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1240723

registered interest
date	06/10/2020
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	Catalonia: Sovereignty
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publish a response to EDM 936, on the Disqualification of the President of Catalonia, tabled by the hon. Member for Arfon.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
uin	99649
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/10/2020 answer text <p>This is a matter for Spain and the Spanish courts. Political leaders, like anyone else, have a duty to abide by the law.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 12/10/2020 09:23:24 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1240753

registered interest
date	06/10/2020
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	Nagorno Karabakh: Armed Conflict
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether it is the Government's policy to support UN Security Council resolutions (a) 822, (b) 853, (c) 874 and (d) 884.
tabling member constituency	Harrow East
tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
uin	99592
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2020 answer text <p>We acknowledge the importance of these UN Security Council Resolutions, which reaffirm the primacy of the OSCE Minsk Group as the international forum via which a peaceful settlement to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan should be reached. We consider that the Basic Principles for a settlement proposed by the Minsk Group Co-chairs provide the basis for a reasonable compromise in this regard, taking due account of the relevant OSCE principles governing relations between member-states.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 13/10/2020 11:58:24 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

1240761

registered interest
date	06/10/2020
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	Italy: Coronavirus
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 discussions he has had with his Italian counterpart on that Government's response to the covid-19 pandemic.
tabling member constituency	Blaydon
tabling member printed	Liz Twist
uin	99712
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/10/2020 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary last discussed the Italian Government's response to the covid-19 pandemic with Foreign Minister Di Maio on 25 June. Our embassy in Rome is in constant contact with Italian officials in order to monitor the situation and seek opportunities to share best practices, and senior UK scientific advisers and health officials have also been in regular contact with their Italian counterparts since the start of the pandemic. On 1-3 October, a delegation of British ministers including Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Alok Sharma, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Kemi Badenoch MP and FCDO Minister for the Pacific and Environment Lord Goldsmith, met with their counterparts in Italy at the Pontignano Conference. They discussed our respective governments' response to the pandemic and how the UK and Italy can continue to work together.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 12/10/2020 13:47:09 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4618 label Biography information for Liz Twist

1240762

registered interest
date	06/10/2020
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	Coronavirus: Disease Control
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 discussions he has had with his international counterparts on their Government's response to the covid-19 pandemic.
tabling member constituency	Blaydon
tabling member printed	Liz Twist
uin	99713
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/10/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government is working closely with international partners to deliver a robust and coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including through the G7, G20 and other fora, and has been advocating for economic resilience and recovery to be at the heart of this approach. With India, the UK pressed for the G20 Action Plan that agreed a package of measures to mitigate the economic impact on the worst affected countries, including through debt relief. On 30 September, during the UN General Assembly, the Foreign Secretary co-hosted &quot;Accelerating the End of the COVID-19 Pandemic&quot; with the UN Secretary General, WHO Director General and Health Minister of South Africa. This event brought together world leaders, UN agencies, scientists, pharmaceutical companies and donors to pledge additional support and agree new ways of working together in the international fight against COVID. The Foreign Secretary also visited Vietnam and South Korea from 28 September to 1 October, where he discu ssed the UK's leading role in supporting global efforts to develop and equitably distribute COVID-19 vaccines. On 21 September, the Foreign Secretary and Canadian Minister Karina Gould co-chaired a meeting of the informal Development Ministers' Contact Group on COVID-19. The group includes members from the G7 and Five Eyes, plus Sweden and Norway.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 12/10/2020 09:15:12 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4618 label Biography information for Liz Twist

1240774

registered interest
date	06/10/2020
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	Zimbabwe: Human Rights
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 steps the Government has taken to advocate for human rights in Zimbabwe.
tabling member constituency	Stockport
tabling member printed	Navendu Mishra
uin	99760
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/10/2020 answer text <p>The UK is deeply concerned by the human rights environment in Zimbabwe that includes the abduction, arrest and assault of civil society, trade union and opposition activists. Zimbabwe remains one of the UK's 30 human rights priority countries globally. I regularly engage with the Government of Zimbabwe to raise serious concerns about the political, economic and human rights situation in Zimbabwe. We have been clear that the Government of Zimbabwe must meet its international and domestic obligations by respecting the rule of law, safeguarding human rights, and committing to genuine political and economic reform for the benefit of all Zimbabweans. When I wrote to Foreign Minister Moyo on 12 August, following a telephone call with him on 8 June, I raised specific human rights violations and made it clear that the UK has yet to see meaningful progress on human rights. Until this changes, further UK support for Zimbabwe would not be possible.</p><p>The UK Government published the Annual Human Rights Report for 2019 in July. This report includes a section outlining our considerable concern around the current human rights environment in Zimbabwe. It also outlines the extensive financial and technical support the UK gives to civil society organisations who help Zimbabwean citizens hold the state to account. We do not publicise our partners to avoid putting them at risk, in itself an indictment of the situation in Zimbabwe. We will continue call on the Government of Zimbabwe to uphold the rule of law. This includes respecting the Zimbabwean Constitution which clearly prohibits enforced disappearances, cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment. The UK will also continue to work alongside the international community to support good governance, respect for human rights, and genuine political and economic reform in Zimbabwe, to help secure a better future for all Zimbabweans.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 12/10/2020 16:38:45 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	4811 label Biography information for Navendu Mishra

1240127

registered interest
date	05/10/2020
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	Catalonia: Sovereignty
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 discussions he has had with his Spanish counterpart on the disqualification of Quim Torra as President of Catalonia.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Owen Thompson
uin	99046
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/10/2020 answer text <p>This is a matter for Spain and the Spanish courts. The Foreign Secretary has had no discussions with his Spanish counterparts on this matter.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 08/10/2020 09:27:43 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4482 label Biography information for Owen Thompson

1240134

registered interest
date	05/10/2020
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	Confucius Institutes
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 use of Confucius Institutes by the government of China.
tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
uin	HL8708
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2020 answer text <p>Confucius Institutes are affiliated to the Chinese Ministry of Education, and the programme is overseen by the Office of Chinese Language Council International (referred to as Hanban), which is a Chinese Government entity. Their stated aim is to promote Chinese language and culture and promote cultural exchanges internationally. Concerns have been raised in a number of countries about the impact of Confucius Institutes on academic freedom at host institutions.</p><p>UK higher education providers that host Confucius Institutes are responsible for ensuring their partnerships are managed appropriately with the right due diligence in place. The Government will continue to support the sector to promote mutually beneficial international partnerships in line with UK values. As the Minister for Asia, Nigel Adams MP, made clear in a Westminster Hall Debate on 7 October, we will not tolerate any attempts to interfere with academic freedom or freedom of speech and encourage any institutions concerned about their international collaborations to contact the Government.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 19/10/2020 15:10:02 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

1240151

registered interest
date	05/10/2020
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: Literacy
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking (1) unilaterally, and (2) multilaterally, to protect lower and middle income countries from adverse impacts of COVID-19 on literacy rates.
tabling member printed	Lord Judd
uin	HL8733
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2020 answer text <p>Education is a top priority for this Government and FCDO is taking decisive steps internationally to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on learning. We have adapted our bilateral education programmes in 18 countries to provide child protection, continuity of learning (e.g. through radio and home learning kits) and are helping schools prepare to re-open safely. Improving foundational skills, especially getting more children reading by the age of ten, is central to our plan to ensure more girls benefit from 12 years of quality education.</p><p>Multilaterally, we are also leading efforts to build back better in education and protect learning. The UK is partnering with Kenya to co-host the 2021 Global Partnership for Education (GPE) financing summit, and as the largest donor, supported establishment of a dedicated $500 million COVID-19 accelerated funding window to maintain basic education. We topped up our contribution to the global fund Education Cannot Wait, to which we are the also the largest donor, and provided funding to support an additional 5,500 teachers in refugee camps via the UN refugee agency.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 19/10/2020 12:26:21 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd

1240170

registered interest
date	05/10/2020
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	Impala Car Rental
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 (1) that state agents and Impala car rental in Zimbabwe colluded to abduct and torture political opponents, and (2) that Impala car rental has not complied with an order of the High Court in Bulawayo to hand over information about (a) the identity of those who hired the vehicle used to abduct Tawanda Muchehiwa on 30 July, and (b) the route that vehicle travelled on that day; and what discussions they have had with the government of Zimbabwe about imposing economic measures on Impala car rental and its directors.
tabling member printed	Lord Oates
uin	HL8747
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2020 answer text <p>We are aware of reports that a car hired from Impala Car Hire was used in the abduction of Tawanda Muchehiwa, and that the matter is subject to a high court order. HMG has been clear, including in an international statement on 28 August, that the Government of Zimbabwe has a responsibility to investigate and prosecute those responsible for violating human rights. The Minister for Africa regularly engages with the Government of Zimbabwe to raise serious concerns about the political, economic and human rights situation in Zimbabwe and reinforce the need for accountability. He clearly conveyed our views when he spoke to Foreign Minister Moyo on 8 June, and in a letter to the Foreign Minister on 12 August.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 19/10/2020 10:55:32 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	4549 label Biography information for Lord Oates

1240194

registered interest
date	05/10/2020
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	Sudan: Floods
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the floods in Sudan, what aid they have provided to support those affected.
tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
uin	HL8780
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2020 answer text <p>The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is supporting the Government of Sudan-led flood response through the UN and NGOs.</p><p>This includes the UN Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF) where the UK has provided £27 million in 2020 for a range of urgent needs including COVID-19, locusts and now flooding. £ 3.0 ($3.9) million, via the SHF, has been provided to aid agencies for clean water, sanitation and hygiene activities, emergency shelter as well as basic relief items including blankets and sleeping mats. The START Fund, to which the UK is the largest donor, allocated funding to provide clean water and sanitation.</p><p>UK aid has also provided over £750,000 to the UN's Refugee Agency, UNHCR, the Danish Refugee Council and other aid agencies to provide affected people with emergency shelter kits to repair damaged homes, cash, food, clean water and sandbags.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 16/10/2020 13:04:04 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge