United States: Withdrawal from International Organisations
Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Lord Sikka
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
As I have explained, we are not participants in all the organisations concerned, but we are of course strong supporters of the United Nations and of the Secretary-General and we take every opportunity to participate positively and constructively. We take our leadership role globally very seriously and we will continue to do that; we will continue to be strong supporters of the multilateral system in all its forms.
Lord Sikka (Lab)
My Lords, following President Trump’s announcement, the US will be the only country outside the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The US is the world’s second-largest carbon emitter, which has negative consequences for everyone. Are the Government concerned that a major polluter will operate outside international law? If so, what will they do?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
We are completely committed to the framework on climate change and to the Paris Agreement; that is not going to change. The best thing we can do is to be clear about our position and clear about what we see as the economic benefits of transition away from the use of fossil fuels. I think many countries are coming to agree with us on this because of the impact on climate, of course, but also because of the benefits to them in relation to the cost of production and energy sovereignty.
Venezuela
Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Lord Sikka
Lord Sikka
To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to impose sanctions against the United States in response to its actions in Venezuela.
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)
My Lords, the US is the UK’s principal defence and security partner. We do not have plans to impose sanctions on the US. We will continue to discuss evolving situations with our US counterparts as we seek a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate Government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people.
Lord Sikka (Lab)
My Lords, in direct violation of Article 2(4) of the UN charter, the US has attacked Venezuela and kidnapped its President and his wife. The Prime Minister has failed to condemn the aggression and violation of international law, which will inevitably embolden Trump to annex other territories. Can the Minister explain why the Government have not imposed sanctions on the US, as they have on other gangster states, for violating the territorial integrity of a UN member state?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
The United Kingdom Government work for the benefit of the United Kingdom’s people and it would not be in the British interest to impose sanctions on our closest intelligence and security partner. This relationship goes back decades; it is deep and it is serious. My noble friend’s Question, I am afraid, is simply not serious.
Official Development Assistance: Vulnerable Children
Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Lord Sikka
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
That is the aim of many countries that we are working in. They want to move on from being an aid recipient and be a partner with us, not least in the area of business and economic growth. Relationships, such as on infrastructure and in higher education, are starting to develop. I would like the FCDO to play a leading role in this. As we move towards a change in our approach, having that expertise here in the UK to facilitate those relationships, in finance or technology, is exactly the direction that we should be going in.
Lord Sikka (Lab)
My Lords, as there is a lull, I might take an opportunity to ask the Minister a question. The Department for Work and Pensions has stated that, as a result of the planned benefit cuts, an extra 50,000 UK children will be pushed into poverty. Can the Minister explain why that outcome is acceptable to the Government?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
My Lords, that would be straying slightly beyond my remit on development. However, I would point out that all of us ought to be deeply concerned about the lack of attendance at school, about mental health affecting too many of our young people and about too often their inability to access the world of work at an early age. We know that that scarring can last a lifetime. The work that the Department for Work and Pensions is doing is about supporting properly those young people into careers so that they can lead fulfilling, healthy lives.
International Anti-Corruption Court
Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Lord Sikka(1 year, 4 months ago)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
I will take on board the comments of the noble Baroness.
Lord Sikka (Lab)
My Lords, while the Minister is looking into various things, can I also invite her to look at the failure of the Criminal Finances Act 2017 to prosecute any corporation for tax evasion? The law was specifically introduced for that purpose, but nobody has been prosecuted.
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
The noble Lord’s question highlights the diverse nature of the issues we face. We are looking at kleptocracy and, as he references, tax evasion; we are also looking at proceeds of crime and unexplained wealth. There are very many strands to this, and I welcome his invitation to consider them in a rather more holistic way. This is perhaps a good time to remind noble Lords about the vigour the Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary and Chancellor are determined to use to tackle these issues in a more rounded and holistic way.