Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking alongside international partners to address what on 9 September the World Health Organisation called the "extreme health and humanitarian crisis" in Sudan.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces has created a humanitarian disaster in Sudan, with over 9 million people facing emergency or famine like conditions. On 1 August, the Foreign Secretary tweeted to highlight the findings of the IPC Famine Review Committee (FRC) that famine existed in Northern Darfur's Zamzam IDP camp, and there was a high likelihood of its presence elsewhere. He also reiterated that the use of starvation as a weapon of warfare is a war crime. On 6 August, the UK, as United Nations Security Council (UNSC) penholder on Sudan, called an urgent Council session to discuss the FRC's findings. On 22 August, the Minister for Development announced an additional £15 million of vital assistance to Sudan, South Sudan and Chad to support vulnerable people forced to flee violence and seek safety. This brings the UK's ODA for Sudan this year to £97 million, most of which is vital humanitarian assistance.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the soft power value to the UK of the news programming provided by the BBC World Service; and whether they intend to fund fully the BBC World Service language services.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The Government strongly values the BBC World Service as a UK soft power asset. It is the world's most trusted international broadcaster. Consisting of 42 language services, it provides impartial accurate news to a global audience of 320 million across more than 120 countries.
The Government is committed to a successful BBC World Service and ensuring its financial sustainability. Ahead of Charter Review, the Government will keep an open mind about the future of the licence fee and how the World Service is funded, and engage with the BBC, the public and other stakeholders before making decisions.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the declaration by the WHO Director General on 14 August of Mpox cases in Africa to be a public health emergency of international concern; and what support they are providing to African countries most affected by the current outbreak.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We are deeply concerned by the mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other African countries. In August I visited the DRC and announced £3.1 million to UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) for the mpox and cholera response. This will reach 4.4 million people. We have contributed £3 million to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Regional Office for Africa for health emergency response. The UK's £340 million core voluntary contribution to the WHO supports it to allocate resources where they are needed most, including responding to health emergencies such as mpox. We are one of the largest donors to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which has unlocked $2.9 million to support the rollout of vaccines in the DRC.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress has been made on diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict and the release of hostages since the Prime Minister spoke to Benjamin Netanyahu on 20 August.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Following the Prime Minister's conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu on 20 August, the UK has been working tirelessly towards its priority of ending this conflict and securing the safe release of hostages still cruelly detained by Hamas since day one. The situation on the ground remains intolerable, and the war must end now.
The Prime Minister met President Biden in Washington on 13 September where they reiterated UK and US calls for a ceasefire that will enable the release of the hostages. We welcome the efforts of our partners in Qatar, Egypt and the United States, and fully endorse their joint statement calling for the immediate resumption of ceasefire negotiations and a hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas. We are urging all sides to show flexibility. Both the Foreign Secretary and Minister Falconer have held meetings with the families of hostages with links to the UK and reiterated our commitment to using all diplomatic avenues to secure their release.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are taking action, with international partners, to dissuade the government of Israel from undertaking a military ground offensive in Rafah, Gaza.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We are clear that do not support a major operation in Rafah unless there is a very clear plan for how to protect people and save lives. We have not seen that plan so, in these circumstances, we do not support a major operation in Rafah.
The fastest way to end the conflict is to secure a deal which gets the hostages out and allows for a stop in the fighting in Gaza. We must then work with our international partners to turn that pause into a sustainable, permanent ceasefire.
We must remain focused on a long-term solution to this crisis - a political horizon for the Palestinians, providing a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.
We have consistently made these points to Israel, at all levels.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the government of Israel’s decision to shut down the operations of the Al Jazeera television network in that country, what discussions they have had with that government concerning press freedom.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Israel must ensure its campaign is targeted at Hamas leaders and operatives and ensure journalists can carry out their work safely. On 5 December, the UK supported a joint statement of the Media Freedom Coalition expressing concern over the repercussions for the safety of journalists and access to information due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current (1) humanitarian, and (2) security, situation in Darfur following the recent outbreak of hostilities in El Fasher; and what diplomatic initiatives they are undertaking, together with international partners, to end the current conflict in order to prevent mass civilian casualties.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, if any, with the government of Israel regarding the long-term purpose of the strategic corridor which has been built along the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current security situation in Western Myanmar; and what steps they are taking, together with international partners, to prevent the outbreak of a civil war between the Buddhist Rakhine and the Muslim Rohingya.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the suspension of political party activities and the postponement of elections in Mali, what assessment they have made of the current (1) political, and (2) security, situation in that country.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
The UK condemns attempts to restrict democratic space in Mali, including through restrictive legislation on civil society and on political participation. Such measures risk undermining peace and security. We continue to urge the authorities in Mali to deliver on their commitment to a political transition, with free, fair, transparent and inclusive presidential elections. We are committed to working with our partners to respond to immediate humanitarian needs and address the underlying causes of conflict and poverty in Mali.