Contributions
834 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsThe hon. Lady makes a fair point about the offer to BNOs. Work is happening across Government, and the scheme is devised principally by the Home Office, but in close collaboration…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsI thank my hon. Friend for his question and for all the work he does and has done in this area over many years. We have spoken directly to the chargé at the Chinese embassy, and…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsThe hon. Gentleman speaks regularly in this place on these issues and he has elevated me to Secretary of State. I thank him for that, but there has not been a reshuffle just yet.…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsMy right hon. Friend raises an important point, and I assure him that I will have those conversations on behalf of those who have served the United Kingdom in the way he describes.10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsNo, we can’t. That would be rather foolish. As I have said, sanctions are just one tool in our arsenal. We have already offered the immigration path for BNOs, as I said, and…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsThe United Kingdom is deeply concerned about the situation in Hong Kong and the erosion of rights enshrined under the Sino-British joint declaration. In response to these worrying…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsI thank the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, in particular for his work on this issue and his support for our excellent ambassador, Caroline Wilson. He mentions…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsI thank the hon. Lady for bringing this urgent question to the House. As she rightly says, we will continue to bring together international partners to stand up for the people of…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsI thank my hon. Friend for the assiduous way in which she pursues this matter. She knows exactly what the longstanding policy of the British Government is: any judgment on whether…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsI agree totally with the hon. Gentleman’s assessment. This is an assault on democracy in Hong Kong. It looks like what it says on the tin: it is an attempt to stifle that…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsOne example of that was on 22 February, when the Foreign Secretary addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council calling out the systematic violation of the rights of the…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsThe hon. Gentleman needs to be congratulated for the work that he has done in the first place, working cross party, to allow and help the Foreign Secretary to deliver our own…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsAs the hon. Gentleman knows, we cannot speculate on our sanctions regime. I understand why he and many hon. Members will ask the same question, but we cannot speculate on who may…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsMy hon. Friend raises a good point. We are a co-signatory to the joint declaration. We have a responsibility to uphold the content, and a duty to speak out when we have concerns,…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsThrough our network, we raise our concerns and have constantly raised our concerns with the Hong Kong authorities, and we will continue to do so. I will make sure that I get an…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsWe are actively encouraging people and their immediate family members to apply through our new bespoke immigration route. They will be able to come here to live, study and work.…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsI pay tribute to my hon. Friend for her work as the Prime Minister’s envoy for freedom of religion or belief. We are deeply concerned about the issues that she has raised, and…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsMy hon. Friend raises a very good point. This is a real opportunity for the United Kingdom to raise important matters, as we have the presidency of the G7. It is absolutely…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsMy right hon. Friend asks about action. Well, the action that we have taken on Hong Kong is substantial. He knows the answer on Magnitsky sanctions—we do not speculate on whom,…10 Mar 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Electoral ReformsI thank the hon. Gentleman for his questions. He will have heard the response that I gave to the Chair of the Select Committee, my hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge and Malling…10 Mar 2021