Asked by: Baroness Tonge (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's guidance <i>Overseas Business Risk – The Occupied Palestinian Territories</i>, what advice they have given to local councils and other public bodies on (1) trade with businesses in the state of Israel, (2) trade with businesses in the Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), (3) trade with Israeli companies that also work in the Israeli settlements in the OPTs, and (4) trade with any company from the UK that also has contracts in the Israeli settlements in the OPTs.
Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley
On 17 February, the Government published procurement guidance for public authorities that makes clear that boycotts in public procurement are inappropriate and may be illegal outside where formal legal sanctions, embargoes and restrictions have been put in place by the UK Government. It is general guidance for public authorities on contracting with suppliers from WTO countries.
Asked by: Baroness Tonge (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken to ensure that local authorities do not enter into contracts with companies that also work in countries that they believe are breaking, or have broken, international law and the Geneva Convention.
Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley
The new Public Contracts Regulations 2015 impose a legal obligation on public authorities when awarding contracts above certain thresholds to treat EU and GPA suppliers equally. Decisions on sanctions for breaking international law and the Geneva Convention are for the Government's foreign policy, and it is inappropriate and illegal for local authorities in some cases to prejudice suppliers on the basis of their "beliefs". This policy has been in place for many years under successive governments.
Asked by: Baroness Tonge (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether their plans to introduce rules to stop local councils from taking boycott or divestment initiatives in relation to Israel are compatible with their guidance on overseas business risk in Israel recognising the illegality of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley
Cabinet office will shortly issue guidance that reminds public authorities of their international obligations when letting public contracts. Foreign policy is not a matter for local authorities. The guidance will make clear that boycotts in public procurement are inappropriate and may be illegal, outside where formal legal sanctions, embargoes and restrictions that have been put in place by the Government.
Asked by: Baroness Tonge (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they are having with the Charity Commission following reports that the charity UK Toremet is acting as a conduit for donations to Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley
The Charity Commission for England and Wales is independent and is not subject to Ministerial direction or control. I understand that following concerns that were raised with the Charity Commission, it has written to the trustees of the charity and will be meeting them to review the governance, policies, procedures and operational activity of the charity.
Asked by: Baroness Tonge (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bridges of Headley on 22 June (HL433), what progress they have made in setting a timetable for the publication of the Muslim Brotherhood Review.
Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley
The Government continues work to finalise the Counter Extremism Strategy, and intends to publish both it and the main findings of the Muslim Brotherhood Review this year.