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790070

registered interest
date	15/11/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Yemen: Weapons
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will discuss the matter of arms smuggling into Yemen with his Iranian counterpart during his forthcoming visit to that country.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	113415
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2017 answer text <p>The UK has longstanding concerns about Iranian involvement in Yemen, which we have raised with the Iranian Government. The Foreign Secretary will discuss a variety of regional and bilateral issues with his counterparts on any future visit to Iran. I made a statement on 9 November expressing concerns about reports that Iran has provided the Houthis with ballistic missiles, which threaten regional security and prolong the conflict.​​</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 20/11/2017 17:59:27 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt previous answer version 23765 answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

786908

registered interest
date	10/11/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Saudi Arabia: Arms Trade
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the Government will review its policy on arms sales to Saudi Arabia as a result of the decision by Saudi Arabia to initiate a full blockade of Yemen.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	112202
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2017 answer text <p>​The British Government takes its arms export licensing responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking account of all relevant factors at the time of the application. The key test for our continued arms exports to Saudi Arabia in relation to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is whether there is a clear risk that those items subject to the licence might be used in a serious violation of IHL. The situation is kept under careful and continual review.</p><p>We are aware that, following the 4 November ballistic missile attack on Riyadh, the Saudi-led Coalition announced a temporary closure of Yemen's land, sea and air ports while they review procedures designed to disrupt weapons smuggling prohibited under UNSCR 2216. We recognise Saudi Arabia's legitimate need to protect its national security, but at the same time it is vital that Yemen remains open to humanitarian and commercial access. We welcome the Coalition's announcement that ports and airports in territory controlled by the Government of Yemen have reopened. But clearly there is much further to go to ensure humanitarian and commercial supplies reach all those who need them. As the Foreign and Commonwealth Office statement on 15 November made clear, it is essential that UN flights are resumed and Hodeidah port reopened. The Government is engaged with the Saudi authorities at the highest levels in support of this.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 20/11/2017 17:55:29 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

786373

registered interest
date	07/11/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Islamic State
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to tackle the rise of IS-affiliated groups in Yemen, Libya and North Africa.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	112133
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2017 answer text <p>Defeating Daesh remains a top UK priority, and we continue to play a leading role in the 73 member Global Coalition. The UK is taking a comprehensive approach to tackling Daesh and other terrorist organisations overseas adapting the CONTEST principles of Prevent, Pursue, Protect and Prepare.</p><p>Her Majesty's Government has a comprehensive Counter Terrorism and Common Vulnerabilities Exposures strategy for North Africa, aligned with the broader North Africa National Security Council Strategy. Daesh is losing in Libya. In December, forces aligned to Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA), with US Air Support, expelled Daesh from their main base in Sirte.</p><p>The conflict in Yemen has allowed terrorist organisations like Al-Qaeda and Daesh to establish themselves and spread their message of violence and extremism. As the UK no longer maintains a presence on the ground in Yemen, we are working with partners to monitor the threat from these organisations and disrupt any attack planning.</p><p>Terrorism in both Libya and Yemen will not be defeated without an enduring political settlement in both countries and effective governance to deny terrorist organisations the space in which to operate. The UK is supporting UN-led efforts to amend the Libyan Political Agreement and deliver an effective national government in Libya, which is key to the long term stability of Libya and the region. The Government is also supporting the work of the UN Special Representative in Yemen to broker peace in the present conflict.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 17/11/2017 13:10:41 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

784891

registered interest
date	06/11/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Yemen: Foreign Relations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which members of the Government will attend the next meeting of the Quint nations on Yemen.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	111504
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2017 answer text <p>Foreign ministers usually attend meetings of the Quint nations on Yemen.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 17/11/2017 12:55:46 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

784892

registered interest
date	06/11/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Yemen: Diplomatic Service
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many members of staff are employed to support the UK Ambassador to Yemen in Ridyah.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	111491
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2017 answer text <p>There are 11 staff employed as part of the Yemen Office Network based at the British Embassy in Riyadh.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 15/11/2017 15:48:12 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

771490

registered interest
date	16/10/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Tunisia
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to visit Tunisia following the lifting of the travel ban.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	107774
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2017 answer text <p>There was no ‘travel ban’ to Tunisia. The purpose of FCO Travel Advice is to give people the best information possible in making their own decisions about travelling overseas. The change in the Travel advice for Tunisia in July 2017, no longer advising against all but essential travel to most of the country, was based on a robust assessment of the evidence of the risks faced by British nationals and improvements in security.</p><p>I visited Tunisia in August. The Foreign Secretary has also visited Tunisia twice this year on official business, most recently in August, and looks forward to doing so again in the future.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 24/10/2017 15:47:18 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

771492

registered interest
date	16/10/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	al Qaeda
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what contribution the UK is making to degrading Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in the Gulf.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	107836
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2017 answer text <p>We are working with countries across the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf to reduce the threat from Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups. Conflict, including that in Yemen, allows terrorist organisations to establish themselves and spread their message of violence and extremism. We continue to work with our partners, including those in the Gulf, to deny terrorist organisations the space in which to operate. We are also playing a major role in supporting a resolution of the conflict to further reduce risks to the UK.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 24/10/2017 15:49:12 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

771494

registered interest
date	16/10/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	USA: Foreign Relations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart in bilateral co-operation on foreign and security policy.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	107841
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2017 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary regularly speaks to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to continue our strong bilateral co-operation on foreign and security policy. They last spoke on 9 October, when they discussed a range of issues including the Iran nuclear deal. The Foreign Secretary last met Secretary Tillerson on 14 September for a bilateral discussion during his visit to London.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 24/10/2017 14:42:44 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

771495

registered interest
date	16/10/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Yemen: Military Intervention
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Saudi Government on lifting the blockade of Yemeni ports and airports.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	107846
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2017 answer text <p>There are a number of measures in place to prevent the flow of arms into Yemen in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2216, including the UN Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (UNVIM) which the UK fully supports. In line with the UK-sponsored UN Security Council Presidential Statement, agreed on 15 June, the Government is engaged in efforts to increase commercial and humanitarian shipments through Yemeni ports and airports. We are discussing short-term options to improve port infrastructure in Al Hudaydah and other ports with regional countries, the US and the UN, including cranes, inspection and improving commercial access. We are also monitoring port capacity across the country. We continue to push for increased access to Sana’a Airport for lifesaving humanitarian supplies and movement of urgent humanitarian cases. We call on all parties to respect these clear demands from the international community.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 24/10/2017 15:51:15 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

769873

registered interest
date	12/10/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Yemen: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the political and security situation in Yemen.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	107588
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2017 answer text <p>The Saudi-led Coalition continues to seek to reinstate the legitimate government in Yemen and defend its own southern border against artillery and missile strikes by Houthi forces and those allied to former President Saleh. The conflict sees skirmishes and sporadic fighting in a number of areas in western Yemen, including along the Saudi border, around Midi, north east of Sana'a and in the vicinity of Sirwah. We remain concerned by the ability of terrorist organisations such as Al Qaeda and Daesh to exploit ungoverned spaces in Yemen. The conflict has also resulted in security threats to international shipping in the Bab-el-Mandeb. Reinstating peace talks remains the top priority: a political solution is the best way to bring stability to Yemen and address the worsening humanitarian crisis. The UK continues to play a leading role in international efforts to achieve this goal. The Yemeni parties must engage constructively and in good faith to find a political solution to end the conflict.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 20/10/2017 12:24:02 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz