Asked by: Scott Mann (Conservative - North Cornwall)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Spanish counterpart on the extradition of 94 Taiwanese citizens to China.
Answered by Alan Duncan
Her Majesty’s Government has not raised this issue with Spain. Spain is party to the European Convention on Human Rights and this is a matter for the Spanish courts. It would not be appropriate for us to comment.
Asked by: Scott Mann (Conservative - North Cornwall)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department recognises Taiwan’s efforts and contribution on combating climate change; and if his Department will support Taiwan’s participation as an observer in the 24th Session of the Conference of the Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change which will take place in Poland in December 2018.
Answered by Mark Field
The British Government welcomes the contribution Taiwan voluntarily makes in combating climate change, despite not being a signatory to the Framework Convention on Climate Change, and we continue to work closely with Taiwan on this matter. The British Government has also consistently stated its support for Taiwan’s participation in international organisations where we believe Taiwan has a valuable contribution to make on issues of global concern. This includes the issue of climate change, which does not recognise the concept of territorial boundaries. Taiwan is sending a delegation to Katowice.
Asked by: Scott Mann (Conservative - North Cornwall)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
What his policy is on global ocean conservation.
Answered by Alan Duncan
A new International Ocean Strategy was announced in June this year. When published it will underpin the UK’s leading role on marine protection. It will also provide this Government with a blueprint for international action that will support the long-term prosperity of the UK and our long-term commitment to protect the health of the marine environment.
Asked by: Scott Mann (Conservative - North Cornwall)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
What his policy is on global ocean conservation.
Answered by Alan Duncan
A new International Ocean Strategy was announced in June this year. When published it will underpin the UK’s leading role on marine protection. It will also provide this Government with a blueprint for international action that will support the long-term prosperity of the UK and our long-term commitment to protect the health of the marine environment.
Asked by: Scott Mann (Conservative - North Cornwall)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Chinese government on the treatment of dogs during that country's Yulin Dog Meat Festival.
Answered by Lord Sharma
The United Kingdom Government takes seriously all reports of animal cruelty. We are committed to raising standards of animal welfare and to phasing out cruel and inhumane practices both in the UK and overseas. However, there are limits to what the UK can do. Consumption of dog meat is legal in the People’s Republic of China and the UK has no legal grounds to intervene or take trade measures to prevent this.
We have instead focused our efforts on co-operation with China to tackle the illegal wildlife trade. We also work through the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), to promote the welfare of a range of species internationally, such as stray dogs and farmed animals. We encourage China, as a member of OIE, to meet the required standards.
Asked by: Scott Mann (Conservative - North Cornwall)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made in his talks with the German government on compensation for British citizens affected by Thalidomide.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The UK Government has not been involved in talks with the German Government on compensation for British survivors of Thalidomide. We have been assisting the Thalidomide Trust in making their own representations directly to the German Government.
At the request of representatives of the Thalidomide Trust the then Minister for Europe (Rt Hon David Lidington MP) wrote on 4 February to the German Ambassador to London, setting out the Trust’s desire for further discussions with the German Government and requesting his support in raising the matter within Germany. The Ambassador passed this request to the German Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. The FCO received a response from the Families Ministry on 1 June. In this response the German Government sets out that UK survivors of Thalidomide are able to apply for compensation from the Contergan Foundation For Disabled People.
The Contergan Foundation was established by the German Government to help disabled people whose deformities can be linked to their mothers taking medicinal products during pregnancy which contained thalidomide. While funded in part by the German Government, the Contergan Foundation is independent of the German Government who do not control or influence the awards made. As such the Families Ministry declined to meet the Thalidomide Trust for further discussions and reiterated their belief that British survivors should contact the Contergan Foundation.
The UK Government remains in contact with the Thalidomide Trust to discuss all aspects of this case.