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1729700

registered interest
date	13/09/2024
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, Commonwealth and Development Office: Equality
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 7 August (HL344), how many staff in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are permitted to undertake diversity-related network time during core working hours; what is the percentage of overall working time they are permitted to spend on such network activity; how many hours are allocated in total; what are the names of each of the networks being funded; and what plans they have to (a) increase, or (b) reduce, such funding.
tabling member printed	Lord Farmer
uin	HL1117
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/09/2024 answer text <p>The FCDO has 17 Staff Networks which relate to protected characteristics defined in the 2010 Equality Act, related characteristics referenced in the Civil Service Diversity &amp; Inclusion Strategy, and FCDO specific groups for topics experienced as a global organisation. Staff Networks provide valuable insight and help us to meet the Public Sector Equality Duties. Co-Chairs of FCDO Staff Networks are volunteers who are allowed to spend up to 10 per cent of their contracted time to serve in this capacity - we do not record the hours this translates to. A small discretionary budget is available for Staff Networks to support their work in line with the Civil Service guidance and value for money. There are no plans to change the number of FCDO Staff Networks or related funding.</p><p>The Staff Networks are as follows: Armed Forces, Uniformed Volunteers &amp; Family Staff Network, Country Based Staff, Disability Inclusion and Awareness Network, FCDO Women, FCDO/Diplomatic Service Families Association Carers' Network, FLAG: FCDO LGBT+ Staff Association, Flexible Working Network, Home Civil Service International Staff Network, Mental Health, Wellbeing and Listening Network, Over Fifties Network, Parents' Support Network, Parents of children with disabilities Network, Race and Ethnicity Network, Religion and Belief Group, Social Mobility Network, Unaccompanied Staff Network and Young People and Early Professionals Network.</p> answering member printed Baroness Chapman of Darlington question first answered 26/09/2024 10:04:15 answering member 3972 label Biography information for Baroness Chapman of Darlington
tabling member	4321 label Biography information for Lord Farmer

1729597

registered interest
date	12/09/2024
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	Diplomatic Service: Private Education
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what is the total cost of school fees paid in the last year by the Government for UK private education for the children of foreign office officials serving overseas.
tabling member printed	Lord Lamont of Lerwick
uin	HL1044
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2024 answer text <p>The amount spent by the FCDO on provision of the Continuity in Education Allowance for 494 children in UK schools in the financial year 2023/24 was £14,502,476.00</p> answering member printed Baroness Chapman of Darlington question first answered 25/09/2024 11:10:39 answering member 3972 label Biography information for Baroness Chapman of Darlington
tabling member	895 label Biography information for Lord Lamont of Lerwick

1729615

registered interest
date	12/09/2024
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	Russia: Shipping
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to deter third-country service providers from engaging with UK sanctioned vessels in Russia's shadow fleet.
tabling member printed	Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
uin	HL1081
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2024 answer text <p>The UK has sanctioned 25 oil tankers operating within Putin's shadow fleet. This has disrupted those vessels' ability to take part in the Russian oil trade. We frequently engage with third countries on the shadow fleet, as these vessels undermine international maritime standards and practices, pose environmental risks, and support Russia's illegal war in Ukraine. While the UK cannot comment on future sanctions, anyone assisting UK-sanctioned vessels and the activity of Russia's shadow fleet more generally may be in breach of our sanctions and be liable in the event of an accident.</p> answering member printed Baroness Chapman of Darlington question first answered 25/09/2024 11:07:04 answering member 3972 label Biography information for Baroness Chapman of Darlington
tabling member	4130 label Biography information for Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

1729629

registered interest
date	12/09/2024
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	Jimmy Lai
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the urgent appeal submitted to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture on 12 September by the international legal team for British citizen Jimmy Lai; and what action they are taking to secure his release.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1015
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/09/2024 answer text <p>We are aware of the urgent appeal to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture with respect to British national Jimmy Lai and are deeply concerned by the allegations of torture and mistreatment it makes. The Foreign Secretary raised Jimmy Lai's case in his first meeting with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the ASEAN Summit on 26 July and his case remains a priority for this Government. We will continue to call on the Hong Kong authorities to end their politically motivated prosecution and immediately release Jimmy Lai and we will continue to press for consular access.</p> answering member printed Baroness Chapman of Darlington question first answered 26/09/2024 10:05:02 answering member 3972 label Biography information for Baroness Chapman of Darlington
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1729630

registered interest
date	12/09/2024
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	Jimmy Lai
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report, Cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights, by the United Nations Secretary-General, published on 20 August, including the concerns it raises about reprisals against British citizen Jimmy Lai, his son, Sebastien Lai, and members of their international legal team.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1016
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2024 answer text <p>We are carefully reviewing the UN's report on 'Cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights' and will respond to the report during the current session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.</p><p>Any attempts to coerce, intimidate or harm those who cooperate with the United Nations are unacceptable. The UK unequivocally condemns each and every act of intimidation or reprisal.</p> answering member printed Baroness Chapman of Darlington question first answered 25/09/2024 11:11:39 answering member 3972 label Biography information for Baroness Chapman of Darlington
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1729631

registered interest
date	12/09/2024
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	Iraq: Children
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications of the proposed amendment to Iraq’s Personal Status Law 188, which could lower the legal age for marriage to nine, and the extent to which it aligns with international treaties on the rights of children to which Iraq is a signatory.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1017
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2024 answer text <p>The UK is analysing the proposed amendments to Iraq's Personal Status Law and its implications for women and children's rights. As we privately engage with a range of Iraqi interlocutors to discuss this, we are emphasising the importance of any amendments' compatibility with Iraq's international obligations.</p><p>We would condemn any legislative change that would violate international norms, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1976) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989).</p> answering member printed Lord Collins of Highbury question first answered 25/09/2024 14:40:18 answering member 4222 label Biography information for Lord Collins of Highbury
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1729643

registered interest
date	12/09/2024
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	Gaza: Israel
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what progress has been made on diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict and the release of hostages since the Prime Minister spoke to Benjamin Netanyahu on 20 August.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL1049
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2024 answer text <p>Following the Prime Minister's conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu on 20 August, the UK has been working tirelessly towards its priority of ending this conflict and securing the safe release of hostages still cruelly detained by Hamas since day one. The situation on the ground remains intolerable, and the war must end now.</p><p>The Prime Minister met President Biden in Washington on 13 September where they reiterated UK and US calls for a ceasefire that will enable the release of the hostages. We welcome the efforts of our partners in Qatar, Egypt and the United States, and fully endorse their joint statement calling for the immediate resumption of ceasefire negotiations and a hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas. We are urging all sides to show flexibility. Both the Foreign Secretary and Minister Falconer have held meetings with the families of hostages with links to the UK and reiterated our commitment to using all diplomatic avenues to secure their release.</p> answering member printed Lord Collins of Highbury question first answered 25/09/2024 14:30:01 answering member 4222 label Biography information for Lord Collins of Highbury
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1729644

registered interest
date	12/09/2024
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	Africa: Mpox
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the declaration by the WHO Director General on 14 August of Mpox cases in Africa to be a public health emergency of international concern; and what support they are providing to African countries most affected by the current outbreak.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL1050
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2024 answer text <p>We are deeply concerned by the mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other African countries. In August I visited the DRC and announced £3.1 million to UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) for the mpox and cholera response. This will reach 4.4 million people. We have contributed £3 million to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Regional Office for Africa for health emergency response. The UK's £340 million core voluntary contribution to the WHO supports it to allocate resources where they are needed most, including responding to health emergencies such as mpox. We are one of the largest donors to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which has unlocked $2.9 million to support the rollout of vaccines in the DRC.</p> answering member printed Lord Collins of Highbury question first answered 25/09/2024 14:39:45 answering member 4222 label Biography information for Lord Collins of Highbury
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1729646

registered interest
date	12/09/2024
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	BBC World Service
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the soft power value to the UK of the news programming provided by the BBC World Service; and whether they intend to fund fully the BBC World Service language services.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL1052
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2024 answer text <p>The Government strongly values the BBC World Service as a UK soft power asset. It is the world's most trusted international broadcaster. Consisting of 42 language services, it provides impartial accurate news to a global audience of 320 million across more than 120 countries.</p><p>The Government is committed to a successful BBC World Service and ensuring its financial sustainability. Ahead of Charter Review, the Government will keep an open mind about the future of the licence fee and how the World Service is funded, and engage with the BBC, the public and other stakeholders before making decisions.</p> answering member printed Baroness Chapman of Darlington question first answered 25/09/2024 11:09:41 answering member 3972 label Biography information for Baroness Chapman of Darlington
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1729647

registered interest
date	12/09/2024
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: Humanitarian Situation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking alongside international partners to address what on 9 September the World Health Organisation called the "extreme health and humanitarian crisis" in Sudan.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL1053
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2024 answer text <p>The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces has created a humanitarian disaster in Sudan, with over 9 million people facing emergency or famine like conditions. On 1 August, the Foreign Secretary tweeted to highlight the findings of the IPC Famine Review Committee (FRC) that famine existed in Northern Darfur's Zamzam IDP camp, and there was a high likelihood of its presence elsewhere. He also reiterated that the use of starvation as a weapon of warfare is a war crime. On 6 August, the UK, as United Nations Security Council (UNSC) penholder on Sudan, called an urgent Council session to discuss the FRC's findings. On 22 August, the Minister for Development announced an additional £15 million of vital assistance to Sudan, South Sudan and Chad to support vulnerable people forced to flee violence and seek safety. This brings the UK's ODA for Sudan this year to £97 million, most of which is vital humanitarian assistance.</p> answering member printed Lord Collins of Highbury question first answered 25/09/2024 14:27:33 answering member 4222 label Biography information for Lord Collins of Highbury
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian