Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of tribunal processes against freeholders on the wellbeing of leaseholders.
Answered by Lee Rowley
An impact assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill has been published at: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament. The Bill will rebalance the legal costs regime and remove barriers for leaseholders to challenge their landlord.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps he is taking to help stop breaches of international humanitarian law in Western Sahara.
Answered by David Rutley
The UK is committed to the promotion of respect for International Humanitarian Law worldwide. With regard to Western Sahara, we strongly support the work of Staffan de Mistura, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, and welcomed his September 2023 visit to the region, including to Western Sahara, and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process and monitor progress.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will urge the UN Security Council to set a timetable for the referendum of self-determination in Western Sahara.
Answered by David Rutley
The UK continues to support UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, based on compromise, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. We strongly support the work of Staffan de Mistura as Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to Western Sahara, and will continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process and monitor progress.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will call for a census of (a) the indigenous people and (b) Moroccan settlers in Western Sahara.
Answered by David Rutley
The UK continues to support UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, based on compromise, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. We strongly support the work of Staffan de Mistura as Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to Western Sahara, and will continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process and monitor progress.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what estimate he has made of the number of lorries that need to pass through the Rafah border crossing each day in order to deliver sufficient humanitarian aid to people in Gaza.
Answered by David Rutley
The flow of aid into and through Gaza continues to be insufficient and we are urgently exploring all diplomatic options to increase this, including urging Israel to open other existing land border crossings such as Kerem Shalom. Fuel remains a critical component, without sufficient aid, fuel cannot be distributed by humanitarian organisations and hospitals, bakeries as well as desalination plants cannot operate. We are also actively exploring other routes for aid to get into Gaza.
On 10 December, as of 22:00, 100 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies entered from Egypt into Gaza, the same volume as in most days since the resumption of hostilities on 1 December. This is well below the daily average of 500 truckloads (including fuel) that entered every working day prior to 7 October according to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). The UNOCHA has also reported on the 9 and 10 December, a daily average of 150,000 Lt of fuel entered Gaza from Egypt.
The UK Government has already announced £60 million in humanitarian funding since the crisis began and has sent more than 74 tonnes of emergency relief for civilians in Gaza. The shipments have included lifesaving items such as wound care packs, water filters and solar powered lights. Shipments have also provided shelter equipment such as 4,500 blankets and 4,500 sleeping mats, as well as vital equipment including forklift trucks, belt conveyors and lighting towers, specifically requested by UK partners in the region to manage and deliver aid more effectively.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make representations to the Israeli authorities on lifting restrictions on (a) water and (b) fuel reaching internally displaced refugees.
Answered by David Rutley
We are deeply concerned about the fuel shortages in Gaza. Fuel is necessary to allow humanitarian organisations to deliver assistance, power hospitals and operate desalinisation plants. The Government of Israel must allow sufficient aid and fuel into Gaza to meet the needs of civilians. We support any action that aims to keep civilians safe and protected. The pause that took place last week for hostage and prisoner releases demonstrated what can be achieved when there is political agreement to allow more vital aid and fuel into Gaza. This should be sustained and built on now that the pause has ended.
We have urged Israel to take action to limit civilian casualties, prevent mass displacement and ensure viable safe areas. About 1.8 million people in Gaza, or nearly 80 per cent of the population, are estimated to be internally displaced. However, obtaining an accurate count is challenging, especially given difficulties in tracking Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) staying with host families, movement of IDPs following evacuation orders since 1 December, and access restrictions. The UK Government has already announced £60 million in humanitarian funding and has sent more than 74 tonnes of emergency relief for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This funding will help support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in responding to critical food, fuel, water, health, shelter and security needs in Gaza.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has had discussions with the Israeli Government on reopening the Kerem Shalom border crossing.
Answered by David Rutley
The FCDO is actively engaging with international partners and those operating on the ground to do all we can to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary engage regularly and closely with regional counterparts including Israel and Egypt on the humanitarian response. However, the flow of aid into and through Gaza continues to be insufficient and we are urgently exploring all diplomatic options to increase this, including urging Israel to open other existing land border crossings such as Kerem Shalom. Fuel remains a critical component, without sufficient aid, fuel cannot be distributed by humanitarian organisations and hospitals, bakeries as well as desalination plants cannot operate. We are also actively exploring other routes for aid to get into Gaza. The UK Government has already announced £60 million in humanitarian funding and has sent more than 74 tonnes of emergency relief for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent estimate he has made of the (a) cost and (b) projected in-service date for each of the new build projects in the Devonport Royal Dockyard site development plan.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
The Devonport Submarine Infrastructure Programme will involve the investment of approximately £2.5 billion to provide new and refurbished facilities at HM Naval Base Devonport. The Department expects to gain beneficial use of the facilities currently under construction in 2024 (9, 14 and 15 Docks) and 2027 (10 Dock). The estimated costs for each project are commercially sensitive but they fall within the overall estimate of £2.5 billion.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the parent project for each of the new build projects in the Devonport Royal Dockyard site plan; and what recent estimate he has made of the cost of each parent project.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
The Devonport Submarine Infrastructure Programme will involve the investment of approximately £2.5 billion to provide new and refurbished facilities at HM Naval Base Devonport. The Department expects to gain beneficial use of the facilities currently under construction in 2024 (9, 14 and 15 Docks) and 2027 (10 Dock). The estimated costs for each project are commercially sensitive but they fall within the overall estimate of £2.5 billion.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost was of the Long Overhaul Period and Refuel (LOP(R)) for HMS Vanguard.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
I am withholding the estimated cost of HMS Vanguard's Deep Maintenance Project (Refuel) as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.