Topical Questions

Answer from Dominic Raab

Since the last oral questions, I have visited India, where I had positive conversations with Prime Minister Modi, Foreign Minister Jaishankar and others about strengthening our trade, our security co-operation and indeed human rights. Last week, I introduced measures to ensure that no British organisations profit from or contribute to human rights violations in Xinjiang. Last month, we delivered the historic EU-UK trade and co-operation agreement.

Answer from Dominic Raab

We are pushing every lever to precipitate peace in relation to Yemen. Our arms exports to Saudi, to which the hon. Member referred, are subject to a world-leading and rigorous process. On 3 December, I announced an extra £40 million of UK aid to help households access food and medicines.

Answer from Dominic Raab

We have taken decisive action in relation to South Africa and South America. We have also, as a precautionary measure, suspended the travel corridors and ensured that people have to have a pre-departure negative test and fill out a passenger locator form.

Answer from Dominic Raab

We are appalled by Alexei Navalny's detention. We have taken action, including imposing sanctions on six individuals and the State Scientific-Research Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology. We led efforts in the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Answer from Dominic Raab

The hon. Lady raises the report that preceded the poisoning of Alexei Navalny. We have introduced sanctions on individuals and an organisation, and led the joint statement in December supported by 58 countries in the OPCW.

Answer from James Duddridge

We recognise the importance of securing a budget deal between Irbil and Baghdad. The UK continues to encourage both sides to work towards resolving their issues for a sustainable solution, including solving internal boundary disputes. We regularly raise this in the United Nations.

Answer from Dominic Raab

I have had detailed discussions with the Home Secretary about the response to this and other examples of hostile state action. We have one of the most open and generous asylum systems in the world, continually focusing on support provided for civil society groups including media organisations.

Answer from James Duddridge

Travel advice has always been against all travel to Syria. There is no consular support. We do not have a diplomatic presence. For those reasons, sadly, we do not have a firm number. However, I invite my hon. Friend to discuss privately the security issues and very difficult situation of some of these cases with the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa.

Answer from Dominic Raab

We are leaving no stone unturned to secure the release of Nazanin, but also all the other dual nationals arbitrarily detained. I have spoken to Nazanin—she is subject to furlough at the moment—a number of times over recent months. We are doing everything we can.

Answer from Dominic Raab

My hon. Friend is right to talk about the importance of balance in these UN resolutions. In fact, our record has not changed in recent years; it has been consistent. We support the Palestinian right to self-determination consistent with a two-state solution. We have called out illegal Israeli settlements.

Answer from Dominic Raab

We can talk to the banks, but of course they will follow the designation made by the US. We are concerned that those sanctions and that designation will not allow for the humanitarian aid that we feel is essential to alleviate the blight of the conflict in Yemen.

Answer from James Duddridge

I could not agree more, and I am happy to visit Blyth Valley to talk to my hon. Friend's constituents of all ages. Young constituents are a powerful catalyst for change. As COP26 hosts, we will work with international partners, including young people across the globe.

Answer from Dominic Raab

The United Kingdom supports the diplomatic efforts. We are a major provider of aid to deal with the refugee crisis, and we have imposed travel bans and asset freezes through our Magnitsky sanctions on those responsible for the persecution of the Rohingya.

Answer from Dominic Raab

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I join him in congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Mrs Grant), who will do a fantastic job in this crucial area. On the UK's approach to girls' education, we have a global target of getting 40 million more girls into education, and ensuring that they can have at least 12 years' quality education. We want to get 12 million young girls literate by the age of 20. We will be discussing that with the new Administration, and I have already discussed it with leading members of Congress, including Speaker Pelosi.

Answer from Dominic Raab

I understand the hon. Gentleman's concerns. I discussed the protests with Foreign Minister Jaishankar when I visited India in December. Of course, this is a major, Government-led reform that reduces subsidies as part of the liberalisation process, but the hon. Gentleman makes some important points about freedom of protest and sensitivity. Of course, India's politics is very much our politics, but we need to respect its democratic process.

Answer from Dominic Raab

We are aware of the factsheet. I have had discussions with Secretary of State Pompeo about this, and will continue to discuss it, I am sure, with the new Administration. Our focus has been on the World Health Organisation review, making sure that the WHO can access the area to conduct the review, and that it has proper access, so that it can come up with the answers that people want. WHO officers and the review team were given access last Thursday, and that is a first step. We need to ensure that they can proceed through that inquiry in order to give the proper, clear and fact-based answers to the questions that my hon. Friend rightly poses.

Answer from Dominic Raab

I gave an update to the House on the situation recently, just a few days ago. We regard the reports of forced labour, the conditions of detention and the forced sterilisation of women as grave violations of human rights, which is why we have introduced new measures to prevent any British businesses from feeding into the supply chains, or any businesses in China from profiting in the UK from this gruesome trade.

Answer from Wendy Morton

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for this question, and for highlighting the work that so many civil society organisations do. They are key partners for the FCDO in delivering the response to the covid-19 pandemic. They work as critical delivery partners with other donors and with international organisations, such as the UN, that are active in responding to the crisis. We have allocated almost £67 million directly to international and UK-based charities, so that they can play their critical role in supporting vulnerable communities with the humanitarian impact of this virus. I thank World Vision for the work they do, and if they contact me, I will happily arrange a meeting.