Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has undertaken an assessment of the adequacy of the evidence available for the purpose of taking a case to the International Court of Justice on the ground that the situation in Burma represents a violation of the UN genocide convention.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
In March 2018, in order to establish the facts around the actions of the Myanmar military, we co-sponsored a resolution that led to the establishment of an independent, international Fact Finding Mission (FFM). During its mandate, the FFM documented atrocities in Myanmar. The FFM was clear that what transpired in Myanmar amounted to ethnic cleansing and could be genocide.
We agree that any judgment on whether genocide has occurred is a matter for competent courts, after consideration of all the evidence, through a credible judicial process. We are aware that The Gambia is planning on bringing a case at the ICJ on behalf of the OIC. The British Government has not undertaken its own assessment of the evidence available to the ICJ.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his Department’s assessment is of when the Government of Syria will assume administrative control of Al Hol and Roj camps in north east Syria.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Our understanding is that Al Hol and Roj remain in control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The SDF, under pressure from the Turkish offensive, reached a military agreement with the Syrian regime on 13 October, resulting in the movement of regime forces into areas controlled by the SDF but to date the SDF maintains administrative control over these areas, including Al Hol and Roj. We continue to monitor developments closely.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his Department’s timetable is for the evacuation of British children and their mothers from north east Syria.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The UK has no consular presence within Syria from which to provide assistance. We will take a case-by-case approach to any requests for consular assistance.
Our advice to any British national abroad who needs emergency help from the British Government is to contact the nearest British Embassy or Consulate, which in this case will be outside Syria. If a minor is unable to do so, a request can be made on their behalf. British nationals can also call the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The number is clearly advertised on FCO Syria Travel Advice pages.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date he last met the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Culture and External Affairs; and when he next plans to meet her.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
Since taking office on 24 July 2019, the Foreign Secretary has not had an opportunity to meet the Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop. There are no meetings currently scheduled. However, in recent months the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has supported a number of visits to promote the Scottish Government's international priorities, such as Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop's recent visit in October to Japan for the Rugby World Cup.
The FCO works in partnership with the Offices of the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the Devolved Administrations, on our international priorities. So far this year our Posts have been involved in over 25 visits from Ministers from the Devolved Administrations.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many submissions were received in response to the call for evidence on environmental funding for the British Overseas Territories; and when her Department plans to publish its response to that consultation.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
A total of 49 responses were submitted to the Call for Evidence on biodiversity and conservation funding in the Overseas Territories, and a summary of those responses will be published in due course. Decisions on future funding arrangements for the Overseas Territories, including any domestic replacements for EU funding, will be considered as part of the next full spending review.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department’s response to the call for evidence on environmental funding for the British Overseas Territories will include plans to replace the EU environmental funds of BEST and LIFE.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
A total of 49 responses were submitted to the Call for Evidence on biodiversity and conservation funding in the Overseas Territories, and a summary of those responses will be published in due course. Decisions on future funding arrangements for the Overseas Territories, including any domestic replacements for EU funding, will be considered as part of the next full spending review.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 30 September to Question 290753, how much funding has been allocated to raising awareness of the climate emergency.
Answered by Kwasi Kwarteng
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has for a UK-wide high profile publicity campaign to raise awareness of the climate emergency.
Answered by Kwasi Kwarteng
The UK has just been nominated to host COP 26, next year’s crucial UN climate change conference, in partnership with Italy. The main summit, the largest the UK will have hosted, will be held in Glasgow and will be the culmination of a year of activity, raising awareness of the climate action in regions and cities across the whole country.
The first phase of this landmark year will launch at Green GB & NI week early next year, where we will showcase the opportunities, benefits and challenges of reducing our emissions to net zero, ending the UK’s contribution to climate change whilst growing our low carbon economy.
The first Green GB & NI week saw over 100 events held across the UK including business panels, webinars and a range of community events, alongside Government announcements and over 60 business pledges worth millions to cut emissions while continuing to grow the green economy.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has for a UK-wide high profile publicity campaign to raise awareness of the climate emergency.
Answered by Kwasi Kwarteng
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to (a) tackle Money Laundering and (b) promote ethical financing in the Crown Dependencies and the UK’s Overseas Territories.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The UK’s Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories are self-governing jurisdictions with their own democratically-elected governments responsible for most areas of their domestic policy, including fiscal matters. They co-operate with the UK in matters relating to taxation, fighting financial crime and countering terrorist finance.
The Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories have committed to meeting the global standards for anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). They are evaluated by the FATF in their own rights as self-governing jurisdictions.
The Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories with financial centres share beneficial ownership information with the UK’s law enforcement agencies and are committed to global tax transparency standards such as the OECD Common Reporting Standard, an agreement to automatically exchange financial account information with other jurisdictions.