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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-10-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on the recent conflict at Temple Mount.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We have made representations to the Government of Israel stating that it is vital that the longstanding status quo in respect of access to Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif, and other historic sites, be preserved. In recent weeks, Her Majesty’s Ambassador in Tel Aviv raised this with senior Israeli officials and the Israeli President. Our National Security Adviser also raised this with his Israeli counterpart. Most recently, on 12 October, the Charge d’Affaires at our Embassy in Israel raised this issue with Israel’s Deputy Defence Minister, requesting that restrictions on visitors be lifted.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-10-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policy of recent military defeats by Afghan forces; and what discussions he has had with his Afghan counterparts on the insurgency at Kunduz.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We enjoy a close security dialogue with the National Unity Government in Kabul. The Commander Joint Forces Command, the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff and the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks (Mr Fallon) have all visited Afghanistan recently to discuss the security situation with Afghan counterparts. When the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) assumed full responsibility for national security at the end of 2014, we and they understood that there would inevitably be testing times ahead. The ANDSF have responded well. The Taliban attack on the city of Kunduz was a setback for ANDSF, but government forces have regained control of the city. NATO will be working with the Afghan Government to identify lessons from this incident and the fighting season more broadly. NATO and the UK remain committed partners of the Afghan Government. The Taliban should accept President Ghani’s invitation now to end the fighting and join the peace process.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-10-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Japanese counterparts on security reforms in that country.

Mr Hugo Swire

We welcome Japan’s recent security reforms, which will allow Japan to play a greater role in international peace and security. During his visit in August, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), discussed with the Japanese Foreign Minister the opportunities these reforms will create for even closer bilateral cooperation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-10-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the attack on UK military vehicles in Kabul on 11 October 2015.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

The attack on a NATO convoy on 11 October is a reminder of the threat under which our troops in Afghanistan continue to work, in partnership with the Afghan Government and others in the international community, to build and sustain a peaceful and democratic Afghanistan. We always seek to draw on knowledge and experience acquired as a result of such incidents. Our commitment as part of the NATO mission and in honour of those who have given so much in this endeavour is unwavering.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-10-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of recent UK efforts to prevent people smuggling in the Mediterranean.

Mr David Lidington

We are working with our EU partners in tackling those criminal elements who are involved in migrant smuggling and human trafficking. The EU Naval Forces Operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med – shortly to be renamed Operation Sophia) was launched on 22 June and is now in its second phase which aims to locate, interdict and seize smuggling vessels, and detain suspected smugglers, on the high seas. The UK has been one of the largest EU contributors to this mission. HMS ENTERPRISE has been deployed since 4 July and she will shortly be joined by HMS RICHMOND with her organic Lynx helicopter, Royal Marines boarding party and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for enhanced surveillance.

A recently passed United Nations Security resolution, (http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/RES/2240(2015), endorses our actions on the high seas under the EUNAVFOR Med operation. The UK was at the forefront of securing this resolution.

In addition, the UK’s multi-agency Organised Immigration Crime (OIC) Taskforce builds on existing extensive law enforcement capability in the UK and overseas focusing on the crime networks in source countries, transit points including the Mediterranean as well as at the UK border and France. The Taskforce is already working with international partners, actively sharing intelligence and progressing criminal investigations.

The OIC Taskforce builds on the existing progress made by Immigration Enforcement and others to tackle the gangs that target the most vulnerable. Last year UK law enforcement disrupted more than 170 organised crime gangs involved in immigration crime while so far this year, Immigration Enforcement alone has seen 48 convictions and the disruption of 27 organised crime gangs.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-10-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the current level of representation of the British Overseas Territories at Westminster; and whether his Department plans to increase such representation and adopt a model similar to that used in (a) France and (b) the Netherlands.

Grant Shapps

The constitutional status of the Territories was reviewed prior to the publication of the 2012 White Paper: Security, Success and Sustainability. We believe that the fundamental structure of our constitutional relationship is the right one, with powers devolved to the elected governments of the Territories to the maximum extent possible consistent with the UK retaining those powers necessary to discharge its sovereign responsibilities.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-10-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effects of recent political instability in Turkey.

Mr David Lidington

The government continues to monitor closely developments in Turkey. We acknowledge Turkey’s right to defend itself against terrorist attacks, whoever the perpetrator. We welcome reports of a PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) ceasefire and hope that peace talks will resume soon. It is vital that the parliamentary elections on 1 November pass without further incident.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-10-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterparts on recent outbreaks of violence in Israel and Palestine.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We are deeply concerned by the recent spate of attacks and clashes across the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel. Officials at our Embassy in Tel Aviv discuss the situation frequently with Israeli officials. Most recently, on 12 October, the UK Charge d’Affaires raised our concerns with Israel’s Deputy Defence Minister, making clear that it is imperative that both sides actively de-escalate the tensions.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-10-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his Department’s aims are for the state visit of President Xi Jinping in October 2015.

Mr Hugo Swire

The State Visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping on 20-23 October will set the tone and agenda for our relationship with China for the next decade, to develop a global partnership responding to the opportunities and challenges of the 21st Century. The visit will deliver major economic benefits for Britain through business deals, science and innovation co-operation, and enhanced links in education and culture. It will highlight the strength of the relationship in several areas: our openness to business links, our aim to make our economies fit for the future, and our response to important global issues.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-10-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he plans to take to encourage a return to representative, democratic governance in Zimbabwe once Mr Mugabe ceases to hold the office of President.

Grant Shapps

The Government supports progress towards a peaceful and prosperous Zimbabwe, where the rule of law and human rights are upheld, laying the foundations for long-term sustainable development. We frequently urge the Zimbabwean government to implement the new constitution agreed in 2013, which provides a foundation for improved governance and human rights, and to make necessary reforms to the electoral system to resolve the shortcomings identified by Southern African Development Community and the African Union observer mission during the 2013 elections. The UK also continues to support democracy by working with civil society organisations, human rights defenders and other stakeholders.