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1136186

registered interest
date	02/07/2019
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	Venezuela: 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, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the European Union’s embargo on sales of arms and military equipment to the Venezuelan Government.
tabling member constituency	North East Fife
tabling member printed	Stephen Gethins
uin	272165
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>​The UK led international efforts for the introduction of a rigorous EU sanctions regime against Venezuela in November 2017 which includes an arms embargo and an embargo on equipment which could be used for repression. We are not aware of any sales of arms or military equipment by EU countries to the Venezuelan Government since that date<strong>.</strong></p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 09/07/2019 15:55:30 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	4434 label Biography information for Stephen Gethins

1136187

registered interest
date	02/07/2019
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	Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
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 Iranian counterpart on (a) allowing a UK Government representative to meet Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in prison in Iran to assess her health and well-being and (b) the implications of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's diplomatic status for the terms of her detention.
tabling member constituency	North East Fife
tabling member printed	Stephen Gethins
uin	272166
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>The treatment of all British-Iranians detained in Iran, including Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, is a priority for the Government. We continue to raise her case, and our other consular cases, with the Iranian Government at every opportunity, including requesting consular access. I did this during my visit to Tehran on 23 June. We will continue to take action in line with what we believe will produce the best outcomes in their cases</p><p> </p><p><br> Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe does not hold diplomatic status; rather, the Foreign Secretary exercised diplomatic protection in her case. Whilst he was clear that diplomatic protection would not lead to immediate results, it is essential that we formally recognise that Iran has failed in its treatment of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe in its obligations under international law, and we will continue to consider using all the diplomatic and legal tools available to us to secure her release.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 09/07/2019 14:01:13 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	4434 label Biography information for Stephen Gethins

1135503

registered interest
date	28/06/2019
answering body	Department for International Trade
answering dept id	202
answering dept short name	International Trade
answering dept sort name	International Trade
hansard heading	Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what the cost to the public purse was (a) of his Department's legal team and (b) in legal fees to the appellant for his Department's defence of the 2017 High Court case on arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
tabling member constituency	North East Fife
tabling member printed	Stephen Gethins
uin	270751
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2019 answer text <p>The cost to the public purse of (a) the Department for International Trade’s (DIT) legal team was £146,752.61, and (b) the cost to the public purse in legal fees to the appellant for this Department’s defence of the 2017 High Court case on arms sales to Saudi Arabia was £45,000. In addition, other money disbursed from the public purse for the purposes of this case was £138,292.14. This figure represents DIT legal costs to date associated with the Special Advocate representing the Appellant in closed proceedings in the Judicial Review.</p><p> </p><p>The figures provided comprise net legal costs, including disbursement costs and these represent the legal cost to DIT. The legal costs provided here do not include figures spent by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence. There may also be further legal costs that have not yet been billed to the department.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart question first answered 22/07/2019 08:28:37 answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart previous answer version 127342 answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart
tabling member	4434 label Biography information for Stephen Gethins

1135504

registered interest
date	28/06/2019
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	Overseas Visitors: Visas
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of facilitating visa applications by human rights defenders to allow them to travel more easily to the UK.
tabling member constituency	North East Fife
tabling member printed	Stephen Gethins
uin	270752
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>Human rights defenders wishing to travel to the UK are able to do so, provided that they comply with existing immigration rules, which in some cases will mean applying for a visa. However, there is no provision in the Immigration Rules to allow someone to travel to the UK for temporary protection, or to claim asylum. Those human rights defenders who may need to travel outside their home country in emergency situations are advised to go to the first country of safety they can reach, which is often a neighbouring country.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 08/07/2019 14:54:04 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	4434 label Biography information for Stephen Gethins

1135505

registered interest
date	28/06/2019
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	Iran: Nuclear Power
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 on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
tabling member constituency	North East Fife
tabling member printed	Stephen Gethins
uin	270753
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>We are concerned by the risk of unintended escalation between the United States and Iran. We are also concerned by the potential of further tension as a result of the International Atomic Energy Agency''s confirmation on 1 July that Iran has broken the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) stockpile limit for Low Enriched Uranium. We are considering with our partners the options available to us under the terms of the JCPoA to keep the nuclear deal in place. We continue to call on the US to preserve the gains that the Iran nuclear deal has brought, avoiding actions that would prevent the remaining parties from meeting their commitments to uphold the deal. We believe maintaining the nuclear deal is in the best interests of Iran, the region and the UK.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 08/07/2019 15:45:19 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	4434 label Biography information for Stephen Gethins

1135506

registered interest
date	28/06/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Money Laundering: EU Action
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of UK compliance with (a) current and (b) future EU anti-money laundering policies after the UK leaves the EU.
tabling member constituency	North East Fife
tabling member printed	Stephen Gethins
uin	270754
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>The UK is a founding member and strong support of the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF), which sets global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) standards. These standards are generally incorporated into UK law through the transposition of EU directives.</p><p> </p><p>The Fourth EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive was transposed into UK law by the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. This directive updated EU anti-money laundering policy to reflect the 2012 update to the FATF standards.</p><p> </p><p>The Fifth EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive (5MLD) was finalised in 2018 to further strengthen transparency and counter-terrorist legislation. The UK played a significant role in the negotiation of 5MLD and shares the objectives which it seeks to achieve on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing. HM Treasury is currently running a consultation process inviting views and evidence on the steps the government proposes to take to meet the UK’s expected obligation to implement 5MLD by January 2020, and expects to publish an impact assessment in due course.</p><p> </p><p>The Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act gives the UK the powers to update its future anti-money laundering regime post EU-exit. As a leading member of the FATF, the UK will continue updating anti-money laundering policies according to international standards, ensuring the UK’s AML/CTF regime is kept up to date, effective and proportionate.</p><p> </p><p>The Political Declaration that has been agreed with the EU contains a statement of mutual intent that the future relationship should cover money laundering and terrorist-financing.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 08/07/2019 12:10:45 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
tabling member	4434 label Biography information for Stephen Gethins

1135507

registered interest
date	28/06/2019
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	Sudan: Human Rights
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 his Department is taking to monitor the maintenance of human rights in Sudan.
tabling member constituency	North East Fife
tabling member printed	Stephen Gethins
uin	270755
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>The UK is very concerned by the human rights situation in Sudan, which is identified as a priority country in the UK's Annual Human Rights Report. Our Embassy in Khartoum closely monitors the human rights situation in Sudan, and raises our concerns at every opportunity. It also administers programmes which promote long-term stability in conflict affected areas, support marginalised groups (including women's organisations) and provide assistance for reconciliation within communities. The UK's public statements emphasise the importance of human rights, protection of civilians, and justice and accountability for atrocities committed by both the former regime and by the current authorities during recent events. We also discuss these concerns with partners in Africa, the Gulf and elsewhere and have delivered these messages in multilateral fora such as the UN, and the EU Foreign Affairs Council. On 29 June, the UK, alongside our Troika partners the US and Norway, issued a joint statement that called on the Transitional Military Council to respect the rights of the people of Sudan to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, permit peaceful protests, and avoid any use of violence. We welcome the African Union's leadership on the political and human rights situation, reflected in its suspension of Sudan as well as its commitment to a Commission of Inquiry into the events of 3 June. We are also working with partners to ensure the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) is focused on Sudan. We welcome the ongoing engagement of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and urge the Sudanese authorities to work with the OHCHR to enable the speedy establishment of a Sudan country office to carry out their HRC-mandated work.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 08/07/2019 12:48:20 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	4434 label Biography information for Stephen Gethins

1135508

registered interest
date	28/06/2019
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	Philippines: Drugs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for human rights of the Philippines Government's policy on illegal drugs; and if he will propose in the United Nations Human Rights Council the deployment of a United Nations Human Rights Council fact-finding mission to investigate the implications for human rights of the Philippines Government's policy on illegal drugs.
tabling member constituency	North East Fife
tabling member printed	Stephen Gethins
uin	270756
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2019 answer text <p>We remain concerned about the high death toll associated with the &quot;war on drugs&quot; in the Philippines. We have urged the Philippines Government to act to put an end to these killings, to ensure prompt investigations and hold perpetrators to account. We continue to encourage them to find alternative methods for reducing the harm caused by illegal drugs.</p><p>We agree that UN human rights mechanisms have a role to play in addressing these concerns, and regularly use our interventions at the UN Human Rights Council to press the Philippines authorities to investigate instances of abuse.</p><p>The Minister for Asia and the Pacific, Mark Field MP, raised our concerns about human rights and the &quot;war on drugs&quot; with Philippines Ministers, including the then Minister for Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano, during his visit to Manila in August 2018. More recently, the Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to the Philippines raised our concerns with Cabinet Secretaries in February. These messages were also passed to Philippines Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Enrique Manalo during the UK-Philippines High Level Talks in Manila in November 2018.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison grouped question UIN 270757 question first answered 04/07/2019 13:39:20 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	4434 label Biography information for Stephen Gethins

1135509

registered interest
date	28/06/2019
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	Philippines: Drugs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Philippines Government's policies to tackle the use and trafficking of illegal drugs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Philippines Government on promoting and protecting human rights.
tabling member constituency	North East Fife
tabling member printed	Stephen Gethins
uin	270757
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2019 answer text <p>We remain concerned about the high death toll associated with the &quot;war on drugs&quot; in the Philippines. We have urged the Philippines Government to act to put an end to these killings, to ensure prompt investigations and hold perpetrators to account. We continue to encourage them to find alternative methods for reducing the harm caused by illegal drugs.</p><p>We agree that UN human rights mechanisms have a role to play in addressing these concerns, and regularly use our interventions at the UN Human Rights Council to press the Philippines authorities to investigate instances of abuse.</p><p>The Minister for Asia and the Pacific, Mark Field MP, raised our concerns about human rights and the &quot;war on drugs&quot; with Philippines Ministers, including the then Minister for Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano, during his visit to Manila in August 2018. More recently, the Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to the Philippines raised our concerns with Cabinet Secretaries in February. These messages were also passed to Philippines Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Enrique Manalo during the UK-Philippines High Level Talks in Manila in November 2018.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison grouped question UIN 270756 question first answered 04/07/2019 13:39:20 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	4434 label Biography information for Stephen Gethins

1135512

registered interest
date	28/06/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	East Africa: Droughts
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian effect of the drought in (a) Somalia, (b) Ethiopia and (c) the rest of the East and Horn of Africa; and what steps he is taking to support people at risk of food insecurity.
tabling member constituency	North East Fife
tabling member printed	Stephen Gethins
uin	270760
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>DFID is concerned by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the east and Horn of Africa. This is a result of poor rainfall across much of the region and political instability and insecurity, including in Sudan and South Sudan.</p><p> </p><p>In Somalia, drought and subsequent widespread crop failure and decline in livestock productivity has resulted in a projected increase in people experiencing acute food insecurity, from 1.7 million to 2.2 million by August 2019. DFID has recently allocated £8 million to support both emergency, life-saving interventions, and longer-term resilience actions focusing on sustainable water supply and the protection of livelihoods. This brings our total humanitarian spend in Somalia in 2019 to £40 million.</p><p> </p><p>In Ethiopia, the humanitarian situation remains challenging. The 2019 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) seeks US$1.314 billion to reach 8.3 million people with emergency food and non-food assistance. DFID has currently allocated £30 million to meet emergency food and non-food needs. The Department supports the Government of Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) that reaches 8 million chronically food insecure people in drought affected regions with conditional cash transfers. DFID plans to contribute £16.7 million to the PSNP this year.</p><p> </p><p>DFID will continue to monitor the situation and press the international community to commit further support where it is needed. DFID will also continue to support communities and states in the east and Horn of Africa to build resilience to crises and shocks. Our work on humanitarian early warning systems raises awareness of crises where food security is deteriorating, and we prioritise longer-term responses to support food security, including through agricultural programmes.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 08/07/2019 15:22:53 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	4434 label Biography information for Stephen Gethins