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Written Question
Gaza: Humanitarian Aid
Wednesday 21st February 2024

Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to work with other countries which have suspended funding to UNRWA to create a new independent funding agency to deliver aid to Gaza.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We are appalled by allegations that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned.

The pause will remain in place until we review the allegations, and we are looking to our partners in the UN to carry out a robust and comprehensive investigation.

Any future funding decisions will be taken after this point.

We are getting on with aid delivery and the UK is providing £60 million in humanitarian assistance to support partners including the British Red Cross, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS) to respond to critical food, fuel, water, health, shelter and security needs in Gaza.


Written Question
Gaza: Ceasefires
Tuesday 9th January 2024

Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government why the UK did not vote against the UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza on 8 December 2023.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK abstained on the 08 December UNSCR resolution, which called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, because it is the government's view that, for a ceasefire to be sustainable, the conditions need to be in place for it to not rapidly collapse. The Government recognises the need to respond to the growing humanitarian crisis however, and welcomes the adoption of UNSCR 2720, which calls for expanded humanitarian access in Gaza. The resolution also calls for steps towards a sustainable ceasefire, reflecting the recent calls from the Foreign Secretary. We want to see a peaceful resolution to this conflict as soon as possible and the UK will work with international partners to ensure the implementation of this resolution.


Written Question
Yemen: Guided Weapons
Friday 5th January 2024

Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with international partners about taking action against Houthi missile sites in Yemen.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK strongly condemns the illegal and unjustified attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea by Houthi militants. We continue to engage with our international partners, particularly in the region, to explore ways to strengthen maritime security and prevent further attacks. The UK has joined with key international allies in Operation PROSPERITY GUARDIAN to help safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.


Written Question
Red Sea: Shipping
Friday 5th January 2024

Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with international partners about taking action against the Houthi war capability in the Red Sea.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK strongly condemns the illegal and unjustified attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea by Houthi militants. We continue to engage with our international partners, particularly in the region, to explore ways to strengthen maritime security and prevent further attacks. The UK has joined with key international allies in Operation PROSPERITY GUARDIAN to help safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.


Written Question
Gaza: Ceasefires
Friday 29th December 2023

Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the morale of Hamas caused by the UK's decision not to veto the United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on 8 December.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Government does not routinely comment on intelligence assessments. We have repeatedly made clear that the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza requires urgent action to save the lives of innocent civilians. The UK welcomes the adoption of UNSCR 2720, which calls for expanded humanitarian access in Gaza. The resolution also calls for steps towards a sustainable ceasefire, reflecting the recent calls from the Foreign Secretary. A sustainable ceasefire means that Hamas is no longer able to threaten Israel with rocket attacks and other forms of terrorism.


Written Question
Gaza: Ceasefires
Friday 29th December 2023

Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government why the UK did not to support the United States in vetoing the United Nations Security Council motion calling for an immediate ceasefire on Gaza on 8 December

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Government does not routinely comment on intelligence assessments. We have repeatedly made clear that the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza requires urgent action to save the lives of innocent civilians. The UK welcomes the adoption of UNSCR 2720, which calls for expanded humanitarian access in Gaza. The resolution also calls for steps towards a sustainable ceasefire, reflecting the recent calls from the Foreign Secretary. A sustainable ceasefire means that Hamas is no longer able to threaten Israel with rocket attacks and other forms of terrorism.


Written Question
Gaza: Ceasefires
Wednesday 27th December 2023

Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any damage caused to the relationship between the UK and United States by the UK abstaining on the United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on 8 December.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The US is the UK's most important strategic ally and partner, and we do more together than any other two countries in the world. As the Foreign Secretary has said, we stand united in the Middle East and are working together to ensure long-term security and stability in the region. He visited the US on the 6 December to meet with Secretary of State Blinken and other senior government officials. They discussed getting humanitarian aid into Gaza and how the UK and US can work towards enabling a long-term two-state solution. We are gravely concerned about the desperate situation in Gaza and of course want to see a peaceful resolution to the conflict; ultimately this will mean a lasting ceasefire, agreed and abided to by all sides.


Written Question
Gaza: Humanitarian Aid
Tuesday 21st November 2023

Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to put an immediate stop to all further overseas aid to Gaza until it is certain that none of it is being taken or used by Hamas.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

There is a robust framework in place for allocating Official Developmental Assistance (ODA) and the UK works with trusted international partners, such as the UN, to ensure strong safeguards against aid diversion are in place. This includes due diligence assessments, audits, spot checks and annual reviews. This comprehensive oversight prevents UK aid from benefitting Hamas.


Written Question
Gaza: Humanitarian Aid
Tuesday 21st November 2023

Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what information they have on the amount of overseas aid to Gaza which has been taken or used by Hamas.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

There is a robust framework in place for allocating Official Developmental Assistance (ODA) and the UK works with trusted international partners, such as the UN, to ensure strong safeguards against aid diversion are in place. This includes due diligence assessments, audits, spot checks and annual reviews. This comprehensive oversight prevents UK aid from benefitting Hamas.


Written Question
International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
Monday 17th July 2023

Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what support they are providing to the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK welcomes the establishment of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA) as a positive step towards accountability. We look forward to reviewing the results of an ICPA needs analysis which will help the international community to understand any support required. We will consider UK involvement when this has issued.