Debates between Tobias Ellwood and Simon Burns during the 2015-2017 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tobias Ellwood and Simon Burns
Tuesday 10th January 2017

(7 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Tobias Ellwood Portrait Mr Ellwood
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Not in so many words, but I have had the opportunity to congratulate President-elect Barrow. I believe absolutely that the previous President, who has been there since 1994, should recognise the will of the Gambian people and step down.

Simon Burns Portrait Sir Simon Burns (Chelmsford) (Con)
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May I ask the Foreign Secretary what agreement there will be on policy towards Russia between the British Government and the new US Administration, given the new Administration’s indebtedness to President Putin through the leaking and hacking of emails of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tobias Ellwood and Simon Burns
Tuesday 24th May 2016

(8 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Tobias Ellwood Portrait Mr Ellwood
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We do not want to see journalists being intimidated, the internet being blocked or people’s ability to speak freely being interfered with, wherever they are in the world. We will continue to make that case from this place and in our direct communications with those Governments.

Simon Burns Portrait Sir Simon Burns (Chelmsford) (Con)
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Does my hon. Friend share my view that the notable journalist and writer T. E. Lawrence—better known as Lawrence of Arabia—was an exponent of freedom in the middle east? Now that the Government have prevented the export of his robes and dagger, where will the public be able to see them as an inspiration for greater understanding of the middle east and to encourage greater freedom in that part of the world?

Tobias Ellwood Portrait Mr Ellwood
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I congratulate my right hon. Friend on weaving in an important aspect of our history and making it relevant to this question. He is absolutely right about the importance of saving not only the robe but the dagger for the nation. They will not be leaving the country. The dagger was given to Lawrence of Arabia by Sherif Nasir after Lawrence’s fantastic attack on Aqaba. On his way there—this was glossed over by the media at the time—he accidentally shot his camel, but he continued on another camel and was able to take Aqaba. He later moved to work in the Foreign Office, and I would like the garment—the gown or the robe—and indeed the dagger to be on display in the Foreign Office. I am not sure that we will be successful in that, but I am glad to say that the dagger will stay in the United Kingdom.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tobias Ellwood and Simon Burns
Tuesday 9th June 2015

(9 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Simon Burns Portrait Mr Simon Burns (Chelmsford) (Con)
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4. What his policy is on the potential role of his Department in returning illegal economic migrants from north Africa to their countries of origin.

Tobias Ellwood Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Tobias Ellwood)
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We remain firm in our belief that a comprehensive plan is needed to tackle the problem of irregular migration. The most useful development towards stopping the flow of illegal migrants would be the formation of a unity government in Libya, and we are working with European Union partners to achieve that. We are also working with colleagues in the Department for International Development and the EU to support countries of origin; reinforce security in countries of transit; and, with the Ministry of Defence, save lives in the Mediterranean.

Simon Burns Portrait Mr Burns
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Does my hon. Friend agree that the current instability in Libya means that its borders are not being properly policed and that, as he says, if the warring parties could get a ceasefire and form a unity government, that would help tighten up the borders and stop the tide of economic migration to southern Europe?

Tobias Ellwood Portrait Mr Ellwood
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My right hon. Friend makes an important point. Although the maritime component has much the highest profile, it is the transit and trafficking operations that need to be stopped. Parties and stakeholders in Libya are coming together in Morocco—in fact, the conversation started yesterday under United Nations envoy Bernardino León—and we hope they will finally be successful.

--- Later in debate ---
Simon Burns Portrait Mr Simon Burns (Chelmsford) (Con)
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T7. Does my hon. Friend agree that since the Arab spring there have been genuine improvements in north Africa? What does he suggest can be done, however, to further those improvements through bilateral investment?

Tobias Ellwood Portrait Mr Ellwood
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My right hon. Friend is absolutely right: following the Arab spring, we have seen huge advances in that area of Africa—in governance, prosperity and, indeed, stability. I was able to visit the region two weeks ago, and I hope to return in November with trade missions, taking British companies to that part of Africa in order to promote the prosperity agenda.