Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, pursuant to the Answer of 14 December 2023 to Question 6366 on Hassan Mushaima, on what date he last had discussions with (a) the Government of Bahrain and (b) oversight bodies on his (i) medical care and (ii) release.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The FCDO continues to follow the case of Hasan Mushaima and discuss with the Government of Bahrain and oversight bodies. The Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, discussed Mushaima's case with Foreign Minister Al Zayani on 3 July 2023. We also encourage those with specific concerns to raise them directly with the appropriate Bahraini oversight body.
Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2023 to Question 5691 on the Gulf Strategy Fund, if he will publish a list of the projects that have already been (a) approved and (b) delivered in the 2023-2024 financial year.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The FCDO publishes a summary of projects delivered via the Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF) on an annual basis. The full list of projects to be delivered in the 2023-2024 financial year is yet to be finalised, but details will be published as usual on GOV.UK towards the end of the financial year.
Asked by: Martyn Day (Scottish National Party - Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has had recent discussions with his counterpart in the Government of Bahrain on the detainment of Sayed Ahmed al-Abar.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not had recent discussions about this individual case with the Government of Bahrain. However, Bahrain is well aware of the UK's long-standing policy to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances, in all countries, as a matter of principle. During Bahrain's Universal Periodic Review in November 2022, the UK recommended an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty and has continued to discuss this with the Government of Bahrain.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 12 December (HL680), on what specific grounds within the Rules on Acceptance of Foreign Awards was former ambassador to Bahrain Roderick Drummond denied permission to accept the award given to him by the government of that country.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a Note Verbale about the award for the previous British Ambassador on 5 June 2023. The Ministry was informed on 22 June that permission could not be granted, as per paragraph 18 of the UK Rules on Acceptance of Foreign Awards, which states permission, unrestricted or restricted, will not be granted, in particular, to Heads or other members of HM Diplomatic or Consular establishments abroad, for example when leaving their posts - whether on transfer or on final retirement.
The Government of Bahrain did not seek permission in advance of presenting awards to the two previous British Ambassadors to Bahrain. Where an award is conferred without permission, a Head of Mission, will not be given permission to formally accept, or wear, the award but is allowed to retain it. There is no requirement to return the award. Head of Missions are reminded of the UK Rules on the Acceptance of Foreign Awards on a regular basis.
Crown servants, including all civil servants, are subject to the Business Appointment Rules (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/business-appointment-rules) when accepting new appointments after Crown service. These form part of the Civil Service Management Code and apply to all civil servants intending to take up an external appointment or employment after leaving the Civil Service. For Senior Civil Servants such as the British Ambassador to Bahrain, these Rules apply for two years following their departure. Whilst in Civil Service employment, all staff must report any approach from an outside employer with an offer of an appointment or employment for which approval would be required under the Rules if they plan to follow up the offer.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the former ambassadors to Bahrain Ian Lindsay and Simon Martin received permission to accept foreign honours given to them by Bahrain, and if so, on what dates the Bahraini diplomatic mission in London was notified of this permission.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a Note Verbale about the award for the previous British Ambassador on 5 June 2023. The Ministry was informed on 22 June that permission could not be granted, as per paragraph 18 of the UK Rules on Acceptance of Foreign Awards, which states permission, unrestricted or restricted, will not be granted, in particular, to Heads or other members of HM Diplomatic or Consular establishments abroad, for example when leaving their posts - whether on transfer or on final retirement.
The Government of Bahrain did not seek permission in advance of presenting awards to the two previous British Ambassadors to Bahrain. Where an award is conferred without permission, a Head of Mission, will not be given permission to formally accept, or wear, the award but is allowed to retain it. There is no requirement to return the award. Head of Missions are reminded of the UK Rules on the Acceptance of Foreign Awards on a regular basis.
Crown servants, including all civil servants, are subject to the Business Appointment Rules (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/business-appointment-rules) when accepting new appointments after Crown service. These form part of the Civil Service Management Code and apply to all civil servants intending to take up an external appointment or employment after leaving the Civil Service. For Senior Civil Servants such as the British Ambassador to Bahrain, these Rules apply for two years following their departure. Whilst in Civil Service employment, all staff must report any approach from an outside employer with an offer of an appointment or employment for which approval would be required under the Rules if they plan to follow up the offer.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Bahraini diplomatic mission requested permission to give an award to former ambassador to Bahrain Roderick Drummond; and if so, on what date the permission was denied.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a Note Verbale about the award for the previous British Ambassador on 5 June 2023. The Ministry was informed on 22 June that permission could not be granted, as per paragraph 18 of the UK Rules on Acceptance of Foreign Awards, which states permission, unrestricted or restricted, will not be granted, in particular, to Heads or other members of HM Diplomatic or Consular establishments abroad, for example when leaving their posts - whether on transfer or on final retirement.
The Government of Bahrain did not seek permission in advance of presenting awards to the two previous British Ambassadors to Bahrain. Where an award is conferred without permission, a Head of Mission, will not be given permission to formally accept, or wear, the award but is allowed to retain it. There is no requirement to return the award. Head of Missions are reminded of the UK Rules on the Acceptance of Foreign Awards on a regular basis.
Crown servants, including all civil servants, are subject to the Business Appointment Rules (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/business-appointment-rules) when accepting new appointments after Crown service. These form part of the Civil Service Management Code and apply to all civil servants intending to take up an external appointment or employment after leaving the Civil Service. For Senior Civil Servants such as the British Ambassador to Bahrain, these Rules apply for two years following their departure. Whilst in Civil Service employment, all staff must report any approach from an outside employer with an offer of an appointment or employment for which approval would be required under the Rules if they plan to follow up the offer.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the joint letter sent to the King of Bahrain by 15 non-governmental organisations on 11 December concerning the declining health of imprisoned opposition leader Hassan Mushaima; and what representations they have made to the government of Bahrain to (1) secure his release (2) ensure he receives adequate medical care, and (3) secure him access to his medical records.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The FCDO continues to follow and discuss the case of Hasan Mushaima with the Government of Bahrain and oversight bodies, most recently on 20 December. Bahrain is clear that access to medical care for those in detention is guaranteed and is provided as needed. We also encourage those with specific concerns to raise them directly with the appropriate Bahraini oversight body.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 12 December (HL680), why the former ambassador of Bahrain Roderick Drummond has been allowed to accept the award given to him by Bahrain in July in apparent violation of the Rules on Acceptance of Foreign Awards, and if they will now require him to hand the award back.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a Note Verbale about the award for the previous British Ambassador on 5 June 2023. The Ministry was informed on 22 June that permission could not be granted, as per paragraph 18 of the UK Rules on Acceptance of Foreign Awards, which states permission, unrestricted or restricted, will not be granted, in particular, to Heads or other members of HM Diplomatic or Consular establishments abroad, for example when leaving their posts - whether on transfer or on final retirement.
The Government of Bahrain did not seek permission in advance of presenting awards to the two previous British Ambassadors to Bahrain. Where an award is conferred without permission, a Head of Mission, will not be given permission to formally accept, or wear, the award but is allowed to retain it. There is no requirement to return the award. Head of Missions are reminded of the UK Rules on the Acceptance of Foreign Awards on a regular basis.
Crown servants, including all civil servants, are subject to the Business Appointment Rules (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/business-appointment-rules) when accepting new appointments after Crown service. These form part of the Civil Service Management Code and apply to all civil servants intending to take up an external appointment or employment after leaving the Civil Service. For Senior Civil Servants such as the British Ambassador to Bahrain, these Rules apply for two years following their departure. Whilst in Civil Service employment, all staff must report any approach from an outside employer with an offer of an appointment or employment for which approval would be required under the Rules if they plan to follow up the offer.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that UK Ambassadors to Bahrain do not (1) accept awards, or (2) take jobs or paid consultancy, from the Bahrain government when they step down from that role.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a Note Verbale about the award for the previous British Ambassador on 5 June 2023. The Ministry was informed on 22 June that permission could not be granted, as per paragraph 18 of the UK Rules on Acceptance of Foreign Awards, which states permission, unrestricted or restricted, will not be granted, in particular, to Heads or other members of HM Diplomatic or Consular establishments abroad, for example when leaving their posts - whether on transfer or on final retirement.
The Government of Bahrain did not seek permission in advance of presenting awards to the two previous British Ambassadors to Bahrain. Where an award is conferred without permission, a Head of Mission, will not be given permission to formally accept, or wear, the award but is allowed to retain it. There is no requirement to return the award. Head of Missions are reminded of the UK Rules on the Acceptance of Foreign Awards on a regular basis.
Crown servants, including all civil servants, are subject to the Business Appointment Rules (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/business-appointment-rules) when accepting new appointments after Crown service. These form part of the Civil Service Management Code and apply to all civil servants intending to take up an external appointment or employment after leaving the Civil Service. For Senior Civil Servants such as the British Ambassador to Bahrain, these Rules apply for two years following their departure. Whilst in Civil Service employment, all staff must report any approach from an outside employer with an offer of an appointment or employment for which approval would be required under the Rules if they plan to follow up the offer.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the allocated budget under the Gulf Strategy Fund for (1) Saudi Arabia, (2) Bahrain, and (3) the United Arab Emirates, for 2023–2024.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The present country allocation from the Gulf Strategy Fund for Saudi Arabia is £2,345,000, Bahrain £1,475,000 and the United Arab Emirates £1,173,000.