Asked by: Vince Cable (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which Department will bear responsibility for determining which individuals and bodies are subject to UK sanctions under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) will bear responsibility for determining which individuals and bodies are subject to the majority of UK sanctions under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. Parliament will be fully updated on sanctions governance and responsibilities ahead of full commencement of the Act.
Asked by: Vince Cable (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the merits of coordinating UK sanctions policy with the EU after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Alan Duncan
Sanctions are a key foreign policy tool which are most effective when designed and applied alongside international partners to achieve shared foreign policy objectives. To that end, the UK will continue to maintain close cooperation with our international partners on sanctions policy. The Prime Minister set out in her speech to the Munich Security Conference in February 2018, that the UK will look to carry over existing EU sanctions when we leave the EU. In future, it will be in the UK's and the EU's mutual interest to discuss sanctions policy and decide where and how to combine efforts to the greatest effect.
Asked by: Vince Cable (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the merits of listing of the state-owned Russian company Rosneft on the London Stock Exchange after sanctions were imposed on that company by the US and the EU.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) operates the UK Listing Regime and retains independence from the Government in its regulatory and supervisory functions. This is an integral part of the FCA's ability to perform its role and responsibilities. Its credibility, authority and value to consumers would be undermined if it were possible for the Government to intervene in its decision-making. At the time of its listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2006, Rosneft met the applicable conditions. Since 2014, Rosneft have been subject to EU economic sanctions. The UK fully complies with these sanctions, which were most recently extended on 5 July.
Asked by: Vince Cable (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the merits of coordinating UK sanctions against individuals with the US.
Answered by Alan Duncan
Sanctions are a key foreign policy tool, which are most effective when designed and applied alongside international partners to achieve shared foreign policy objectives. To that end, the UK will continue to maintain close cooperation with our international partners, including the US, on sanctions policy.
Asked by: Vince Cable (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's position is on the view of the UN Human Rights Council Group of Eminent Experts that individuals in the Government and the coalition, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, may have conducted attacks in violation of the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution that may amount to war crimes.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The recent report from the Group of Eminent Experts further underlines the deeply concerning human rights situation in Yemen and the importance of reaching a political solution to this conflict. We are carefully considering the contents of the report ahead of the upcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council.
As we have consistently done we will continue to emphasise to all parties the vital importance of compliance with international humanitarian law, press for action to address the humanitarian crisis, and encourage all parties to engage in the UN-led political process in good faith.