The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Brown on 2016-09-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made on the Government’s discussions with the German government on (a) the proposed compensation scheme for UK thalidomide survivors and (b) proposals for UK Thalidomide Trust to submit collective compensation applications.
Sir Alan Duncan
I refer the Hon. Member to my answer of 2 August 2016 (42407).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-09-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 July 2016 to Question 42107, on Islamic State, what factors would need to change for a referral to the International Criminal Court to be considered practical; what discussions the Government has had with (a) Russia, (b) China and (c) other permanent members of the UN Security Council on securing their vote for a referral; and what the Government’s latest assessment is of (i) Russia’s and (ii) China’s policy on that issue.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
We expect that any Security Council resolution at this time seeking to refer the situations in Iraq or Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC) would be blocked, as it was when efforts were made to refer the situation in Syria to the ICC in 2014. We continue to work with our international partners, including other permanent members of the UN Security Council, to look at every available option to assist the victims of Daesh and bring those responsible for crimes to justice.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hilary Benn on 2016-09-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, which social and workers’ rights protected in existing EU treaties it is his policy to protect during negotiations on the UK leaving the EU.
Mr Robin Walker
We are about to begin negotiations and at every step of these we will work to ensure the best possible outcome for British workers. We will speak to as many other firms, organisations and bodies as possible – research institutes, trade unions, regional and national groups and businesses up and down the country, to establish the priority issues and opportunities for the whole of the UK.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-09-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many full-time equivalent staff his Department employs in the evidence gathering process of investigating acts of alleged genocide by Daesh in Iraq and Syria; and with which countries and international bodies such staff are liaising on that process.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff are not directly employed in the evidence gathering process. We support the activities of a range of actors, including non-governmental organisations, to gather and preserve evidence of alleged war crimes in Iraq and Syria. On 21 July, the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Boris Johnson) announced that the UK will work with our international partners to drive a global campaign to bring Daesh to justice.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-09-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the relative viability of securing an investigation into alleged acts of genocide by Daesh by means of establishing an independent panel through the UN rather than the International Criminal Court.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
We continue to look at every available option to bring Daesh to justice, and to work closely with our international partners and the UN on what can be done to assist the victims and to bring those responsible to justice.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-09-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Written Statement of 5 September 2016, Yemen Update, HCWS 128, whether the Government plans to raise (a) alleged breaches of international humanitarian law, (b) allegations that Saudi Arabia has used cluster munitions and (c) the need for other countries to increase humanitarian funding at the UN General Assembly meeting on Yemen to be hosted by the UK in September 2016.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The UK will host discussions on Yemen at the UN General Assembly later this month with key international partners. We have raised the use of cluster munitions with the Saudi Arabian authorities and, in line with our obligations on the Convention on Cluster Munitions, we continue to encourage Saudi Arabia, as a non-party to the Convention, to accede to it. We regularly raise the importance of compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) with the Saudi Arabian Government and other members of the military Coalition. We have raised our concerns with the Houthis on the importance of compliance with IHL.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-09-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his global counterparts on cruelty in the global dog meat trade; and if he will make a statement.
Alok Sharma
The consumption of dog meat is legal in many countries, and the United Kingdom has no grounds to intervene or take trade measures to prevent this. We continue to make our views known to the governments of those countries where this practice continues; most recently I raised this issue with the South Korean Ambassador ahead of the Westminster Hall Debate on 12 September. Our Ambassador in Seoul has also raised the dog meat trade with the South Korean authorities, most recently on 1 September, highlighting our concerns about the treatment and welfare of animals. As I stated in the Westminster Hall Debate, it is promising that in countries where dog meat is consumed, there are signs that attitudes are changing amongst the young and emerging middle classes. We encourage that change.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-09-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the likelihood that (a) Syria and (b) Iraq refer Daesh acts of genocide to the International Criminal Court for an investigation without the need for UN Security Council approval; and what discussions his Department has had with representatives of each of those countries on that subject.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
Neither Iraq nor Syria are State Parties to the Rome Statute. The International Crimininal Court (ICC) therefore has no territorial jurisdiction over crimes committed on their soil. In order for Daesh’s crimes to be investigated by the ICC, Iraq and/or Syria would have to declare their acceptance of the Court’s jurisdiction. We have seen no indication that either intends to do so at this time.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-09-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 9 May 2016 to Question 36104, whether the Government (a) received a copy of Saudi Arabia’s inquiry into alleged breaches of international humanitarian law in Yemen and (b) has encouraged Saudi Arabia to publish any findings of their investigations.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The Saudi led Coalition Joint Investigations Assessment Team (JIAT) announced the outcome of eight investigations on 4 August. The outcome of these investigations are available to the public.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2016-09-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to improve GP training for the diagnosis of Lyme disease.
Mr Philip Dunne
The content and standard of medical training is the responsibility of the General Medical Council (GMC), which is an independent statutory body. The GMC has the general function of promoting high standards of education and co-ordinating all stages of education to ensure that medical students and newly qualified doctors are equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for professional practice. This includes recognising and treating Lyme disease.
The training curriculum for general practitioners (GPs) is written by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), and has to meet the standards set by the GMC. Whilst the RCGP curriculum does not highlight specific conditions for GPs to be aware of, it instead emphasises the skills and approaches that a GP must develop in order to ensure accurate and timely diagnoses and treatment plans for their patients.
GPs have responsibility for maintaining their continuing professional development, ensuring that they can provide high quality care to all patients.