Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he (a) has had and (b) plans to have discussions with the EU on lengthening the duration of Schengen Area visas for UK citizens travelling to the EU for longer than 90 days.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The UK's Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU confirms that both the UK and EU currently provide for visa-free travel for short-term visits for each other's nationals in accordance with their respective laws.
The UK's offer to EU citizens is the same as our offer to the nationals of all other countries. Similarly, the EU has legislated to grant British citizens the same visa-free travel permissions they offer as standard to all other third countries.
The Government's focus is on the smooth, robust and effective implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many full time equivalent staff (a) make up a full compliment of staff at the British Embassy in Japan and (b) occupy a role primarily focussed on business relationships and trade at that Embassy.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In March 2023 the headcount number of FCDO staff working at the British Embassy Tokyo was 20-29 FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) UK-based staff and 70-79 FTE country-based staff. These figures do not take into account staff working at the Embassy employed by the Department of Business and Trade, other government departments and devolved administrations.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many full time equivalent staff (a) make up a full compliment of staff at the British Embassy in Germany and (b) occupy a role primarily focussed on business relationships and trade at that Embassy.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
In March 2023 the headcount number of FCDO staff working at the British Embassy Berlin was 20-29 FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) UK-based staff and 70-79 FTE country-based staff. These figures do not take into account staff working at the Embassy employed by the Department of Business and Trade, other government departments and devolved administrations.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many full time equivalent staff (a) make up a full compliment of staff at the British Embassy in Brazil and (b) occupy a role primarily focussed on business relationships and trade at that Embassy.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
In March 2023, the headcount number of FCDO staff working at the British Embassy Brasilia was 10-19 FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) UK-based staff and 100-119 FTE country-based staff. These figures do not include staff working at the Embassy employed by the Department of Business and Trade, other government departments or devolved administrations.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to respond to letters from the Hon member for Dunfermline and West Fife related to a constituent held in jail in Iraq.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The letter of 14 October was transferred from the Prime Minister's Office on 20 October. A response was issued on 14 November. A response will be issued to the correspondence of 7 November within 20 working days as per the Cabinet Office guidelines. Officials have been in touch with Mr Chapman and his office.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what counselling services have been provided for Afghan personnel and their families who (a) assisted British Forces in Afghanistan and (b) have since been repatriated to the UK.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
There is significant work underway across the whole of Government to ensure the Afghans who stood side by side with us in conflict, their families and those at highest risk who have been evacuated, are supported as they now rebuild their lives, find work, pursue education and integrate into their local communities in the UK. This includes healthcare support, where the Government is providing £3 million of additional NHS funding so that Afghans arriving under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy scheme can access healthcare and register with a GP. The plans, dubbed 'Operation Warm Welcome', are being overseen by Victoria Atkins as the new Minister for Afghan Resettlement at the Home Office.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government plans to review the UK's policy on arctic issues prior to COP26.
Answered by James Duddridge
The UK revised its first Arctic Policy Framework, published in 2013, with the publication of "Beyond the Ice: UK policy towards the Arctic" in 2018. This recognised the accelerating rate of climate change in the Arctic and set out the UK's vision and priorities to underpin our commitment to an Arctic that is safe, secure and peaceful. The UK framework is based on three core principles of respect, cooperation and appropriate leadership. This reflects our respect for the sovereign rights of the eight Arctic States, the indigenous peoples and the environment of the region.
Whilst there are no immediate plans to revise the UK's Arctic Policy Framework before COP26, as the Arctic region is now warming at three times the global rate, the UK will maintain a significant contribution to Arctic science and research, focused on understanding the implications of climate change on the Arctic environment, and the livelihoods and economies of Arctic societies. We will highlight the consequences of rapid environmental change in both Polar Regions during COP26.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what reason the Government did not support the UN resolution A/RES/75/237 on action for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The UK is fully committed to the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, as well as to the promotion and protection of human rights for all without discrimination on any grounds. We will continue to be one of the strongest advocates for those United Nations mechanisms that help to combat racism.
However, as set out in our explanation of vote (https://undocs.org/A/C.3/75/SR.15 - last accessed 10 June 2021), the main sponsors of resolution A/RES/75/237 were unwilling to engage with UK suggestions on the text. States had an opportunity to shape the debate on racism at the United Nations in a way that brought countries together, forging a collaborative approach and working with civil society to uproot the evils of violence and discrimination. The UK hope that the main sponsors will seize those opportunities at the next session and take an approach that recognized the need for collaboration and consensus.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to protect hon. Members in response to reports of spying by the Spanish Government.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Israeli counterparts on the future of the village Khan al-Ahmar; and what steps he plans to take to prevent further threats to villages in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
We regularly raise our concerns with the Israeli authorities at senior levels, including with the Israeli Prime Minister and Israeli Attorney General, urging them not to go ahead with the proposed demolition of Khan al-Ahmar. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv discussed this issue with the Israeli National Security Council on 7 March and the Israeli Office for the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories on 3 January. Officials from our Consulate General in Jerusalem continue to visit the Khan al-Ahmar community regularly, most recently on 28 March. The UK repeatedly calls on Israel to abandon demolition plans entirely, and instead provide a transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area C.