Asked by: Gareth Johnson (Conservative - Dartford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the decision of the Chinese government to freeze the pensions of Hongkongers with British passports; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of the difficulties British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passport holders are experiencing in seeking early withdrawal of their pension held by the Mandatory Provident Fund in Hong Kong. The root of the problem is the Chinese Government's decision not to recognise the British National (Overseas) passport. The UK firmly opposes the discrimination against BN(O)s in this way. We have urged the Hong Kong authorities to facilitate the early withdrawal of funds as is the case for other Hong Kong residents who move overseas permanently. I raised this issue with Christopher Hui, Hong Kong Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury on 18 April and pressed for a pragmatic solution.
Asked by: Gareth Johnson (Conservative - Dartford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of UK nationals in prison in other EU countries.
Answered by David Lidington
We collate statistics on the numbers of British nationals detained globally twice a year. On 30 September 2015 we were aware of 797 British nationals detained (either pre- or post- sentencing) across European Union member states.
This figure reflect only those British nationals who have chosen to notify the Embassy, High Commission or Consulate of their detention, and includes those who were detained on remand at the time the information was collated.
Asked by: Gareth Johnson (Conservative - Dartford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what further discussions he plans to have with his Cypriot counterpart on the misselling of mortgages by Alpha Panareti; and when those discussions will take place.
Answered by David Lidington
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) and I have raised property issues experienced by British nationals with the Cypriot Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides. The Foreign Secretary raised property issues with Mr Kasoulides whilst in Cyprus on 17 July 2015 and I raised the subject with Mr Kasoulides in London on 12 March. We will continue to raise property issues at appropriate times both at official and Ministerial level.
Asked by: Gareth Johnson (Conservative - Dartford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the income ISIL receives from oil fields; what steps he is taking to restrict this income; and whether this oil can find its way into the UK market.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We, and our international partners, estimate that a significant portion of ISIL’s revenue comes from its sale of oil. Extortion is its other main source of funds. It is not possible accurately to estimate these revenues.
We assess that current oil production in ISIL held areas is a fraction of pre-conflict levels. Oil is used by ISIL, sold in areas under its control, and smuggled across borders. We do not have any evidence to suggest that oil from ISIL-controlled areas is reaching the UK.
Degrading ISIL’s finances is a key part of our strategy for defeating ISIL, and tackling the threat it poses to the UK and UK interests abroad.
We are working closely with coalition partners both to better understand the nature of ISIL’s finances and to disrupt them. It is vital that the international community works together to enforce UN Security Council Resolution 2170, which requires members to cut off ISIL’s sources of finance.
Asked by: Gareth Johnson (Conservative - Dartford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Bahrain.
Answered by Hugh Robertson
We believe that the only way to promote peace and stability in Bahrain and address the legitimate aspirations of all Bahrainis is through dialogue leading to an inclusive political settlement. With elections in October, we hope that this is an opportunity to reach a deal. We encourage all sides to engage constructively in this process.