Asked by: Giles Watling (Conservative - Clacton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) his French counterpart on France's defence cooperation agreement with Southern Cyprus and use of the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base and (b) President Tatar of Northern Cyprus on a potential defence agreement between the UK and Northern Cyprus.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
While our bilateral military cooperation is strong, the Foreign Secretary has not recently discussed France's defence cooperation agreement with Cyprus with his French counterpart. In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state. The UK recognises the Republic of Cyprus as the sovereign authority of Cyprus and has no intention of discussing a potential defence agreement with the Turkish Cypriot administration.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what compensation is available to traditional free range turkey farmers who slaughter on farm for birds that have been slaughtered and are hanging as part of the maturation process at the time bird flu is detected.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Compensation, as set out in the Animal Health Act 1981, is paid for healthy birds culled by the Government for disease control purposes. No compensation is available for sick birds or birds that have died. Compensation is also not paid for consequential losses, including business interruption caused by control measures, nor for eggs or poultry meat that needs to be disposed of to prevent further disease spread. Any meat or birds that have been slaughtered and are hanging as part of the maturation process on an infected premises will be subject to risk assessment. If it is considered to present a risk of disease spread, the meat or birds will need to be biosecurely disposed of without compensation.
Asked by: Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Middle East on steps that can be taken to help end violence in Israel and Gaza.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Since the Hamas terrorist attacks on 7 October, the Prime Minister, former Foreign Secretary and Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon have spoken to counterparts from more than 20 countries as part of extensive diplomatic efforts to sustain the prospect of peace and stability in the Middle East. This includes the former Foreign Secretary's travel to the region in October where he met leaders in Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, and his calls last week with counterparts from Jordan, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Brazil, and Australia. To prevent further conflict and terrorism, there must be a political solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict: a two-state solution which provides justice and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. The UK will continue to work urgently with our partners to ensure this vision finally becomes a reality.
Asked by: John McNally (Scottish National Party - Falkirk)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 23 October 2023 to Question 200957 on Turkey: British Nationals Abroad, what points HM Ambassador raised with the Turkish Health Minister; whether his Department plans to discuss with the Turkish authorities measures to tackle the issue of of medical tourism and the need for comprehensive advice for Britons seeking such treatment in Turkey; and what issues will be discussed during the visit by the delegation from the Department for Health and Social Care.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
On 4 October, HM Ambassador met with the Turkish Minister of Health and discussed the importance of mutual cooperation and clear advice to ensure the safety of increasing numbers of British Nationals seeking elective medical treatments in Turkey. HMA continues high level engagement with the Turkish Minister of Health and Minister of Culture and Tourism on the issue. On their visit, Department of Health and Social Care officials engaged with the Turkish Ministry of Health on patient safety measures for UK patients undertaking planned medical treatment in Turkey, as well as exploring the support to UK tourists to Turkey who may need emergency healthcare. Our Embassy in Ankara will continue to engage regularly with the Turkish authorities on these issues. We keep our central online guidance up to date, as well as the FCDO Travel Advice for Turkey.
Asked by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with officials in his Department on the potential merits of the Government formally recognising the 1915 massacre of Armenian people by the Ottomon Empire as a genocide.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The events of 1915-1916 were a tragic episode in the history of the Armenian people and must never be forgotten. The UK Government condemned the massacres at the time and our position has not changed. Any judgement as to whether genocide has occurred is a matter for a competent national or international court, rather than for governments or non-judicial bodies. We will, as ever, encourage the governments of Armenia and Turkey to look to the future and build stronger relations between their countries.
Asked by: Mick Whitley (Labour - Birkenhead)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in Turkey on attacks in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
As a close NATO ally, we regularly engage the Turkish Government on regional stability, including in Syria. The Foreign Secretary most recently discussed this issue with the Turkish Foreign Minister in Ankara on 20 October. The UK recognises Turkey's legitimate security interests in the region but encourages restraint from activity that could lead to further destabilisation or civilian loss of life. Security and stability in the region are necessary to prevent worsening of the already serious humanitarian situation in northern Syria and enable the Global Coalition and its partners to continue the fight against Daesh. HMG encourages all international actors to do everything possible to ensure that sufficient aid reaches those in need.
Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of calling for a cessation of hostilities in Israel and Gaza.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Since the Hamas terrorist attacks on 7 October, the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have spoken with counterparts from almost 20 countries as part of extensive diplomatic efforts to sustain the prospect of peace and stability in the Middle East. On 19 October, the Foreign Secretary travelled to the region where he met leaders in Egypt, Turkey and Qatar to help prevent the conflict spreading across the region and to seek a peaceful resolution. The UK Government is actively monitoring the conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and we maintain regular dialogue with international counterparts. We will continue to use all the tools of British diplomacy to sustain the prospects of peace and stability in the region.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he plans to take steps to to provide aid to Egypt to support refugees leaving Gaza.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Since the Hamas terrorist attacks on 7 October, the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have spoken with counterparts from almost 20 countries as part of extensive diplomatic efforts to sustain the prospect of peace and stability in the Middle East. On 19 October, the Foreign Secretary travelled to the region where he met leaders in Egypt, Turkey and Qatar to help prevent the conflict spreading across the region and to seek a peaceful resolution.
The UK remains committed to the safety and security of those in Gaza. We are in regular contact with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on the full range of issues relating to conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). The FCDO is actively engaging with the international humanitarian system (including Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), UN agencies and Civil Society Organisations) to address the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
On the 16 October, the Prime Minister announced £10 million in humanitarian funding for civilians in the OPTs and on 23 October a further £20 million in response to the escalating conflict. This funding will allow trusted partners, including key UN agencies, to provide essential relief items and services. These could include food, water and emergency shelter, depending on the needs on the ground. We regularly discuss migration and treatment of refugees with partners, including through our embassies, and we remain committed to supporting them to manage this effectively.
Asked by: Lord Hannan of Kingsclere (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government on what grounds direct flights between the UK and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) are currently prohibited whilst flights to Taiwan are permitted; and what plans they have, if any, to review these in order to facilitate direct flights from the UK to the TRNC.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the inconvenience caused to passengers by the situation regarding air travel from the north of Cyprus to the UK. Under the Chicago Convention, only the Republic of Cyprus may designate Ercan airport as an international customs airport and grant permission for flights to operate from within its territory. It has not done so. As such, those travelling from Ercan airport to Turkey and then onwards to the UK do so on two distinctly separate flights. To do otherwise would be contrary to the UK’s obligations under the Chicago Convention.
This means that no direct air services between the north of Cyprus and the UK can take place. Ultimately, a just and lasting settlement on the island is the best chance of resolving these complex issues. The UK’s commitment to helping the sides achieve this remains unwavering.
It is not relevant to compare Taiwan and the north of Cyprus given that the Chinese authorities have designated a number of airports in Taiwan as international customs airports.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the United Nations on securing safe refugee facilities for refugees leaving Gaza.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Since the Hamas terrorist attacks on 7 October, the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have spoken with counterparts from almost 20 countries as part of extensive diplomatic efforts to sustain the prospect of peace and stability in the Middle East. On 19 October, the Foreign Secretary travelled to the region where he met leaders in Egypt, Turkey and Qatar to help prevent the conflict spreading across the region and to seek a peaceful resolution.
The UK remains committed to the safety and security of those in Gaza. We are in regular contact with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on the full range of issues relating to conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). The FCDO is actively engaging with the international humanitarian system (including Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), UN agencies and Civil Society Organisations) to address the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
On the 16 October, the Prime Minister announced £10 million in humanitarian funding for civilians in the OPTs and on 23 October a further £20 million in response to the escalating conflict. This funding will allow trusted partners, including key UN agencies, to provide essential relief items and services. These could include food, water and emergency shelter, depending on the needs on the ground. We regularly discuss migration and treatment of refugees with partners, including through our embassies, and we remain committed to supporting them to manage this effectively.