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1664948

registered interest
date	16/10/2023
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	Osman Kavala
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the award of the Václav Havel Prize to Osman Kavala at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 9 October 2023.
tabling member constituency	Henley
tabling member printed	John Howell
uin	202642
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2023 answer text <p>We recognise the significance of the award of the Václav Havel Prize to Osman Kavala and the subsequent PACE debate. The award and the overwhelming vote in favour of his release highlight that Osman Kavala remains in prison, despite the two European Court of Human Rights rulings calling for his immediate release. The UK has consistently joined this call. We will continue to work with Council of Europe Member States including Turkey, to find a solution to the situation.</p> answering member constituency Aldershot answering member printed Leo Docherty question first answered 23/10/2023 16:01:02 answering member 4600 label Biography information for Leo Docherty
tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1664949

registered interest
date	16/10/2023
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	Montenegro: Elections
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on the report entitled Observation of the early parliamentary elections in Montenegro, which was held at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 9 October 2023.
tabling member constituency	Henley
tabling member printed	John Howell
uin	202643
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2023 answer text <p>The UK welcomes the Council of Europe (CoE) Parliamentary Assembly's 9 October debate on the observation of the early parliamentary elections in Montenegro. The UK understands the importance of election monitoring. We supported a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to provide early projections of election results, as part of a package of CSSF-funded projects to strengthen election integrity against destabilising influences. We now look forward to government formation and furthering our support for Montenegro to conduct free and fair democratic processes and to strengthen electoral practices in line with Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and CoE recommendations.</p> answering member constituency Aldershot answering member printed Leo Docherty question first answered 19/10/2023 16:22:00 answering member 4600 label Biography information for Leo Docherty
tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1664950

registered interest
date	16/10/2023
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	Radicalism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on the report entitled The challenge of far-right ideology to democracy and human rights in Europe, which was held at Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 10 October 2023.
tabling member constituency	Henley
tabling member printed	John Howell
uin	202644
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2023 answer text <p>The UK welcomed the debate on far-right ideology and human rights within Europe. We put open societies and the protection of human rights around the world at the heart of what we do. Ideologies aiming to undermine human rights, democracy and rule of law are in direct opposition of our core values.</p><p>The UK takes the challenge of far-right ideology seriously. Our counter terrorism strategy CONTEST is threat agnostic, and applicable and effective in tackling Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism. We continue to work with our partners to defend democracy and freedom globally and hold those who violate human rights to account.</p> answering member constituency Aldershot answering member printed Leo Docherty question first answered 19/10/2023 16:16:54 answering member 4600 label Biography information for Leo Docherty
tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1664951

registered interest
date	16/10/2023
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	France: Council of Europe
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on the report entitled The honouring of membership obligations to the Council of Europe by France, which was held at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 10 October 2023.
tabling member constituency	Henley
tabling member printed	John Howell
uin	202645
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2023 answer text <p>We greatly value the work of the UK delegation to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly and welcome this debate, following the monitoring committee's report. The UK welcomes the French initiative to assess and reform the legal and judicial systems within France. The UK and France will continue to work closely together at the Council of Europe.</p> answering member constituency Aldershot answering member printed Leo Docherty question first answered 19/10/2023 16:24:51 answering member 4600 label Biography information for Leo Docherty
tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1664952

registered interest
date	16/10/2023
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	Middle East: Violence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on Escalation of violence in the Middle-East following the recent Hamas attack on Israel, which was held at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 11 October 2023.
tabling member constituency	Henley
tabling member printed	John Howell
uin	202646
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2023 answer text <p>We echo the sentiments of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in wishing strength to all those who have become victims of the enormous tragedy in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). We express our steadfast and united support to Israel, and our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and its appalling acts of terrorism. Hamas does not speak for or act in the interests of the Palestinian people. Israel has the absolute right to defend itself and its military operations must be conducted in strict accordance with International Humanitarian Law. Civilians must be respected and protected at all times. The Prime Minister has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on 12 October. He reiterated the need to ensure the protection of innocent civilians and underlined the importance of safe humanitarian access to Gaza.</p><p>The UK Government has authorised the sending of a significant support package to the region, UK military assets will support regional stability and prevent escalation. On the 16 October, the Prime Minister announced a further £10 million in humanitarian funding for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), in response to the escalating conflict. We will continue to work with our regional partners so that essential aid can reach civilian populations in Gaza including food, water, fuel and medical supplies.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 19/10/2023 16:28:32 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1664953

registered interest
date	16/10/2023
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Electronic Surveillance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the debate on the report entitled Pegasus and similar spyware and secret state surveillance, which was held at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 11 October 2023.
tabling member constituency	Henley
tabling member printed	John Howell
uin	202647
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2023 answer text <p>The UK’s National Cyber Strategy commits the UK to countering the proliferation of high-end cyber capabilities and reducing the opportunity for states and organised crime groups to access them via commercial and criminal marketplaces, as well as tackling forums that enable, facilitate, or glamorise cyber criminality.</p><p>With respect to spyware specifically, it is vital that all cyber capabilities are used in ways that are legal, responsible, and proportionate to ensure cyberspace remains a safe and prosperous place for everyone. In March 2023, the United Kingdom signed the Joint Statement on Efforts to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware alongside 10 other like-minded countries, including the United States. As part of this, the UK and other signatories recognised the threat posed by the misuse of commercial spyware, such as Pegasus, and the need to strictly control its proliferation at both a domestic and international level.</p><p>The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 provides a legal framework for the use of investigatory powers by UK law enforcement and the intelligence community where it is necessary and proportionate to do so. The Act also contains strong safeguards, including a ‘double lock’, which requires warrants for the most intrusive powers to be authorised by a Secretary of State (or Chief Constable in case of Law Enforcement) and approved by a Judicial Commissioner, as well as rigorous independent oversight of their use by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner.</p> answering member constituency Tonbridge and Malling answering member printed Tom Tugendhat question first answered 24/10/2023 11:40:29 answering member 4462 label Biography information for Tom Tugendhat
tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1664956

registered interest
date	16/10/2023
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	Ukraine: Peace Negotiations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate on the report entitled Ensuring a just peace in Ukraine and lasting security in Europe, which was held at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 12 October 2023.
tabling member constituency	Henley
tabling member printed	John Howell
uin	202650
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2023 answer text <p>The UK supports the Council of Europe's role in highlighting the devastating consequences of Russia's unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine, and welcomes the work of its Parliamentary Assembly in this regard. We support Ukraine's efforts to promote the principles needed to underpin a just and lasting peace based on the UN Charter, including President Zelenskyy's 'ten-point peace formula'. There is broad international consensus that for peace to be lasting it must be based on respect for the UN Charter, international law, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.</p> answering member constituency Aldershot answering member printed Leo Docherty question first answered 23/10/2023 15:26:34 answering member 4600 label Biography information for Leo Docherty
tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1661180

registered interest
date	18/09/2023
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	Green Without Borders: Sanctions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the United States imposing sanctions on the Lebanese organisation Green Without Borders.
tabling member constituency	Henley
tabling member printed	John Howell
uin	199909
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2023 answer text <p>The UK has long condemned the destabilising activities of Hizballah and its affiliates, including Green Without Borders, in the region. Hizballah's activities, particularly along the Blue Line in southern Lebanon, pose a grave threat to civilians living in the vicinity, as well as UN peacekeepers in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). At this time of heightened tension in the region, there is an urgent need for calm along the Blue Line. We do not speculate about future UK sanctions designations.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 16/10/2023 11:23:41 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1653224

registered interest
date	14/07/2023
answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept id	215
answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
hansard heading	Carbon Capture and Storage: Israel
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with his Israeli counterpart on Israeli research grants for carbon capture projects; and whether his Department is providing grants for businesses engaging with carbon capture projects in the UK on a similar basis to those in Israel.
tabling member constituency	Henley
tabling member printed	John Howell
uin	194177
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/07/2023 answer text <p>The UK Government is committed to convene and lead international engagement on CCUS through engaging in multilateral fora and fostering bilateral relationships to collaborate and share lessons on CCUS.</p><p> </p><p>Domestically, In March 2023 we announced up to £20 billion funding for early deployment of CCUS across all sectors. This includes the £1 billion Carbon Capture Usage and Storage (CCUS) Infrastructure Fund, supporting the ambition for CCUS in four industrial clusters by 2030 at the latest.</p><p> </p><p>This follows previous UK Government investment into CCUS between­ 2004 and 2021 the UK Government has invested over £346 million into CCUS Research, Development and Deployment (RD&amp;D). This funding has ensured the UK remains at the forefront of CCUS Research and Innovation, developing the skills, knowledge, and technology to allow the UK to deploy CCUS domestically and export our expertise around the world.</p> answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart question first answered 19/07/2023 13:28:47 answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart
tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1653225

registered interest
date	14/07/2023
answering body	Department for Business and Trade
answering dept id	214
answering dept short name	Business and Trade
answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
hansard heading	Technology: Israel
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has made an assessment for the implications of her policies of Tel Aviv’s recent rating as the second-best cleantech ecosystem; and if her Department will hold discussions with Israeli businesses on the steps being taken to develop cleaner and safer technologies.
tabling member constituency	Henley
tabling member printed	John Howell
uin	194178
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2023 answer text <p>The Department for Business and Trade works closely with the British Embassy in Tel Aviv, who recognise the importance of the CleanTech sector in Israel and its success and innovation in developing new technologies, along with the value that this can bring to the UK economy.</p><p> </p><p>The Embassy both prioritises this sector and assists Israeli companies who wish to invest and expand into the UK. It also supports UK corporates who are looking for solutions that Israeli start-ups can provide in this sector.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 24/07/2023 12:18:42 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell