Tag: Lord Judd

  • Lord Judd – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Lord Judd – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Judd on 2014-03-26.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the report by UNICEF Under Siege: the devastating impact on children of three years of conflict in Syria, published in March.

    Baroness Northover

    This report provides an account of the impact this most brutal and damaging conflict is having on the lives of Syrian children. DFID shares UNICEF’s concerns for the 5.5 million children who are affected by the crisis, more than double the number in March 2013. The needs of Syrian children are a major priority for the UK’s humanitarian assistance in Syria and the region.

  • Lord Judd – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Judd – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Judd on 2014-05-07.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many of the 38 recommendations made by UNICEF in its March 2013 report on children in Israeli military detention have been implemented by the government of Israel; and what discussions they have had with that government on the number that are yet to be implemented.

    Baroness Warsi

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s most recent progress report on children in Israeli military detention, published in October 2013, indicates that Israel has taken some positive steps but does not give an assessment as to how many of the recommendations UNICEF consider to have been implemented.

    We continue to urge the Israeli authorities to take action on the recommendations made in the UNICEF report and the earlier independent report by senior British lawyers. Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Mr Robertson), wrote to the Israeli Attorney General on this issue on 31 March.

  • Lord Judd – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Judd – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Judd on 2014-05-07.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government by which minister the United Kingdom will be represented at the mid-May meeting in Geneva of the High Contracting Parties of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons; and what are their priorities for the outcome of that meeting.

    Baroness Warsi

    An informal meeting of experts on lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) will take place in Geneva from 13-16 May 2014 under the framework of the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. This is an official-level meeting at which ministerial attendance is not expected, and the UK will be represented by officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Ministry of Defence. The Government aims to deepen understanding of the technical, legal, ethical and societal factors pertaining to LAWS through an exchange of information and views.

  • Lord Judd – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Judd – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Judd on 2014-05-07.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they envisage federation as a possible future constitutional settlement in Ukraine; and, if so, under what conditions.

    Baroness Warsi

    The Ukrainian people will be voting in Presidential elections on 25 May. The outcome will determine the future direction of their country. It is crucial that Ukraine is able to deliver these elections in a successful, free and fair manner, without external pressures. It is not for the rest of the world to negotiate away the constitution nor the freedom or democracy of Ukraine.

    The British Government will continue to support Ukraine’s democratic and constitutional reform process as the best means of overcoming this crisis and helping the people of Ukraine to choose their own future. We stand with them in their efforts to create a better Ukraine.

  • Lord Judd – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Lord Judd – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Judd on 2014-05-07.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the International Monetary Fund’s Staff Discussion Notes published in February and March dealing with inequality and its impact on growth.

    Lord Deighton

    At its April 2014 meeting, the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) of the IMF, attended by the Chancellor, agreed that rising inequality and high unemployment be addressed by removing structural impediments to inclusive growth.

    It is not Government practice to comment on the detail of IMF Staff Discussion Papers. IMF Staff regularly produce such papers, and the analysis and views therein are those of staff and not necessarily the IMF or its Executive Board.

  • Lord Judd – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Lord Judd – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Judd on 2014-06-16.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to ensure that any extension of the mutual defence agreement with the United States does not pre-empt decisions by Parliament on the future of Trident.

    Lord Astor of Hever

    Renewal of the Mutual Defence Agreement (MDA) does not pre-empt a Main Gate decision on the Successor submarine in 2016. The MDA underpins the nuclear relationship between the UK and US and enables the UK to procure from the US certain non-nuclear components for the existing UK warhead.
    The Government’s policy is to maintain and renew the continuous at sea nuclear deterrent based on a submarine system and Trident missiles.

  • Lord Judd – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Lord Judd – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Judd on 2014-06-16.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to G4S about the legal implications of its remaining involvement with the Israeli Prison Service until 2017, in the light of Article 76 of the 4th Geneva Convention and its application to the detention of Palestinians.

    Baroness Warsi

    The UK considers that Israel’s detention of Palestinian prisoners within Israel is contrary to Article 76 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and have clearly stated this position to Israeli officials. We have also made clear our concerns about Israel’s treatment of Palestinian detainees in meetings with G4S. International law does not impose direct obligations on corporations. However, the Government encourages British companies to show respect for human rights in their operations in the UK and internationally.

    In September 2013, we launched the UK Action Plan based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This is voluntary guidance which British businesses can consult on doing business in Israel and OPTs, but ultimately it is the decision of an individual or company concerned.