Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has of the potential impact of the increasing role of (a) Russia and (b) China in global nuclear energy exports for the UK's geopolitical interests; and whether he plans to bring forward a strategy to counter their influence in this area.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
All investment involving critical infrastructure is subject to thorough scrutiny and needs to satisfy our robust legal, regulatory, and national security requirements.
The UK takes its national security extremely seriously. The powers we have through the National Security and Investment Act further enhance our ability to intervene if required.
The UK, as a member of nuclear fuels alliance Sapporo 5, is resolved to realise a nuclear fuel supply free from Russian influence and potential political leverage by other countries, and to expand our existing fuel cycle capabilities further to ensure a resilient fuel supply chain of benefit to our international allies.
We continue to invest in domestic fuel cycle capabilities such as our £300 million investment in high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). We are committed to working with our international partners to reduce global dependence on Russian nuclear fuel, as outlined in the Sapporo Agreement (April 2023).
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a Western-led initiative to provide nuclear energy infrastructure to the Global South.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office monitors international interest in nuclear energy and engages with western partners to understand and discuss this context. We expect nuclear energy to be part of the future energy mix for some countries and support the work done to ensure its safe and secure development.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
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 developing countries on identifying UK-backed nuclear energy partnerships.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is keen to understand and support countries with their transition to low carbon energy and engages in regular conversations with many countries, including developing countries. Understanding if, when, where and how civil nuclear plays a role in that transition is an important part of this conversation.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
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 UN Secretary General on the UN's use of Rwandan troops as peacekeepers.
Answered by Anneliese Dodds
The Foreign Secretary spoke with the UN Secretary General on 30 January to express his sympathies for the six United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) peacekeepers killed in Goma and discuss the deteriorating situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They agreed to work together on de-escalating this conflict and urging Rwanda and the DRC to return to the negotiating table. The UK condemns M23 and the Rwandan Defence Force's occupation of Goma and other territories in eastern DRC as an unacceptable breach of DRC's sovereignty. We have been clear with Rwanda that this would provoke a strong response from the international community. We are considering all options with partners.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what is the estimated carbon footprint of his recent visit to Samoa.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
An essential aspect of the Foreign Secretary's role is to represent the UK's interests on the global stage and ministerial travel is undertaken using efficient and cost-effective arrangements. The information required to calculate the carbon footprint of official overseas ministerial travel will be published as part of the Cabinet Office transparency returns and made available on the GOV.UK website. It has been the practice that official FCDO flights to attend major events are carbon offset where that is possible. The Foreign Secretary travelled via a commercial flight to Samoa for CHOGM, following travel to South Korea, China and Indonesia.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of Chinese activity in Somalia.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
China is a significant partner for many countries. The Somali Government pursues its international trading, development and political relations as it chooses. The UK's focus is on working closely with the Somali Government to support its ambitious programme for a more stable and peaceful Somalia. This includes the provision of humanitarian relief and crucial support for the fight against Al-Shabaab.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help provide resources to Somalia and Somaliland, in the context of drought in 2022.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
Somalia urgently needs life-saving aid. In late 2022 I visited Somalia and saw how the drought is impacting millions across the country. I met President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, other government figures and humanitarian delivery partners, to discuss preparation for future crises. I also announced further UK aid, bringing the total humanitarian, health and nutrition support in Somalia to over £61 million this financial year.
In Somaliland, as part of a wider package of humanitarian and development support, the UK is working with partners to provide health and nutrition support, including to over 80 health facilities, providing services in the context of drought with the support of our partner UNICEF.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) Somalia and (b) Somaliland on the status of Somaliland.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The UK, consistent with the entire international community, does not recognise Somaliland's unilateral declaration of independence. It is for Somaliland and Somalia to come to an agreement about their future relationship. Any new arrangements would need to be recognised by the African Union and neighbours in the region. The African Union is the pre-eminent regional body mandated to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its Member States, of which Somalia is one. The UK encourages dialogue between Mogadishu and Hargeisa on this issue. During my visit to Somalia in November 2022, I reiterated this position in my engagements with the Federal Government of Somalia.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the ongoing civil rights protests in Iran, what steps his Department is taking to support women's rights in that country.
Answered by David Rutley
Mahsa Amini's death is a shocking reminder of the repression faced by women in Iran. On 10 October, the UK sanctioned the Morality Police, two of its leaders and five others for serious human rights violations. For decades, the Morality Police have used the threat of detention and violence to control what Iranian women wear and their public behaviour. These sanctions send a clear message that the UK will hold Iran to account for its repression of women and girls. We continue to urge Iran to improve its human rights record at all appropriate opportunities, including on women and girls, and to work with international partners to ensure accountability.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the supply of Iranian weapons to Russia on that country's invasion of Ukraine.
Answered by Leo Docherty
The UK condemns Iranian support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine: Iran's supply of drones is in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Iran is profiting from Russia's attacks on Ukrainian citizens, causing human suffering and the destruction of critical infrastructure. On 20 October, new UK sanctions targeted Iranian individuals and businesses responsible for supplying Russia with drones. On 21 October, jointly with France and Germany, we wrote to the UN Secretary General in support of a UN investigation into the Iranian transfers. We will continue to work with the international community to hold Russia and Iran to account.