Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 20 July 2021 · 15 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 8 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sarah Jones asked the Foreign Secretary about concerns over the US electoral system and the impact of the Elections Bill on UK democracy.
  • Thomas Tugendhat questioned the Foreign Secretary on the approach towards European partners and the need for equality in working on common concerns.
  • Catherine West inquired about the assistance FCDO can provide to constituents with court orders for repatriating children in international cases.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Jones Lab Croydon West
Democracy & Elections Foreign Affairs
Context

Discussions about international cooperation and responses to threats against democratic systems.

Question

Is the Foreign Secretary concerned about the erosion of trust in America's electoral system, specifically in Arizona, where there is no evidence of electoral fraud? Does he think the Elections Bill will help or hinder our democracy?

Answer from Dominic Raab

We work in collaboration with partners such as the US to address attacks on democracies through misinformation or cyber-crime. The Elections Bill is part of our efforts to protect democratic systems.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not directly address whether the Elections Bill will help or hinder democracy, focusing instead on general collaboration with partners.

How: Working With Partners

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Q2 Sarah Jones Lab Croydon West
Foreign Affairs Religion & Faith
Context

Welcoming Muslim communities in the UK and expressing concern for Muslim populations in Xinjiang, China.

Question

On Eid al-Adha, will the Foreign Secretary welcome the number of Muslims who have come to make their lives in the UK? Will he reach out to Muslim communities around the world to stand with those in Xinjiang?

Answer from Dominic Raab

We celebrate all religious communities in the UK. He is right to raise concerns about persecution based on religion, creed or ethnicity, particularly in Muslim-majority countries.

Answered
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Q3 Thomas Tugendhat Con Tonbridge
Foreign Affairs
Context

Criticism of the Government's approach towards European partners, particularly regarding the G7 summit.

Question

Does the Foreign Secretary accept that his needlessly antagonistic approach has undermined our relationship with Europe? Will he commit to treating European partners as equals to work together on common concerns?

Answer from Dominic Raab

Particularly after the Harry Dunn case, we must ensure that privileges and immunities are tailored to their functional need. We can hold people accountable for ordinary crimes.

Not addressed: The Foreign Secretary did not commit to treating European partners as equals or a more collaborative approach, focusing instead on the Harry Dunn case.

How: Harry Dunn Case

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Q4 Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Foreign Affairs Children & Families
Context

A complex constituency case involving a child's repatriation from another jurisdiction to the UK.

Question

What help can FCDO officials provide to constituents with favourable court orders in both this country and another jurisdiction for repatriating a child?

Answer from Wendy Morton

Consular officials provide support to British people affected by international parental abduction, advise on the most effective way to make local authorities aware of court orders. FCDO can express interest with relevant courts and liaise with local authorities.

Answered
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Q5 Mark Fletcher
Brexit Foreign Affairs
Context

The FCDO published a human rights report listing 31 priority countries; 23 of them receive arms licences from the UK.

Question

How can the granting of those licences be reconciled with any meaningful commitment to improve human rights in these countries?

Answer from Dominic Raab

We take our responsibilities on such issues seriously, regularly reviewing our stringent export control regime. We introduced an autonomous sanctions regime to hold violators accountable.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not address how arms licences can be reconciled with human rights commitments directly.

How: Regularly Reviewing, Stringent Export Control

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Q6 Catherine McKinnell Lab Newcastle upon Tyne North
Northern Ireland Foreign Affairs
Context

The Minister mentioned the government's reluctance to join an initiative due to a lack of information. The MP references a similar program in Northern Ireland that was effective.

Question

Why has the Government not shown more initiative in working with the US on joining the International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace? Our chief negotiator in Northern Ireland held a similar initiative, the International Fund for Ireland, to be the great unsung hero of the peace process. Does the Minister agree that the Middle East need be no different?

Answer from James Cleverly

The UK values and welcomes means for Israelis and Palestinians to work together, and we call on both leaderships to do so. We work closely with our US counterparts and will consider their details once they are in a position to engage more.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to joining the fund or taking specific actions, only stated that it will be considered when further information is available

How: Under Review

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Q7 Mark Eastwood
Community Security Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP received emails from constituents expressing concerns about violence towards worshippers at the al-Aqsa mosque and threatened evictions of Palestinian families.

Question

In response to constituent concerns, will the Minister outline what steps have been taken to raise these issues directly with the Israeli Government?

Answer from James Cleverly

The Foreign Secretary raised this issue with his Israeli counterpart, I have raised it with the Israeli ambassador. We continue to call for a permanent ceasefire and work with all parties in pursuit of that aim.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q8 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
NHS
Context

The MP asked about the Foreign Office's funding of projects to explore modern slavery in Malaysian factories, and the Department of Health's purchase of rubber gloves from these factories.

Question

Why does the Department of Health and Social Care not take similar actions regarding allegations of human rights abuses in Malaysian factories that supply rubber gloves for the NHS?

Answer from Dominic Raab

We scrutinise carefully any allegations of human rights abuses. During the pandemic, we looked at all possible suppliers including Malaysia, which is a major global supplier of rubber gloves.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address why Health and Social Care does not take similar actions

How: Under Review

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Q9 Chris Green Con
NHS
Context

Following the G7 summit, which focused on vaccinations and their global roll-out, the MP asked about the challenges of antimicrobial resistance.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that the challenges of AMR are at least as great and therefore need a similar focus in terms of research, manufacturing and distribution?

Answer from Wendy Morton

AMR is one of the most pressing global challenges we face this century. The UK has invested more than £360 million in research and development on AMR since 2014.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q10 Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife
Foreign Affairs Women & Equalities
Context

The MP raised concerns about the UK Government rolling out a red carpet for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who faces criticism over discrimination against LGBT+ citizens.

Question

Does the Secretary of State regret welcoming Viktor Orbán into No. 10 just weeks ago given Hungary's increasing hostility towards its LGBT+ citizens?

Answer from Wendy Morton

The Prime Minister met Hungarian PM on May 28. Co-operation with Hungary is important for UK's prosperity and security; values such as media freedom were raised in the meeting.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address regret over hosting Orbán, only mentioned raising concerns

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Q11 Paul Holmes Con Hamble Valley
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP expressed concern over Iran's flagrant violations of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal and asked if sanctions would be reimposed.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend share my concern that Iran has failed to live up to its commitments under the JCPOA, and will he confirm that nothing is off the table including the reimposition of sanctions?

Answer from Dominic Raab

Iran's systemic non-compliance with JCPOA commitments; wide-ranging sanctions are in place. We urge Iran to halt all activities violating the deal and return to negotiations.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q12 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP expressed concern over the lack of peace process progress due to settlement building and evictions, which are illegal under international law.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that attempts to get a meaningful peace process back up and running are made harder by the building of settlements and eviction of Palestinians?

Answer from Dominic Raab

Totally agree. We support Israel but also make clear that evictions, demolitions in Jerusalem, and settlement building are contrary to international law and counterproductive.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q13 Sally-Ann Hart
Education Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from discussions around effective use of the UK's aid budget. The speaker emphasises the importance of investing in global girls' education.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that one of the best possible investments the UK can make with its aid budget is in the education of girls globally? Will he outline the steps he is taking to further that aim at the Global Partnership for Education next week?

Answer from Dominic Raab

We have just made the biggest ever donation to the Global Partnership for Education, a 15% increase on last time. As a result, at the G7 we corralled one of the biggest G7 sets of donations—close to $3 billion. We are hosting, with our Kenyan friends, the Global Education summit in the next few days. The point is that, through the leadership of our official development assistance contribution and our diplomatic leadership, we are bringing the world together in pursuit of two targets: 40 million more girls receiving 12 years quality education, and 20 million more girls literate by the age of 10.

Answered
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Q14 Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from the new US Administration's recognition of the Armenian genocide. The speaker asks for UK to follow suit in recognizing the 2 million dead under Ottoman empire as Armenian genocide.

Question

It is cheering to see the new US Administration repairing relations that the previous President damaged. Will we take a leaf out of our closest ally's book and recognise the 2 million dead under the Ottoman empire from 1915 to 1923 as Armenian genocide, as Biden and dozens of other states worldwide have done? Can we also commit to playing our part to resolve current disputes with Azerbaijan?

Answer from Dominic Raab

Our position on the Armenian genocide is unchanged, but certainly in relation to the other disputes the hon. Lady mentioned, we of course work with the international community to try to alleviate the plight of those on all sides who are suffering.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Recognition of Armenian genocide

How: Our Position Is Unchanged

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Q15 Alicia Kearns Con Rutland and Stamford
Foreign Affairs
Context

The situation in Tigray is escalating with fears of further mass atrocities. The question arises from concerns about the Prime Minister of Ethiopia's statements regarding Tigray.

Question

The situation in Tigray is truly horrifying, and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia sparked fears of further mass atrocities by saying that the “weeds” of Tigray will be crushed. What steps is the UK taking to urgently de-escalate the conflict, and map out Ethiopian and Eritrean forces perpetrating atrocities so that they can be held accountable? Will the new conflict centre look at what further steps, such as Magnitsky sanctions, can be taken to alleviate the crisis?

Answer from James Duddridge

The UK is supporting the joint investigation into abuses and violations in Tigray, which will inform actions against those identified as having committed abuses or violations. I want to be very clear: we will consider all—all—policy options in response. We will also co-sponsor a resolution at the July Human Rights Council, and conflict experts are providing technical advice to guide our response during this crisis.

Answered
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