Tag: Andrew Rosindell

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-05-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to encourage other countries to accept unaccompanied refugee children in Europe.

James Brokenshire

The government is at the forefront of assisting and protecting vulnerable children, wherever they are. Children in Europe are mostly already able to access support from countries that have similar legal obligations to our own.

The UK has been playing its full part in supporting European neighbours to provide support to those who have arrived. We have provided nearly £46 million of funding to the Europe wide response to help the most vulnerable, including children and infants.

In addition the £10 million the Department for International Development fund announced on 28 January will support UNHCR, Save the Children and International Rescue Committee to work with host authorities to care and assist unaccompanied or separated children.

This is in addition to resettling those from conflict regions through our Syrian Resettlement Programme and Children at Risk Resettlement Scheme. The UK is playing a leading role in the resettlement of the most vulnerable and supports other EU Member States in establishing and developing their resettlement schemes, through bilateral and multinational discussions.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-06-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Kenyan counterparts on the proposed demolition of the Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps in that country; and what assessment he has made of the potential effect of those proposed demolitions on future migration flows across the Mediterranean.

James Duddridge

During his visit to Kenya on 3 June, the Foreign Secretary raised the announced closure of Dadaab refugee camp with the Kenyan Government, including President Kenyatta. We recognise the significant burden that Kenya faces in housing a large number of refugees. The Government of Kenya assured the Foreign Secretary that refugees would be treated in line with their international obligations.

We are committed to working with Kenya and other members of the international community to ensure refugees are kept safe and that progress is made on the Tripartite Agreement, including safe and dignified refugee return. Our view, shared with the Kenyan Government, is that durable solutions for refugees are needed so that they will not be driven to undertaking the dangerous journeys, including across the Mediterranean.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-06-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of overall repair costs of an F35 during its operational lifetime.

Mr Philip Dunne

The UK Lightning Force will be able to conduct all necessary maintenance of the F-35 aircraft at RAF Marham, including electronic equipment, following aircraft arrival in 2018. When components cannot be repaired on the front line and need to be returned to industry, this will be done via a global network of depots. The global repair network will be adopted by all of the F-35 partners and offers significant benefits in terms of economies of scale and operational availability. It does not mean that components specifically have to go back to the US for repair.

The UK has a through life cost for the F-35, which includes repair costs. I am withholding this information as it has the potential to undermine the UK’s commercial position when negotiating contracts with industry.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with officials from (a) the EU and (b) the UN on obtaining compensation for UK victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

The UK Government takes the needs of UK victims of Qadhafi-sponsored terrorism very seriously and is sympathetic to their attempts to seek redress. We have raised this with the Libyan authorities, making it clear that resolution remains a priority for us, though current instability has delayed progress on this issue. The UK Government is not currently involved in negotiations on securing compensation payments with the EU or UN, though the FCO does provide facilitation support to campaign groups, where it has been requested. The EU and UN have made clear that when sanctions are lifted, frozen assets must be made available to and for the benefit of the people of Libya.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps his Department is taking to promote trade between the UK and (a) Australia and (b) New Zealand.

Greg Hands

The department has identified opportunities and resourced campaigns to access high value sectors including defence, consumer & retail and financial services across the region.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-11-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his Department’s primary objectives are at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

Mr Hugo Swire

The 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is an opportunity to demonstrate the continued relevance of the organisation in the 21st century. The British Government will pursue its commitment to strengthen the Commonwealth’s focus on promoting democratic values and development. We will also use the Heads of Government Meeting to shape a Commonwealth role in implementing the new Sustainable Development Goals, and consider how the organisation can help address other global challenges. A new Secretary General will also be announced at this meeting.

The Heads of Government Meeting also takes place the week before the Paris Climate Conference. The British Government will therefore use the meeting as an opportunity to build support amongst Commonwealth members for an ambitious agenda and targets.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-11-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to cooperate with his Egyptian counterpart on measures to (a) counter security threats and (b) ensure the safety of air passengers travelling from Egypt.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

On 5 November, the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) and I spoke with President Sisi and Foreign Minister Shoukry about the safety of air passengers travelling to and from Egypt. Her Majesty’s Ambassador in Cairo is in regular contact with the Egyptian authorities, and the UK has an ongoing dialogue with Egypt on security issues.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is engaging with international partners about the ongoing aircrash investigation and its implications. We have shared all information we are able to share and discussed our conclusions with partners. We are also helping officials from the Department for Transport to work closely with Egyptian counterparts to ensure necessary airport security measures are in force. The safety of British nationals remains our priority.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-11-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the forthcoming cessation of funding of the National Wildlife Crime Unit on the prosecution of wildlife crime cases in the UK; and if she will make it her policy to continue funding the National Wildlife Crime Unit for the next five years.

Rory Stewart

An assessment of the effect of future funding decisions regarding the National Wildlife Crime Unit on the prosecution of wildlife crime cases in the UK has not yet been made.

Decisions on future funding of the National Wildlife Crime Unit beyond March 2016 will be made as part of the current Spending Review process.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-12-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to allow the free movement of citizens between the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

James Brokenshire

The Government has no plans to legislate to introduce free movement between the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The United Kingdom’s existing immigration arrangements, do nevertheless reflect the case for promoting mobility between countries. This includes the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme which allows 18-30 year olds from Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other participating countries and territories to experience life in the UK for two years including the ability for them to work. We also continue to operate arrangements under which nationals of Commonwealth countries that have a UK-born grandparent may be admitted to work and settle in the United Kingdom through the UK Ancestry route. Also, citizens of Australia, Canada and New Zealand do not require a visa to visit the UK and the permitted activities of visitors include business related activities such as attending meetings and conferences, negotiating and signing business contracts and attending trade fairs for promotional work.

We have also introduced new measures such as the registered traveller scheme which offers expedited entry to the UK through use of the e-gates at the border.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-12-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that doctors from the EU working in the NHS have adequate English skills to practice.

Ben Gummer

In 2014 powers were given to the General Medical Council to enable them to carry out proportionate language checks on doctors from the European Union who wish to practise in the United Kingdom. This is a major step forward for quality of care and patient safety by ensuring that only doctors with adequate English language skills are able to practise in the UK.

Local checks are also carried out by individual employers as part of their recruitment processes.