Myanmar Earthquake
Baroness Curran Excerpts(2 weeks, 6 days ago)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord for the support for the action that the Government have been able to take so far. Noble Lords will understand the reasons why we work through local partners on the ground: they are the best way to get the support to those who need it. I ask the noble Lord to also understand the reasons why we do not name or give details of those partners acting locally. It is for their protection and to make sure that they are able to continue to do their vital work.
Baroness Curran (Lab)
My Lords and Ladies, I thank my noble friend for her replies thus far and her commitment to this task. I have visited Myanmar many times, including the cities of Mandalay and Naypyidaw, and I am acutely aware of the suffering of the Myanmar people, which has been compounded so grievously in recent days and weeks. When the headlines move on, as they invariably will, will my noble friend keep focused on the struggles of the Myanmar people and use whatever channels she can consistently to call out the brutalities of the Myanmar junta that it has perpetrated on its own people?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
I am very happy to provide that assurance to the House today and I will take the opportunity to thank the noble Baroness, Lady Curran, as well as very many other Members of this House, for their commitment and work, and the focus they have placed on Myanmar over the years. As the noble Baroness says, it is vital that, when the media attention perhaps moves on, our focus as political leaders in this country and as the Government remains in place.
Trade Promotion
Baroness Curran Excerpts(12 years, 5 months ago)
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Margaret Curran
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many events have been held at British embassies or consulates to promote Scottish businesses in the last three years; and which businesses were represented at such events.
[Official Report, 30 October 2012, Vol. 552, c. 176W.]
Letter of correction from Hugo Swire:
An error has been identified in the written answer given to the hon. Member for Glasgow East (Margaret Curran) on 30 October 2012.
The full answer given was as follows:
Mr Swire
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) officials meet UK businesses seeking to export regularly. These interactions occur in a wide variety of circumstances, and it is therefore not possible to assess accurately the total number of meetings that have taken place over the past three years.
Our Charter for Business sets out how the FCO supports UK business overseas and how the FCO is working to help deliver success for the UK's economy. We are supporting and promoting businesses across the UK, and do not differentiate on where they are based. UKTI also has a vital role to play in supporting British business. UKTI helped 25,450 businesses in 2011-12, 90% of them SMEs. UKTI trade support generated over £30 billion of additional sales for its clients—this support helped firms create 36,400 new jobs and secure a further 68,500.
British companies can make full use of UKTI's trade services, including the resources provided by UKTI offices overseas. Additionally, where appropriate, the Scottish Government's trade and investment arm, Scottish Development International, is also available.
As examples, in 2011-12:
172 grants were provided to Scottish firms through support under UKTI's Tradeshow Access programme.
310 reports were commissioned on behalf of Scottish firms through overseas posts under UKTI's Overseas Market Introduction Services.
Three research projects were offered to Scottish firms under UKTI's Export Marketing Research scheme.
Four Scottish missions to India, Brazil, Qatar and China (a total of 39 companies) were supported under UKTI's Market Visit Support programme.
Our diplomatic, consular and UKTI network is one of the largest and most respected in the world, with around 270 diplomatic posts in 170 countries, employing 14,000 staff. This delivers real benefits to Scottish people and businesses at home and overseas.
The correct answer should have been:
Oral Answers to Questions
Baroness Curran Excerpts(13 years, 10 months ago)
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Margaret Curran (Glasgow East) (Lab)
1. What his policy is on UN membership for a Palestinian state.
Sandra Osborne (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) (Lab)
12. What his policy is on UN membership for a Palestinian state.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr William Hague)
Membership of the UN by September is one option under consideration by President Abbas. We believe that Israelis and Palestinians should return to negotiations. We will make a decision on UN membership only at the appropriate time.
Margaret Curran
Time and again, the Secretary of State has said that he is in favour of an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders. Surely with events going apace in the middle east, the time is right to show solidarity with the Palestinians, support them at the United Nations and prove, once and for all, that we are on the Palestinian side.
Mr Hague
We have lent a great deal of support to Palestinians at the United Nations. For instance, as the hon. Lady will know, in February we voted for the Palestinian resolution on settlements. We voted the opposite way to the United States on that occasion, which is unusual for this country. We strongly support a future state based on 1967 borders, and we welcome President Obama’s recent speech in that regard. We must remember that the way to a viable and secure state is through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. It is to those negotiations that we want both parties to return.