LGBT Rights (Uganda)

Debate between Pamela Nash and Chi Onwurah

Wednesday 2nd April 2014 Commons Chamber

[Pamela Nash]

I thank my hon. Friend for that point. In a recent Westminster Hall debate to celebrate Commonwealth day, we discussed how we could strengthen our relationship with the Commonwealth and use every lever at our disposal to ensure that we get that message across. A key way of doing that and influencing our friends overseas is by implementing the Commonwealth charter.

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

I, too, apologise for being a few minutes late for this important debate.

My hon. Friend has mentioned the question of travel to countries such as Uganda which have such a terrible record on LGBT rights. Is not a real issue for businesses that want to trade and engage with those countries having to decide whom to send there? They may either be putting people in danger or discriminating against the LGBT community.

[Pamela Nash]

I agree, and that point has been raised with me by businesses and non-governmental organisations. In recent weeks, I have been speaking to businesses working both in Uganda and more widely. I shall say more later about some other countries that are implementing similar legislation as we speak. I chair a group that is organising visits to certain countries, and we are looking at visa applications and online biographies of Members of both Houses. Given that some of them are gay, we must consider whether they will be at risk if they visit those countries, and we must think about what we should do to protect our own colleagues in such circumstances.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Pamela Nash and Chi Onwurah

Thursday 19th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Pamela Nash (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab)]

7. What plans he has for the future of carbon capture and storage; and if he will make a statement.

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

13. What plans he has for the future of carbon capture and storage.

[The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Charles Hendry)]

CCS has the potential to play a very significant role in our future energy mix. The Government are committed to public sector investment in CCS technology for four power stations, including both coal and gas. We aim to reach agreement on the first project and to launch the competition for projects 2 to 4 later this year. We will also publish a CCS road map this autumn.