Asked by: Lord Northbrook (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase domestic and foreign policy cooperation between the UK and the Sultanate of Oman.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK and Oman enjoy a broad and exceptionally close relationship. Oman is a longstanding friend and ally in the Gulf, with shared interests across diplomatic, economic , defence and security matters. We are working more closely than ever across a number of fields including on economic, defence and counter-terrorism matters. Later this year, Exercise Saif Sareea 3 will take place in Oman – the largest UK-Omani military exercise for 16 years. Oman is also an important partner in regional affairs. My Rt Hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary (the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Mr Johnson) has visited Oman twice in the last four months to underline our commitment to the bilateral relationship and to take forward our regional cooperation.
Asked by: Lord Northbrook (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the motion passed in the Parliament of South Africa on 1 March to confiscate land without compensation from white farmers.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We welcome the South African Government's assurance that 'the process of land distribution would be orderly, within South African laws and taking into consideration both the social and economic impact.' We further welcome President Ramaphosa's commitment that land reform will be carried out 'without negatively affecting economic growth, agricultural production and food security' and his assurance that he would 'not allow any smash and grab interventions'.
Asked by: Lord Northbrook (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the human rights record of Cameroon and the impact, if any, this is having on anglophone Cameroon.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Cameroon is a State Party to major human rights instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It has, however, signed but not ratified a number of significant instruments.
In recent years Cameroon's far north has been blighted by Boko Haram and this has led to the introduction of strict anti-terror laws. Human rights non-governmental organisations report that the Government of Cameroon is using this legislation to arrest and detain Anglophone separatists. Our High Commissioner in Yaoundé met President Biya on 21 December 2017 and emphasised the Government of Cameroon's legal obligations in respect of human rights.
Asked by: Lord Northbrook (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when consideration was last given to investigating the possibility of arranging a State Visit to the UK by the President of India.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK has excellent relations with the Government of India and there is an extensive range of two-way visits by members of each government. As a matter of policy, the Government does not discuss or disclose the details of possible visits by Heads of State or Government until invitations have been issued and accepted, and any announcement is made by agreement with the visiting Head of State or Government.
Asked by: Lord Northbrook (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve intergovernmental relations between the UK and Argentina.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK has made significant progress towards a more constructive relationship with Argentina since the election of President Macri in September 2015. In September 2016, the Minister for Europe and the Americas visited Argentina and agreed a Joint Communiqué that committed both countries to closer co-operation across all aspects of our relationship.
As a result, co-operation is increasing, including on trade, science and innovation, anti-corruption and security issues. The Scottish Secretary, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Minister of State for International Trade (Greg Hands) all visited Argentina in 2017, and the Prime Minister last spoke to President Macri on 12 December.
Our position on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands and the right of the Islanders to determine their own future remains unchanged.