UK Citizens in Venezuela

Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Baroness Hooper

Thursday 4th December 2025 Lords Chamber

[The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)]

My Lords, the FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel to Venezuela. The safety of British nationals abroad is the FCDO’s overriding concern when determining travel advice, which remains under regular review to ensure that it reflects our latest assessment of risks to British nationals. The FCDO has been clear that consular support available to British nationals in Venezuela is limited, but we continue to support a peaceful, negotiated transition in Venezuela.

[Baroness Hooper (Con)]

In thanking the Minister for her reply, may I press a little on the wider region and ask whether this advice and possible support will be given to British nationals in the overseas territories in the Caribbean, for example? Further, does the FCDO have any plans to close our embassy in Venezuela, as I understand other European countries have already done?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

Our obligations to those in overseas territories are very different, and they are clearly prioritised in circumstances when disasters kick in. We have very limited diplomatic relations with Venezuela; at the moment, we have a chargé in Caracas. At this stage, we do not plan to withdraw that, but we are keeping a very close eye. I have spoken to the team there on many occasions, and what they are doing is still of value and their safety is assured. As long as this is the case, I do not see us withdrawing it immediately. Clearly, given the changing situation, we are keeping it under review.

Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Baroness Hooper

Tuesday 3rd December 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I am conscious that this is a Question about the Council of Europe, but I can see the connection, and noble Lords are right to use this opportunity to raise these kinds of questions. I genuinely hope that we do not have to get to that position and that we can get the complete delegation identified and the names shared with both the House and Europe as soon as possible.

[Baroness Hooper (Con)]

My Lords, in the 10 years when I was very happily a member of the delegation to the Council of Europe, one of the most important functions that we had was to appoint the judges to the European Court of Human Rights. Can the Minister tell us whether the Government are giving any advice to the delegation in this respect?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

We have not as yet, because, as noble Lords will know, the delegation has only very recently been identified. The noble Baroness is right to say that that is one of the key functions of the parliamentary assembly, and we will look at who will be the best person both for the Council of Europe and the priority that the UK places on the important role of the European Court of Human Rights. We will take the appropriate action when the time comes.

St Helena: UK Immigration

Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Baroness Hooper

Tuesday 22nd October 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hooper (Con)]

As I was recently in St Helena at a Commonwealth small islands conference, I was shocked to hear about this development. The education, health and other facilities for the small population of the island will be severely stretched. Can the Minister give us some idea of the numbers envisaged and the timescales, given the remoteness of St Helena and the transport difficulties?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I shall endeavour to reassure the noble Baroness, whose care for St Helena is clear in her question. Our hope is that no migrants arrive in the Chagos Islands during the 18 months that this agreement will be in place—it is either for 18 months or until the agreement with Mauritius is ratified, whichever is sooner. We hope that it is much sooner than 18 months and that nobody arrives and needs to be taken to St Helena. However, the noble Baroness is right to say that, regardless of any new migrants, St Helenians face health and education support challenges, and we are providing them with £7 million for that. We would also pay for the transport and subsistence of any new migrants, so we think this agreement is good for St Helena, which is why it has welcomed it so warmly.