Topical Questions 2021-01-19

2021-01-19

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The question arises after a period where the Foreign Secretary has been visiting international counterparts and discussing various issues.
I am concerned about my departmental responsibilities. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
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.
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Q2 Partial Answer
Context
The situation in Yemen has been deteriorating, leading to a humanitarian crisis. President-elect Biden has committed to ending the war.
I welcome comments regarding Yemen. However, will the Government now back up their words with action and suspend all arms sales and military support to Saudi-led coalition for use in Yemen?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Specific suspension of arms sales and military support was not committed to explicitly.
Pushing Every Lever Rigorous Process
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Q3 Direct Answer
Context
New variants of the virus are emerging in different parts of the world, and countries like Australia have implemented strict border controls.
New variants are emerging. The Government acted quickly by banning flights from regions with variants but how can we pre-empt these risks? Should severe public health risks arise, has an assessment been made on following a similar approach?
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.
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Q4 Partial Answer
Lisa Nandy Lab
Wigan
Context
The arrest of Alexei Navalny has raised concerns about the UK's response to Russian actions.
The Foreign Secretary had strong words regarding Alexei Navalny but how many recommendations from the Russia report have been implemented?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Details on specific recommendations implemented were not provided.
Appalled Sanctions Imposed
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Q5 Partial Answer
Lisa Nandy Lab
Wigan
Context
The Labour party is concerned about the UK's response to dirty money and espionage from Russia.
The Secretary of State seems to be struggling with the answer. Of 21 recommendations made 15 months ago, none have been implemented: no action on foreign agents, golden visas, or the London laundromat. Can he commit to bringing forward legislation to fix this before recess next month?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Commitment to legislation against Russian dirty money and espionage was not given.
Raising The Report Sanctions Imposed
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Q6 Direct Answer
Context
There is a stalled budget deal affecting public servants in Kurdistan.
Covid is bankrupting Iraq and the Kurdistan region. A stalled budget deal between Irbil and Baghdad is bleeding the Kurds dry, with public servants not paid for half of last year. Could the UK urge the UN to take an active role?
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.
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Q7 Direct Answer
Jamie Stone Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Context
Alexei Navalny has been arrested, prompting international concern.
Returning to the subject of Alexei Navalny, what discussions have had with the Home Office about granting refuge to his supporters and other human rights defenders in Russia?
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.
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Q8 Partial Answer
Context
Concerns about British individuals involved with ISIS held in Syria and potential risks of them escaping.
How many British Islamic State prisoners—men, women and children—are being held in northern Syria, and are there any plans for them to come back to the UK? If not, what assistance are we providing to the Kurds to secure them, and indeed the other prisoners, because I understand that many of them are escaping?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Specific numbers and repatriation plans
We Do Not Have A Firm Number
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Q9 Partial Answer
Ellie Reeves Lab
Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Context
The official end of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's five-year detention is approaching, but there are concerns about her future in Iran.
The official end of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's five-year detention is less than 50 days away, but despite this, she continues to live under the threat of a further prison sentence. In 2017, when the current Prime Minister was Foreign Secretary, he promised to “leave no stone unturned” to bring Nazanin home. Can the current Foreign Secretary also make this commitment, and will he, unlike his predecessor, actually make good on this promise?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Specific actions and timeline for her release
We Are Leaving No Stone Unturned
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Q10 Partial Answer
Bob Blackman Con
Harrow East
Context
Concern over UK voting at the United Nations General Assembly that conflicts with robust stances taken elsewhere.
I welcome the Government's strong condemnation of anti-Israel bias at the UN Human Rights Council recently, but the robust stance that we have taken there conflicts with our voting at the United Nations General Assembly, where we have supported dozens of resolutions hostile to Israel. Will my right hon. Friend commit to ensure that, going forward, our actions will better reflect our words?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to align future votes
Our Record Has Not Changed In Recent Years
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Q11 Partial Answer
Context
Concern over the impact of the US designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organisation on Yemen's ability to import essential goods.
Oxfam has said that the US designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organisation has already meant that banks are refusing to facilitate vital commercial wheat and rice imports to Yemen. What specific conversations have the UK Government had with the banks on that matter?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Specific conversations with banks
We Can Talk To The Banks, But They Will Follow Us Designation
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Q12 Direct Answer
Context
Inquiry by a year 4 class about international co-operation and the views of young people in addressing climate challenges.
I recently received letters from a year 4 class at Seaton Delaval First School in my constituency, who are very concerned about climate change. Does my right hon. Friend agree that progress can be made on this matter through international co-operation and that we must embrace the views of young people to look after the future?
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.
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Q13 Partial Answer
Emma Lewell Lab
South Shields
Context
Tripartite talks between Bangladesh, China and Myanmar regarding Rohingya repatriation are taking place.
The Foreign Secretary will know that tripartite talks are taking place today between Bangladesh, China and Myanmar regarding Rohingya repatriation. Can he say what representations he has made to his counterparts involved in today's talks, and what involvement the UK currently has in the Rohingya crisis?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Specific representations in the talks
We Support Diplomatic Efforts Provide Aid
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Q14 Direct Answer
Context
Cross-party letter signed by over 100 Members expressing concern for protesting farmers in India, raising the issue of harassment and intimidation by authorities.
I welcome the recent appointment of my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Mrs Grant) as the Prime Minister's special envoy on girls' education, and ask my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to reassure the House that vital work in this area to tackle poverty and create opportunity across the world will continue to be a key priority for this Government, and that the issue will be raised with the incoming Biden Administration at the earliest opportunity, so that further progress can be made to ensure that every girl gets a decent education.
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.
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Q15 Partial Answer
Tan Dhesi Lab
Slough
Context
Cross-party letter signed by over 100 Members expressing concern for protesting farmers in India, raising the issue of harassment and intimidation by authorities.
More than 100 Members of this House signed a cross-party letter to the Prime Minister about our anxieties for the peacefully protesting farmers in India, and we eagerly await his response. Does the Secretary of State agree that it is extremely concerning to hear alarming reports of harassment and intimidation by the authorities there, which have started issuing notices to peaceful protesters, union leaders and human rights activists?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly state agreement or disagreement with harassment and intimidation concerns.
We Need To Respect Its Democratic Process
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Q16 Partial Answer
Context
US State Department's factsheet detailing possible links between researchers at Wuhan Institute and early cases of illness.
It is obviously crucial for both scientific understanding and global security that we understand the origins of the covid-19 outbreak. What assessment has my right hon. Friend made of the US State Department's factsheet, published on 15 January, which details that the US Government have reason to believe that several researchers inside the Wuhan Institute of Virology became sick in autumn 2019, before the first identified case of the outbreak, with symptoms consistent with both covid-19 and common seasonal illnesses?
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.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide an assessment of the factsheet but discussed ongoing inquiries.
Our Focus Has Been On The World Health Organisation Review
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Q17 Direct Answer
Context
Reports of forced labour and detention conditions for Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
Will the Secretary of State update the House on the situation regarding the Uyghur people in the Xinjiang province of China?
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.
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Q18 Direct Answer
Context
Charities working hard both domestically and internationally, especially World Vision based in Milton Keynes.
Charities are working harder than ever, both at home and abroad, including, of course, the wonderful World Vision, based in Milton Keynes. Can my hon. Friend the Minister update the House on what support the UK Government are giving to charities that are providing aid to some of the most vulnerable people in the poorest countries in the world? Will my hon. Friend undertake to meet World Vision to discuss their work?
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.
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