Asked by: Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on the tourism industry in the British Virgin Islands.
Answered by Alan Duncan
Tourism is a delegated responsibility to the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Government. Within their 'Territorial Recovery and Development Plan', the BVI Government have made an assessment, of the steps required, working alongside the private sector to support the tourism sector's recovery.
The British Government remains committed to working with the Governments of the BVI and other affected Overseas Territories as they develop their longer-term recovery plans.
At the World Bank meetings last month the UK announced a private sector task force to mobilise business to play a prominent role in the reconstruction of the Overseas Territories. The task force will identify and implement practical steps to increase flows of private sector financial support for reconstruction in the region.
Asked by: Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for UK foreign policy of the political situation in Kurdistan since the referendum in that region on 25 September 2017.
Answered by Alistair Burt
We regret the Kurdish referendum on independence and continue to respect the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq. Any political process towards independence should be agreed with the Government of Iraq. We are urging all parties, including Iraq’s neighbours, to maintain calm and avoid statements and actions that could be perceived as inflammatory, particularly in light of events in Kirkuk. Iraq’s future lies in dialogue.
Asked by: Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of whether Hamas has misused humanitarian aid.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We are not aware of reports that aid intended for humanitarian projects, such as rebuilding homes of Gazans, has been misused by Hamas. The UK has recently invested £0.5million in the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism (GRM), specifically a Materials Monitoring Unit, to ensure that any reconstruction materials made available to Gazans to repair their homes are closely tied to an assessment of needs and subjected to rigorous spot checks. This will safeguard against the risk of building materials being diverted towards building tunnels. The GRM was established in November as a temporary and tripartite arrangement between the UN, Palestinian Authority and Government of Israel. Through the mechanism, 700 Gazans have been able to purchase much needed construction material in order to start the rehabilitation of their homes.
Asked by: Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the motivation of Hamas in kidnapping three Israeli teenagers on 12 June 2014.
Answered by Hugh Robertson
We have made no assessment on this issue. We are encouraging Israel to continue to work with the Palestinian Authority in order to find the perpetrators. We will look very closely at any information about who is responsible.
Asked by: Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the adherence of Hamas to the Quartet Principles.
Answered by Hugh Robertson
The UK does not talk to Hamas. It remains the Government's position that Hamas must adhere to the Quartet Principles, by renouncing violence, recognising Israel, and accepting previously signed agreements. To date, 02 July, they have not.