Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Bellingham and Tom Greatrex

Wednesday 5th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/Co-op)]

8. What recent assessment she has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland.

[Mr Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) (Con)]

10. What recent assessment she has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Bellingham and Tom Greatrex

Tuesday 17th April 2012 Commons Chamber

[Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/Co-op)]

T5. Following the recent sudden death of the President of Malawi and the peaceful and constitutional succession of Joyce Banda as the new President, what assessment has the Minister made of the prospects now for full diplomatic representation in Malawi and the resumption of the direct foreign aid that is so important to so many people in that very poor country?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Henry Bellingham)]

I had a chance to speak to President Joyce Banda a few days ago. I was extremely impressed by her determination to drive a programme of economic reform and to meet some of the milestones that we put in place for the bilateral relationship, so I am confident that we will be able to appoint a high commissioner in the very near future. Direct budget support will be up to the Department for International Development, but we will carry on providing aid to the Malawi people.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Bellingham and Tom Greatrex

Tuesday 14th December 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Bellingham]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for those comments and I join him in paying tribute to Mr Holbrooke, who was a remarkable statesman. He made extraordinary progress that can be built on in the future.

[Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/Co-op)]

11. What his most recent assessment is of the political and security situation in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Bellingham and Tom Greatrex

Tuesday 14th September 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Bellingham]

The UK Border Agency is looking to start work on a process aimed at normalising our returns policy to Zimbabwe as and when the political situation develops. However, we are not starting enforced returns yet by any means.

[Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/Co-op)]

The Minister will, I am sure, join me in welcoming the fact that the BBC World Service has recently been able to have a correspondent back in Zimbabwe. Given the important aspects of accountability and information that the BBC World Service brings to Zimbabwe and other parts of the world, what assurances can he give that it will continue to be supported by the Foreign Office?

[Mr Bellingham]

There are currently no proposals to close any language service. Any such proposal requires ministerial approval and no such approval has been sought or given as yet. There was an article in The Guardian that was wholly inaccurate and pure speculation. Discussions are ongoing and there will be a robust discussion involving the Foreign Office about the World Service’s £272 million annual direct grant, but no decisions have been taken. I stress that any closure of a language service requires ministerial approval.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Bellingham and Tom Greatrex

Tuesday 6th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/Co-op)]

9. What recent discussions he has had on governance of the Turks and Caicos Islands; and if he will make a statement.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Henry Bellingham)]

I have held a number of discussions about the situation in the Turks and Caicos Islands, including with my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department for International Development. Yesterday, I met our Governor, and last week I met a delegation from the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Foreign Secretary, other Ministers and I all want to see the Government restored as soon as possible. The Governor—fully supported by the UK—is working hard to restore key elements of good governance and sound public financial management.

[Tom Greatrex]

I thank the Minister for that reply. May I urge him and his Department to do whatever they properly can to influence the inquiry that is going on in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and to ensure that the people of those islands are able to take part in free and fair democratic elections as soon as possible?