Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 18 December (HLWS1171), what steps they are taking to recover debts owed by diplomatic missions and international organisations in the UK; and what assessment they have made of the use of other deterrents, such as clamping or impounding diplomatic vehicles, to punish the offending organisations and missions.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, among other authorities, frequently presses diplomatic missions and international organisations to pay outstanding parking fines, National Non-Domestic Rates and Congestion Charge debt. The Director of Protocol raises the issue in his introductory meetings with new Heads of Mission whose missions are in debt to the relevant authorities. Protocol Directorate writes to such missions and international organisations giving them the opportunity to either pay their outstanding debts, or appeal against specific fines if they consider that they have been issued incorrectly. Two thirds of all diplomatic missions pay the London Congestion Charge, but as diplomatic missions and diplomats are immune from prosecution in UK courts without a waiver of immunity which can only be granted by the sending State, there is no legal course of action which Her Majesty's Government or local authorities can take to enforce payment of the Congestion Charge or parking fines.
Diplomatic vehicles cannot be clamped or otherwise impounded, enjoying immunity in international law.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to require those off-shore companies and funds that are registered in UK territories in the West Indies to contribute to the cost of repairs of infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Irma within the territory in which those companies and funds are registered.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We are currently focussed on the immediate humanitarian response to Hurricane Irma, and supporting the territories’ preparations for Hurricane Maria which we expect to cause further damage to some of the territories over the coming days. Each Overseas Territory has its own unique constitution, laws and powers to generate revenue. Therefore, the question of how off-shore companies or funds might contribute to the costs of repairing infrastructure is one for the respective Overseas Territories Governments.
We are working in partnership with the Overseas Territories Governments on a long term plan to help repair the damage caused. Most of the people affected by Hurricane Irma in the Overseas Territories are British nationals and the UK stands ready to support their governments in their recovery efforts.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether ministers and civil servants are required to comply with and execute EU law, and under what circumstances they can depart from the requirements of EU law prior to the date when withdrawal from the EU triggered by Article 50 is completed.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The UK remains a member of the EU until the process of leaving is concluded. Consequently, rights and obligations in the EU Treaties and other EU law continue to apply until that time.Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, for each of the following European Union implementing acts, when those acts were due to be transposed into UK law; when they intend to have transposed each; why they have not yet done so; and what action the European Commission has taken against the UK government for any delay: (1) Implementing Regulation (EU) 909/2015 regarding charging and direct cost; (2) Implementing Regulation (EU) 545/2016 regarding framework agreements; (3) Implementing Regulation (EU) 171/2015 regarding licensing; (4) Implementing Regulation (EU) 10/2015 regarding applicants; (5) Implementing Regulation (EU) 869/2014 regarding the principal purpose and economic equilibrium test; (6) Implementing Regulation (EU) 429/2015 regarding noise differentiated track access charges; and (7) Implementing Regulation (EU) 1100/2015 regarding rail market monitoring.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
These implementing Regulations are directly applicable and do not require transposition into UK law. Their legal effect in the UK derives from the European Committee Act 1972.Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 5 February (HL4556), whether flags on Government buildings are flown at half-mast following the deaths of democratically elected heads of state, or of other heads of state; if not, why not; and whether the definition of monarch used for the death of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia applies to all monarchs around the world.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The decision to fly Union flags on Government buildings at half-mast following the death of a democratically elected head of state, or of other heads of state, is made on a case by case basis. I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave on 5 February, to Lord Gardiner’s question HL4556, that in line with long-standing arrangements, the Union Flag is flown at half-mast on Government buildings following the death of foreign monarchs. This definition applies to current ruling Monarchs only.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 21 January (HL4053), what activities involving the pursuit of Foreign and Commonwealth Office Objectives justified the air travel funded by the Government, and how that role differs from the work which the Duke of York undertook in his role as United Kingdom Trade Ambassador, from which he resigned in 2011.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Two of the visits were invitations for specific events:
1. The visit to Germany was to represent Her Majesty The Queen at the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of the Personal Union of the Crowns of the UK and Hanover through highlighting the modern UK-Germany relationship including the promotion of UK-German links in science and innovation and learning about Germany’s apprenticeship and management training schemes.
2. The visit to Switzerland was to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)’s 60th anniversary and highlighted the UK as one of the most significant contributors to scientific research and engineering through a keynote address. His Royal Highness the Duke of York met young British scientific pioneers, championed the UK’s role in creative and innovation sectors, engaged with senior UN officials in Geneva and met with Swiss Apprentices.
The other two visits were to support and further enhance the important bilateral relationships between the UK and each country.
In Kuwait , His Royal Highness re-affirmed the close relationship and encouraged further co-operation in several sectors including Healthcare, Science and Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Youth Engagement.
In Saudi Arabia,His Royal Highness focused activity on building key relationships in the Kingdom whilst focusing on partnership Healthcare, Education and Entrepreneurship.
When His Royal Highness stepped down from the role of UK Special Representative for Trade and Investment in 2011, it was announced that he would continue to support British business and represent the UK in the same way as the other members of the Royal Family who represent Her Majesty The Queen and the UK on official Royal Visits overseas.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what journeys costing over £10,000, and funded as part of the Royal travel programme in connection with Foreign and Commonwealth Office business, have been undertaken by the Duke of York since 6 April 2014.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Since 6 April 2014 His Royal Highness the Duke of York has travelled to Kuwait, Germany, Switzerland and Saudi Arabia in pursuit of Foreign and Commonwealth Office objectives. Air travel for official visits to and from countries and in-country is paid for by the Royal Travel Budget which comes out of the Sovereign Grant. The total cost can be obtained from the Sovereign Grant Annual Report that forms part of the Royal Public Finances annual report. Following the publication of Buckingham Palace's audited accounts for the year ending March 2015 the details will be available on the British monarchy website.