Asked by: David Warburton (Independent - Somerton and Frome)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to hold discussions with relevant stakeholders on the development of a World Health Organisation pandemic treaty.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The UK supports a new legally-binding instrument as part of a cooperative and comprehensive approach to pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Non-state actors are an important part of the solution to strengthening the global health architecture and protecting countries from health threats. The UK continues to engage with a broad range of stakeholders on the instrument and its negotiation process, including academics, civil society, trade associations and other non-state actors.
Asked by: David Warburton (Independent - Somerton and Frome)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the education of Afghan women and girls.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Government has repeatedly condemned the Taliban's decisions to restrict women and girls' access to education, including through UN Security Council and Human Rights Council resolutions and public statements, most recently on 13 January 2023. The Government continues to support the delivery of education, including through bilateral and multilateral contributions to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), UN partners, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Education Cannot Wait, and the Global Partnership for Education.
Asked by: David Warburton (Independent - Somerton and Frome)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with the Government of Indian on the reinstatement of E Visa applications for British citizens wishing to visit India.
Answered by Gillian Keegan - Secretary of State for Education
We regularly raise our concerns regarding our exclusion from the list of countries eligible for e-visas with the Government of India (GoI). The Prime Minister, whilst Foreign Secretary, raised this matter with the Indian External Affairs Minister during her visit to India in March. We continue to work closely with the GoI on this issue, while respecting it is for them to determine the types and validity of the visas it offers. British nationals can continue to use the GoI's regular/paper visa application services for all visa categories. We will update India Travel Advice with the latest information if there are any changes in India's visa rules.