Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, (a) what estimate she has made of the average processing time for Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificates; and (b) what steps she has taken to reduce this waiting period.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The Government has increased Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) processing and assessment capacity in the past 12 months. This has helped manage the unprecedented surge in ATAS applications - in part due to course deferrals from 2020 - and ensured that the vast majority of applications are processed within advertised timeframes.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
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 Zambian High Commissioner on the shooting dead of two civilians by Zambian police in Lusaka on 23 December 2020.
Answered by James Duddridge
The UK Government is deeply concerned about the fatal shooting of two civilians during an opposition demonstration in Lusaka on 23 December. Our condolences go to the families of the two individuals involved. The Foreign Secretary has not discussed this incident with the Zambian High Commissioner at this time. The UK's High Commissioner to Lusaka publicly expressed his shock at this incident and has called for a full police investigation to establish why these civilians lost their lives.
The UK continues to call on all parties to respect the rights of all Zambians to express their views in a peaceful manner. We continue to raise the importance of free and fair elections and respect for human rights directly with senior government ministers.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans the Government has to undertake a consultation with (a) civil society and (b) development partners on the development of the Integrated Review.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The Government paused its Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy in April due to the pressing need to focus on COVID-19. We have formally recommenced the Review, building on the work done since February.
Our aim continues to be for an ambitious and bold Integrated Review that is guided by the UK's foreign policy and national security objectives.
We will be engaging with Parliament, the Devolved Administrations, external experts and wider stakeholders with an interest in our nation's security and prosperity. This includes our allies and partners, building on our ongoing dialogue on COVID-19 response and recovery.
The Government will conduct targeted engagement that will bring crucial external voices and expertise to bear in defining our ambition for the UK's role in the world and setting the country on the best possible trajectory to recovery from COVID-19.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
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 ensure that there is appropriate transparency, scrutiny and accountability of the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The Integrated Review will report to the Prime Minister, who will be supported by a cross-Whitehall team in the Cabinet Office and a small team in No10. The Cabinet Office will coordinate and drive input from departments across Whitehall, including the Foreign Office, Ministry of Defence, Department for International Development, the Treasury and the Home Office. We will also consult experts inside and outside of the Government, ensuring the UK's best minds are feeding into its conclusions and challenging traditional Whitehall assumptions and thinking as needed. We will keep Parliament fully informed during the process as we deliver a review that is in the best interests of the British people across the United Kingdom.