The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Marquess of Lothian on 2016-05-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of visits to hospital Accident and Emergency departments during 2015 resulted in admission to hospital.
Lord Prior of Brampton
In 2015 there were 22,434,007 attendances at accident and emergency departments in England. For 18.2% of these attendances, the patient was admitted as an emergency.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Marquess of Lothian on 2015-11-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what response, if any, they have made to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture in the light of his comments that moves to replace the Human Rights Act 1998 would set a very bad example for the rest of the world.
Lord Faulks
The Government has made no formal response to these comments. The UK has a proud tradition of respect for human rights which long pre-dates the Human Rights Act 1998. Our Bill will protect fundamental human rights, but also prevent their abuse and restore some common sense to the system. The Government will fully consult on our proposals before introducing legislation and we will set out our proposals in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Marquess of Lothian on 2015-12-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information to publish its report.
Lord Bridges of Headley
The Independent Commission on Freedom of Information will report as soon as possible after the oral evidence sessions it has announced for 20 and 25 January.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Marquess of Lothian on 2016-02-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of how many Daesh fighters have moved from Iraq and Syria to Libya; and what implications this has had on UK defence and security policies.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
We are aware that Daesh has called for Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTF) to travel to Libya and that there is a significant FTF contingent among the Daesh forces there, including individuals from Syria and Iraq.
We are monitoring the situation closely and working closely with international partners to develop a comprehensive approach to defeat Daesh in Libya. This will be a priority for our discussions with the new Libyan government.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Marquess of Lothian on 2016-04-19.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Foreign Secretary’s recent visit to Tripoli, whether they are considering the deployment of ground troops to Libya as part of UK efforts to support the Government of National Accord, and what practical assistance they plan to provide, if any, in terms of training Libya’s police, coastguard and military.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), was clear in his oral Statement to the House of Commons on 19 April that the British Government has no plans to deploy troops to Libya in a combat role. The security agenda must be owned and led by the new Libyan government. The UK, along with international partners, stands ready to respond to requests from the Libyan government for assistance in training the Libyan armed forces, to improve their effectiveness in providing security, and in the fight against Daesh. But any support the UK provides would be in response to a clear request made by the Libyan government. During his visit to Tripoli, the Foreign Secretary agreed with Prime Minister Serraj that we should continue to work closely to establish what those training and technical support requirements are; and what, if any, role the international community can play in helping to meet them.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Marquess of Lothian on 2016-05-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking in the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who is currently detained in Iran, and what assurances they have received as to her wellbeing.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) raised Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s case with Foreign Minister Zarif on 17 May. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), also raised the case with the Iranian Chargé d’affaires on 18 May. Iran does not recognise dual nationality and denies consular access on those grounds. We understand that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is able to call her family and we welcome the recent news that she was moved out of solitary confinement.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Marquess of Lothian on 2015-11-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they last reviewed the security situation in Tunisia in respect of Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
We keep the security situation in Tunisia under constant review, and have been working closely with the Tunisian authorities to improve their capacity to deter and respond to the threats they face.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Marquess of Lothian on 2015-12-17.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Spending Review 2015, where they expect the majority of the FCO efficiency savings of £53 million by 2019–20 will be made.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Efficiency savings of £53 million by 2019-20 will be delivered, in part, through reducing the running costs of our global network and the use of improved technology. There will also be reductions to the non-Official Development Assistance funding for the British Council, although overall funding for the British Council will be protected in real terms.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Marquess of Lothian on 2016-02-23.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish their strategy for the UK’s relationship with the Gulf States.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The UK is clear that its relationships with Gulf States matter to our mutual security and prosperity as laid down in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015. We continue to work in collaboration with Gulf partners to deepen relations. We will set out in due course our vision of our future relationships with partners in the region in our new Gulf Strategy.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by The Marquess of Lothian on 2016-04-19.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking in response to the Taliban’s recent announcement of a spring offensive and warnings of large-scale attacks in Afghanistan.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The Taliban’s announcement of a spring offensive is consistent with the insurgency’s pattern of activity and was anticipated by the Afghan authorities. The UK is an integral part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s Resolute Support Mission (RSM), which is working to train, assist and advise the Afghan National Security and Defence Forces to meet the challenge posed by an enduring insurgency. Working in close cooperation with the Afghan authorities and RSM, the UK keeps its security under constant review.