Asked by: Lord Gilbert of Panteg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 9 March (HL14364), whether they will publish the arrangements and mitigations that were put in place in relation to Lord Mandelson's Global Counsel shareholdings when he was appointed Ambassador to the United States.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the Government's statement (Official Report, vol. 782, cols. 359-374) and release of information on 11 March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Asked by: Lord Gilbert of Panteg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office gave to facilitating a diplomatic service role for Lord Doyle in the British Embassy in Washington.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answers given on this matter by the Foreign Secretary in the most recent session of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office oral questions in the House of Commons on 21 April, when she said: "As for the case that the hon. Member raised, I can confirm that it would also not have been an appropriate appointment."
Asked by: Lord Gilbert of Panteg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what was the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development internal policy basis, for the decision to grant Lord Mandelson access to classified briefings at higher tiers from 6 January 2025, before his Developed Vetting was completed.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the Government's statement (Official Report, vol. 782, cols. 359-374) and release of information on 11 March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Asked by: Lord Gilbert of Panteg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, whether, when conducting vetting for the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the USA, due diligence was undertaken in relation to Global Counsel’s work in Russia and China.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the Government's statement (Official Report, vol. 782, cols. 359-374) and release of information on 11 March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Asked by: Lord Gilbert of Panteg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 11 February (HL14050), whether Inter Mediate has undertaken any work for them in relation to (1) the Chagos Islands, or (2) Mauritius; and whether they have received any representations from Inter Mediate about those two places.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
For over ten years, Inter Mediate and the UK Government have successfully partnered to advance peace efforts around the globe. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) supports a range of civil society and non-governmental organisations through its mediation and conflict resolution programme. Given the sensitive and discreet nature of these efforts, we do not disclose details of the projects supported. This ensures that neither the safety of partners, nor the integrity of ongoing peace efforts are compromised. This is in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the FCDO's approach to aid transparency, whereby information is excluded from publication where sharing could pose risks to international relations, compromise the security and safety of partners, prejudice national security, or reveal personal data that could infringe on privacy or breach confidentiality.