Asked by: Mary Glindon (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with the World Bank on the countries it is negotiating with on (a) development policy financing and (b) seed laws.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The World Bank does not have a policy in place that restricts farmers in choosing their seeds. The Bank advocates the use of quality seeds and has helped protect farmers, local production, and food security in developing countries. An efficient national agricultural innovation system and an effective seed certification system is essential to meet the challenges agriculture faces in developing countries. The UK is supporting this longer-term goal to do both, boost food security, incomes, and climate adaptation and resilience. World Bank operations, including also development policy loans, are designed at country level, in support of government priorities and plans and in consultation with other stakeholders. The World Bank has committed to full alignment of all its sovereign lending with the Paris Agreement by 1 July 2023. We are holding the Bank to account through the Board.
Asked by: Mary Glindon (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when his Department plans to respond to the correspondence of 17 August 2020, 9 February 2021, 12 January 2022 and 25 January 2022 from the hon. Member for North Tyneside.
Answered by David Rutley
I am grateful to the Honourable member for bringing this matter to my attention. Officials have been in contact with your office and obtained copies. It seems that the correspondence was unfortunately sent to the wrong email address. Officials will work to provide a response.
Asked by: Mary Glindon (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will commit to reversing the 59 percent cut to UK aid to South Sudan.
Answered by Vicky Ford
The financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has meant we have had to temporarily reduce the level of UK Official Development Assistance (ODA). We are committed to reviewing each year whether a return to 0.7% of gross national income is possible. We continue to be a leading donor to South Sudan and in FY 2021/22 provided an estimated 450,000 people with emergency food aid; daily water and sanitation provision for 86,000 of the most vulnerable displaced persons; nearly 900,000 girls to access education through targeted cash transfers; 797 health facilities to provide essential health and nutrition services; and support to a number of local peace agreements, including strengthening women's and youth participation in peacebuilding. Our aid budget is complemented by our diplomatic work, which presses for the implementation of the peace agreement, constitutional reforms, and good public financial management, which are essential for wider progress in South Sudan.
Asked by: Mary Glindon (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps her Department has taken to help deter missile attacks in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Amanda Milling
The UK publicly condemned the senseless attack by Iran on Erbil on March 12, and separately condemns the April and May attacks on oil refineries in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The UK continues to closely coordinate with Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government to de-escalate tensions in the region. This includes through the visit of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government Masrour Barzani to London in April, when I [Minister Milling] met with him, as did the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary.
Asked by: Mary Glindon (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information her Department holds on potential responsibility for missile attacks in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in March, April and May 2022; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Amanda Milling
The UK publicly condemned the senseless attack by Iran on Erbil on March 12, and separately condemns the April and May attacks on oil refineries in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The UK continues to closely coordinate with Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government to de-escalate tensions in the region. This includes through the visit of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government Masrour Barzani to London in April, when I [Minister Milling] met with him, as did the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary.
Asked by: Mary Glindon (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many UK citizens have diplomatic immunity in the US.
Answered by Nigel Adams
UK citizens who are members of the Embassy and Consulates of the United Kingdom are notified to the Office of Foreign Missions at the US Department of State.