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1238653

registered interest
date	29/09/2020
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	Foreign Relations
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by the then Minister for Asia and the Pacific on 26 February 2019 (HC Deb, col 145), what progress they have made in developing the cross-Government soft power strategy.
tabling member printed	Baroness Anelay of St Johns
uin	HL8577
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2020 answer text <p>The role of soft power is being considered as part of the Integrated Review of foreign policy, defence, security and international development. This will be informed by the conclusions of the cross-government work already undertaken on our strategic approach to this area.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 13/10/2020 14:07:11 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns

1238671

registered interest
date	29/09/2020
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	Indonesia: Demonstrations
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Indonesia about police action in response to peaceful protests by students at Cendewasih University in West Papua.
tabling member printed	Lord Lexden
uin	HL8595
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2020 answer text <p>We are aware of the protests by students on 28 September 2020 at Cenderawasih University in Papua. We have not raised this specific case with the Indonesian authorities, but we regularly press them to address legitimate human rights concerns, including upholding the right of peaceful protest. The former Minister for Asia and the Pacific, Heather Wheeler, raised Papua with the Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister, Mahendra Siregar, during her visit to Jakarta in January 2020.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 13/10/2020 14:05:58 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4202 label Biography information for Lord Lexden

1238691

registered interest
date	29/09/2020
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	West Bank: Housing
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 24 September (HL8094), what advice they have given to the Palestinian Authority about what steps can be taken to prevent the government of Israel from building settlement housing on Palestinian land in the West Bank.
tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
uin	HL8615
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2020 answer text <p>As previously stated, our longstanding position on settlements is that they are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace, and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. We have a regular dialogue with both the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel in which we reiterate the need for both sides to abide by International Humanitarian Law and to promote peace, stability and security. We continue to urge the Israeli and Palestinian leadership to avoid actions which make peace more difficult to achieve.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 13/10/2020 14:06:41 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

1238696

registered interest
date	29/09/2020
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	Ethiopia: Politics and Government
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 recent assessment he has made of the political and security situation in Ethiopia.
tabling member constituency	Sheffield Central
tabling member printed	Paul Blomfield
uin	96861
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/10/2020 answer text <p>The UK is concerned by the political and security situation in Ethiopia, including ongoing violence between ethnic groups, and reports of arrests and abuses by security services. I [Minister Duddridge] visited Ethiopia from 27 - 29 July and was able to discuss these issues with the President, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and the President of Oromia Region. I [Minister Duddridge] pushed for full and transparent investigations into the violence, and that those detained are afforded due process and their cases heard promptly. I [Minister Duddridge] also expressed the need for more peaceful dialogue between different ethnic groups in Ethiopia and for space to be given for political debate.</p><p>The UK welcomes the efforts of the Government of Ethiopia to strengthen accountability. We have provided direct support to public consultations on the new civil society legislation and draft media proclamations. The UK is facilitating capacity building in Ethiopia to ensure that democratic institutions fulfil their constitutional mandate. For instance, we have supported the National Election Board of Ethiopia, contributing over £15 million of funding towards election preparations. We also support civil society organisations in Ethiopia so that they can play an increasing role in monitoring human rights. We will track the situation, raise our concerns at the deaths of civilians, and raise the importance of respect for human rights in meetings with the Government of Ethiopia and regional leaders.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 07/10/2020 10:34:25 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	4058 label Biography information for Paul Blomfield

1238701

registered interest
date	29/09/2020
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	Sub-Saharan Africa: Famine
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 recent assessment he has made of the effect of food shortages and famine in Sub-Saharan Africa on women and girls in that region.
tabling member constituency	Oxford West and Abingdon
tabling member printed	Layla Moran
uin	97013
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/10/2020 answer text <p>We are closely monitoring the food security situation in sub-Saharan Africa, where over 72 million people are estimated to be in crisis levels of food insecurity, with women and girls disproportionately affected. Climate shocks, an unprecedented locust outbreaks and the impact of COVID-19 are likely to increase needs and widen gaps in gender inequality.</p><p>The UK is a leading humanitarian donor, with protection at the heart of what we do. Addressing the needs of women and girls is central to our approach. We have committed £119 million to combat the threat of famine and appointed the first Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs. Our funding will include life-saving nutrition services for mothers and children. We ensure a robust gender analysis when addressing chronic hunger and its broader underlying drivers. We invest in gender-responsive social protection. This helps protect and build the resilience of poor and vulnerable families, reducing negative coping mechanisms, such as the exchange of sex for food, water and basic needs.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 07/10/2020 16:42:06 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	4656 label Biography information for Layla Moran

1238702

registered interest
date	29/09/2020
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	Sub-Saharan Africa: Famine
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 steps he is taking to help ensure that food shortages and famine in Sub-Saharan Africa does not result in increased sexual exploitation of adolescent girls in that region.
tabling member constituency	Oxford West and Abingdon
tabling member printed	Layla Moran
uin	97014
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/10/2020 answer text <p>We are closely monitoring the food security situation in sub-Saharan Africa, where over 72 million people are estimated to be in crisis levels of food insecurity, with women and girls disproportionately affected. Climate shocks, an unprecedented locust outbreaks and the impact of COVID-19 are likely to increase needs and widen gaps in gender inequality.</p><p>The UK is a leading humanitarian donor, with protection at the heart of what we do. Addressing the needs of women and girls is central to our approach. We have committed £119 million to combat the threat of famine and appointed the first Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs. Our funding will include life-saving nutrition services for mothers and children. We ensure a robust gender analysis when addressing chronic hunger and its broader underlying drivers. We invest in gender-responsive social protection. This helps protect and build the resilience of poor and vulnerable families, reducing negative coping mechanisms, such as the exchange of sex for food, water and basic needs.</p><p>We remain committed to improving safeguarding standards across the aid sector and to a zero-tolerance approach to help prevent sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 07/10/2020 10:32:38 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	4656 label Biography information for Layla Moran

1238703

registered interest
date	29/09/2020
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	Special Envoy for Gender Equality
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 his timescale is for appointing a new Special Envoy for Gender Equality.
tabling member constituency	Oxford West and Abingdon
tabling member printed	Layla Moran
uin	97015
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/10/2020 answer text <p>Gender equality is a core part of the FCDO's work as a force for good in the world. The UK has a proud track record in a number of areas. For example, the right of every girl around the world to receive 12 years of quality education remains a top priority. The Prime Minister appointed Baroness Sugg as the UK Special Envoy for Girls' Education in March 2020. Between 2015 and 2020, we supported 8.1 million girls gain access to a decent education. Our Strategic Vision for Gender Equality reflects and responds to the UK Government's ambitions and works alongside our National Action Plan (NAP) on Women Peace and Security.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 08/10/2020 15:48:30 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton previous answer version 52682 answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4656 label Biography information for Layla Moran

1238704

registered interest
date	29/09/2020
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	Gender: Equality
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 recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Department for International Development's Strategic Vision for Gender Equality: Her Potential, Our Future published in March 2018.
tabling member constituency	Oxford West and Abingdon
tabling member printed	Layla Moran
uin	97016
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/10/2020 answer text <p>The Strategic Vision for Gender Equality was DFID's guiding document on gender equality but it also reflects and responds to the UK Government's ambitions on this agenda.</p><p>We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved under the Strategic Vision. Since its launch in 2018, for example, the UK has supported 2.5 million girls to access education, we have announced £67.5 million to prevent violence against women and girls, the biggest ever investment by a single government, and in 2019-20 alone, we supported 25.4 million women to access modern methods of family planning, helping to save thousands of lives.</p><p>The UK Government remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing gender equality and women and girls' rights. The FCDO will refresh and build on existing strategies, as well as develop new approaches. We are also responding to the NAO's review of our work on gender published in April. The challenges of advancing girls' education, sexual reproductive health and rights, women's political empowerment, women's economic empowerment and ending violence against women and girls, are as acute now, if not more so, as when we published the strategy.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 07/10/2020 10:15:09 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4656 label Biography information for Layla Moran

1238753

registered interest
date	29/09/2020
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	Developing Countries: Drugs
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 steps he is taking to increase access to medicines in developing countries; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Gareth Thomas
uin	96746
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/10/2020 answer text <p>Improving access to medicines is a critical part of our contribution in developing countries. The FCDO works with partners across the value chain to make products more affordable, and improve country level procurement and distribution. We are a leading donor to Unitaid's Medicines Patent Pool, which promotes patent sharing and licensing. We also fund the Access to Medicine Index, which monitors company performance on providing greater access to medicines.</p><p>The UK is one of the largest government contributors to global efforts to develop COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and diagnostics. This includes up to £500 million to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment which is supporting 92 developing countries to gain access to a COVID-19 vaccine, when one becomes available.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 05/10/2020 08:52:41 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

1238780

registered interest
date	29/09/2020
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	West Bank: Demolition
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 steps he is taking to tackle Israel’s demolition of structures in the West Bank and resulting displacement of Palestinians during the covid-19 pandemic.
tabling member constituency	Sheffield Central
tabling member printed	Paul Blomfield
uin	96862
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/10/2020 answer text <p>The UK is seriously concerned by the continued demolitions of Palestinian structures by Israeli authorities, particularly at this time. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians, is harmful to the peace process and weakens the capacity of Palestinians to withstand the impact of COVID-19. Under IHL, an occupying power has the duty of ensuring and maintaining public health and hygiene in the occupied territory to the fullest extent of the means available to it and with the cooperation of the local authorities. We call on both parties to avoid any provocative action which might undermine the cooperation that is so critical.</p><p>Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have repeatedly raised our concerns about demolitions with Israeli Ministers and senior officials, and urged them to cease the counter-productive policy of demolitions, and provide a clear, transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area C. The British Government also supports Palestinians facing demolition or eviction in Area C of the West Bank through our legal aid programme. This helps residents challenge decisions in the Israeli legal system.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly grouped question UIN 96863 question first answered 07/10/2020 15:11:12 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4058 label Biography information for Paul Blomfield