Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she expects the first overseas visitors to Northern Ireland arriving via the Republic of Ireland to be impacted by the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are introducing the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme to enhance our ability to screen travellers upstream and stop those who pose a threat from travelling to the UK. The scheme, which already applies to nationals of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, has now being extended to all remaining non-visa nationals (except Europeans) and will be a requirement for this cohort for travel from 8 January 2025.
The Government appreciates that the introduction of ETAs represents a substantial change for millions of overseas visitors to the UK (including those intending to cross the land border from Ireland). We are communicating these changes across a range of channels to all those potentially in scope, and there has been regular engagement to that end with officials in the Northern Ireland tourism sector.
The application process is quick and simple. Applicants usually get a decision within three working days.
Asked by: Lord Turnberg (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what conversations took place with the Emir of Qatar, during his recent visit to the UK, with a view to seeking his assistance in securing the release of British hostage Emily Damari, held by Hamas.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Qatar plays a vital role in negotiations towards a ceasefire deal to secure the release of all those being held hostage by Hamas, and bring the conflict in Gaza to an end. We thank Qatar, Egypt, the US, and all international partners, for their coordinating efforts. Securing an immediate ceasefire and the safe release of all hostages, including Emily Damari and three other hostages with strong UK links, remains the UK's top priority. During the State Visit of His Highness the Emir of Qatar to London, the Foreign Secretary thanked Qatar for its leadership in ceasefire negotiations and made clear what an absolute priority Emily and the hostages are for us. He raised the importance of ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza to enable their safe release, protect civilians and deliver a surge of aid.
Asked by: Andrew Griffith (Conservative - Arundel and South Downs)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many foreign trips (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have made since 5 July 2024; and where these trips were to.
Answered by Justin Madders
(a) Since 5 July 2024, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade has carried out four international visits. These were:
Italy to attend the G7 Trade Ministers Meeting
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to help progress GCC negotiations
Brazil to attend the G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting
Qatar to attend the GCC Trade Ministers’ meeting & UAE (joint visit)
(b) Since 5 July 2024, Junior Ministers in the Department for Business and Trade have carried out fourteen international visits. These were:
Minister Jones to Italy to attend the Ambrosetti Forum
Minister Alexander to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Oman to progress GCC FTA negotiations, to Thailand for the Enhanced Trade Partnership and to Laos for the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting (combined visit)
Minister Jones to France to visit Airbus Toulouse
Minister Madders to France for the OECD for a Consumer Ministerial meeting
Minister Alexander to Ireland for the British Ireland Chamber of Commerce Annual Conference
Minister Alexander to Switzerland to visit the WTO
Minister Alexander to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Future Investment Initiative conference
Minister Gustafsson to the Netherlands for the World Pension Summit
Minister Jones to Poland for the Rebuild Ukraine conference
Minister Alexander to Azerbaijan for COP29
Minister Gustafsson to Spain for the UK-Spain Business Awards
Minister Thomas to Italy for Pontignano
Minister Alexander to Vancouver for the CPTPP Commissioners Meeting
Minister Gustafsson to Hong Kong & China for MIPIM Asia
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
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 incoming US Administration on securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Whilst we have not had any official discussions with the incoming US administration regarding the release of hostages, our position remains clear. It is appalling that hostages taken by Hamas terrorists on 7 October are still being held captive, including one British national, Emily Damari, and three hostages with strong British links. We have supported hostage talks throughout, and continue to work alongside our allies and partners in the region, exercising every possible diplomatic lever to see the hostages immediately and unconditionally released. We thank the US, Qatar, Egypt, and all international partners, for their coordinating efforts. Ensuring the release of all hostages remains a top priority for this government.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the production of 12 additional Typhoon jets for Qatar on the defence supply chain.
Answered by Maria Eagle
Following the Amir of Qatar’s State Visit to the UK, we have agreed to deepen cooperation in support of regional security while supporting growth and prosperity in both nations. This includes undertaking opportunities to strengthen our respective defence capabilities through broadening our cooperation on the Typhoon and Hawk partnerships. Any potential impacts on the defence supply chain will be fully considered, alongside industry, as our discussions with Qatar evolve.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has agreed a provisional timeline with Qatar for the (a) signing and (b) delivery of the 12 additional Typhoon jets.
Answered by Maria Eagle
Following the Amir of Qatar’s State Visit to the UK, we have agreed to deepen cooperation in support of regional security while supporting growth and prosperity in both nations. This includes undertaking opportunities to strengthen our respective defence capabilities through broadening our cooperation on the Typhoon and Hawk partnerships. We will continue to hold discussions with Qatar on these issues, including prospective timelines, when appropriate.
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned the timeline is for delivering 12 additional Typhoon jets to Qatar; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of this timeline on ongoing production commitments for other customers.
Answered by Maria Eagle
Following the Amir of Qatar’s State Visit to the UK, we have agreed to deepen cooperation in support of regional security while supporting growth and prosperity in both nations. This includes undertaking opportunities to strengthen our respective defence capabilities through broadening our cooperation on the Typhoon and Hawk partnerships. We will continue to hold discussions with Qatar on these issues as required.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the role of Qatar in mediating between the parties to the conflict in the Middle East.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Qatar has played a vital role in negotiating a ceasefire deal to secure the release of all those being held hostage by Hamas and bring the conflict in Gaza to an end. We thank Qatar, Egypt, the US and all international partners for their coordinating efforts. Securing an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages remains the UK's top priority and will pave the way for wider de-escalation, bringing greater stability to the Middle East. The Foreign Secretary has been urging the parties to return to the negotiating table to engage in meaningful dialogue and show the flexibility needed to reach an agreement. Negotiations remain the best chance to get hostages home to their loved ones.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Winchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to implement the 22 recommendations set out in the Bishop of Truro’s independent review of Foreign and Commonwealth Office support for persecuted Christians, published in July 2019; and what is their timescale for doing so.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This Government is committed to championing human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. An independent review of the FCDO's implementation of the Truro recommendations in 2022 was largely positive. This has concluded, and we are focused on the present while also looking to the future. We stand up for FoRB bilaterally through our diplomatic network, and multilaterally including through the UN and the Article 18 Alliance. For example, in October we engaged with the Special Rapporteur for FoRB during the UN General Assembly's Third Committee and raised FoRB during November's Universal Periodic Reviews on Nicaragua and Qatar.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the total value of gifts and hospitality given to UK diplomats, embassy staff and ministers, by (1) Saudi Arabia, (2) Bahrain, (3) the United Arab Emirates, (4) Qatar, and (5) Kuwait in the last two years.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The FCDO publishes quarterly data on gifts and hospitality received by ministers and senior officials on GOV.UK. Providing the complete information requested would exceed the word limit for responses to written parliamentary questions but the FCDO publishes quarterly data information which can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fcdo-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings
and
Information relating to gifts and hospitality received by embassy staff is held locally, but is not centrally collated, as this would incur a disproportionate cost to the department.
The FCDO expects all members of staff to always maintain the highest standards of propriety, in line with the Civil Service Code and the Diplomatic Service Code.