Contributions
834 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Covid-19: Repatriation of UK NationalsMy hon. Friend raises the important area of Peru. It has been a very difficult country to deal with, given the number of backpackers and travellers dispersed over a very large…29 Apr 2020HANSARD Covid-19: Repatriation of UK NationalsWe will take up that case, if it is not already being taken up. Frankly, I doubt very much whether a member of FCO staff would use language such as “it’s your own fault”, but we…29 Apr 2020HANSARD Covid-19: Repatriation of UK NationalsMy hon. Friend makes a very good point. As I said in the statement, the Foreign Office is an addition to the domestic work we are doing on PPE. I have had conversations with our…29 Apr 2020HANSARD Covid-19: Repatriation of UK NationalsAt the risk of repeating myself, it is actually the case that the permanent secretary issued his reaction to the Foreign Affairs Committee and made it clear that a political…29 Apr 2020HANSARD Covid-19: Repatriation of UK NationalsI thank the hon. Gentleman for his point. On New Zealand, I am pleased to say that over 600 UK nationals have returned. One of the problems is that most of the commercial flights…29 Apr 2020HANSARD Covid-19: Repatriation of UK NationalsI thank the hon. Gentleman for his constructive dialogue with Government and also his SNP colleagues in the Scottish Government. I have weekly update conversations with all the…29 Apr 2020HANSARD Covid-19: Repatriation of UK NationalsThe FCO will of course look into the case my hon. Friend raises. I thank him for his praise for the work that has been done to return his constituents from around the globe. As he…29 Apr 2020HANSARD Covid-19: Repatriation of UK NationalsThe Chair of the Select Committee raises an incredibly important point. A UK national who is stuck abroad, who is concerned and whose flight has been cancelled by their operator…29 Apr 2020HANSARD Covid-19: Repatriation of UK NationalsWith permission, I would like to make a statement on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s response to the covid-19 pandemic. Our team of experienced diplomats here at home and in…29 Apr 2020HANSARD Covid-19: Repatriation of UK NationalsI congratulate the hon. Lady on her appointment and on the spirit in which she has co-operated. We speak regularly, with our weekly phone calls—I think we are due to have one…29 Apr 2020HANSARDPreventing Sexual Violence in ConflictThe preventing sexual violence in conflict initiative remains a top Government priority. The UK is recognised as a global leader on the issue. We have committed over £46 million…17 Mar 2020HANSARDPreventing Sexual Violence in ConflictI thank my hon. Friend for his question. I know that he takes a keen interest in this area, given his previous work for Lord Hague, the former Foreign Secretary. This is a big…17 Mar 2020HANSARDPreventing Sexual Violence in ConflictWe are wholly committed as a nation to ensuring that all efforts to tackle conflict-related sexual violence are survivor-centred, in line with UN Security Council resolution 2467,…17 Mar 2020HANSARDPreventing Sexual Violence in ConflictWe certainly will. My right hon. Friend raises an important point. We are in regular contact and will ensure that, through our network and all channels, we discuss this with our…17 Mar 2020HANSARDHuman RightsThe UK is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide. We are one of the longest standing members of the Human Rights Council, and we are committed to…17 Mar 2020HANSARDHuman RightsWe must tackle all human rights issues through multilateral organisations wherever possible. The UK Government will continue to make that case through our networks and ministerial…17 Mar 2020HANSARDHuman RightsI met the Chinese ambassador in the past 10 days, and raised the issue of Hong Kong. We remain concerned about the political situation in Hong Kong, and believe that the…17 Mar 2020HANSARDHuman RightsWe continue to work with regional organisations, including the European Union, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, and the Commonwealth, to strengthen their democracy work. Most…17 Mar 2020HANSARDSoft PowerWe are confident in our position on the issue the hon. Gentleman mentions. We are more than happy to talk to him following the session so we can discuss it further one to one.17 Mar 2020HANSARDSoft PowerOur consistent top-table ranking in numerous soft power indices makes the UK’s strengths clear, from our diplomatic network to cultural institutions and leading scientific…17 Mar 2020