Contributions
387 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDUK Soft PowerWe could always be doing much more. From our tradition of democracy and our internationally acclaimed justice system, to our inclusive values of free speech, freedom of religion…14 May 2019HANSARDRefugees in Sri LankaFollowing the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka, there have been reports of isolated incidents of violence and of intimidation and discrimination against Muslims, refugees and…09 May 2019HANSARDRefugees in Sri LankaI thank the hon. Lady. She is very persistent: this is the third day running that she has applied for an urgent question on this matter. Robert the Bruce would be proud: if at…09 May 2019HANSARDRefugees in Sri LankaI hope the hon. Lady will excuse me if I write to her with more specific details once I have them to hand.09 May 2019HANSARDRefugees in Sri LankaMy hon. Friend is absolutely right: sectarian hatred needs to be stamped out. That is clearly a matter for the Sri Lankan authorities, but we obviously stand ready to co-operate…09 May 2019HANSARDRefugees in Sri LankaI know that the hon. Gentleman also applied for an urgent question on the matter; I suspect that he will table more next week on related matters. Clearly we are working together.…09 May 2019HANSARDRefugees in Sri LankaI thank my right hon. Friend for her constructive thoughts; she is absolutely right. To recap, on 25 April the FCO amended our travel advice: we now advise against all but…09 May 2019HANSARDRefugees in Sri LankaI am always touched by the amount of work my hon. Friend does in this regard, not just in Sri Lanka, but across the world. We are of course concerned at reports of minorities…09 May 2019HANSARDRefugees in Sri LankaAs my hon. Friend says, this can only be a short-term, interim measure, and we need something much more sustainable in future. The Government are spending £8.3 million of…09 May 2019HANSARDRefugees in Sri LankaI am happy to reassure the hon. Gentleman that when there is a well-founded case for refugee and asylum status, there should be no question of that.09 May 2019HANSARDRefugees in Sri LankaI thank the hon. Lady for her kind words about my work. We have been on the opposite sides of this Chamber and other Chambers in this place several times in the past 48 hours, and…09 May 2019HANSARDRefugees in Sri LankaI had better be a little careful because though I have these added responsibilities, I do not have Treasury responsibilities. However, the right hon. Gentleman is right that it…09 May 2019HANSARDRefugees in Sri LankaThe right hon. Lady makes the valid point that there is a risk, particularly if resettlement takes longer than we would all wish, that the settlements become de facto detention…09 May 2019HANSARDRefugees in Sri LankaThe hon. Gentleman always speaks for the dispossessed across the world and stands up for the freedom of religious belief. As I have said, we are working closely on the ground to…09 May 2019HANSARDRefugees in Sri LankaThe hon. Gentleman will be well aware that our own high commission, and our excellent high commissioner Tom Drew in Islamabad, have made our concerns very clear. The hon.…09 May 2019HANSARDForeign and Commonwealth OfficeAs many Members may know, Huawei has had a long-standing joint venture with BT going back almost a decade and a half. Arguably, those who oppose Huawei being involved will have to…09 May 2019HANSARDForeign and Commonwealth OfficeAs many Members may know, Huawei has had a long-standing joint venture with BT going back almost a decade and a half. Arguably, those who oppose Huawei having any more involvement…09 May 2019HANSARDRefugees in Sri LankaI hope that I have explained in some detail what we are doing on the ground, but my hon. Friend is absolutely right, and we will do all that we can. The plight of the Ahmadis,…09 May 2019HANSARD West Papua: Human RightsIt is always a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Hollobone. I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Robert Courts) for securing this important debate. I…08 May 2019HANSARDIran Nuclear DealMy list was obviously not entirely comprehensive. My hon. Friend makes an important point, and I look forward to meeting him again in Westminster Hall this afternoon when we shall…08 May 2019