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1193861

registered interest
date	06/05/2020
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	British Council: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide additional financial support to the British Council during the COVID-19 pandemic.
tabling member printed	Lord Hain
uin	HL4053
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) remains committed to the British Council, who are a key driver of our soft power overseas and a precious part of the FCO family. In order to help stabilise their immediate financial position following the impact of Covid-19 on their ability to operate, we agreed to provide the British Council with £26m of additional funding for the 2019-20 financial year. We have also provided some of their 2020-21 Grant-in-Aid funding upfront this month to further alleviate pressures.</p><p>The FCO have also supported the British Council in accessing wider government relief available through the COVID-19 Job Retention Scheme and similar schemes in other countries. This will help them support many of their workforce, and those employed through its partners, funded through the commercial side of their business. We will continue to work closely with the British Council in the coming days and weeks to seek to address the impact of COVID-19 on their ability to operate.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 18/05/2020 12:31:44 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	567 label Biography information for Lord Hain

1193862

registered interest
date	06/05/2020
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	Africa: Coronavirus
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 impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on peace and security in Africa.
tabling member printed	Lord Hain
uin	HL4054
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2020 answer text <p>COVID-19, and it's economic consequences, will disproportionately adversely affect countries with existing humanitarian crises and high risk of instability, including countries in conflict and those at risk of seasonal climatic shocks. Supporting countries in Africa to mitigate the impacts of COVID 19 on peace and security is important and in the UK interest. The UK is considering this in our political engagement and international response.</p><p>Disrupted markets and trade, as well as the effects of lockdown measures will affect countries and regions with existing high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition, increasing the need for support, while global supply chains to deliver humanitarian support continue to be significantly disrupted. Humanitarian access is also more difficult, including for essential international medical personnel.</p><p>Increased pressure on state institutions and stringent lockdown conditions may exacerbate existing tensions on access to resources and, with security forces more stretched than usual, could have implications for stability.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 15/05/2020 12:09:03 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	567 label Biography information for Lord Hain

1193863

registered interest
date	06/05/2020
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	British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they are providing to British nationals with urgent medical needs that cannot be met in the countries in which they are located.
tabling member printed	Lord Hain
uin	HL4055
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>British travellers with urgent medical needs should get in touch with their insurer as soon as possible and call the relevant Embassy, High Commission or Consulate before they run out of medication if they have not been able to replace it using our published advice.</p><p>Since 23 March we have advised British travellers to return home. Where commercial options are not available, we have organised charter flights, prioritising the most vulnerable. For any British travellers still abroad, our consular teams are available to assist those with medication needs.</p><p>Our Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates continue to support individual consular cases as they arise, prioritizing the most vulnerable.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 18/05/2020 12:45:09 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	567 label Biography information for Lord Hain

1193864

registered interest
date	06/05/2020
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	Syria: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with overseas counterparts on a coherent international response to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic leading to further instability in Syria.
tabling member printed	Lord Hain
uin	HL4056
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>The UK recognises the significant threat posed by COVID-19 in Syria. We are therefore speaking regularly to other countries and donors engaged in Syria as well as to the UN regarding the need to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Syria. In bilateral discussions we have also expressed our support for an immediate, nationwide ceasefire to enable complete focus on countering COVID-19. The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa discussed this with Geir Pedersen, UN Special Envoy for Syria, on 1 April; President of the Syrian Negotiation Commission, Nasr al Hariri, on 14 April; the US Envoy for Syria, Ambassador Jeffrey, on 17 April; and the Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister on 27 April. We have also raised the risks posed by COVID-19 in Syria at the UN Security Council on 30 March and 29 April.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 18/05/2020 12:38:01 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	567 label Biography information for Lord Hain

1193865

registered interest
date	06/05/2020
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	Coronavirus: Disease Control
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government on which dates they discussed ways in which to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic with overseas counterparts.
tabling member printed	Lord Hain
uin	HL4057
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2020 answer text <p>The UK is playing a major role in the global response to Coronavirus. Ministers and senior officials across government have carried out regular and extensive bilateral and multilateral engagement, as well as work with international companies to tackle the crisis.</p><p>Since the beginning of March, the Foreign Secretary has carried out over 66 conversations and virtual meetings, including G7 Foreign Ministers meeting on 25 March, NATO Foreign Ministers on 2 April and the G7 Leaders on 16 April. This intensive engagement will continue as we galvanise international support for our Four-Point Plan.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 21/05/2020 14:23:33 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	567 label Biography information for Lord Hain

1193876

registered interest
date	06/05/2020
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	Nigeria: Christianity
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 reported (1) arrest of Professor Richard Soloman Tarfa on 25 December 2019, (2) closure of the Du Merci Orphanage, and (3) demolition order addressed to the Du Merci Centre orphanage dated 29 April, in Nigeria.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL4068
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2020 answer text <p>The British High Commission in Abuja has raised Professor Tarfa's case with the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria and the Kano State authorities. The UK Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Rehman Chishti MP, has also raised the case at a senior level within the Federal Government. We have stressed the need for the Nigerian Authorities to prioritise the welfare of the children involved. We have also underlined the importance of an open and transparent legal process for Mr Tarfa, in accordance with Nigerian law and international human rights standards.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 15/05/2020 12:06:41 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1193904

registered interest
date	06/05/2020
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	China: Coronavirus
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) reports that COVID-19 originated in a laboratory in China; (2) the response by the government of China to the initial outbreak of COVID-19; and (3) any delay in that government informing other governments of the outbreak; and what plans they have to change their approach to relations with the government of China as a result of any such assessment.
tabling member printed	Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
uin	HL4096
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2020 answer text <p>In time we will need to work with the international community, including China, to learn lessons and look at why this outbreak happened, and how to prevent something similar in future.</p><p>China is an important partner for the UK and has a vital role in the global response to the pandemic. Like the rest of the world, China has faced an unprecedented health crisis. The Chinese people - like so many others - have faced enormous sacrifices and challenges. We have always said that transparent and accurate information about the virus is essential for an effective global response.</p><p>The Government remains clear-eyed about the challenges and risks from China, and our approach is rooted in our values and our interests. It has always been the case that where we have concerns, we raise them, and where we need to take robust action, we will.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 21/05/2020 14:24:12 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	648 label Biography information for Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

1193911

registered interest
date	06/05/2020
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	Jerusalem: Religious Freedom
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that Israeli authorities have prevented dawn drummers from operating during Ramadan in the Old City of Jerusalem.
tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
uin	HL4103
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>While we have not made an assessment of these reports, we are committed to working with all parties to ensure that Jerusalem can remain a diverse city which affords all of its residents freedom of religion and belief and respects the status quo of the holy sites.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 18/05/2020 12:49:02 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

1193924

registered interest
date	06/05/2020
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	Afghanistan: Coronavirus
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 impact of COVID-19 on the situation in Afghanistan.
tabling member printed	Baroness Hodgson of Abinger
uin	HL4116
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2020 answer text <p>We are deeply concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in Afghanistan. The pandemic and its secondary effects will create significant challenges for Afghanistan as it aims to overcome the legacy of over 40 years of conflict and become a more stable and prosperous state. We remain committed to working closely with the Afghan Government to improve the country's security, development and governance and will continue to provide diplomatic support to help push for a sustainable and inclusive peace process.</p><p>On the immediate response to COVID-19 in Afghanistan, the UK contributes significantly to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund - providing 75% of its funding - which has allocated $1.5 million to the World Health Organisation to implement their response plan and $27m towards the multi-sector response in country. We will continue to assess the need for further assistance as the situation develops.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 14/05/2020 11:03:10 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4301 label Biography information for Baroness Hodgson of Abinger

1193925

registered interest
date	06/05/2020
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	Iraq: Kurds
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps, if any, they are taking following threats by the government of Iraq to withhold federal budget payments to the Kurdistan Regional Government.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL4117
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/05/2020 answer text <p>The UK encourages the Government of Iraq (GOI) and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to work together to resolve all issues in line with the Iraq Constitution. Following the appointment of new Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, we will continue to encourage strong GOI-KRG cooperation, including on issues relating to federal budget payments to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 18/05/2020 12:40:16 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton