Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when formal political negotiations with the European Union on the Northern Ireland Protocol will be reopened.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Foreign Secretary met Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič on Monday 9 January. While they agreed a range of critical issues need to be resolved to find a way forward, an agreement was reached regarding the specific question of the EU's access to UK IT systems. EU and UK technical teams are working rapidly to scope the potential for solutions in different areas and the Foreign Secretary, Northern Ireland Secretary and Vice President Šefčovič will take stock of progress on 16 January.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policy on location of the British embassy in Israel of the recent decision of the Australian Government to reverse its decision to recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
There are no plans to move the UK embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv. Israel is a close friend and key strategic partner, built on decades of cooperation. We will continue to strengthen our relationship with Israel through our Embassy in Tel Aviv.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Iranian government on the disappearance of Iranian athlete Elnaz Rekabi.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Iran must answer questions about the circumstances of Elnaz Rekabi's departure from South Korea. While it is positive that she has been able to publicly confirm her whereabouts, any pressure put on her is utterly unacceptable. The events of recent weeks in Iran, including the death of Mahsa Amini following her arrest by the so-called Morality Police, is a shocking reminder of the repression faced by women and girls in Iran. We continue to take action to hold Iran to account for its repression of women's and girls' rights, including sanctioning the Morality Police in its entirety and two of its leaders, and we are working alongside the international community to press Iran to improve its appalling record.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made representations to the Iranian authorities on the death of Mahsa Amini.
Answered by Gillian Keegan - Secretary of State for Education
The death of Mahsa Amini in Iran is a shocking reminder of the repression faced by women in Iran. On 3 October, the Foreign Secretary summoned Iran's most senior diplomat in the UK, to call for a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death and to condemn the subsequent violent crackdown on protestors. On 10 October, the UK sanctioned the so-called Morality Police, two of its leaders and five others for serious human rights violations. These sanctions send a clear message that the UK will hold the Iranian authorities to account for their repression of women and girls and for the shocking violence inflicted on their people.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the (a) negotiations to form a new government and (b) political situation in Iraq.
Answered by Gillian Keegan - Secretary of State for Education
We are concerned by rising political tensions in Iraq and welcome calls for dialogue. We hope that political leaders in Iraq can compromise and seek a solution that prioritises the stability of Iraq. The urgent priorities of delivering effective public services and reforming the economy are being delayed by the political standoff.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many written requests her Department has made to the Egyptian authorities for consular access to the British detainee Ala’a Abd el-Fattah.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The UK Government continues to raise Alaa Abdel Fatah's case with the highest levels of the Egyptian government and is working urgently to secure consular access to ensure his welfare. We are concerned by reports that he is on a sustained hunger strike. We continue to be in regular contact with his family to provide support.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she plans to next meet with her Egyptian counterpart.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
As the Foreign Secretary said in the House on 21 June, she is meeting the Egyptian Foreign Minister during his upcoming visit to the UK.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her Israeli counterpart on the killing of Odeh Mohammad Odeh Sadaqa in the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 2 June 2022.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The UK has repeatedly made clear to Israel our concerns about the manner in which the Israeli Defence Forces police non-violent protests and the border areas. I recently travelled to Israel where I discussed this with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Roll.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to take steps at the United Nations in relation to the proposed eviction by Israel of Palestinians from the settlement of Masafer Yatta.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions and evictions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. Our opposition to the demolition of Palestinian property and the evictions of Palestinians from their homes is long-standing. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to Palestinians and is harmful to efforts to promote peace. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made representations to the Israeli authorities on the impending eviction of Palestinians from the community of Masafer Yatta.
Answered by Amanda Milling - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions and evictions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. Our opposition to the demolition of Palestinian property and the evictions of Palestinians from their homes is long-standing. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to Palestinians and is harmful to efforts to promote peace. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation.