Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there are countries in which there is a European External Action Service delegation or office and where the UK does not also have an embassy or High Commission; and if so, where.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The EEAS website provides a listing of where they hold delegations. As is standard, HMG cannot vouch for the accuracy of information provided by third parties. There is no country where the UK is currently represented or has services provided by the EEAS, whether due to a lack of local UK representation, or any other reason. In most countries, the UK is represented by resident or non-resident Ambassadors. EU Exit will not reduce UK representation overseas.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in those countries where there is not a resident UK ambassador but there is a European External Action service office or delegation, the UK representatives (1) participate in EU political co-operation meetings, and (2) are part of any resulting EU common approach to the host country.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK currently remains a full and active member state of the European Union, with the rights and commitments this entails. Once the UK departs the EU, we will take forward an independent foreign policy. But working with the EU on foreign policy will remain important. The UK therefore is seeking a strategic partnership with the EU which facilitates close cooperation in foreign policy, defence and development. This will enable us to continue to work closely with European allies to tackle the common threats we face and to promote the values and interests that we share. This does currently, and could include cooperation in third countries.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 18 September (HL9903), whether they will now answer the question asked, namely how many separate cases of detention in Turkey have been raised with the government of Turkey; and on how many occasions each of those cases of detention have been raised.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
As stated in my answer of 18 September 2018 (HL9903), we do not reveal details of all the cases we have raised with the Turkish authorities nor the frequency with which we have raised them. These are private conversations between our two governments. However we will continue to raise key human rights issues, including individual cases where appropriate and in accordance with the criteria outlined in my answer of 18 September 2018 (HL9904), with Turkey.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 18 September (HL9905), whether they will now answer the question asked, namely how many cases of persons held in detention in Turkey have been raised with the government of Turkey as a result of discussions and decisions taken by the EU member states acting in political co-operation.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We have participated in one coordinated EU action over detained Turkish citizens. This related to the imprisonment of the leadership of the People's Democratic Party (HDP) and its MPs in November 2016. The EU issued a statement at that time. As previously stated (HL 9905), we do not reveal details of all the cases we have raised. We will continue to cooperate with our partners in this important field.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 18 September (HL9906), what are the cost, extent and purpose of the current building works, including refurbishment and routine maintenance, taking place at the residence of the UK's Permanent Representative to the EU.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave him on the 18 September [HL 9906].
The Ducale Residence is a vital part of our diplomatic operations in Brussels, used by the UK Permanent Representatives to the EU and NATO and the British Ambassador to Belgium. Routine maintainance was carried out in order to repair the façade, secure loose masonry and protect window frames at a cost of £62,000.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 18 September (HL9904), what factors, in addition to the charge and length of detention, they take into account when deciding whether to raise cases of persons in detention with the government of Turkey; whether those factors include the profession of those detained; and if so, what professions are most relevant.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
My answer of 18 September 2018 (HL 9904) set out the factors we consider when deciding to raise cases with the Turkish authorities, namely the nature of the charge and length of sentence. The profession of the detainee is not a factor in our decision-making.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what quality assurance process is followed in approving draft responses to parliamentary questions for written answer in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
All Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) responses to House of Lords written parliamentary questions (PQs) are quality controlled to make sure they conform to: the 'Companion to the Standing Orders and Guide to the Proceedings of the House of Lords' paragraph 6.42; Cabinet Office PQ Guidance; and internal FCO Best Practice Guidance. PQs are cleared by: a Senior (SMS grade) Manager in the drafting department; officials in Ministerial Private Offices and the Parliamentary Relations Department; Special Advisers; the Minister responsible for the subject area; and the answering Minister.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what training they provide to officials drafting responses to parliamentary written questions in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
As well as Civil Service wide e-learning on drafting written parliamentary questions (PQs), the FCO provides a variety of departmental, issues based, bespoke, one-to-one and on-the-job training and guidance on PQs and drafting.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the cost, extent and purpose of the current refurbishment of the residence of the UK's Permanent Representative to the EU.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
There is no current refurbishment of the UK Permanent Representative to the European Union’s Residence in Brussels. We are, however, currently undertaking routine maintenance to the front of the building.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 26 July (HL9469), how many separate cases of detention in Turkey have been raised with the government of Turkey; and on how many occasions each of those cases of detention have been raised.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We do not reveal details of all the cases we have raised with the Turkish authorities nor the frequency with which we have raised them. However we will continue to raise key human rights issues, including individual cases where appropriate and in accordance with the criteria outlined in HL9904 with Turkey.