Asked by: Calum Miller (Liberal Democrat - Bicester and Woodstock)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on seizing the interest that has accrued on Roman Abramovich’s assets associated with the sale of Chelsea Football Club.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In a statement announcing the sale of Chelsea FC, Roman Abramovich stated the proceeds would be used to establish a foundation for the benefit of all the victims of the war in Ukraine. The Government is determined to see the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine as quickly as possible, and we are exploring all options to bring that about.
Asked by: Calum Miller (Liberal Democrat - Bicester and Woodstock)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department held discussions with the EU Commission on the development of the ReArm Europe plan; and whether his Department is taking steps with the EU Commission to establish a means through which the UK can (a) contribute to and (b) be supported through this plan.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We strongly welcome the ambitions of the ReArm programme and believe it is in the interest of European defence to create a structure that allows member states to partner with the UK. Officials and Ministers frequently engage EU counterparts, including High Representative Kaja Kallas, who met with the Defence and Foreign Secretaries in London last month, the first visit by an EU High Representative since the UK left the EU. During which they discussed the need for EU defence financing and wider defence industrial initiatives to be inclusive of third countries like the UK and we will continue to do so.
Asked by: Calum Miller (Liberal Democrat - Bicester and Woodstock)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Oral Statement of 17 March 2025 on G7, Official Report, column 41 and 46, what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK is fulfilling its obligations under international humanitarian law.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As soon as the Foreign Secretary took office, he ordered a review into Israel's compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which concluded that there was a clear risk that UK export items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations IHL. I also receive legal advice as appropriate on the UK's obligations. The IHL assessments continue and we are closely monitoring developments in Gaza and will keep this position under review. The UK has raised compliance with IHL with Israel at the most senior levels and has discussed it with G7 partners.
We have suspended relevant export licences to Israel for use in military operations in the Gaza conflict. We have continued to review export licences for items to Israel and assess that there are no extant licences for items that might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of IHL. This is subject to the specific measures set out before Parliament excluding exports to the global F-35 programme from the scope of the suspension.
Our longstanding position is that it is for the courts to determine whether or not a crime has been committed.
Asked by: Calum Miller (Liberal Democrat - Bicester and Woodstock)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 38925 on Chelsea Football Club: Sales, whether he has a timetable for when the proceeds from the sale will reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is working with international partners, has engaged with Abramovich's team, and is exploring all options to ensure the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine. While it would not be appropriate to provide a running commentary on discussions, we are doing everything we can to make progress on this matter as quickly as possible.
Asked by: Calum Miller (Liberal Democrat - Bicester and Woodstock)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 38925 on Chelsea Football Club: Sales, what steps his Department has taken to secure access to the proceeds.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is working with international partners, has engaged with Abramovich's team, and is exploring all options to ensure the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine. While it would not be appropriate to provide a running commentary on discussions, we are doing everything we can to make progress on this matter as quickly as possible.
Asked by: Calum Miller (Liberal Democrat - Bicester and Woodstock)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has held discussions with the EU Commission on the potential establishment of a new forum to enable joint UK-EU decision making on the development of (a) a pan-European rearmament bank and (b) similar institution aimed at enabling financing for (i) the ReArm Europe programme and (ii) other defence programmes.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We need to work together to bolster the European defence industrial base, making sure that it can compete globally and deliver for our security and defence needs as well as contribute to growth and jobs. Officials and Ministers will continue to engage EU counterparts as we reset relations and explore opportunities for UK-EU defence and security cooperation.
Asked by: Calum Miller (Liberal Democrat - Bicester and Woodstock)
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 the EU Commission on the potential role of the UK in supporting the development of a (a) pan-European rearmament bank and (b) similar institution aimed at enabling financing for (i) the ReArm Europe programme and (ii) other defence programmes.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We need to work together to bolster the European defence industrial base, making sure that it can compete globally and deliver for our security and defence needs as well as contribute to growth and jobs. Officials and Ministers will continue to engage EU counterparts as we reset relations and explore opportunities for UK-EU defence and security cooperation.
Asked by: Calum Miller (Liberal Democrat - Bicester and Woodstock)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has had legal advice on its powers to enforce the agreement with Roman Abramovich on the sale of Chelsea Football Club on the spending of proceeds in support of the victims of the war in Ukraine.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This issue primarily involves responsibilities of Ministers in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HM Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC are frozen in a UK bank account. We are determined to see the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine as soon as possible. It is a complex issue with Ministers receiving advice from a range of officials and lawyers. The UK is working with international partners, has engaged with Abramovich's team, and is exploring all options to ensure the proceeds reach vulnerable people in Ukraine who are most in need.
Asked by: Calum Miller (Liberal Democrat - Bicester and Woodstock)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which Minister has responsibility for ensuring that the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club are spent in support of humanitarian causes in Ukraine.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This issue primarily involves responsibilities of Ministers in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HM Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC are frozen in a UK bank account. We are determined to see the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine as soon as possible. It is a complex issue with Ministers receiving advice from a range of officials and lawyers. The UK is working with international partners, has engaged with Abramovich's team, and is exploring all options to ensure the proceeds reach vulnerable people in Ukraine who are most in need.
Asked by: Calum Miller (Liberal Democrat - Bicester and Woodstock)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club remain in the UK.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This issue primarily involves responsibilities of Ministers in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HM Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC are frozen in a UK bank account. We are determined to see the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine as soon as possible. It is a complex issue with Ministers receiving advice from a range of officials and lawyers. The UK is working with international partners, has engaged with Abramovich's team, and is exploring all options to ensure the proceeds reach vulnerable people in Ukraine who are most in need.