Asked by: David Davis (Conservative - Haltemprice and Howden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what analysis his Department has carried out on the response to covid-19 in (a) South Korea, (b) Taiwan, (c) Singapore, (d) Hong Kong and (e) Australia.
Answered by Nigel Adams
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials are in regular communication with British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates to monitor COVID-19 developments across the world. Furthermore, Ministers and senior officials engage their international counterparts regularly. The FCO is looking closely at what others across the world are doing to tackle COVID-19, and is harnessing the UK's diplomatic network to best understand the approaches taken by others.
Asked by: David Davis (Conservative - Haltemprice and Howden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what analysis his Department has carried out on the response to covid-19 in (a) Austria, (b) Germany, (c) Italy, (d) France, (e) Spain, (f) Sweden, (g) Norway and (h) United States.
Answered by Wendy Morton
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials are in regular communication with British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates to monitor COVID-19 developments across the world. Furthermore, Ministers and senior officials engage their international counterparts regularly. The FCO is looking closely at what others across the world are doing to tackle COVID-19, and is harnessing the UK's diplomatic network to best understand the approaches taken by others.
Asked by: David Davis (Conservative - Haltemprice and Howden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle the persecution of Christians overseas.
Answered by Mark Field
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is committed to using our influence to defend Freedom of Religion or Belief as a universal human right which should be enjoyed by everyone. That is why the Prime Minister appointed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon as her Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief. He regularly raises this topic with international counterparts and through the Human Rights Council. In recent years we have seen reports of a particular rise in the persecution of Christians. The Foreign Secretary launched the independent review of FCO support for persecuted Christians on 30 January. The Review will be led by the Bishop of Truro, and will map levels of persecution and discrimination against Christians around the world, and provide robust recommendations on how the FCO can respond. A final report will be presented to the Foreign Secretary this summer.
Asked by: David Davis (Conservative - Haltemprice and Howden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to expand the UK’s diplomatic network after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The Foreign Secretary announced on 31 October 2018 the biggest strengthening of the diplomatic network in a generation. We will open 14 new and upgraded Posts, including nine Commonwealth Posts, and we are creating around 1,000 new staff positions, to be in place by the end of 2020.
Asked by: David Davis (Conservative - Haltemprice and Howden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal Determination of 22 June 2015, IPT/13/194/H, and subsequent correction of 1 July 2015, under what statutory provision the interception of the communications of Amnesty International by GCHQ was authorised.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
It is the longstanding policy of successive British governments not to comment on intelligence matters. I refer my hon. Friend to the judgment of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, 22 June 2015, as corrected on 1 July 2015, which found that any interception that occurred was lawful and proportionate under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000.
Asked by: David Davis (Conservative - Haltemprice and Howden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, under what statute was the interception of the communications of the (a) Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights and (b) Legal Resources Centre of South Africa described by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal authorised.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
It is the longstanding policy of successive British governments not to comment on intelligence matters. However, I refer my Rt Hon Friend to the judgment of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, 22 June 2015, which found that any interception that occurred was lawful and proportionate under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000.
Asked by: David Davis (Conservative - Haltemprice and Howden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many Russian diplomats have been expelled or withdrawn in each of the last 20 years; and for what reason each such expulsion or withdrawal occurred.
Answered by David Lidington
Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: David Davis (Conservative - Haltemprice and Howden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the US government to have Shaker Aamer transferred to the UK after he is transferred to a country outside of the US.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
I have not made any representations to the US government about the transfer of Shaker Aamer to a third country. It is Mr Aamer’s wish to return to the UK to be reunited with his wife and family. We have made clear to the US that this is a priority for us.
Asked by: David Davis (Conservative - Haltemprice and Howden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the government of Saudi Arabia on the transfer of Shaker Aamer to a country outside the US; and what discussions he has had with Saudi officials on the possibility of Shaker Aamer being transferred to the UK.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
I have not had any discussions with the government of Saudi Arabia about Mr Aamer.Asked by: David Davis (Conservative - Haltemprice and Howden)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many visits British Consular staff have made to Shaker Aamer in each of the last 10 years.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Mr Aamer is a Saudi national, and states are only afforded consular access and responsibilities in respect of their own national citizens.
Whilst we are therefore not able to conduct visits, we routinely enquire about Mr Aamer’s welfare, and always follow up allegations of poor health as a matter of priority. We are also in touch with his legal representatives who alert us to any concerns they have on his welfare.
Mr Aamer’s case remains a high priority for the UK Government and we continue to make clear to the US that we want him released and returned to the UK as a matter of urgency.