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1313609

	registered interest
	date	11/05/2021
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Staff
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office staff were based in (1) Hong Kong, and (2) China, in (a) 2018, (b) 2019, (c) 2020 and (d) 2021.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL1
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/05/2021 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>We have interpreted the question to mean how many staff were employed by the then Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Department for International Development (DfID) in China and Hong Kong in each of the financial years, (a) 2018, (b) 2019 and (c) 2020 and as Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in 2021. All the figures shown are based on the headcount as at 31 March in each year. They include both UK Based Staff and Country Based Staff.</p><p>The figures below cover our Embassies and Consulates in Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Wuhan. And our Consulate General in Hong Kong.</p><p><em>China and Hong Kong staff numbers 2018 to 2020 as Legacy departments. Then as FCDO in 2021. </em></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>China</p></td><td><p>Hong Kong</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Year</p></td><td><p><em>FCO</em></p></td><td><p><em>DfID</em></p></td><td><p><em>FCO </em></p></td><td><p><em>DfID</em></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><em>2018</em></p></td><td><p>230-259</p></td><td><p>12</p></td><td><p>60-69</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><em>2019</em></p></td><td><p>240-269</p></td><td><p>10</p></td><td><p>50-59</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><em>2020</em></p></td><td><p>250-279</p></td><td><p>11</p></td><td><p>50-59</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>China</p></td><td><p>Hong Kong</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Year</p></td><td><p><em>FCDO</em></p></td><td><p><em>FCDO</em></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2021</p></td><td><p>260 - 289</p></td><td><p>40 -49</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 25/05/2021 14:31:57 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1461021

	registered interest
	date	10/05/2022
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	East Africa: Droughts
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the East and Horn of Africa in preparing for future droughts by (1) building more resilient systems, and (2) ending exacerbating factors such as conflict.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL10
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2022 answer text <p>The UK is a major humanitarian donor to the East Africa region. In 2022 to support communities affected by drought plus flooding and conflict the UK has provided £72.25 million to Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan. Across the region UK funded humanitarian activities are making a difference and saving lives. For example, in Kenya to respond to the ongoing drought, 26,000 children will receive life-saving food assistance thanks to the UK's support. In Ethiopia a further 200,000 children and pregnant and lactating women in southern and eastern regions will receive similar urgent aid.</p><p>The UK also played a critical role in convening the recent 'UN Horn of Africa Drought Roundtable' which took place in late April in Geneva. This included working with states in the region and the UN to ensure appropriate levels of participation. It helped to bring much needed focus to the drought and importantly it mobilised roughly US$400 million in new funding.</p><p>Countries across the Horn of Africa will also be impacted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine due to the increase in the costs of food commodities and fuel on global markets. We are exploring how we can help lessen the impact of rising food prices caused by the war in Ukraine on vulnerable communities in East Africa. This includes assessing alternate markets for procurement of food supplies and working with UN partners to promote effective prioritisation so assistance reaches the most needy.</p><p>Our response to the drought builds on long-established resilience building programmes in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. In Kenya this includes support to the Hunger Safety Programme, which has provided 600,000 people in drought prone areas with regular financial assistance. In Ethiopia, the UK funded Productive Safety Net Programme has benefitted some 8 million people via financial welfare provision and community public works projects. In Somalia the UK has been supporting over 220 rural communities in three large urban cities with durable solutions initiatives for internally displaced persons. These programmes, coupled with additional investments, have enabled the UK to reach nearly 8 million individuals as a part of its emergency humanitarian response.</p><p>The UK remains committed to promoting peace and security across the Horn of Africa.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 24/05/2022 16:44:50 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1313708

	registered interest
	date	11/05/2021
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Israel: Palestinians
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to protect unarmed Palestinian children living in territory occupied by Israel from being injured or killed by Israeli security forces.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Sheehan
	uin	HL100
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/05/2021 answer text <p>The UK has been clear that we need an immediate de-escalation on all sides, and an end to targeting of civilian populations. The UK offers our condolences to the families of those civilians killed. Civilian deaths, both in Israel and Gaza are a tragedy. Every effort must be made to avoid loss of life, especially that of children.</p><p>Israel has a legitimate right to self-defence, and the right to defend its citizens from attack. In doing so, it is vital that all actions are proportionate, in line with International Humanitarian Law, and make every effort to avoid civilian casualties. We call on all sides to reduce tensions, restore calm and avoid provocation.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 25/05/2021 15:47:53 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4548 label Biography information for Baroness Sheehan

1659269

	registered interest
	date	07/09/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Africa: Climate Change
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what financial support they are providing to countries in Africa to help combat climate change on that continent.
	tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
	uin	HL10004
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2023 answer text <p>The UK is working closely with African partners to fight climate change, boost resilience and help those whose lives are most impacted. The UK supports initiatives, such as contributing towards the African Development Bank's Climate Action Window (£200 million) and South Africa's Just Energy Transition ($1.8 billion). At the Africa Climate Summit (4-6 September) the Minister for Climate and the Environment, The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, reaffirmed the Government's commitment to spend £11.6 billion on international climate finance, with approximately 40 per cent of this being spent on Africa. Minister Mitchell also announced projects worth £49 million to help African countries manage the impact of climate change and improve the lives of women, farmers and at-risk communities.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 22/09/2023 13:29:39 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1249021

	registered interest
	date	04/11/2020
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Armenia: Genocide
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review their position on the recognition of the Armenian genocide.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	uin	HL10012
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/11/2020 answer text <p>The events of 1915-1916 were a tragic episode in the history of the Armenian people and they must never be forgotten. The UK Government of the day condemned the massacres and this Government fully endorses that view. The policy of the UK Government is that any judgment on whether genocide has occurred is a matter for judicial decision, rather than for governments. We do not have plans to review the position on the determination of genocide.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 18/11/2020 12:48:07 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1249022

	registered interest
	date	04/11/2020
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Nagorno Karabakh: White Phosphorus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made (1) to the government of Azerbaijan, and (2) at the United Nations, about the alleged use of white phosphorus by the Azerbaijan military against Armenian civilian targets.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	uin	HL10013
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/11/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government is aware of reports that white phosphorus has been used, by both parties, although we have not made an assessment of these allegations. These claims are incredibly difficult to authenticate. Her Majesty's Government strongly supports the appropriate national and international accountability mechanisms to investigate and report on allegations of violations/breaches of international law. At the current time, we have not made representations to either Government or the United Nations. However, we continue to monitor the situation with concern.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 18/11/2020 12:48:28 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1249023

	registered interest
	date	04/11/2020
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Nagorno Karabakh: Armed Conflict
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for the provision of further security guarantees to assist those living in the Nagorno-Karabakh region; and what steps they are taking to monitor and assess clashes and casualties along the 'line of contact' in that region.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	uin	HL10014
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/11/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government has not made an assessment on the case for further security guarantees to assist those living in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Any such mechanism should be agreed between Armenia and Azerbaijan, under the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. The UK Government continues to support the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and Minsk Group Co-Chairs in calling for immediate de-escalation and a return to the negotiating table without pre-conditions.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 18/11/2020 12:47:40 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1249037

	registered interest
	date	04/11/2020
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Nagorno Karabakh: Armed Conflict
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the scale, and (2) the ferocity, of offensives in the Nagorno-Karabakh region; what representations they have received about fears of ethnic cleansing of Armenian Christians; and what plans they have to call for urgent intervention at international level in line with the UN's Responsibility to Protect agreement.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	uin	HL10015
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/11/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government welcomes the news that the Governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to a ceasefire. The Minister for the European Neighbourhood has spoken to the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister four times, most recently on 13 November and spoken to the Armenian Foreign Minister three times, most recently on 28 October. The UK Government has seen no evidence that ethnic cleansing is taking place or will take place and has no plans to call for urgent intervention at the international level. The UK Government continues to support the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and Minsk Group Co-Chairs.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 18/11/2020 15:58:06 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1659885

	registered interest
	date	11/09/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Pakistan: Blasphemy
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the developments in the Supreme Court of Pakistan case on the application by Samuel Payara (C.M.A.7748/2023) after the court adjourned proceedings and requested from the Sargodha administration the text of its agreement with Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) regarding blasphemy monitoring in areas inhabited by Christian community members; and whether they have raised this matter with the government of that country.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL10019
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2023 answer text <p>Protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), including for minority communities, remains central to the UK Government's human rights engagement in Pakistan. On 13 September, I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] discussed the treatment of marginalised religious communities, including the Christian community, with Pakistan's caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani. On 6 September, I condemned attacks against religious minorities in my meeting with the Pakistani High Commissioner. We continue to raise the issue of blasphemy laws privately at the highest levels. On 27 June, I raised the use of blasphemy laws to target marginalised religious communities with Pakistan's then-Minister for Human Rights, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 25/09/2023 15:52:50 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1676519

	registered interest
	date	07/12/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	British Virgin Islands: Marriage
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Governor of the British Virgin Islands in relation to the proposed referendum on same-sex marriage and partnerships; and whether they plan to instruct the Governor to intervene to ensure that international legal obligations are upheld.
	tabling member printed	Lord Smith of Finsbury
	uin	HL1002
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/12/2023 answer text <p>As separate, largely self-governing jurisdictions with their own democratically-elected representatives, the British Overseas Territories are responsible for their own legislation regarding marriage and civil partnerships.</p><p>The UK Government has had several discussions with the Governor of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) about the Premier's plans for a referendum on same sex marriage and civil partnerships.</p><p>We continue to encourage the Overseas Territories to ensure their legislation delivers greater equality and is compliant with international human rights obligations.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 21/12/2023 16:26:05 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	186 label Biography information for Lord Smith of Finsbury