Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the (a) Pakistani and (b) Indian authorities to encourage de-escalation of military tensions along the line of control.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government is taking all the steps we can to ensure that recent developments do not lead to uncontrolled escalation. We encourage India and Pakistan to commit to effective channels of engagement to safeguard stability in the region. Alongside international partners, the UK will continue to engage in dialogue in pursuit of long-term regional stability. The Foreign Secretary is in regular dialogue with his Indian and Pakistani counterparts to encourage all parties to take a measured approach. He is also in contact with US Secretary Rubio, French Foreign Minister Barrot and Gulf Partners to discuss the situation.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to (a) facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and (b) ensure the safety of aid workers in Gaza.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We call on the Government of Israel to abide by its obligations under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the population in Gaza. The Foreign Secretary reiterated this in his meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 15 April. On 23 April, we issued a statement, together with France and Germany, calling for Israel to immediately re-start a rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza and expressed our outrage at recent strikes on humanitarian personnel, infrastructure, premises and healthcare facilities. We continue to make representations to the Government of Israel to ensure aid workers are protected and able to carry out their lifesaving work, to urgently restore deconfliction systems, and to call for full and transparent investigations and accountability for attacks on humanitarian workers.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) estimate he has made of the numbers of and (b) assessment he has made of the (i) risks to and (ii) adequacy of (A) advice and (B) support for British nationals near the border between India and Pakistan.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We continue to monitor the situation between India and Pakistan. The safety of British nationals is our top priority, and our staff stand ready to provide support British nationals overseas 24/7. We are keeping our travel advice under constant review. We have already issued factual updates about military action, and associated airspace closures. British nationals should stay up to date with our travel advice for the country they are in.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that de-escalation of military tensions in Kashmir are discussed in meetings with the (a) Indian and (b) Pakistani governments.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government is taking all the steps we can to ensure that recent developments do not lead to uncontrolled escalation. We encourage all to commit to effective channels of engagement to safeguard stability in the region. Alongside international partners, the UK will continue to engage in dialogue in pursuit of long-term regional stability. The Foreign Secretary has spoken to his Indian and Pakistani counterparts to encourage all parties to take a measured approach. He has also spoken with US Secretary Rubio, French Foreign Minister Barrot and Gulf Partners to discuss the situation.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure the economic stability of the Falkland Islands and other Overseas Territories when responding to US tariffs.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
HM Government is working closely with the governments of the Falkland Islands and other affected Overseas Territories to understand the impact of the US tariffs, including facilitating access to UK Department for Business and Trade expertise. I spoke with the Chair of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly shortly after the tariffs were announced where I offered our full support. We continue to work closely with the Governments of the Overseas Territories to support their economic development.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to assess the potential impact of US tariffs on the Falkland Islands and other Overseas Territories.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
HM Government is working closely with the governments of the Falkland Islands and other affected Overseas Territories to understand the impact of the US tariffs, including facilitating access to UK Department for Business and Trade expertise. I spoke with the Chair of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly shortly after the tariffs were announced where I offered our full support. We continue to work closely with the Governments of the Overseas Territories to support their economic development.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of Israeli military action in southern Lebanon.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is concerned that Israel is remaining in several strategic locations in Lebanon beyond the 18 February extended ceasefire deadline. We have made clear the ceasefire agreement must be implemented in full, which includes the full withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces from Lebanon and deployment by Lebanese Armed Forces in the south. The UK has raised the ceasefire and related issues with Israeli and Lebanese counterparts and will continue to do so.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) Hezbollah’s presence and (b) Israeli military action on the (i) civilian and (ii) refugee populations of southern Lebanon.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
A political solution consistent with resolution 1701 is the only way to ensure lasting security and stability for the people living on either side of the Israel-Lebanon border. The devastation from this conflict and the human suffering must be addressed. The UK has played a leading role in addressing the humanitarian situation in Lebanon. In total, UK government has announced £41 million of support for Financial Year 24/25 so far, this includes £25 million to respond to the widespread lack of shelter, reduced access to clean water, hygiene and healthcare, and to address basic needs. The UK will continue to play its part to support those in need.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with (a) officials and (b) Ministerial counterparts in (i) Israel and (ii) Lebanon about the situation in southern Lebanon.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has raised the ceasefire and other related issues with Israeli and Lebanese counterparts and will continue to do so. The Foreign Secretary has discussed ceasefire implementation with President Aoun. Most recently, the Foreign Secretary discussed a range of issues with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer. I have also discussed the ongoing situation with Lebanese Prime Minister Salam and recently spoke with the Lebanese Foreign Minister. Officials maintain regular contact with their Israeli and Lebanese counterparts.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) presence and (b) military capacity of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK expects Lebanese Hizballah to abide fully by the terms of the ceasefire agreement. This means withdrawing from areas of southern Lebanon and to enable an enhanced Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) deployment into these areas as stipulated under the terms of the ceasefire agreement and support implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The LAF are essential to the future security and stability of Lebanon and the UK stands ready to support their deployment to southern Lebanon.