Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many St Helenians have emigrated since November 2011.
Answered by James Duddridge
St Helena Government’s (SHG) Statistics Office has confirmed 148 St Helenians have emigrated since November 2011.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the newly elected President of the Syrian National Council.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We are in constant contact with the Syrian opposition, including with the newly-elected President of the National Coalition, Hadi al-Bahra. We are increasing our support for them, as they counter the threats from extremists and Assad’s regime. UK Special Representative to Syria, Jon Wilks, met President al-Bahra on 10 and 15 July. In these discussions Mr Wilks stressed the UK’s strong support for the National Coalition’s goal of a transition to peaceful, democratic and inclusive Syria. I look forward to meeting and working with President al-Bahra in due course.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the (a) planning regulations and (b) environmental policies of the Montserrat government have been followed during the development of the new aquatic and sport centre.
Answered by Mark Simmonds
The elected Government of Montserrat has devolved constitutional responsibility for planning regulations and environmental policies. The Montserrat Ministry of Health, Education, Community Services, Sports and Youth has the responsibility for securing the relevant planning permission for the project. The Montserrat Development Corporation (MDC) have been sub-contracted to deliver the project. We understand that a planning application has been submitted and construction work will not start before this has been agreed.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he had with his Libyan counterparts about violence in Tripoli.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Since assuming office on 15 July, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) has yet to have direct discussions with the Libyan Foreign Minister. However, through our Embassy in Tripoli, we remain in direct contact with the Libyan Government at the highest levels. We share their concern at the attacks in and around Tripoli International Airport, and condemn all actions which put lives in danger whether in the East or West of the country. We support the Libyan Government’s call for a ceasefire and urgent dialogue.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Tripoli.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We continue to monitor carefully the ongoing security situation in Tripoli and across Libya. We are deeply concerned at the attacks in and around Tripoli International Airport, and condemn actions which put lives in danger whether in the East or West of the country.
We support the Libyan Government’s call for a ceasefire and urgent dialogue. Violence and the threat of violence are unacceptable, and should not be used to pursue political goals. The situation in which armed groups operate outside government control, and without respect for either Libyan or international law, threatens the stability of the state and Libyan people’s aspirations for a secure and prosperous future.
Our travel advice remains current, and is updated as necessary to reflect the situation on the ground.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the reaction of the government of (a) Iran and (b) Turkey to the announcement of the President of Kurdistan that he intends to hold a referendum on independence of the region of Kurdistan from Iraq.
Answered by Hugh Robertson
We are aware of reports that the President of the Kurdistan Region has expressed an intention to hold a referendum on independence for the Kurdistan Region. It is for the people of Iraq to determine the shape of Iraq's future. We continue to urge all Iraqi leaders to work together to tackle the challenges Iraq faces, particularly the threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the source of supply of the arms being used by Jihadi groups fighting in (a) Syria and (b) Iraq.
Answered by Hugh Robertson
We believe terrorist groups are likely to have acquired weapons and ammunition from stockpiles captured in fighting with Assad's regime in Syria, and in recent clashes with the Iraqi Security Forces. During his recent visit to Iraq, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) made a statement in which he highlighted the need to intensify international efforts to stem the flow of weapons and fighters to extremist groups.
Asked by: Ian C. Lucas (Labour - Wrexham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the current political situation in Lesotho.
Answered by Mark Simmonds
Through our High Commission in South Africa who cover our relations with Lesotho, we are closely monitoring the political situation in the country, following the decision on 10 June by Lesotho's Prime Minister to prorogue parliament for 9 months (until 27 February 2015). The UK supports the South African Development Community's (SADC) call for all parties to follow the constitution.