Asked by: Jacob Rees-Mogg (Conservative - North East Somerset)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will publish the joint value for money guidance for UK Official Development Assistance agreed with HM Treasury to complement Managing Public Money.
Answered by Rory Stewart
UK Official Development Assistance value for money guidance is a routine internal Her Majesty’s Government document which signposts Official Development Assistance spending departments to a range of other sets of guidance in the public domain. These include the UK Aid Strategy, Managing Public Money, HM Treasury’s Green and Magenta Books, Cabinet Office Public Procurement Policy Guidance and Commercial Operating Standards, DFID Smart Rules, Overseas Security and Justice Assistance guidance, Aid Transparency Index indicators, Consolidated Budgeting Guidelines, Government Reporting Manual and The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development / Development Assistance Committee directives.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
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 effectiveness of its implementation of the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance framework.
Answered by Mark Field
The Government applies its Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) guidance to ensure that such assistance meets its human rights obligations and values. This guidance was revised and re-published in January 2017.
As the Foreign Secretary stated in his written ministerial statement of 26 January 2017, we remain confident that the new OSJA process remains the most comprehensive and demanding tool of its type anywhere in the world. In countries where HMG is regularly engaged in security and justice assistance, the relevant diplomatic mission maintains an in-country assessment and provides it to all interested departments or agencies to aid them and provide consistency in the OSJA process. Diplomatic missions which regularly produce OSJA assessments pool expertise from across HMG to ensure that they are as comprehensive and expert as possible. Senior officials from Government also meet to share feedback and lessons learned and to address challenges to the implementation of the OSJA guidance.
The FCO engaged with a number of human rights organisations (including members of the Foreign Secretary's Advisory Group on Human Rights), as part of the recent revision of the OSJA guidance, and will continue to do so with regard to its implementation.
OSJA assessments completed for specific projects or interventions are working documents, and are regularly updated in line with developments in the country concerned. Information on the number of OSJA assessments completed over the past three calendar years, and the countries assessed, is not held centrally or readily available, and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. We will, however, collate information on completed OSJA assessments for inclusion in the FCO's next Annual Human Rights Report. This will be an estimate of the number of OSJA assessments carried out during the current financial year and a quantitative analysis of their geographical use. This will also summarise steps taken to implement the OSJA guidance across Government.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department plans to publish how it ensures the adequate implementation of the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance framework.
Answered by Mark Field
The Government applies its Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) guidance to ensure that such assistance meets its human rights obligations and values. This guidance was revised and re-published in January 2017.
As the Foreign Secretary stated in his written ministerial statement of 26 January 2017, we remain confident that the new OSJA process remains the most comprehensive and demanding tool of its type anywhere in the world. In countries where HMG is regularly engaged in security and justice assistance, the relevant diplomatic mission maintains an in-country assessment and provides it to all interested departments or agencies to aid them and provide consistency in the OSJA process. Diplomatic missions which regularly produce OSJA assessments pool expertise from across HMG to ensure that they are as comprehensive and expert as possible. Senior officials from Government also meet to share feedback and lessons learned and to address challenges to the implementation of the OSJA guidance.
The FCO engaged with a number of human rights organisations (including members of the Foreign Secretary's Advisory Group on Human Rights), as part of the recent revision of the OSJA guidance, and will continue to do so with regard to its implementation.
OSJA assessments completed for specific projects or interventions are working documents, and are regularly updated in line with developments in the country concerned. Information on the number of OSJA assessments completed over the past three calendar years, and the countries assessed, is not held centrally or readily available, and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. We will, however, collate information on completed OSJA assessments for inclusion in the FCO's next Annual Human Rights Report. This will be an estimate of the number of OSJA assessments carried out during the current financial year and a quantitative analysis of their geographical use. This will also summarise steps taken to implement the OSJA guidance across Government.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has received on its implementation of the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance framework.
Answered by Mark Field
The Government applies its Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) guidance to ensure that such assistance meets its human rights obligations and values. This guidance was revised and re-published in January 2017.
As the Foreign Secretary stated in his written ministerial statement of 26 January 2017, we remain confident that the new OSJA process remains the most comprehensive and demanding tool of its type anywhere in the world. In countries where HMG is regularly engaged in security and justice assistance, the relevant diplomatic mission maintains an in-country assessment and provides it to all interested departments or agencies to aid them and provide consistency in the OSJA process. Diplomatic missions which regularly produce OSJA assessments pool expertise from across HMG to ensure that they are as comprehensive and expert as possible. Senior officials from Government also meet to share feedback and lessons learned and to address challenges to the implementation of the OSJA guidance.
The FCO engaged with a number of human rights organisations (including members of the Foreign Secretary's Advisory Group on Human Rights), as part of the recent revision of the OSJA guidance, and will continue to do so with regard to its implementation.
OSJA assessments completed for specific projects or interventions are working documents, and are regularly updated in line with developments in the country concerned. Information on the number of OSJA assessments completed over the past three calendar years, and the countries assessed, is not held centrally or readily available, and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. We will, however, collate information on completed OSJA assessments for inclusion in the FCO's next Annual Human Rights Report. This will be an estimate of the number of OSJA assessments carried out during the current financial year and a quantitative analysis of their geographical use. This will also summarise steps taken to implement the OSJA guidance across Government.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - 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 its provision of overseas assistance is in accordance with the Government's human rights obligations.
Answered by Mark Field
The Government applies its Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) guidance to ensure that such assistance meets its human rights obligations and values. This guidance was revised and re-published in January 2017.
As the Foreign Secretary stated in his written ministerial statement of 26 January 2017, we remain confident that the new OSJA process remains the most comprehensive and demanding tool of its type anywhere in the world. In countries where HMG is regularly engaged in security and justice assistance, the relevant diplomatic mission maintains an in-country assessment and provides it to all interested departments or agencies to aid them and provide consistency in the OSJA process. Diplomatic missions which regularly produce OSJA assessments pool expertise from across HMG to ensure that they are as comprehensive and expert as possible. Senior officials from Government also meet to share feedback and lessons learned and to address challenges to the implementation of the OSJA guidance.
The FCO engaged with a number of human rights organisations (including members of the Foreign Secretary's Advisory Group on Human Rights), as part of the recent revision of the OSJA guidance, and will continue to do so with regard to its implementation.
OSJA assessments completed for specific projects or interventions are working documents, and are regularly updated in line with developments in the country concerned. Information on the number of OSJA assessments completed over the past three calendar years, and the countries assessed, is not held centrally or readily available, and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. We will, however, collate information on completed OSJA assessments for inclusion in the FCO's next Annual Human Rights Report. This will be an estimate of the number of OSJA assessments carried out during the current financial year and a quantitative analysis of their geographical use. This will also summarise steps taken to implement the OSJA guidance across Government.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many Overseas Security and Justice Assistance assessments his Department has made in the last three calendar years.
Answered by Mark Field
The Government applies its Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) guidance to ensure that such assistance meets its human rights obligations and values. This guidance was revised and re-published in January 2017.
As the Foreign Secretary stated in his written ministerial statement of 26 January 2017, we remain confident that the new OSJA process remains the most comprehensive and demanding tool of its type anywhere in the world. In countries where HMG is regularly engaged in security and justice assistance, the relevant diplomatic mission maintains an in-country assessment and provides it to all interested departments or agencies to aid them and provide consistency in the OSJA process. Diplomatic missions which regularly produce OSJA assessments pool expertise from across HMG to ensure that they are as comprehensive and expert as possible. Senior officials from Government also meet to share feedback and lessons learned and to address challenges to the implementation of the OSJA guidance.
The FCO engaged with a number of human rights organisations (including members of the Foreign Secretary's Advisory Group on Human Rights), as part of the recent revision of the OSJA guidance, and will continue to do so with regard to its implementation.
OSJA assessments completed for specific projects or interventions are working documents, and are regularly updated in line with developments in the country concerned. Information on the number of OSJA assessments completed over the past three calendar years, and the countries assessed, is not held centrally or readily available, and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. We will, however, collate information on completed OSJA assessments for inclusion in the FCO's next Annual Human Rights Report. This will be an estimate of the number of OSJA assessments carried out during the current financial year and a quantitative analysis of their geographical use. This will also summarise steps taken to implement the OSJA guidance across Government.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, for which countries his Department has made Overseas Security and Justice Assistance assessments in the last three years.
Answered by Mark Field
The Government applies its Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) guidance to ensure that such assistance meets its human rights obligations and values. This guidance was revised and re-published in January 2017.
As the Foreign Secretary stated in his written ministerial statement of 26 January 2017, we remain confident that the new OSJA process remains the most comprehensive and demanding tool of its type anywhere in the world. In countries where HMG is regularly engaged in security and justice assistance, the relevant diplomatic mission maintains an in-country assessment and provides it to all interested departments or agencies to aid them and provide consistency in the OSJA process. Diplomatic missions which regularly produce OSJA assessments pool expertise from across HMG to ensure that they are as comprehensive and expert as possible. Senior officials from Government also meet to share feedback and lessons learned and to address challenges to the implementation of the OSJA guidance.
The FCO engaged with a number of human rights organisations (including members of the Foreign Secretary's Advisory Group on Human Rights), as part of the recent revision of the OSJA guidance, and will continue to do so with regard to its implementation.
OSJA assessments completed for specific projects or interventions are working documents, and are regularly updated in line with developments in the country concerned. Information on the number of OSJA assessments completed over the past three calendar years, and the countries assessed, is not held centrally or readily available, and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. We will, however, collate information on completed OSJA assessments for inclusion in the FCO's next Annual Human Rights Report. This will be an estimate of the number of OSJA assessments carried out during the current financial year and a quantitative analysis of their geographical use. This will also summarise steps taken to implement the OSJA guidance across Government.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how the Government's Overseas Justice and Security Assistance guidelines are being applied consistently across government.
Answered by Mark Field
As the Foreign Secretary stated in his written ministerial statement of 26 January 2017, we remain confident that the new OSJA process remains the most comprehensive and demanding tool of its type anywhere in the world. In countries where HMG is regularly engaged in security and justice assistance, the relevant diplomatic mission maintains an in-country assessment and provides it to all interested departments or agencies to aid them and provide consistency in the OSJA process. Diplomatic missions which regularly produce OSJA assessments pool expertise from across HMG to ensure that they are as comprehensive and expert as possible. Senior officials from Government also meet to share feedback and lessons learned and to address challenges to the implementation of the OSJA guidance.
The FCO engaged with a number of human rights organisations (including members of the Foreign Secretary's Advisory Group on Human Rights), as part of the recent revision of the OSJA guidance, and will continue to do so with regard to its implementation.
OSJA assessments completed for specific projects or interventions are working documents, and are regularly updated in line with developments in the country concerned. Information on the number of OSJA assessments completed over the past three calendar years, and the countries assessed, is not held centrally or readily available, and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. We will, however, collate information on completed OSJA assessments for inclusion in the FCO's next Annual Human Rights Report. This will be an estimate of the number of OSJA assessments carried out during the current financial year and a quantitative analysis of their geographical use. This will also summarise steps taken to implement the OSJA guidance across Government.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to support (a) British holidaymakers and (b) residents of the Overseas Territories in the Caribbean affected by Hurricane Irma.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) activated its Crisis Centre on 6 September, before the hurricane made landfall in the Caribbean. Since then, the FCO has led the cross-Government response to this unprecedented crisis. A number of Government Departments are co-located in the crisis centre and are working round the clock to provide the best possible assistance to those affected in the British Overseas Territories and other areas struck by the hurricane.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary Mounts Bay was pre-positioned in the Caribbean in July, ahead of the hurricane season. Two RAF transport aircraft were sent to the region on 7 September carrying and emergency supplies. On 8 September, a further two aircraft delivered a Puma transport helicopter and ancillary supplies. This steady tempo of relief flights has been sustained and on 11 September included a Voyager and a C-17A. That large military effort continues. We now have over 1000 military personnel and over 50 UK police officers in the region.
Over half a million British Nationals have been affected by Hurricane Irma. Since 8 September we have taken over 2,500 calls on our crisis hotline and are handling 2,418 consular cases. Consular teams in Cuba and the US are working closely with tour operators and local authorities to ensure British nationals are getting the support they need.
In St Martin, a four person rapid deployment team (RDT) arrived on 12 September. We also have RDT teams in BVI, Anguilla and TCI. They will be working with the local authorities and supporting British Nationals requiring consular assistance.
We have arranged military-assisted departures for 12 vulnerable eligible persons from the BVI and are planning military-assisted departures for vulnerable persons in other affected Overseas Territories.
In the British Overseas Territories of Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands, we have Foreign Office staff on the ground who are working closely with UK military, Department for International Development colleagues and local authorities to coordinate the humanitarian relief effort and provide assistance. We have already reinforced the teams supporting the Governors and are sending further reinforcements to the region.
In addition to the £32 million already committed to support recovery efforts in the Islands, the Prime Minister made a further commitment of £25 million on 13 September. Restoring security, critical infrastructure and the provision of humanitarian and consular assistance remain our priorities in the region.
Over 40 metric tonnes of DFID aid has now arrived and is being distributed across the region. This includes 2,608 kits, which can provide shelter for over 13,000 people and 2,304 solar lanterns, which can provide essential light and power for over 11,000 people. With our support, the Red Cross are providing drinking water, family hygiene kits, blankets, tarpaulins and other emergency supplies across the islands. We are working with Thomson, Thomas Cook and Virgin who are providing aircraft to help deliver aid to the region. Examples of aid provided includes nine tonnes of food and water and more is on the way.
HMS Ocean has been loaded with 200 pallets of DFID aid, 60 pallets of Emergency Relief Stores, 5,000 hygiene kits, 10,000 buckets and 504,000 Aquatabs as well as equipment of behalf of the French military and a generous gift of vehicles from the Government of Gibraltar. HMS Ocean is now enroute to the region.
Asked by: Ian Murray (Labour - Edinburgh South)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to help other Departments spending resources on aid achieve good or very good ratings under the international aid transparency initiative.
Answered by Rory Stewart
DFID is providing regular advice to support departments to improve the transparency of their overseas development assistance. This includes workshops, guidance and the establishment of a network to share good practice. It is essential we pool skills and expertise across government to ensure we achieve this commitment, so the British public know their money is being spent well to eradicate poverty and keep Britain safe.