Asked by: Kate Hollern (Labour - Blackburn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made in the Yemen peace talks.
Answered by Alistair Burt
We welcome the consultations which began in Stockholm on 6 December, and which the Foreign Secretary attended on 13 December. The Yemeni Government and the Houthis agreed on a ceasefire and redeployments of forces in Hodeidah Governorate, an exchange of prisoners, and an understanding on easing the situation in Ta'iz. They also agreed to engage in further discussions on a Framework establishing the principles for inclusive negotiations aimed at ending the conflict in Yemen - the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today.
Asked by: Kate Hollern (Labour - Blackburn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to support initiatives to bring an end to the conflict in Yemen.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The Goverment remains committed to supporting the UN Special Envoy's efforts to end the conflict in Yemen, including through diplomatic engagement with the parties to the conflict and countries in the region. The Foreign Secretary met the foreign ministers of the United States, United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 27 September at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The Foreign Secretary urged a renewed push for political progress and discussed how to put in place confidence-building measures. Through the cross-government Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, the Government is providing funding to the UN Special Envoy's office to bolster UN capacity to facilitate the peace process.
Asked by: Kate Hollern (Labour - Blackburn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Government of Israel on its plans to demolish the village of Khan Al Mar.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The UK remains gravely concerned by proposals to demolish the Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar which the UN has said could amount to ‘forcible transfer’, in violation of International Humanitarian Law. Following the decision of the Israeli Supreme Court on 5 September, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued a statement with France, Germany, Spain and Italy, reiterating our call to the Israeli Government not to go ahead with its plan to demolish the village – including its school – and displace its residents. We will continue to raise concerns with the Israeli authorities as opportunities arise.
Asked by: Kate Hollern (Labour - Blackburn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what meetings he attended on his recent visit to Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Mark Field
The Foreign Secretary visited Afghanistan on 25 June ahead of a National Security Council discussion. Following the recent ceasefires in Afghanistan, and with elections due later this year, this was a timely opportunity to take stock of progress and the UK’s supportive role in providing peace and stability to Afghanistan (full details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-flies-into-kabul-to-support-signs-of-progress-in-afghanistan). The Foreign Secretary also visited the United Arab Emirates, meeting the Deputy Foreign Minister. The cost of the Foreign Secretary’s travel will be disclosed in the usual way and published as part of transparency data in accordance with Cabinet Office requirements. We do not discuss operational planning of any visits by the Foreign Secretary.
Asked by: Kate Hollern (Labour - Blackburn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Italian Government on concerns about its potential census of Roma people.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The British Government is aware of reports of calls for a census of Roma people in Italy. The British Government opposes discrimination in all forms, as well as actions that might damage ethnic and community relations. The Rome people are one of the most disadvantaged minorities, and we support efforts at a European level to encourage Member States to take effective action to improve the situation of their Roma communities. We therefore urge all members of the international community to adhere to international law and human rights standards.
Asked by: Kate Hollern (Labour - Blackburn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the US administration on reuniting families separated as a result of that administration's policies on immigration.
Answered by Alan Duncan
As the Prime Minister said on 20 June, the reports and pictures we have seen in the past couple of days are deeply disturbing and wrong. We do not apply similar measures here and will never do so. Later on 20 June, President Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at ending the separation policy.
Asked by: Kate Hollern (Labour - Blackburn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to promote greater freedom of movement for civilians entering and leaving Gaza.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We continue to call on the Governments of Israel and Egypt to show maximum flexibility in opening the crossings into Gaza. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv most recently raised the issue of movement and access with the Israeli authorities on 13 March.
Asked by: Kate Hollern (Labour - Blackburn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the incoming US administration on its policy on the conflict in Syria.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Throughout the election, our Embassy in Washington engaged with the Republican and Democratic campaigns and those who might be part of the new Administration on the breadth of our policy interests. Now that the election has concluded, those conversations are intensifying with President-elect Trump’s transition team and with those who may potentially be chosen for senior jobs.
Asked by: Kate Hollern (Labour - Blackburn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make it his policy before the proposed referendum takes place to publish a study of the implications of UK exit from the EU.
Answered by David Lidington
The Government is focusing on renegotiation with the EU, to get the best deal for the UK and address the concerns of the British people. The Government is confident that, with good will and understanding, the UK can and will succeed in negotiating to reform the European Union and Britain’s relationship within it.