Tag: Patrick Grady

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2015-12-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will issue a response to EDM 858, Violence in Galkayo, Somalia.

James Duddridge

On 2 December, Puntland President Gaas and Galmudug President Guled signed a peace agreement, which resulted in a cessation of hostilities and establishment of a joint committee to facilitate reconciliation. We welcome the mediation efforts of Prime Minister Sharmarke and other Somali leaders. The international community also played an active role in pressing for an agreement: the UN issued a joint statement and ensured leaders were able to travel for the negotiations, and the UK was in contact with Somali leaders directly. Throughout we made clear that this conflict is extremely damaging not only to the people of Galkayo but more widely to the fight against Al Shabaab and to Somalia’s reputation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2016-01-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her priorities and preferred outcomes are for the Supporting Syria and the Region Conference in February 2016.

Mr Desmond Swayne

Through the “Supporting Syria and the Region (London 2016)” Conference we aim to raise significant new funding to meet the immediate and longer-term needs of all those affected by the crisis within Syria, and to support neighbouring countries who have shown enormous generosity in hosting refugees.

The Conference will address the longer-term needs of those affected by the crisis through supporting the creation of jobs and providing education in the region, offering those that have been forced to flee their homes greater hope for the future. Specifically, we aim to ensure access to education for all refugee and host community children by the end of the 2016-17 school year.

The Conference will also maintain pressure on all parties to the conflict to stop the obstruction of humanitarian relief and abuse of civilians that perpetuate the crisis and respect International Humanitarian Law. We aim to agree action to give people inside Syria safer healthcare, safer education, and support for the most vulnerable, especially girls and women. Looking ahead, it will need to ensure the international community is well prepared to support a coordinated stabilisation effort.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2016-03-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support the Government is giving to (a) the government of Greece and (b) civil society organisations in Greece to assist the response to the arrival of migrants and refugees.

James Brokenshire

The UK has contributed over £19 million in humanitarian support to Greece: almost £8 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), almost £7.5 million to Non Governmental Organistions (NGOs), over £1.6 million to the Red Cross, over £1 million to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and almost £1 million of essential supplies (blankets, sleeping mats, tents, solar lanterns, generators). We are assessing how best to target further humanitarian support in 2016, including through EU routes.

Through UK aid in Greece, UNHCR expects to support approximately 250,000 migrants and refugees with life-saving humanitarian aid through: reception, protection, accommodation, water and non-food Items. UNHCR and the IOM are also working with the government of Greece to improve their capacity to receive and manage refugees and migrants.

In bilateral support to the Government of Greece the UK Government is providing direct support to the Hellenic Coast Guard in the Aegean Sea. The UK Border Force hired offshore patrol vessel, VOS Grace, is currently deployed in the Aegean.

In addition, the Government is funding a voluntary returns programme (£2 million over 2 years 2014-2016) and asylum programmes (totalling £600,000 over 3 years) in Greece through NGOs. The Home Office has a long-term secondee to the Greek Government based in Athens, supporting improvements in Greek asylum system capability.

In 2016, the UK Government has committed to provide 34 months of staff deployment to Frontex operations in Greece. Debriefing and screening support has also been offered bilaterally to the Hellenic Police. And the UK Government has provided five month-long secondments to the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) for deployment at Hotspot sites in both Greece and Italy.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2016-06-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what issues the Government plans to discuss with the President of Colombia during his state visit to the UK in November 2016.

Mr Hugo Swire

The State Visit presents an opportunity for the Government to continue our engagement with the Government of Colombia on a wide variety of themes, including: regional stability; peace and security; trade and investment; science and education; and the environment.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2016-07-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara on the right of the Saharawi people to exercise their right to self-determination.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

The UN Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations briefed the UN Security Council on 26 July, where the UK and other member states encouraged a return to the political process. The UK encourages both sides to cooperate with the United Nations process to reach a mutually acceptable solution that provides for the self-determination for the people of Western Sahara.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2016-10-24.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the potential implications of the UK leaving the EU for the Government’s policies on equality.

Caroline Dinenage

The UK has some of the strongest equality legislation and policies in the world. This will continue to be the case after we leave the EU. The Government Equalities Office will continue to follow an ambitious programme of work to ensure that everyone has a fair chance and that no one is discriminated against because of their background.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2015-11-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions the Government has had with the governments of India and Nepal regarding protests and disruption at border crossings between those countries.

Mr Hugo Swire

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 November 2015 (PQ 15614).

In addition to this answer, I discussed the blockage at the border with the Indian Foreign Secretary during the visit of Prime Minister Modi to the United Kingdom.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2015-12-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will issue a response to Early Day Motion 884, Arrests in Malawi of Cuthbert Kulemela and Kelving Gonani.

James Duddridge

The British Government’s position is clear: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual persons should not be discriminated against in any way. The British High Commission in Lilongwe discussed the arrest of the two men involved in this case with the Government of Malawi soon after receiving media reports and we made clear our concerns about the case. We welcome the 19 December statement by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs that affirms the moratorium on the arrest and prosecution of consensual homosexual acts. We understand criminal charges against the men involved in this case have now been dropped. We welcome the Government of Malawi’s commitment to review the laws on homosexuality under the penal code and their invitation to involve civil society in that process.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2016-01-27.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the merits of making public the rules for country-by-country reporting of tax and profits by multinational companies.

Mr David Gauke

The UK supports efforts to improve tax transparency. The UK initiated the international work on country-by-country reporting during its G8 Presidency in 2013, calling on the OECD to develop a template for country-by-country (CbC) reporting as part of the BEPS project.

The UK was the first out of 44 to commit to implement the OECD model for CbC reporting with legislation in Finance Act 2015.

We understand that the Commission is also undertaking an analysis of the various tax transparency requirements for multinationals as part of its public consultation, and we look forward to the outcomes of this work.

The Government recognises the case for publishing country-by-country reports on a multilateral basis.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Patrick Grady on 2016-03-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Statement of 4 March 2016, HCWS581, whether the gift of 40 Land Rovers to Bulgaria counts towards (a) the target two per cent of GDP on defence spending and (b) 0.7 per cent of GNI on Overseas Development Assistance.

Michael Fallon

No and no.