Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Tukish counterpart on the issue of arrest warrants for 82 people, including former mayors and Members of the People’s Democratic Party and the Party’s Central Executive Board on the grounds of their having protested the siege of Kobane.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have made it clear to Turkey that we expect the government to undertake any legal processes or actions against opposition parties, MPs, party officials, elected mayors, human rights defenders and journalists, fairly, transparently and with full respect for the rule of law. We will continue to engage closely with Turkey to encourage the full protection of fundamental rights of all peoples, regardless of their legitimate political affiliations, particularly in the area of freedom of expression and assembly, press freedom and the treatment of detainees. We will also continue to raise the human rights situation in Turkey in multilateral organisations, as we did at the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review of Turkey in January 2020.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government has made representations to the Government of Turkey on the aerial attack by Turkish jets on (a) the Maxmur refugee camp in northern Iraq on 14 June 2020 and (b) Shengal, Iraq and (c) other villages in Iraq.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
The UK is closely following the situation in northern Iraq.Our Ambassador in Ankara has spoken to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including on reports of civilian casualties. We are reiterating the importance of dialogue and cooperation between Iraq and Turkey to combat terrorism, ensure regional security, and protect civilians.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how (a) social distancing and (b) other covid-19 safety measures will be enforced across the parliamentary estate.
Answered by Pete Wishart - Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Home Affairs)
The Commission is receiving regular updates on the social distancing measures introduced to the estate along with the numbers of passholders present and the level of demand for services. These are monitored by the House authorities on a daily basis, and immediate actions taken where required.
It is clear to see the practical steps taken on the estate to enforce social distancing, from the Perspex screens through to the queuing systems. The safety measures can only be supported however with the cooperation of individuals across the estate taking personal responsibility for complying with those measures to keep themselves and their colleagues safe. The Commission fully supports all passholders to say where they feel that someone is not following the social distancing guidelines, and to politely remind them. Should repeated or significant concerns be raised, appropriate steps will be taken to investigate further.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to recent reports by the Human Rights Association of Turkey, what steps he is taking to help support democracy and the rule of law in Turkey.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Ministers and our Ambassador to Turkey regularly emphasise to the Turkish Government the need to respect the human rights of all its citizens, and to support the rule of law. At the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review of Turkey earlier this year, the UK raised our concerns about the situation in Turkey. Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister responsible for human rights, has also raised our concerns with the Turkish Ambassador to the UK. We will continue to engage the Turkish Government on these important issues, as well as with civil society, and be clear in our expectation that Turkey live up to its human rights obligations, which are essential to the long-term health of Turkish democracy.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2020 to Question 46042 on Parliament: Coronavirus, when the covid-19 risk assessment was carried out.
Answered by Pete Wishart - Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Home Affairs)
Risk assessments in relation to Covid-19 have been carried out since March 2020. The overarching Covid-19 assessment was prepared in the weeks leading up to the date of publication referred to in question 46042. The Trades Unions were provided with an opportunity to comment ahead of it being published.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will ensure that completed risk assessments drawn up to facilitate a full return to Parliament during the covid-19 outbreak will be (a) placed in the Library, (b) made available to hon. Members on request and (c) made available to trade unions on request; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Pete Wishart - Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Home Affairs)
The House of Commons has carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment to comply with the government’s guidance on managing the risks of COVID-19 in the workplace. A hard copy of the assessment is available in the Library and an electronic copy has been made available on the UK Parliament internet transparency pages. The Trade Unions have been consulted on significant findings of the risk assessment prior to its publication.
In line with best practice, the assessment will be reviewed in light of any changes to government and/or Public Health England guidance and communicated using the same channels to hon. Members and the Trade Unions.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department is compliant with the requirement in section 3.1.8 of the Civil Service Management Code that time off with pay for safety representatives will not be set against facility time allowed under existing arrangements.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has an obligation to provide reasonable paid time off to recognised trade union representatives to undertake trade union duties. This includes paid time off for safety representatives as set out in section 3.1.8 of the Civil Service Management Code. This is not set against facility time.
The Government recognises there are significant benefits to both employers and employees when organisations and unions work together effectively to deliver high quality public services, but facility time within the public sector must be accountable and represent value for money.
Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation has affected the right of recognised unions in his Department to bargaining information in relation to section 181 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
The General Data Protection Regulation has not affected our legal obligations regarding sharing information under section 181 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.