Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect the rights and freedoms of journalists throughout the world.
Answered by Mark Field
The UK is committed to the promotion of media freedom and the protection of journalists worldwide. A free and independent media is the lifeblood of democracy. My RHF the Foreign Secretary has announced the launch an international campaign throughout 2019 to end the climate of impunity and mobilise a consensus behind the protection of journalists. In the coming year and beyond, we are going to increase the global spotlight on media freedom as an important issue and raise the costs to Governments, and Others, that abuse media freedom. Later this year we plan to host an international conference on media freedom with the aim of bringing the issue to the attention of opinion-formers across the globe, promoting the value and benefits of a free media to a wide audience, and mobilising an international consensus behind the protection of journalists.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Chinese Government on banning the Yulin dog meat festival.
Answered by Mark Field
The Government is committed to raising standards of animal welfare at home and abroad. The sale and consumption of dog meat remains legal in parts of many countries, including China. However, there are no international norms, laws or agreements governing this trade. We believe that it is necessary to work with governments around the world to gain agreement to animal welfare standards. We have raised our concerns on specific animal welfare issues with the Chinese authorities and will continue to do so.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what changes in departmental structure the Government has made to promote closer working between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development.
Answered by Alan Duncan
Following the General Election the Prime Minister appointed two Ministers of State, Alistair Burt and Rory Stewart, to serve across the FCO and DFID. The Ministers will develop their working practice to serve the interests of both departments and shape their priorities based on events and issues as they arise.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many UK embassies serve cider at functions.
Answered by Lord Sharma
A number of our High Commissions and Embassies serve cider at functions. We do not centrally hold details of the occasions and the cider that is served. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs work closely with partners across Government and the private sector, including the National Association of Cider Makers, to promote Britain's world class offer in this area, including through the GREAT campaign. Our High Commissions and Embassies are uniquely positioned to showcase British food and drink across the world.