Chris Law MP: written questions 2024
54 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Israel: Visits AbroadForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20977More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Minister for Development met representatives of the Israeli Government during her visit to Israel in December 2024.
Answer: I met Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel and Yuli Edelstein, Chair of Israel's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, during my official visit to Israel in December 2024.
Answered 13 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordSyria: Politics and GovernmentForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20637More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) promote stability and (b) safeguard institutions of governance in Syria in preparation for a transition to democratic elections.
Answer: The UK has been at the forefront of the response to fast moving events in Syria. The UK Special Envoy for Syria and I are speaking regularly to regional and other partners about the situation. The UK joined talks in Aqaba on 14 December, hosted by Jordan,...
Answered 6 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordSyria: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20636More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support (a) humanitarian aid efforts and (b) rescue efforts for Syrians still trapped in prisons.
Answer: The UK is working closely with humanitarian and other partners to monitor the humanitarian situation, assess impacts and needs, and determine how best to respond. We continue to support those in need across Syria, where it is safe to do so. Through NGOs a...
Answered 6 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordSyria: Politics and GovernmentForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20635More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2254.
Answer: The UK joined talks in Aqaba on 14 December, hosted by Jordan, with Arab, US, UN and EU partners during which we collectively expressed commitment to supporting a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process based on the principles of UN Secur...
Answered 6 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordSyria: Politics and GovernmentForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20634More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps to help ensure a United Nations led process that restores democratic institutions of governance in Syria.
Answer: The UK has been at the forefront of the response to fast moving events in Syria. The UK Special Envoy for Syria and I are speaking regularly to regional and other partners, including the UN Special Envoy for Syria, about the situation. The UK joined talks...
Answered 6 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordSyria: Politics and GovernmentForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20633More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps to help ensure (a) stability and (b) continuity of (i) governance and (ii) institutions in Syria.
Answer: The UK has been at the forefront of the response to fast moving events in Syria. The UK Special Envoy for Syria and I are speaking regularly to regional and other partners about the situation. The UK joined talks in Aqaba on 14 December, hosted by Jordan,...
Answered 6 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordDiplomatic ImmunityForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20632More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many Special Mission Immunity certificates have been (a) applied for by and (b) granted to each state since 4 March 2013.
Answer: Government officials from any country can apply for and be granted special mission certificates as part of official visits to the UK. As set out in a Written Ministerial Statement by the former Foreign Secretary dated 4 March 2013, a special mission is a ...
Answered 14 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordPension CreditDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 12 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19699More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications for Pension Credit were received between (a) 29 July 2024 and 30 November 2024, (b) 29 July 2023 and 30 November 2023 and (c) 29 July 2022 and 30 November 2022.
Answer: On 28 November we published Pension Credit applications and award statistics. This publication provides application volumes up to 17 November 2024. Pension Credit applications and awards: November 2024 - GOV.UK, which is the nearest available data to the ...
Answered 19 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordIsrael Defense ForcesMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18144More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 16506 on Israel Defence Forces, whether (a) UK-Israel military cooperation and (b) the sale of arms was discussed during the meeting between the Chief of the
Answer: The topics mentioned in the hon. Member's question were not raised during the meeting between Lieutenant General Halevi and the Chief of the Defence Staff on 25 November. In terms of the subject of discussions, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave...
Answered 13 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordIsrael Defense ForcesMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16506More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he met the Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces during his visit to the UK in November 2024.
Answer: As part of the concerted UK effort, along with allies and partners, to reach a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza, the Chief of the Defence Staff hosted his counterparts from Israel and other international partners on Monday ...
Answered 4 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordDiplomatic ImmunityForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16503More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has granted any Special Mission Immunity certificates to any (a) visitor or (b) prospective visitor since 1 January 2024.
Answer: Government officials from any country can apply for and be granted special mission certificates as part of official visits to the UK. As set out in a Written Ministerial Statement by the former Foreign Secretary dated 4 March 2013, a special mission is a ...
Answered 11 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordIsrael: Arrest WarrantsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15437More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the decision by the International Criminal Court of 21 November 2024 to issue arrest warrants for (a) Benjamin Netanyahu and (b) Yoav Gallant, if the Govern
Answer: We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern. We will comply with our legal obligations. This gover...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordOccupied Territories: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14617More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when his Department received the report of the United Nations General Assembly Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinia
Answer: The Government has been clear since day one that International Humanitarian Law (IHL) must be upheld, and civilians protected. The UK supports Israel's right to self-defence, but it must do so in accordance with IHL. On his first day in office, the Foreig...
Answered 12 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordOccupied Territories: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 15 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14456More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights
Answer: We did not make an assessment of the Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (A/79/363). However, the Government has been clear since...
Answered 21 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordDevelopment AidTreasuryTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13499More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she take steps to increase Official Development Assistance above 0.5% of gross national income.
Answer: The government has set departmental budgets for 2024-25 and 2025-26 to enable the UK to spend 0.5% of GNI on ODA in calendar years 2024 and 2025. On current forecasts, this will mean spending £13.7bn on ODA in 2024. The government remains committed to res...
Answered 19 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordAsylum: FinanceHome OfficeTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13498More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to allocate funding to support (a) refugees and (b) asylum seekers from budgets other than Official Development Assistance.
Answer: The UK reports ODA spending consistent with internationally agreed OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) rules, which includes certain basic support costs for refugees and asylum seekers. The Home Office uses non-ODA funding for all other costs not ...
Answered 19 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordRefugees: Development AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13492More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if his Department will take steps to review the reporting methodology for in-donor refugee costs.
Answer: The government reports all in-donor refugee costs in line with the OECD rules on Official Development Assistance (ODA). A comprehensive review of the methodology for estimating in-donor refugee costs was undertaken by departments and detailed in a Methodo...
Answered 19 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordGaza: Genocide ConventionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12458More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the UK's obligation under Article 1 of the Genocide Convention to prevent genocide in Gaza.
Answer: The UK government's long-standing policy is that any formal determination of genocide should be based on the judgment of a competent national or international court. The Foreign Secretary spoke to his Israeli counterpart on 27 October, and reiterated that...
Answered 19 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordChina: British Nationals AbroadForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 28 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11316More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 October 2024 to Question 8831 on China and Hong Kong, what steps he plans to take to ensure that British-born children of British nationals with
Answer: The FCDO provides consular assistance to British nationals abroad. In some cases, British Nationals of Hong Kong or Chinese descent may be considered Chinese by the Chinese authorities meaning the consular assistance we can provide may be limited. As per ...
Answered 4 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordIsraeli Defence Force: British Nationals AbroadForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 15 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9184More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information his Department holds on (a) how many and (b) the identities of UK citizens who have travelled to Israel to volunteer for military service with the (i) Israel
Answer: We are aware of reports of UK citizens travelling to fight for the Israel Defense Force (IDF), but the Government does not estimate the numbers of those who have done so. The UK recognises the right of British nationals with more than one nationality to s...
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordChina: British Nationals AbroadForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 14 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8831More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to monitor China’s compliance with international consular conventions on the treatment of naturalised British citizens with (a) Hong Ko
Answer: The FCDO's Travel Advice for China explains that China does not recognise dual nationality and anyone born in China to a Chinese national parent would be considered by the Chinese authorities to be of Chinese nationality and treated as a Chinese citizen. ...
Answered 21 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordCouncil of the Nations and Regions: PayCabinet OfficeTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8164More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the salary is of the Envoy to the Regions and Nations.
Answer: The terms of reference for the Prime Minister’s Envoy for the Nations and Regions will be published online in the normal way, setting out the purpose, scope and remit of the role.
Answered 16 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordCouncil of the Nations and RegionsCabinet OfficeTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8163More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who the Envoy to the Regions and Nations will report to.
Answer: The terms of reference for the Prime Minister’s Envoy for the Nations and Regions will be published online in the normal way, setting out the purpose, scope and remit of the role.
Answered 16 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordGaza: Peace NegotiationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6296More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the progress of Qatari-led negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza; whether the UK has a role in that process; and what his policy is on an immedi
Answer: We want to see an immediate ceasefire, the release of all the hostages detained by Hamas and more aid entering Gaza. An immediate ceasefire is the first step towards a lasting solution. The Prime Minister - along with other G7 Leaders - has fully endorsed...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordCharities: International LawDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5588More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the Charity Commission on guidance it provides to UK-registered charities on ensuring compliance with international law.
Answer: The Charity Commission for England and Wales has produced guidance for charities on managing risks when working internationally, which can be found on its website here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charities-how-to-manage-risks-when-working-internationally...
Answered 11 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record
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