Contributions
3,506 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHong KongMy Lords, I assure my noble friend that we continue to stand by our obligations as a co-signatory to “one country, two systems”. We give hope to those human rights defenders who…02 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Refugee CampsMy Lords, the noble Lord is quite right to raise the issue of Greece. The UK is one of the world’s leading refugee resettlement states, resettling more refugees than any country…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Refugee CampsMy Lords, my noble friend is right to raise the issue of the camps—not just the Zaatari camp in Jordan, which I too have visited, but elsewhere in the world. Of course, measures…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Refugee CampsMy Lords, of course we are aware specifically of the plight of the Palestinian refugees. The noble Earl will be aware that the United Kingdom has increased its support for UNRWA,…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Refugee CampsMy Lords, the noble Lord raises a very important point. We have been at the forefront—he will be aware of the £744 million of UK aid funding which we have committed thus far to…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Refugee CampsMy Lords, what the most reverend Primate said resonates with me. I am a strong believer in the role of faith groups, particularly in the response to Covid. Specifically, we have,…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Refugee CampsI can assure the noble Baroness and all noble Lords of our commitment to Resolution 2504 and the need for an extension of the humanitarian corridors that currently operate in the…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Refugee CampsMy noble friend is quite right to raise this issue. I recently engaged in a virtual call with Pramila Patten, the SRSG on preventing sexual violence in conflict for the UN. I will…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Refugee CampsMy Lords, I fully align with the sentiments of the noble Baroness and of course I will look at all future funding requests.20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Refugee CampsMy Lords, the noble Lord highlights an important issue around Libya and the conflict that continues to engulf the country. We are of course working with international partners to…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Refugee CampsMy Lords, I am deeply concerned about Covid-19’s impact on refugees. The United Kingdom is at the forefront of the response and we have pushed to ensure that vulnerable groups,…20 May 2020HANSARDBritish Citizens Stranded OverseasIt is a loan which the noble Lord has asked about. It has been rolled out as a pilot exercise in four countries. We hope to announce the more general rollout in the coming days…14 May 2020HANSARDBritish Citizens Stranded OverseasI am fully aware of the challenges which have been imposed on many networks, including the British Council. We have brought back diplomats and staff of the British Council because…14 May 2020HANSARDBritish Citizens Stranded OverseasMy noble friend is right to raise the important issue of South Africa. We have run flights from there and we have considered, and continue to consider, further options. I am aware…14 May 2020HANSARDBritish Citizens Stranded OverseasAs the noble Lord will be aware, we have opened up registration procedures in all our posts. For example, in the places that I cover, including Pakistan, we have returned all…14 May 2020HANSARDBritish Citizens Stranded OverseasThe noble Baroness raises an important point on repatriation, and I thank her for her kind remarks. We have worked with EU nations, our partner countries, as well as with other…14 May 2020HANSARDBritish Citizens Stranded OverseasI thank my noble friend for her kind remarks. On repatriation, particularly from cruises, rest assured that we have returned all British nationals, as I said in my original…14 May 2020HANSARDBritish Citizens Stranded OverseasThe noble Viscount raises two questions. On the point made by him and the noble Lord, Lord Campbell, anyone who works within the charter sphere will know that this is not a…14 May 2020HANSARDBritish Citizens Stranded OverseasMy Lords, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is leading efforts to repatriate British travellers and their families who normally live in the United Kingdom. On 30 March, the…14 May 2020HANSARDBritish Citizens Stranded OverseasMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for her remarks about the work of the Foreign Office. The teams both in London and in post have been working around the clock on the…14 May 2020