Asked by: Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to rebuild development capacity once the commitment to a target spending of 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income for Official Development Assistance is restored.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The FCDO continues to maintain its development capability, and is focusing its learning and development efforts to ensure that it has the right people with the right capabilities working on the highest priorities. The launch of the FCDO removed outdated and artificial distinctions between diplomacy and overseas development. The successes of COP26, the Global Education Summit, and the UK's G7 Presidency, all show the value of integrating development and diplomatic expertise to deliver for the UK.
The Government is committed to returning to spending 0.7% of GNI on official development assistance (ODA) when the fiscal situation allows and has provided a clear measure for this. The two key tests are (1) When we are not borrowing to support day-to-day spending; (2) When underlying debt is falling. Improving economic forecasts show that HMG may meet its test to return to spending 0.7% of GNI on ODA in the final year of this Spending Review.
Asked by: Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage (1) stakeholders of, and (2) users of reports by, the Independent Commission for Aid Impact to contribute to the review of that Commission’s role; whether that review will consider any views submitted after 11 November; what plans they have to invite a member of the House of Commons International Development Committee to be a member of the team conducting the review; whether they plan to seek external challenge to the outcome of the review; and if so, by whom.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The Review Team has published Terms of Reference for the Review of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact and sought feedback from the public. They have also asked for written information from a range of stakeholders; and are conducting a series of interviews and roundtables. The Review Team will consider written views from members of the public until 11 November.
This is an internal departmental review. The International Development Committee is being consulted and there will be a small panel of independent experts to provide challenge to the review.
Asked by: Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to secure the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe following her five-year prison sentence in Iran; and what priority they assign to reuniting Nazanin and her daughter with her husband in the UK.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The Government continues to raise its strong concerns about Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s five year sentence. Iran does not recognise dual nationality for Iranian nationals and therefore has not provided any information to us about Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s case or the charges against her. On 11 September our Acting Ambassador to Tehran raised our concerns with the Iranian Government and pressed for urgent confirmation of the charges. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), raised our strong concerns for Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe with Iranian President Rouhani on 9 August. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Boris Johnson), similarly raised her case with Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif on 4 August, and followed up in writing on 29 August. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood) met Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's family on 8 September to reassure them that we will continue to raise her case with the Iranian authorities at the highest levels at every available opportunity.
Asked by: Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to secure the return of the passport of British citizen Gabriella Ratcliffe which is currently being held by the government of Iran.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
We have been providing consular support to the family of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe since we were notified of her arrest and remain in regular contact with them. We remain ready to facilitate Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s daughter’s return to the UK if requested.
Asked by: Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Ethiopia in the wake of reported deaths following demonstrations in and around Addis Ababa.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The British Government is deeply concerned about the demonstrations in Oromia and reported deaths of a number of students. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for International Development, my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (Mr Hurd), raised our concerns with the Ethiopian deputy prime minister on 11 December and urged the authorities to exercise restraint. Our chargé d'affaires repeated this message with the Ethiopian state minister for foreign affairs on 15 December. Our Ethiopia travel advice was updated on 18 December to reflect our concerns about the security situation in the affected areas. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and raise our concerns with the Ethiopian government, including on the use of force.
Asked by: Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the recent violence in Burundi.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The UK is deeply concerned by the recent violence in Burundi and supports the East African Community mandated dialogue, facilitated by Uganda, as the only route to a sustainable and inclusive solution. The UK has been active in its response, working alongside our international partners. Under the UK’s Presidency the UN Security Council approved Resolution 2248 which provided for the deployment of a UN team to Burundi. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Rochford and Southend East (Mr Duddridge), visited the region between 15 - 17 December with a focus on Burundi. Mr Duddridge discussed the recent violence with the Burundian Foreign Minister Alain Nyamitwe, and Major General Prime Niyongabo, Army Chief Of Staff. In Uganda, Mr Duddridge had separate meetings with President Museveni and Foreign Minister Kutesa. Additionally, he spoke by phone with Defence Minister Kiyonga. Mr Duddridge also met Rwandan Foreign Minister Mushikiwabo to underline the need for constructive engagement to solve the Burundi crisis. We have intensified our coordination with African Union (AU) countries alongside international partners. We welcome the AU’s Peace and Security Committee communiqué of 18 December which authorised a deployment of AU troops to Burundi to stabilise the security situation. We are exploring what more we can do to support the AU’s leadership at the UN and with our EU partners.