Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the timeframe is for the publication of his Department's annual accounts.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The FCDO's annual report and accounts are planned to be published in September, subject to the National Audit Office's (NAO) audit process. Departmental accounts are usually published before the summer recess. However, because of the extra complexity of producing accounts for a new, merged department, the FCDO agreed with HM Treasury and the NAO that a longer timeframe would be needed this year.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether an impact assessment was carried out prior to the decision to reduce the Official Development Assistance budget (a) in general and (b) on UK research and development.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The UK is facing the worst economic contraction in over 300 years, and a budget deficit of close to £400 billion. Given the impact of this global pandemic on the economy and, as a result, the public finances, the UK has moved to spend 0.5% of GNI as Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) in 2021.
To ensure coherence and maximum value for money from ODA spending, the Foreign Secretary ran a cross-government process after the 2020 Spending Review to allocate ODA against the government's priorities this year. During the following ODA allocation process for FCDO budgets in 2021/22, officials considered risks and impacts to inform advice to Ministers.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure co-operation from the Qatari authorities in the inquest into the killing of Cambridge resident Rafaelle Tsakanika in a hit-and-run incident in Doha in 2019, including the sharing of their full file of evidence with the Coroner.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
We have contacted HM Coroner to find out what documentation they require from the Qatari authorities for the inquest into Ms Tsakanika's death. Once we know HM Coroner's requirements we will submit a request to the Qatari Authorities for this documentation via normal diplomatic channels and will follow up as appropriate.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to protect British citizens in Qatar involved in cases of dangerous driving.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Our consular staff endeavour to give appropriate and tailored support to British nationals overseas, and their families in the UK, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. What we can and cannot do is set out in our Supporting British Nationals Abroad: A guide (www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-british-nationals-abroad-a-guide). We highlight the specific risks on local road safety to those travelling overseas through our Travel Advice which is regularly reviewed and updated, including that for Qatar. Our advice for Qatar currently advises of poor road discipline, high speeds, warns that minor accidents are common and that there is a very high fatality rate for road accidents.
We work in partnership with UK charity Brake, who provide emotional and practical support to families bereaved through road traffic accidents overseas. Officials in Qatar are in regular contact with the Qatari authorities and raise consular issues as appropriate, including those related to road traffic safety.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will have discussions with his Egyptian and Italian counterparts on the Egyptian authorities temporarily closing the investigation into the 2016 murder of Cambridge PhD student, Giulio Regeni.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
We have the deepest sympathy for Giulio Regeni's family and their quest for justice for his appalling murder. As Mr Regeni was an Italian citizen, the Italian Government is taking the lead role on his case. We continue to follow the investigation into his death and to work closely with the Italian Government. We last discussed this at official level with the Italian authorities on 23 November. We have also raised with the Egyptian authorities at a senior level the need for a transparent and impartial investigation, in full co-operation with Italy, so that Mr Regeni's killers can be brought to justice.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Italian counterpart on the Italian magistrates’ investigation into the five officials suspected of involvement in the murder of PhD student Giulio Regeni.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
We have the deepest sympathy for Giulio Regeni's family and their quest for justice for his appalling murder. As Mr Regeni was an Italian citizen, the Italian Government is taking the lead role on his case. We continue to follow the investigation into his death and to work closely with the Italian Government. We last discussed this at an official level with the Italian authorities on 23 November. We have also raised with the Egyptian authorities at a senior level the need for a transparent and impartial investigation, in full co-operation with Italy, so that Mr Regeni's killers can be brought to justice.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how long the restrictions on travel and movement of goods out of Denmark will last.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Following the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, the travel ban introduced on 7 November 2020 on Denmark will be extended for a further 14 days from Saturday 14 November. Measures on freight introduced on 8 November 2020 will also run for an extra 14 days from the date they came into force.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his US counterpart on the effect of that country's Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts on US-born UK citizens.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The British Embassy in Washington has raised taxation issues facing UK citizens with the US Government. We will continue to raise this matter with the US Government.