Asked by: Lord West of Spithead (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) the EU, (2) NATO, (3) Japan, and (4) the Republic of Korea, about terminating contracts with Russian state-owned entities for provision of nuclear products.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In the June 2022 Group of Seven Leaders’ Communique, the Government joined with G7 partners to state our collective intent to reduce reliance on civil nuclear and related goods from Russia, including working to assist countries seeking to diversify their nuclear fuel supply chains.
To this end, the Government has led discussions within the ‘Sapporo 5’ group of nuclear energy leaders Canada, France, Japan, and the United States to identify potential areas of collaboration on nuclear fuels, with the goal of reduced global dependence on Russian supply chains. UK regularly raises the topic of dependency on Russia for civil nuclear goods and materials with likeminded international partners and supports efforts to diversify.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they discussed the United Nations Commission of Inquiry report into human rights violations in North Korea with President Yuan of the Republic of Korea during his state visit, specifically its finding that crimes against humanity have been committed; and whether they and the government of Korea intend jointly to raise the findings of the inquiry once Korea becomes a member of the UN Security Council.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK supported the Republic of Korea's (ROK) election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for a 2-year term from 2024-6. They intend to lead discussions on peacekeeping, women's rights, cybersecurity, and also plan to increase focus on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We intend to support the ROK's objectives in the UNSC and to deepen engagement on shared areas of interest including the human rights situation in the DPRK. The UK has repeatedly made clear that China and Russia blocking the Security Council's efforts to hold the DPRK to account sends a dangerous signal to states seeking to undermine international peace and security.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they discussed the repatriation of North Korean escapees to China with President Yuan of the Republic of Korea during his state visit; and, if so, what response they received from him.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is utilising all bilateral and multilateral channels to raise the issue of forced repatriation of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) escapees by China. The Prime Minister held productive discussions with the Republic of Korea's (ROK) President Yoon during his state visit, which included China's forced repatriation of escapees and the wider human rights situation in the DPRK. The UK actively promotes the implementation of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention which asserts that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, in which overseas countries are there no resident diplomatic staff from (a) his Department and (b) other Departments.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
(a) The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has a network of 281 officially designated overseas Posts. It does not currently have diplomatic staff permanently resident in the countries listed below. However, the list includes countries in which we have officially designated Posts which are temporarily suspended and diplomatic staff operate elsewhere for political or operational reasons (Afghanistan, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Yemen) or do not have diplomatic staff in permanent residence (Haiti, Burundi). Locations defined as UK territories are excluded. Information about the FCDO overseas network is available at [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-foreign-office-posts]
(b) The reporting of other government departments overseas staff locations is not the responsibility of the FCDO.
Afghanistan |
Andorra |
Benin |
Bhutan |
Burkina Faso |
Burundi Cape Verde |
Central African Republic |
Comoros |
Congo |
Dominica |
East Timor |
Equatorial Guinea |
Gabon |
Guinea-Bissau |
Haiti |
Honduras |
Kiribati |
Liechtenstein |
Marshall Islands |
Federated States of Micronesia |
Monaco |
Nauru |
Nicaragua |
North Korea |
Palau |
St Kitts and Nevis |
San Marino |
Sao Tome and Principe |
Sudan |
Suriname |
Syria |
Togo |
Tuvalu |
Yemen |
Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department holds information on the countries that will implement the OECD Pillar 2 minimum corporation tax measures from 31 December 2023; and what discussions he has had with (a) the OECD and (b) his counterparts in other countries on the implementation of that measure.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Countries that have committed to apply Pillar 2 from 31 December 2023 or 1 January 2024 include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Vietnam. Japan are implementing for 1 April 2024.
Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Hong-Kong and Singapore have committed to implement for 1 January 2025.
There are many other jurisdictions that have taken steps towards Pillar 2 implementation.
There are regular multilateral discussions at Ministerial level, including at the level of the G20, on how to ensure swift and coordinated implementation of Pillar 2, as well as the support that can be provided to developing countries in that regard.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent discussions he has had with regional partners on North Korea's satellite launch capabilities.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK condemns the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) latest satellite launch using ballistic missile technology. We have said this in our joint statement with partners on 22 November and G7 Foreign Ministers made this clear on 22 November. The Prime Minister held productive discussions with the President of the Republic of Korea during his state visit to the UK on areas of shared interest including the DPRK's provocations, which threaten peace and stability. We remain committed to securing peace on the Korean peninsula, working closely with allies and partners to secure an end to the DPRK's illegal weapons development.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to highlight the refoulement of North Korean refugees from North Korea to China.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We acknowledge recent reports that China has started forcibly repatriating North Korean escapees to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We emphasise directly to the Chinese authorities that they should not be detaining and forcefully repatriating North Korean refugees. The UK is also raising awareness of this issue at the UN. At both the Interactive Dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur for the Human Rights Situation in North Korea on 24 October, and the 17 August UN Security Council meeting on the human rights situation in the DPRK, the UK called on all states to abide by the principle of non-refoulement.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of reports on the forced return of North Korean defectors from China.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of reports that China has forcibly repatriated North Korean escapees to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The UK remains committed to raising this issue with international partners and at the UN. At the Interactive Dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur for the Human Rights Situation in North Korea on 24 October, the UK urged the international community to ensure that the rights of North Korean escapees are protected. At the 17 August UN Security Council meeting on the human rights situation in the DPRK, the UK called on all states to abide by the principle of non-refoulement.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what new information they have concerning the fate of North Korean refugees facing forced repatriation to North Korea from China.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of reports of North Korean refugees being forcefully repatriated to North Korea. Due to the closed nature of the regime in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the many reports of serious and wide-ranging human rights violations in the country. We emphasise directly to the Chinese authorities that they should not be forcibly repatriating North Korean refugees where they face danger of imprisonment and further human rights abuses. The UK actively promotes the implementation of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention which asserts that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom. At the 17 August UN Security Council meeting on the human rights situation in the DPRK, the UK called on all states to abide by the principle of non-refoulement.
Asked by: James Daly (Conservative - Bury North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with which (a) foreign countries and (b) administrative regions of foreign countries that issue their own driving licences his Department has an agreement for mutual recognition of documents; and whether his Department is taking steps to reach such agreement with other countries and regions.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The UK continues to exchange and recognise licences originating from all European Economic Area (EEA) countries. Arrangements are in place with all EEA countries for the recognition and exchange of the vast majority of GB licences.
Outside of the EEA, mutual driving licence exchange agreements are in place with the following designated countries:
Andorra | Gibraltar | South Africa |
Australia | Hong Kong | Switzerland |
Barbados | Japan | Taiwan |
British Virgin Islands | Monaco | Ukraine |
Canada | New Zealand | United Arab Emirates |
Cayman Islands | Republic of Korea | Zimbabwe |
Falkland Islands | Republic of North Macedonia |
|
Faroe Islands | Singapore |
|
Work is currently progressing on arrangements with a further seven countries:
Albania | Moldova | Sri Lanka |
Kosovo | San Marino |
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Malaysia | Serbia |
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I also recently met with an official delegation from Kenya to discuss existing arrangements with them as well.