Tag: Andrew Rosindell

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the total number of refugees who will attempt to cross the Mediterranean in 2017.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Government is closely monitoring global migration developments, including the number of Mediterranean crossings, working in partnership with the EU and in source and transit countries, to address the mass movements of people attempting to cross the Mediterranean. This includes tackling criminal gangs who facilitate journeys and exploit migrants.

We have not made an estimate of the number of refugees who will attempt to cross the Mediterranean in 2017. Determining refugee status is at the discretion of EU Member States and we do not estimate the number of illegal migrants that will be granted refugee status.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-10-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 October 2016 to Question 47624, what was discussed at the meetings held between the Administrator of Norfolk Island and officials of his Department; and who proposed that such meetings should take place.

Alok Sharma

The Australian High Commissioner invited an official from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to join a meeting at his residence for the Administrator of Norfolk Island at which the Member for Romford was also present and a wide ranging discussion on Norfolk Island took place. Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office invited the Administrator of Norfolk Island to a further meeting to discuss, in the context of both countries’ relations with small island communities, our relationship with the Overseas Territories.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many British citizens have been extradited to the US under the US-UK extradition treaty since 2010; and how many US citizens have been extradited to the UK under that treaty in the same period.

James Brokenshire

Since the start of 2010 the UK has extradited 35 British citizens (including dual nationals) from the UK to the USA, over the same time period the US has extradited 8 US nationals (including dual nationals) to the UK.

Of those arrested for the purposes of extradition to the US since 1 January 2010, 50 individuals (of all nationalities) have been extradited (up to and including 3 November 2015).

All figures are from local management information, and have not been quality assured to the level of published National Statistics. As such they should be treated as provisional and therefore subject to change.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-11-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will take steps to use the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to prioritise the strengthening of diplomatic and economic ties with Commonwealth countries.

Mr Hugo Swire

This Government has worked hard to strengthen the UK’s diplomatic and economic ties with the Commonwealth, including expanding our representation in Commonwealth countries. For example, the Foreign Secretary opened a new Deputy High Commission in Chandigarh, India, in March 2015. Strengthening of Foreign and Commonwealth Office and UK Trade and Investment commercial teams has taken place in Canada, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Cameroon, Papua New Guinea and Guyana. One result of this is the East Africa Oil & Gas High Value Opportunity (HVO), which will support UK businesses in gaining access to local markets.

However, we agree that the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta is a further opportunity to strengthen these ties, by renewing the Commonwealth and demonstrating unity and a shared sense of purpose around priority issues. The CHOGM non-governmental fora, including the Commonwealth Business Forum to be attended by both the Right Hon. Lord Maude of Horsham and I, will be an additional opportunity for the UK to enhance economic ties across the Commonwealth. The UK looks forward to a successful CHOGM 2015, which showcases the Commonwealth as a united, unique, vital and ambitious organisation that is capable of tackling modern global challenges.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with her counterparts in other European countries on the imposition of tighter border controls across Europe and the effective screening of Syrian refugees for connections to ISIS.

James Brokenshire

Effective management of European external borders is vital as part of a comprehensive response to the migrant situation and the UK continues to engage with European partners on measures to improve the security of borders and to identify those who may a pose a threat to our countries.

As set out in the response to PQ11691 answered on 19th October 2015, security is taken extremely seriously in cases referred to us for resettlement. We work closely with the UNHCR who have their own robust identification processes in place. When Syrian cases are referred by the UNHCR for our consideration under the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement scheme they are screened and considered by the Home Office for suitability for entry to the UK: we retain the right to reject individuals on security, war crimes or other grounds. For reasons of national security, we cannot provide further on the details of the screening process itself.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-12-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2015 to Question 14443, what sources of funding which are not from the Government are available for the resettlement of Chagossians in the Chagos Archipelago.

James Duddridge

Following the conclusion of a 12 week public consultation on the resettlement of the British Indian Ocean Territory on 27 October, the Government is now considering the responses. As part of that work we are aware of the existence of options including EU and private sector funding to reduce any potential upfront cost to the UK taxpayer of any resettlement. No decision has yet been made about whether to allow a resettlement, and because of that, no discussions have yet been had with any external funding organisations. In any decision, it is important we take into account the high cost associated with resettlement but also the open-ended liabilities it could incur and the need for the military facility on Diego Garcia to continue to operate unhindered.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-12-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the rules and regulations are on the use, style and designation in the UK accorded to dual nationals or nationals of Commonwealth realms who are recipients of a knighthood in any of those realms; and if he will make a statement.

James Duddridge

The Sovereign’s permission must be sought whenever a British national wishes to accept an award offered by another country. If permission is given, the award may be accepted, the insignia may be worn and the relevant post-nominal letters may be used. The Sovereign does not give permission for the formal use of the title “Sir” in the United Kingdom; only those British nationals, including dual nationals, awarded British knighthoods may use the title “Sir” in a formal context in the United Kingdom. The Sovereign acts with the advice of the Government. Nationals of all the Realms, awarded a British knighthood, are entitled to use the title “Sir” in the United Kingdom. The titles of Realm nationals, who are not British, and have been awarded a knighthood by their own country, are recognised in the United Kingdom as an official courtesy.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-01-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to allow greater flexibility for the UK to develop trade agreements outside Europe as part of the renegotiation of the UK relationship with the EU.

Anna Soubry

The Government is fighting hard to fix the aspects of our EU membership that cause so much frustration in Britain – so we get a better deal for Britain and secure our future.My Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister has set out the four objectives at the heart of our renegotiation: economic governance, competitiveness, sovereignty and migration/welfare.The Government is focused on success: it believes it can and will succeed in reforming and renegotiating our relationship with the EU.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-01-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when any Ministers in his Department last met Chagossian representatives; and when they next plan to do so.

James Duddridge

Ministers last met the Chagos Islands (British Indian Ocean Territory) All-Party Parliamentary Group in February 2015. Officials have held meetings with around 500 Chagossians in the last 12 months in London, Crawley, Manchester, Seychelles and Mauritius. The Government has recently undertaken a twelve week public consultation about a potential resettlement of the British Indian Ocean Territory, and I am now considering the results, with a view to the Government determining a way ahead on this important issue very soon. It would be inappropriate to meet Chagossians until the results of this consultation have been considered.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2016-01-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the UK has agreed to fund particular EU projects as a result of discussions with his EU counterparts as part of the renegotiation of the UK’s relationship with the EU.

Mr David Lidington

No.