuesday is World Press Freedom Day, yet free media faces pressure globally. Does the Minister agree that an independent media like BBC World Service is crucial? Will she ensure they receive adequate funding?
The need for independent news providers, including BBC World Service, is recognised. The service receives over £90 million this year. A Government information cell counters Russian information to ensure truth access in Russia.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify whether the funding would continue beyond this year or make a concrete commitment to support BBC World Service against misinformation.
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Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
The illegal status of Israeli settlements under international law and calls for a ban on their products.
When will the UK ban imports from Israeli settlements deemed illegal under international law?
We condemn settlement expansion as illegal. This is raised with counterparts, but no mention of implementing an import ban.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to a specific timeline or plan for implementing an import ban on goods from Israeli settlements.
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Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
The status and treatment of British citizens Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner, held by Russian forces for propaganda purposes.
Has the Foreign Secretary discussed the cases of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner with Ukrainian and Russian counterparts? What steps are being taken to secure their release?
The issue of foreign volunteer fighters is discussed with Ukrainian Government, who treat them as Ukrainian military. No mention of discussions or steps for specific individuals' release.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm if there were discussions on securing the release of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner specifically.
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Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
The Hazara mosque attack on April 21 and the worsening situation for minorities in Afghanistan.
What steps is the Minister taking to protect minoritised communities in Afghanistan from violence? Are there plans to bring them to safety in the UK?
The Minister discusses issues with regional partners regularly. The UK is committed to protecting minorities by working with international partners to hold Taliban accountable for commitments made.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify any specific steps or plans for immediate protection and relocation of minoritised communities in Afghanistan.
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Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
The effectiveness of the International Criminal Court and UN in dealing with sexual violence, suggesting a new international mechanism led by the UK.
Does the Foreign Secretary agree that we need a new international mechanism for bringing perpetrators of sexual violence to justice? Is the UK prepared to lead such efforts?
We agree that bringing perpetrators to justice is crucial. We fund the ICC, collect evidence, work with Ukrainians. Ready to lead if needed at conference later this year on prevention of sexual violence.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to a specific plan or timeline for establishing such a new international mechanism.
Response accuracy