Asked by: Feryal Clark (Labour - Enfield North)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps she has she has taken to tackle waste-related crime in (a) Enfield North constituency and (b) London.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is committed to tackling waste crime, which is a blight on our local communities and the environment and damages legitimate businesses. We have strengthened regulators' powers, are tightening the law and have increased the Environment Agency's budget by £10 million per year to make it harder for rogue operators to find work in the sector and easier for regulators to take action against criminals. We are also providing grants to councils across the country to help them purchase equipment to tackle fly-tipping. Recipients include London Borough of Newham Council and London Borough of Waltham Forest Council.
The Environment Agency is aware of recent suspected large scale illegal deposits of waste in the Enfield area. Those suspected of being involved are subject to Operation Angola and an investigation into this group is ongoing. The Environment Agency also has ongoing investigations into large scale organised illegal depositing of waste and are progressing several major cases one of which is going through the court system at this time. All reports of waste related crime are recorded on the Environment Agency National Incident Recording System and investigated in order of seriousness.
In the South London area (that also includes Kent), Environment Agency investigations to date have resulted in 20 successful prosecutions. Active on-going investigations are targeting priority offenders linked to large scale illegal disposal of waste with a current focus in Kingston, Croydon and Sutton. These investigations are being undertaken with partner organisations such as the police and local authorities.
Asked by: Preet Kaur Gill (Labour (Co-op) - Birmingham, Edgbaston)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many surplus vaccine doses were shared with poorer countries in 2022; and if he will provide a breakdown of that provision by country.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
As of April 2023, we have donated more than 85 million vaccines to over 40 countries in need and offered over 100 million.
The following less-developed countries have requested and received donated doses either bilaterally or via COVAX to date:
- Afghanistan;
- Angola;
- Bangladesh;
- Cambodia;
- Chad;
- the Democratic Republic of Congo;
- Djibouti;
- Ethiopia;
- Laos;
- Malawi;
- Myanmar;
- Nepal;
- Niger;
- Rwanda;
- Senegal;
- Somalia;
- Sudan;
- Tanzania;
- Uganda;
- Yemen; and
- Zambia.
The following countries also requested and received donations:
- Antiqua and Barbuda;
- Armenia;
- Belize;
- Cote D’Ivoire;
- Dominica;
- Egypt;
- Ghana;
- Grenada;
- Guyana;
- Indonesia;
- Jamaica;
- Kenya;
- Mauritius;
- Malaysia;
- Namibia;
- Nigeria;
- Pakistan;
- the Philippines;
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines;
- St Lucia;
- Thailand;
- Ukraine; and
- Vietnam.
We are unable to provide a breakdown by year or country as this information is commercially sensitive.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in Angola on the potential impact of the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill on that country's (a) economy and (b) model of wildlife conservation.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The UK Government is at the forefront of international efforts to protect endangered animals and plants from poaching and illegal trade. The Hunting Trophies Bill is a further example of the UK's commitment to leading the way in protecting endangered animals. The UK regularly engages with international counterparts on these issues, however, different to many other countries in Sub Saharan Africa, Angola does not use hunting licences as a source of income or as a method of conservation.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which countries (a) requested covid-19 vaccines from the UK and (b) had this request granted and dispatched to them in 2020.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
The following countries requested and received United Kingdom donated doses either bilaterally or via COVAX: Afghanistan, Angola, Antiqua and Barbuda, Armenia, Bangladesh, Belize, Cambodia, Chad, Cote D’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Laos, Mauritius, Malawi, Malaysia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Vincent & Grenadines, Senegal, Somalia, St Lucia, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia.
No COVID-19 vaccinations were dispatched prior to 2021.
Asked by: Jo Gideon (Conservative - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to support the clearance of (a) landmines and (b) other explosive remnants of war in conflict-affected countries across the world.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
This Financial Year, the Global Mine Action Programme (GMAP) has been working with the HALO Trust and the Mines Advisory Group to support the clearance of landmines and other explosive remnants of war in Angola, Cambodia, Laos, Somalia, South Sudan, Ukraine and Zimbabwe. GMAP also has a live tender out for Afghanistan. Between April and December 2022, GMAP cleared and confirmed safe over 4.9 million square metres of land. The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) has also been funding mine action projects as part of wider stabilisation and conflict programming in Ukraine, the Caucasus, Libya, Sri Lanka and Yemen.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Durham (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the President of the Republic of Rwanda’s annual end-of-year address, broadcast on 31 December 2022, what assessment they have made of (1) relations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and (2) the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo; and what steps they intend to take in response to that speech.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
We continue to raise ongoing tensions in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the Governments of Rwanda and the DRC at the highest levels. We welcome agreement on a ceasefire as agreed at the Luanda Summit in Angola on 23 November 2022. In the week of 9 January, the Minister for Africa spoke to both the Rwandan and the DRC Foreign Ministers. He urged both parties to meet the commitments made under Nairobi and Luanda political processes. It is vital that all parties work together to secure real de-escalation on the ground and an enduring political solution. The UK has committed funding support to the East African Community Nairobi political process towards this end.
Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Midterm report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, published by the United Nations Security Council on 16 December 2022, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the findings in relation to (a) direct intervention of the Rwandan Defence Force on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, (b) provision of weapons, ammunition and uniforms to M23/ARC, (c) support to several Congolese armed groups by Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo members in Rutshuru territory, (d) cooperation between Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo units and Congolese armed groups in Rutshuru territory, (e) increased hate speech and incitement to violence against Rwandaphone minorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and (f) other findings of this report; and what representations he has made to the government of (i) Rwanda and (ii) the Democratic Republic of the Congo following the publication of that report.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
We welcome the United Nations Group of Experts investigation into the situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its reported findings. We fully support the vital work carried out by the UN Group of Experts and stress the need for its continuation. We have raised the findings of the report with the Governments of DRC and Rwanda. Our current focus is on the need for de-escalation, respect for sovereignty, and dialogue through regional processes. We welcome agreement on a ceasefire as agreed at the Luanda Summit in Angola on 23 November 2022. In the week of 9 January, I spoke to both the Rwandan and the DRC Foreign Ministers. I urged both parties to meet the commitments made under Nairobi and Luanda political processes. It is vital that all parties work together to secure real de-escalation on the ground and an enduring political solution. The UK has committed funding support to the East African Community Nairobi political process towards this end.
Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many UK based staff from his Department worked in posts in (a) Angola, (b) Benin, (c) Botswana, (d) Burkina Faso, (e) Burundi, (f) Cabo Verde, (g) Cameroon, (h) Central African Republic, (i) Chad, (j) Comoros, (k) the Democratic Republic of the Congo, (l) Congo, (m) Cote d'Ivoire, (n) Djibouti, (o) Equatorial Guinea, (p) Eritrea, (q) Eswatini, (r) Ethiopia, (s) Gabon, (t) Gambia, (u) Ghana, (v) Guinea, (w) Guinea-Bissau, (x) Kenya, (y) Lesotho, and (z) Liberia in each year since 2010.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
Headcount as at 31st March 2014 | Headcount as at 31st March 2015 | Headcount as at 31st March 2016 | Headcount as at 31st March 2017 | Headcount as at 31st March 2018 | Headcount as at 31st March 2019 | Headcount as at 31st March 2020 | Headcount as at 31st March 2021 | Headcount as at 31st March 2022 | |
Angola | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Benin | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Botswana | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Burkina Faso | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Burundi | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Cameroon | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Cape Verde | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Central African Republic | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Chad | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Comoros | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Congo | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | 30-39 | 30-39 | 20-29 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 20-29 |
Djibouti | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Equatorial Guinea | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Eritrea | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Eswatini/Swaziland | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Ethiopia | 30-39 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 40-49 | 40-49 | 40-49 | 40-49 | 30-39 |
Gabon | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
The Gambia | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Ghana | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 20-29 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 20-29 | 20-29 |
Guinea | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Guinea-Bissau | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Ivory Coast | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Kenya | 70-79 | 60-69 | 50-59 | 50-59 | 60-69 | 70-79 | 70-79 | 60-69 | 50-59 |
Lesotho | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Liberia | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, following an escalation in military activity in the past month; and what assessment they have made of the likelihood of a ceasefire.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The escalation in fighting in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is having grave humanitarian consequences, has been raised with both the President of DRC and the Foreign Minister of Rwanda; the Minister for Africa also recently spoke to the Rwandan Foreign Minister. We welcome agreement on a ceasefire as agreed at the Luanda summit in Angola on 23 November. It is vital that all parties implement it to secure a real de-escalation on the ground in Eastern DRC. We urge all sides to do everything they can to ensure armed groups respect the terms of the ceasefire and engage with the regional political processes, in order for an enduring political solution to be found.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Durham (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and relations between that country and Rwanda; and what steps, if any, they are taking to de-escalate that conflict.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The UK condemns the escalation in fighting in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Foreign Secretary has raised our concerns with both the President of DRC and the Foreign Minister of Rwanda; The Minister for Africa also recently spoke to the Rwandan Foreign Minister. We welcome agreement on a ceasefire as agreed at the Luanda summit in Angola on 23 November. It is vital that all parties implement it to secure a real de-escalation on the ground in Eastern DRC. We call on all sides to do everything they can to ensure armed groups respect the terms of the ceasefire and engage with the regional political processes, in order that an enduring political solution can be found.
The UK remains committed to supporting efforts to build stability and reduce violence in the country, including through the UN Peacekeeping Mission, MONUSCO, which plays a vital role in protection of civilians and supporting the government to tackle violence and instability. The UK is also a major humanitarian donor to DRC. In November, the pooled SMART fund, supported by the UK, announced £300,000 of additional funding to support people displaced by the recent violence in North Kivu, including with shelter and food security.