Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 15 June 2021 · 9 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mike Amesbury asked about Nepal's COVID crisis, to which the Secretary of State responded with an announcement of an additional UK support package for Nepal.
  • Thomas Tugendhat raised concerns about the situation in Afghanistan and the work of the HALO Trust, to which the Secretary of State responded by emphasizing the need for support from allies at NATO and the G7.
  • Lisa Nandy expressed support for press freedom and criticized the UK's stance on China, to which the Secretary of State acknowledged varied views at the G7 and the UK's robust stance on human rights issues.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mike Amesbury Lab
NHS
Context

The MP is concerned about Nepal's severe covid situation, with thousands of deaths per week due to lack of oxygen and ventilators. The UK has already sent medical advisers to assess the situation.

Question

Nepal is in a deep covid crisis, with thousands of people dying each week because of the lack of oxygen supply and ventilators, and the severe lack of vaccines. Without urgent help from the UK Government, more lives will be lost. Can the Secretary of State outline what additional support the UK Government are providing following the visit last month by medical advisers to Nepal?

Answer from Dominic Raab

I am very concerned about the situation in Nepal. The UK announced very recently an additional support package, and I will write to the hon. Gentleman to set out the full details, so that he has all of that to hand.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specifics of the additional support package were not outlined beyond a vague reference; the promise was to provide written details later.

How: Will Write To The Hon. Gentleman

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Q2 Thomas Tugendhat Con Tonbridge
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP acknowledges the work of HALO Trust in Afghanistan and expresses concern about proposed aid cuts that could undermine recent progress.

Question

I welcome my right hon. Friend's comments about the workers serving so bravely in the HALO Trust in Afghanistan. He knows as well as I do that many other people are serving the Afghan community, and indeed the international community, by seeking to assist women and girls in education, to help farmers, and to fight the corruption in various institutions—and, indeed, the drugs business that has blighted so many lives. Can the Secretary of State, today at the Dispatch Box, redouble his commitment to the Afghan National Defence and Security Force and to supporting all those institutions that made such a difference in protecting the Afghan population, and that really are the legacy of the British Army and many other armies' continuous operations in Afghanistan over much of the last 20 years? Will he ensure that the sacrifice of all those who fought in Afghanistan, and all those who have given so much to rebuilding it, will not go to waste in aid cuts that are so unnecessary?

Answer from Dominic Raab

My hon. Friend is right to point to the precarious situation in Afghanistan. We had long, detailed talks not just with the United States at Carbis Bay but with other allies. We had the NATO summit as well, which has been an opportunity to reinforce the need to stand by those who have stood by us in the way that my hon. Friend the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee described, and to ensure that we encourage a political dialogue to avoid the spectre, or the risk, of civil war and that we bank not just the security gains from all the blood, sweat and tears that have been spent in Afghanistan, but a more inclusive Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specifics about support for Afghan institutions were vague; no direct commitment to avoid aid cuts was given.

How: We Had The Nato Summit As Well

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Q3 Lisa Nandy Lab Wigan
Foreign Affairs Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP expresses concerns about press freedom globally, especially after a BBC journalist was attacked outside Parliament. She also raises issues regarding NATO's stance on China.

Question

I associate myself with the tributes paid to the brave workers of the HALO Trust and put on record our unequivocal condemnation of the targeting of a BBC journalist outside Parliament yesterday. Press freedom is under attack around the world; we must defend it here. Yesterday, NATO recognised China as a systemic challenge to our security and the values that underpin it for the first time. While we welcome the reference to forced labour in the G7 communiqué, the failure to agree concrete measures in relation to Xinjiang was a missed opportunity to send a clear message that the world stands against genocide and anyone who seeks to profit from it. Can the Secretary of State assure us that he and the Prime Minister supported the stronger language and tougher measures that President Biden made it clear were needed, and that, despite the failure of the G7 to agree them, he will continue to do so?

Answer from Dominic Raab

I agree with much of what the hon. Lady said. Of course, she will know that there are varied views at the G7, including among our European partners, about quite how robust to be with China on some of these issues. She will know, because of the stance that the United Kingdom has taken in the Human Rights Council, the UN General Assembly, the United Nations and other forums, and indeed from the statements that we have put out and the sanctions that we have imposed in relation to Xinjiang, how importantly we take the issue, but the reality is that in relation to China, on this and many other issues, we need to be able to carry a broader group of like-minded countries with us. That is why the Prime Minister invited India, South Korea and Australia to join the G7 as guests, and why it is important to engage with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the way that we have been doing.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specifics about support for stronger language and measures were not directly addressed; instead, a diplomatic approach was emphasized.

How: Varied Views At The G7, Engage With Asean

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Q4 Lisa Nandy Lab Wigan
Brexit Foreign Affairs Business & Trade
Context

The MP references the UK's trade deal negotiations with countries accused of genocide, specifically mentioning forced labor in Xinjiang. She criticizes the government for not addressing these issues.

Question

Does the Secretary of State regret whipping his MPs to support preferential trade deals with countries that commit genocide? Can he explain why the Government rejected almost every recommendation by the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee to toughen stance on China over forced labor in Xinjiang?

Answer from Dominic Raab

The UK would never do a trade deal with any country engaged in genocide. We have imposed sanctions on Xinjiang, raised it at G7 level, and support constructive relationship with China where possible, including climate change cooperation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address specific regret or action required to resolve inconsistencies mentioned by MP

How: Chuntering

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Q5 Chris Grayling Con
Foreign Affairs Environment
Context

The MP expresses concern about increased deforestation in Brazil, especially regarding the Amazon rainforest.

Question

Please will he take every step possible to put pressure on the Brazilian Government to ensure that protections for the Amazon are not reduced?

Answer from Dominic Raab

We welcome President Bolsonaro's commitment to reach zero illegal deforestation by 2030 and are working with Brazil on sustainable production. Through international finance programmes, we have committed £259 million to help protect the Amazon.

Answered
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Q6 Janet Daby Lab Lewisham East
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP mentions a constituent, Mr Anoosheh Ashoori, detained as hostage in Iran due to his British citizenship with declining health.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that every tool should be used to secure Mr Anoosheh's release? Will he update us on diplomatic status and discuss dual nationals held in Iran at G7 summit?

Answer from Dominic Raab

I have had long conversations with Anoosheh Ashoori's family and am intensively engaged in trying to resolve this. At Carbis Bay, we discussed the situation of detained dual nationals in Iran.

Answered
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Q7 Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire
Education Economy
Context

The MP acknowledges the successful G7 summit and expresses support for the contribution to Global Partnership for Education.

Question

May I ask for an assurance that as our economy recovers, we will revert to 0.7% of GNP for ODA, and that our contribution represents merely the foundation of our ambition?

Answer from James Cleverly

We recognise ensuring 12 years of quality education for girls remains a top priority in Africa and globally.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address commitment to revert to 0.7% GNP for ODA

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Q8 Layla Moran Lib Dem Oxford West and Abingdon
Context

The MP mentions constituents who are angry about cuts to the aid budget, considering staying home or voting Lib Dem in response.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that if someone wants to send a message on cuts to aid budget, they should vote Lib Dem?

Answer from Dominic Raab

I went to school in Amersham and do not think that they will be daft come election day.

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Q9 Sheryll Murray Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

During her time at the Royal College of Defence Studies, Sheryll Murray led a seminar on the South China Sea and gained knowledge about the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). She is concerned about encouraging a code of conduct for the area that reflects UNCLOS.

Question

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on a successful G7 conference in Conservative Cornwall. During my time at the Royal College of Defence Studies, I led a seminar on the South China sea, and through my interest in fisheries I have gained knowledge on the UN convention on the law of the sea. Could he tell me what his Department is doing to encourage a code of conduct for the area that reflects UNCLOS?

Answer from Dominic Raab

I started life as a maritime lawyer, so I can geek on UNCLOS with the best of them. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend's expertise in this area. We welcome the negotiations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on a code of conduct relating to UNCLOS. What is really important is that that reflects and is faithful to the international obligations in one of the world's most widely ratified international treaties that is widely regarded as reflective of custom in international law. A code of conduct should not be used by China to unpick the obligations under UNCLOS.

Answered
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