The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Gwynne on 2015-10-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent meetings he and other Ministers of his Department have had with Miguel Ángel Moratinos.
Mr David Lidington
Neither the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) or I have had any recent meetings with Miguel Angel Moratinos.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Gwynne on 2015-10-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on relations between Spain and HM Government of Gibraltar.
Mr David Lidington
The Prime Minister is focused on delivering a successful renegotiation: he believes he can and will succeed in reforming and renegotiating our relationship with the EU and campaigning to keep the UK in the EU on that basis.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sue Hayman on 2015-10-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Government plans to ratify the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
Karen Bradley
The previous Government signed the Istanbul Convention in June 2012. This Government remains committed to its ratification.
The UK already complies with the vast majority of the articles through its comprehensive work to protect women and girls. However, primary legislation will be required to comply with the extra-territorial jurisdiction provisions in Article 44 of the Convention before ratification.
The Government is liaising with the devolved administrations about ratification, including any further legislative steps necessary. The Government takes its international commitments very seriously and will only commit to such ratification when we are absolutely satisfied that we comply with all articles.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2015-10-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will issue a response to Early Day Motion 112 on human rights in Eritrea.
Grant Shapps
We are concerned by the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry on human rights in Eritrea, in particular reports of arbitrary detention, and shortcomings in the rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms. We have made clear to the Government of Eritrea that it must honour its international obligations and that improved respect for human rights is required to help stem the flow of irregular migration. Through the Khartoum Process and the forthcoming Valletta Summit we will continue to engage Eritrea to that end.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Pritchard on 2015-10-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the government of the Republic of Congo on the payment of UK companies for infrastructure work undertaken in that country on behalf of the Congolese government.
Grant Shapps
We were recently made aware of a case where a company owned by a British national has found it difficult to secure payment for infrastructure projects carried out on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Congo. In June this year, my officials raised this case with the Congolese authorities, and highlighted the importance to all involved of resolving this case in accordance with the court decisions made in the Republic of Congo and elsewhere.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2015-10-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the (a) UN, (b) EU, (c) government of Ethiopia and (d) government of Eritrea on implementation of the recommendations of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission.
Grant Shapps
We have consistently urged both Eritrea and Ethiopia to engage bilaterally and with international partners, such as the EU and the UN, to overcome the current stalemate. The UK, along with our international partners, has underlined that the decision by the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission is final and binding. We urge both governments to respect the commitment they made in the Algiers peace agreement of December 2000.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2015-10-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on UK-based companies (a) manufacturing and (b) selling arms for use in Eritrea.
Grant Shapps
No. All UK based companies must abide fully by the UN arms embargo on Eritrea, which prohibits the manufacturing or selling of arms to the Government of Eritrea.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Seema Kennedy on 2015-10-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to ensure the pilot resettlement scheme for Chagos Islanders meets their requirements.
Grant Shapps
The Government is carrying out a public consultation exercise, seeking the views of Chagossians and other interested parties, about a potential resettlement of the British Indian Ocean Territory. The consultation is scheduled to last 12 weeks, concluding on 27 October. I am pleased that an estimated five hundred Chagossians in the UK, Seychelles, and Mauritius have joined meetings with members of the British Indian Ocean Territory Administration to talk through the consultation document. Though we have been clear that this document is not a statement of UK Government policy, as no decision has yet been taken, it sets out the most realistic hypothetical scenario in which possible resettlements, including a pilot option, could take place. The consultation period will help us understand Chagossians’ aspirations and the level of demand for the options set out. This consultation continues the conversation with Chagossian communities as part of our review of resettlement policy started in 2012, which included an independent feasibility study, which concluded at the end of January 2015.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Grant on 2015-10-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which other EU member states have stated that they are prepared to support proposals to amend the EU treaties.
Mr David Lidington
The Prime Minister. my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) has spoken to his counterparts in all other EU Member States, setting out the case for substantive reforms. He has been very clear that these reforms must be legally binding and irreversible and that in some areas that will mean treaty change. Technical talks are currently ongoing.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Pritchard on 2015-10-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government has taken to stop UK funding being used to pay the wages of convicted terrorists from the Palestinian Territories in custody in Israeli prisons.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
No UK money is used for payments to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. The UK’s direct financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority (PA) is used to pay the salaries of PA public sector workers only. Our support is provided through a World Bank trust fund which carries out close monitoring of PA expenditure. The whole process is independently audited, which means we know exactly how our money is spent. We also have robust accounting procedures in place which mean we are confident that our funds do not benefit terrorist groups, and we ensure that our partners do the same.