Colum Eastwood: FCDO: Written Answers (17)

Written Question

Colombia: Peace Negotiations

Thursday 19th December 2024

Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)

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 the UN Secretary General’s response to the Colombian government’s rapid response plan aimed at overcoming delays in implementing the 2016 Peace Agreement.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We welcomed the Colombian government's announcement of a new rapid response plan for implementation of the 2016 Agreement at the UN Security Council (UNSC) Session in July. In particular, we welcomed its focus on territorial transformation and the appointment of a senior Cabinet Minister responsible for its implementation. We continue to engage with the Colombian government to support them on this. During her visit to Colombia in November, Baroness Chapman met with Interior Minister Cristo to discuss the rapid response plan and reiterated our commitment to implementing the 2016 Peace Agreement. The Foreign Secretary also met with Foreign Minister Murillo in September, to reiterate the UK's commitment towards the peace process in Colombia.

Written Question

Gaza: Food Supply

Tuesday 19th November 2024

Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)

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 the Famine Review Committee's alert entitled, Gaza Strip, Published on 8 November 2024.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Famine Review Committee's warning that areas of northern Gaza likely face imminent famine is appalling. At a UK-chaired meeting of the UN Security Council on 12 November, Lord Collins called on Israel to finally, and immediately, make good on its commitment to flood Gaza with aid. The Prime Minister stressed this in a call with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on 19 October; the Foreign Secretary reiterated this in his call with the then Foreign Minister Israel Katz on 27 October. We continue to play a leading role in alleviating the suffering in Gaza, including by matching up to £10 million of public donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee's Middle East humanitarian appeal.

Written Question

Armenia: Detainees and Refugees

Monday 18th November 2024

Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to make representations on (a) a right of return for Armenians and (b) the release of detained Armenians during the COP29 summit.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government has encouraged Azerbaijan to provide clarity on the rights and security of ethnic Armenians displaced by conflict who wish to return to Nagorno-Karabakh. The UK continues to urge Azerbaijan to ensure that those detained during September 2023's military action in Nagorno-Karabakh are afforded a fair trial and provided safe conditions. Regarding the remaining prisoners of war, we have been consistent in calling for their release and for the return of the remains of the deceased throughout the period of conflict in the region. I discussed these issues with Azerbaijani counterparts in the run-up to COP29.

Written Question

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: USA

Monday 26th February 2024

Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, how many officials from his Department worked in the US by (a) embassy and consulate and (b) grade in each financial year since 2010.

Answered by David Rutley

a 1) FCDO/xFCO Headcount for UK based staff working in USA Embassy and Consulates only 2014-2023

		March 2014	March 2015	March 2016	March 2017	March 2018	March 2019	March 2020	March 2021	March 2022	March 2023
	Atlanta	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10
	Boston	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10
	Chicago	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10
	Houston	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10
	Los Angeles	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10
	Miami	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10
	New York (CG)	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10
	San Francisco	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10
	Washington	40-49	40-49	30-39	30-39	30-39	50-59	40-49	40-49	50-59	40-49

a 2) FCDO/xFCO Headcount for CBS/Locally Engaged staff working in USA Embassy and Consulates only 2014-2023

		March 2014	March 2015	March 2016	March 2017	March 2018	March 2019	March 2020	March 2021	March 2022	March 2023
	Atlanta	10-19	10-19	Fewer than 10	10-19	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	10-19	10-19	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10
	Boston	20-29	10-19	10-19	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10
	Chicago	20-29	20-29	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19
	Houston	30-39	20-29	10-19	10-19	Fewer than 10	10-19	Fewer than 10	10-19	10-19	10-19
	Los Angeles	20-29	20-29	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19
	Miami	20-29	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	20-29
	New York (CG)	60-69	60-69	30-39	20-29	20-29	20-29	20-29	20-29	10-19	10-19
	San Francisco	30-39	20-29	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	60-69	10-19	10-19
	Washington	160-179	140-159	140-159	160-179	140-159	160-179	160-179	160-179	160-179	160-179

b 1)FCDO/xFCO/xDFID Headcount for UK based staff working in all USA Locations 2014-2023

		March 2014	March 2015	March 2016	March 2017	March 2018	March 2019	March 2020	March 2021	March 2022	March 2023
	AA / AO/ EO	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10
	HEO	20-29	20-29	20-29	20-29	20-29	30-39	30-39	30-39	30-39	30-39
	SEO	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	10-19
	G7	20-29	20-29	20-29	20-29	20-29	30-39	30-39	30-39	30-39	30-39
	G6	10-19	20-29	10-19	10-19	20-29	10-19	20-29	20-29	10-19	10-19
	SCS	20-29	20-29	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19

b 2) FCDO/xFCO/xDFID Headcount for CBS/LE/SAIC working in all USA Locations 2014-2023

		March 2014	March 2015	March 2016	March 2017	March 2018	March 2019	March 2020	March 2021	March 2022	March 2023
	S1/S2/S3	440-459	50-59	50-59	50-59	40-49	50-59	50-59	50-59	50-59	50-59
	AA/AO	70-79	60-69	60-69	80-89	80-89	90-99	90-99	80-89	90-99	90-99
	EO	140-159	70-79	70-79	70-79	80-89	70-79	80-89	80-89	70-79	70-79
	HEO	80-89	50-59	60-69	70-79	70-79	70-79	70-79	80-89	80-89	80-89
	SEO	20-29	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19
	G7	20-29	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19	10-19
	G6/SCS	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10	Fewer than 10

In line with FCDO data retention rules data is not held prior to 2014.

Written Question

Colombia: Politics and Government

Tuesday 31st January 2023

Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the proposed frequency of meetings by Colombia's National Security Guarantees Commission.

Answered by David Rutley

Supporting the Colombian Government in its commitment to secure a broad and lasting peace will remain an important priority of this Government. To date, we have spent over £74 million through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) to support the implementation of the peace agreement in Colombia and improve stability and security. The National Commission for Security Guarantees, which includes representatives from the Colombian Government, Civil Society, supervisory bodies and UN representatives, is a vital instrument of the Peace Agreement to develop a public policy for dismantling illegal armed groups. As pen holder at the United Nations Security Council, the UK will continue to work closely with the UN Verification Mission and the UN representatives that advise this body.

Written Question

Indonesia: Earthquakes

Wednesday 30th November 2022

Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has taken recent steps to support (a) aid agencies, (b) charities and (c) NGOs following the earthquake in West Java.

Answered by David Rutley

The Foreign Secretary contacted Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi following the earthquake on 21 November. The Indonesian Government has not formally requested bilateral assistance. UK officials are in close touch with the Indonesian authorities and aid partners who continue to monitor the situation on the ground in Cianjur, West Java. This includes the Indonesia National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Written Question

Indonesia: Earthquakes

Wednesday 30th November 2022

Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has taken recent steps to provide bilateral support to the Indonesian government following the earthquake in West Java.

Answered by David Rutley

Written Question

USA: Northern Ireland Protocol

Tuesday 25th January 2022

Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the ongoing negotiations regarding the Northern Ireland protocol on the (a) Government's relations with the US and (b) likelihood of reaching a trade deal with the US.

Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris

We and the US are at one on the paramount need to protect the gains of the peace process and the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in all its dimensions. The Protocol is not currently doing that which is why significant changes are needed.

Written Question

Ukraine: Electronic Warfare

Monday 24th January 2022

Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the Ukrainian Government in tackling a recent rise in cyberattacks.

Answered by James Cleverly

The UK is supporting Ukraine with a range of economic, governance, security and defence related assistance, including through the implementation of their cyber strategy. We enjoy close political cooperation on cyber security and provide programme support as part of this.

Written Question

Terrorism: Northern Ireland

Monday 18th October 2021

Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)

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 his counterpart in the US State Department on the Government’s proposed legacy plans for Northern Ireland.

Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign Secretary and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken speak regularly on a broad range of issues, including Northern Ireland. Our Embassy in Washington regularly engages with the US Administration and Congress on Northern Ireland. The Government wants to work with all our partners in the United States, the European Union and Ireland to ensure that Northern Ireland can continue to prosper.