Proceedings of the Committee
Tuesday 12 September 2017
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ms Nusrat Ghani Chris Bryant Ian Murray Ann Clwyd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Royston Smith Stephen Gethins Nadhim Zahawi
1. Declaration of interests Members declared their interests, in accordance with the resolution of the House of 13 July 1992 (see Appendix).
2. Confidentiality of private proceedings The Committee considered this matter.
3. Committee working methods
The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That the public be admitted during the examination of witnesses unless the Committee orders otherwise.
Resolved, That witnesses who submit written evidence to the Committee are authorised to publish it on their own account in accordance with Standing Order No.135, on application to the Clerk, subject always to the discretion of the Chair or where the Committee orders otherwise.
Resolved, That the Committee will not normally investigate individual cases.
Resolved, That the following matters be delegated to the Chair: • Drawing up the agenda for Committee meetings; • Engaging in correspondence on Committee matters not sufficiently significant to require approval by the Committee or of a routine nature; • Arranging informal meetings in Westminster on matters relating to the Committee's remit; • Amending the timing or place of Committee meetings, where necessary; • Authorising the issue of press notices about forthcoming evidence sessions, new inquiries and reports; • Deciding to which parliamentary proceedings Committee Reports should be tagged for debate in the House (or Westminster Hall) and, subject to a degree of prior negotiation, proposing reports to the Liaison Committee for debate in Westminster Hall; • Taking decisions consequential on matters already decided by the Committee or which are urgent, on the understanding in the latter case that the Chair would inform the Committee subsequently.
4. Government responses to Reports of the previous Committee
The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Special Report (The United Kingdom’s relations with Russia: Government Response to the Committee’s Seventh Report of Session 2016–17), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the First Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
Draft Special Report (The UK’s relations with Turkey: Government Response to the Committee’s Tenth Report of Session 2016–17), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Second Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
Draft Special Report (‘Political Islam’, and the Muslim Brotherhood Review: Government Response to the Committee’s Eighth Report of Session 2016–17), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Third Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
6. Future programme
The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into violence in Rakhine State.
Resolved, That the Committee take oral evidence from the Foreign Secretary.
Resolved, That the Committee take oral evidence from the Permanent Under Secretary, FCO.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 10 October at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 10 October 2017
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ms Nusrat Ghani Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Ann Clwyd Royston Smith Mike Gapes
1. Declaration of interests Members declared their interests, in accordance with the resolution of the House of 13 July 1992 (see Appendix).
2. Committees on Arms Export Controls (CAEC) The Committee considered this matter.
3. Common Foreign and Security Policy (CSFP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) The Committee considered this matter.
4. UK bilateral relations with EU27 The Committee considered this matter.
5. Programme of work The Committee considered this matter.
6. British Government’s six-monthly report on Hong Kong The Committee considered this matter.
7. Visit to Ireland The Committee considered this matter.
8. Letters from the FCO on management issues The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That the letter from the Permanent Under-Secretary on management issues be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
9. Violence in Rakhine State The Committee considered this matter . Ordered, That the letter from the Foreign Secretary on Rakhine State be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
10. Violence in Rakhine State The Committee considered this matter.
Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK and Tun Khin, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK gave oral evidence.
Dr Champa Patel, Head of Asia Programme at Chatham House and Dr Lee Jones, Associate Professor of International Politics at Queen Mary, University of London, gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 17 October at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 17 October 2017
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Royston Smith Mike Gapes Nadhim Zahawi Stephen Gethins
1. Evidence from the Foreign Secretary, November 2017 The Committee considered this matter.
2. Informal visit to the FCO The Committee considered this matter.
3. Visit to Ireland and FAC roadshows The Committee considered these matters.
Resolved, That the Committee visit Ireland in November 2017 in connection with UK relations with the EU, and that the Chair seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
4. Violence in Rakhine State The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That the letter from the Foreign Secretary be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
5. Informal meeting with Ambassador and EU Minister of Ireland The Committee considered this matter.
6. Letters from the FCO on publication of responses and on EULEX The Committee considered these matters.
Ordered, That the letter from the Foreign Secretary on publication of responses be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
Ordered, That the letter from the Minister of State for Europe on EULEX be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
7. Intelligence and Security Committee and Liaison Committee The Committee considered these matters.
8. Committees on Arms Export Controls The Committee considered this matter.
9. Programme of work The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into China and the international rules-based system.
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into Global Britain.
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into Kurdish aspirations and the interests of the UK.
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into the future of Britain’s diplomatic relationship with Europe.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 24 October at 2.30 pm]
Tuesday 24 October 2017
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ms Nusrat Ghani Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Royston Smith Stephen Gethins Nadhim Zahawi
1. Bilateral relationships in Europe The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That the letter and attachment from the Minister of State for Europe be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
2. Evidence from the Foreign Secretary, November 2017 The Committee considered this matter.
3. Committees on Arms Export Controls The Committee considered this matter.
4. Specialist advisers The Committee considered this matter.
5. Informal meeting with Saudi Arabia Shura Council, 26 October The Committee considered this matter.
6. Meeting request from Kurdistan Regional Government Representation in the UK The Committee considered this matter.
7. Visit to Ireland The Committee considered this matter.
8. The Future of Britain’s diplomatic relationship with Europe The Committee considered this matter.
[Adjourned till tomorrow at 2.15 pm]
Wednesday 25 October 2017
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Ian Murray Ann Clwyd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Royston Smith Stephen Gethins Nadhim Zahawi
1. Violence in Rakhine State The Committee considered this matter.
Rt Hon Mark Field MP, Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, FCO, gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 31 October at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 31 October 2017
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ms Nusrat Ghani Chris Bryant Ian Murray Ann Clwyd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Royston Smith Stephen Gethins Nadhim Zahawi
1. Visit to Ireland The Committee considered this matter.
2. Informal meeting, 6 November The Committee considered this matter.
3. Specialist advisers The Committee considered this matter.
4. The Future of Britain’s diplomatic relationship with Europe The Committee considered this matter.
The Rt Hon the Lord Hague of Richmond and the Lord Ricketts, GCMG, GCVO gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till tomorrow at 1.45 pm]
Wednesday 1 November 2017
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ms Nusrat Ghani Chris Bryant Ian Murray Ann Clwyd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Royston Smith Stephen Gethins Nadhim Zahawi
1. Evidence from the Foreign Secretary The Committee considered this matter.
Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under Secretary, FCO, and Karen Pierce, Political Director, FCO gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 7 November at 3.15 pm]
Tuesday 7 November 2017
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ms Nusrat Ghani Chris Bryant Ian Murray Ann Clwyd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Nadhim Zahawi Stephen Gethins
1. Kurdish aspirations and the interests of the UK The Committee considered this matter.
2. Visit to Ireland The Committee considered this matter.
3. Violence in Rakhine State The Committee considered this matter.
4. Evidence from the Foreign Secretary, 1 November 2017 The Committee considered this matter.
5. Overseas conferences The Committee considered this matter.
6. Specialist advisers The Committee considered this matter.
7. The Future of Britain’s diplomatic relationship with Europe The Committee considered this matter.
Dr Laura Chappell, lecturer in European politics, University of Surrey, Dr Margriet Drent, Senior Research Fellow at Clingendael, the Netherlands Institute of International Relations, The Hague, and Dr Charlotte Galpin, lecturer in German and European politics, University of Birmingham gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 15 November at 3.15 pm]
Wednesday 15 November 2017
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Ann Clwyd Royston Smith Stephen Gethins Nadhim Zahawi Ms Nusrat Ghani
1. Violence in Rakhine State The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet: .BUR0006 – Chairman Nyunt Maung Shein, Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies (Myanmar-ISIS) BUR0009 – Mr Derek Tonkin BUR0010 – Professor Penny Green, International State Crime Initiative, School of Law, Queen Mary University of London BUR0011 – Justin Wintle BUR0013 – Fred Carver, UNA-UK BUR0014 – Ms Alice Braybrook, Christian Solidarity Worldwide BUR0015 – Dr Eglantine Staunton BUR0016 – Mr James Bulman, UNHCR BUR0017 – H.E. Mr. Kyaw Zwar Minn, The Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, London BUR0018 – Organisations Representing the Myanmar Community in the UK BUR0019 – Hanna Nomm, Overseas Development Institute BUR0020 –Myanmar Buddhist Monasteries BUR0021 – Professor Brad Blitz, Middlesex University BUR0022 – Mr Mark Farmaner, Burma Campaign UK BUR0023 – Dr Kate Ferguson, Protection Approaches BUR0024 – John Sifton, Human Rights Watch BUR0025 – Mr Steven McIntosh, Save the Children BUR0026 – Fortify Rights BUR0027- Dr Lee Jones BUR0028- Interfaith Dialogue Group Myanmar BUR0031- ActionAid
2. The Future of Britain’s diplomatic relationship with Europe The Committee considered this matter.
3. Informal meeting with representatives of Overseas Territories The Committee considered this matter.
4. Evidence from the Foreign Secretary, 1 November 2017 The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That the Foreign Secretary’s letter of 9 November be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
5. Kurdish aspirations and the interests of the UK The Committee considered this matter.
6. Visit of Iraqi Foreign Minister The Committee considered this matter.
7. Meeting with Turkish MPs The Committee considered this matter.
8. FCO Budget and Capacity, and Annual Report 2016–17 The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That the written evidence from the FCO, DFID and MOD about the Government response to recent hurricanes be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
Resolved, That the Committee take part of the evidence to be given by Sir Simon McDonald and FCO colleagues at this day’s sitting in private.
Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under Secretary of State, FCO, Andrew Sanderson, Finance Director, FCO, Peter Jones, Chief Operating Officer, FCO, Miranda Curtis, Lead Non-Executive Board Member, FCO gave oral evidence.
The pubic withdrew, in accordance with the Committee’s Resolution of this day’s sitting.
Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under Secretary of State, FCO, Andrew Sanderson, Finance Director, FCO, Peter Jones, Chief Operating Officer, FCO, Miranda Curtis, Lead Non-Executive Board Member, FCO gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 21 November at 2.15 pm]
Thursday 16 – Friday 17 November The Chair, Mike Gapes, Ian Murray, Andrew Rosindell and Royston Smith visited Ireland in connection with the Committee’s inquiry into the future of Britain’s diplomatic relationship with Europe, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 17 October.
Tuesday 21 November 2017
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Ann Clwyd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Royston Smith Stephen Gethins Nadhim Zahawi Ms Nusrat Ghani
1. Visit to Ireland The Committee considered this matter.
2. Committees on Arms Export Controls The Committee considered this matter.
3. Liaison Committee meeting with the Prime Minister The Committee considered this matter.
4. Oral evidence from the Foreign Secretary The Committee considered this matter.
5. International court of Justice The Committee considered this matter.
6. Visit to FCO Resolved, That the Committee visit the FCO on 12 December.
7. Kurdish aspirations and the interests of the UK The Committee considered this matter.
Dr Nazand Begikhani, Senior Research Fellow, Bristol University, and women’s rights advocate, Professor Mohammed Ihsan, Senior Research Fellow, King’s College London, and a former Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Dr Zeynep Kaya, Research Fellow, London School of Economics and Political Science and Güney Yildiz, Visiting Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations, gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 28 November at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 28 November 2017
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Royston Smith Stephen Gethins Nadhim Zahawi Ms Nusrat Ghani
1. Powers delegated to the Chair Resolved, That the Committee delegate to the Chair the power to advertise for specialist advisers on future inquiries and other subjects that the Committee plans to examine.
2. Meeting on 5 December The Committee considered this matter.
3. Violence in Rakhine State The Committee considered this matter.
4. International Court of Justice The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee take oral evidence on 19 December from Lord Hannay and Sir John Sawers.
5. The Future of Britain’s diplomatic relationship with Europe The Committee considered this matter.
Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan MP, Minister of State for Europe and the Americas, Caroline Wilson, Europe Director, and Mark Gooding, Assistant Director Europe—North, FCO, gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
Ordered, That the FCO memorandum on the recent ICJ election Committee be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
6. International Court of Justice The Committee further considered this matter.
7. Kurdish aspirations and the interests of the UK The Committee considered this matter.
[Adjourned till tomorrow at 2.15 pm]
Wednesday 29 November 2017
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Ann Clwyd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Nadhim Zahawi
1. Kurdish aspirations and the interests of the UK The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That Dr Zeynap Kaya and Dr Robert Lowe be appointed Specialist Advisers to assist the Committee in relation to this inquiry. (For details of declarations of interests, see Appendix.)
Resolved, That the Committee take oral evidence on Tuesday 5 December from Karwan Jamal Tahir, representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in London, Alan Semo, representative of the Democratic Union Party in London, Bill Park, a leader of international observers for the September 2017 independence referendum in the KRG, and Isabel Käser.
2. Future programme The Committee considered this matter.
3. The Future of Britain’s diplomatic relationship with Europe The Committee considered this matter.
Professor Robert Tombs, University of Cambridge, and James Rogers, the Henry Jackson Society, gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 5 December at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 5 December 2017
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Stephen Gethins Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Ann Clwyd Royston Smith Mike Gapes Nadhim Zahawi
1. FCO Budget and Capacity, and Annual Report 2016–17 The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That main part of the letter from the Permanent Under Secretary, FCO, be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
2. The Future of Britain’s diplomatic relationship with Europe The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet: EUR0001- Professor Karen Smith EUR0002- Crispin Blunt MP EUR0003- Dr Charlotte Galpin EUR0006- Professor Paul James Cardwell EUR007- Thomas Gardner, Deputy Head Europe Bilateral Strategy Team, FCO EUR008- Professor Anand Menon & Mr Alan Wager, UK in a Changing Europe EUR009- Professor James Ker-Lindsay, St Mary's University, Twickenham EUR010- Ms Siobhan Foster-Perkins, British Council EUR011- Professor Alice Panier EUR012- Professor James Ker-Lindsay EUR013- Dr Nicholas Wright EUR014- African Solutions to African Migration EUR015- Mr James Rogers EUR016- Chatham House & University of Kent EUR017- Dr Etain Tannam EUR018- Lord David Owen and David Ludlow EUR019- City of London Corporation EUR020- Centre for European Studies, Canterbury Christ Church University EUR021- Dr Helene Sjursen
Ordered, That the letter from Professor Robert Tombs be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Kurdish aspirations and the interests of the UK The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet: KUR0001- Brendan O’Brien KUR0002- Thomas Hardie- Forsyth KUR0003- KRG Representation KUR0004- European Turkmen Association League KUR0005- Professor William Hale KUR0007- Dr Massood Al-Mufti KUR0009- London Kurdish Institute KUR0011- Mr Zana Gulmohamad KUR0012- Dr Goran Zangana KUR0013- Mr Bill Park KUR0014- Kurdistan Democratic Party KUR0015- Foreign and Commonwealth Office KUR0016- Mohammed Alhariri KUR0017- Integrity UK KUR0018- Gary Kent KUR0019- Mr Kyle Orton KUR0020- Kurdistan Solidarity Campaign KUR0021- Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Parliament KUR0022- BBC Monitoring KUR0023- The Democratic Union Party (PYD) KUR0024- Hamish de Bretton-Gordon KUR0025- Embassy of Iraq KUR0026- Movement of Change Iraqi Kurdistan KUR0027- Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in London KUR0028- Mr Thomas Hardie-Forsyth KUR0029- Nick Hills
4. Future programme The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee visit the West Midlands in connection with its inquiry into Global Britain.
Resolved, That the Committee visit Berlin and Paris in connection with its inquiry into the Future of Britain’s diplomatic relationship with Europe and that the Chair seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visits.
Resolved, That the Committee visit New York and Washington DC in connection with its inquiry into Global Britain, and that the Chair seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
5. ‘Global Britain’ Ordered, That Professor John Bew be appointed Specialist Adviser to assist the Committee in relation to Global Britain. (For details of declaration of interests, see Appendix.)
6. Visit to FCO, 12 December The Committee considered this matter.
7. International Court of Justice Resolved, That the Committee inquire into the recent election to the International Court of Justice.
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into the UK and multilateral institutions.
8. Kurdish aspirations and the interests of the UK The Committee considered this matter.
Karwan Jamal Tahir, representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in London Alan Semo, representative of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in London, and Bill Park gave oral evidence.
Ian Austin declared an interest as having been present in the Kurdistan region and attended several meetings with Karwan Jamal Tahir in and around the time of the recent referendum organised in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. (See Appendix)
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till tomorrow at 2.15 pm]
Wednesday 6 December 2017
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Ms Nusrat Ghani Ann Clwyd Ian Murray Mike Gapes Royston Smith
1. Violence in Rakhine State and the UK’s response The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (Violence in Rakhine State and the UK’s response), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the First Report of the Committee, HC 435.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 19 December at 9.30 am]
Tuesday 12 December
The Chair, Mike Gapes and Ms Nusrat Ghani visited the FCO Ireland in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 21 November.
Tuesday 19 December 2017
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Royston Smith Stephen Gethins Nadhim Zahawi Ms Nusrat Ghani
1. UK influence in the UN The Committee considered this matter.
Baron Hannay of Chiswick, Permanent Representative of the UK to the United Nations 1990–1995, and Sir John Sawers, Permanent Representative of the UK to the United Nations 2007–2009, gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
2. The future of UK diplomacy in Europe Ordered, That the letter from the Minister of State for Europe of 13 December and the memorandum from African Solutions to African Migration be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
Resolved, That the Committee seek to commission external research on existing bilateral links between the UK and the EU27, and that the Chair seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with this.
3. Kurdish aspirations and the interests of the UK Ordered, That the further written evidence from Tom Hardie-Forsyth be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
4. Visit to FCO The Committee considered this matter.
5. The UK’s response to hurricanes in its Overseas Territories Resolved, That the Committee take oral evidence on 16 January from Blondel Cluff, UK representative of Anguilla and from Ben Saoul, Head of Crisis Management Department, Ben Merrick, Director of OTs, and Julia Longbottom, Director Consular Services, FCO.
6. Arab Parliament The Committee considered this matter.
7. Munich Security Conference Ordered, That the Chair have leave to attend the Munich Security Conference in February and Berlin beforehand in a representative capacity, and that the Chair seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
8. Visit to North America The Committee considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 9 January 2018 at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 9 January 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ms Nusrat Ghani Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Ann Clwyd Royston Smith Mike Gapes Nadhim Zahawi Stephen Gethins
1. Global Britain The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee take oral evidence from Baroness Ashton, Sir Simon Fraser and Lord Owen.
2. Kurdish aspirations and the interests of the UK The Committee considered this matter.
Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP, Minister of State for the Middle East, and Ms Amy Clemitshaw, Head of Eastern Mediterranean Department, FCO, gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 16 January 2018 at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 16 January 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Royston Smith Stephen Gethins
1. Kurdish aspirations and the interests of the UK Ordered, That the written evidence from Nick Hills be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
2. Global Britain The Committee considered this matter.
3. FCO human rights work Resolved, That the Committee inquire into the FCO’s human rights work.
4. Imprisonment of UK/Iranian dual nationals in Iran The Committee considered this matter.
5. Evidence from FCO Ministers Resolved, That the Committee take oral evidence regularly from FCO Ministers on the range of their responsibilities.
6. Correspondence with the FCO The Committee considered this matter.
7. The future of UK diplomacy in Europe The Committee considered this matter.
8. Future programme The Committee considered this matter.
9. Committees on Arms Export Controls The Committee considered this matter.
10. UK influence in the UN The Committee considered this matter.
11. EU Parliamentary CFSP/CSDP conference, Sofia Resolved, That a member of Committee staff attend the EU Parliamentary CFSP/CSDP conference in Sofia in a representative capacity, and that the Chair seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
12. Visit to USA The Committee considered this matter. 13. The UK’s response to hurricanes in its overseas territories The Committee considered this matter.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State, Ben Merrick, Director of Overseas Territories, Benjamin Saoul, Head, Crisis Management Department, and Julia Longbottom, Director, Consular Services, FCO, gave oral evidence.
Blondel Cluff, Anguillan Representative to the UK and EU, Special Adviser to the Chief Minister of Anguilla and CEO of the West India Committee, and Charlie Wheeler, Chargé d'Affaires, Government of Anguilla London Office, gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 23 January 2018 at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 23 January 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Stephen Gethins Chris Bryant Ian Murray Ann Clwyd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Royston Smith
1. Overseas Territories The Committee considered this matter.
2. Outreach event in Birmingham The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee will visit Birmingham for the next FAC Roadshow event.
3. Global Britain The Committee considered this matter.
4. Civil aviation and Taiwan The Committee considered this matter.
5. Turkish intervention in Syria The Committee considered this matter.
4. The future of UK diplomacy in Europe The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (The future of UK diplomacy in Europe), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Second Report of the Committee, HC 514.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 30 January at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 30 January 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Stephen Gethins Chris Bryant Ian Murray Ann Clwyd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Royston Smith
1. China and the international rules-based system. The Committee considered this matter.
2. FCO corporate quarterly report Ordered, That the Permanent Under Secretary’s letter be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Kurdish aspirations and the interests of the UK Ordered, That the Minister of State’s letter be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Outreach event in Birmingham The Committee considered this matter.
5. The UK’s response to hurricanes in its overseas territories The Committee considered this matter.
6. Global Britain The Committee considered this matter.
The Rt Hon. the Baroness Ashton of Upholland gave oral evidence.
The Rt Hon. Lord Owen gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 6 February at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 6 February 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Stephen Gethins Chris Bryant Ian Murray Ann Clwyd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Royston Smith
1. The UK’s response to hurricanes in its overseas territories Ordered, That the Minister of State’s letter be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Imprisonment of UK/Iranian dual nationals in Iran The Committee considered this matter.
3. Global Britain The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee visit St Andrew’s in connection with its inquiry into Global Britain.
Sir Simon Fraser GCMG gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
4. Kurdish aspirations and the interests of the UK The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (Kurdish aspirations and the interests of the UK), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Third Report of the Committee, HC 518.
[Adjourned till tomorrow at 2.15 pm]
Wednesday 7 February 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Ian Murray Mike Gapes Royston Smith Stephen Gethins
1. Letter from Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under Secretary Ordered, That the letter of 26 January from Sir Simon McDonald be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
2. Imprisonment of UK/Iranian dual nationals in Iran The Committee considered this matter.
3. UK influence in the United Nations The Committee considered this matter.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the UN, Paul Williams, Director, Multilateral Policy, and Sir Iain Macleod KCMG, Legal Adviser, FCO, gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 20 February at 2.15 pm]
Friday 16 and Saturday 17 February
Eoin Martin attended the EU Parliamentary CFSP/CSDP conference in Sofia in a representative capacity in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 16 January.
Tuesday 20 February 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Ann Clwyd Royston Smith Stephen Gethins
1. Bermuda The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That the letter of 7 February from Lord Ahmad be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
2. FCO Supplementary Estimates The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That the supplementary estimates memorandum from the FCO be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Taiwan air space Ordered, That the letter from the Foreign Secretary be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
4. Outreach event in Birmingham The Committee considered this matter.
5. Global Britain The Committee considered this matter.
6. Globsec security conference, Bratislava Resolved, That Chris Bryant attend the Globsec security conference in Bratislava in a representative capacity, and that the Chair seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
7. Minister of State for Africa Resolved, That the Committee take oral evidence from the Minister of State for Africa.
8. The Commonwealth Summit Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the UN, Tim Hitchens, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Summit, and Richard Oppenheim, UK Commonwealth Envoy, gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
9. China and the international rules-based system. The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That Professor Katherine Morton and Charles Parton OBE be appointed Specialist Advisers to assist the Committee in relation to this inquiry. (For details of declarations of interests, see Appendix.)
[Adjourned till Tuesday 27 February at 10 am]
Excerpt from Votes and Proceedings, Tuesday 20 February 2018:
Foreign Affairs Committee Ordered, That Ms Nusrat Ghani and Nadhim Zahawi be discharged from the Foreign Affairs Committee and Priti Patel and Mr Bob Seely be added.—(Bill Wiggin, on behalf of the Selection Committee.)
Tuesday 27 February 2018
MORNING SITTING
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Stephen Gethins Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely
1. Declarations of interests Mr Bob Seely declared his interests, in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992:
Name of donor: (1) Medical Aid for Palestinians (2) Conservative Friends of Israel Ltd Address of donor: (1) 33a Islington Park Street, London N1 1QB (2) PO Box 72288, London SW1P 9LB Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): (1) Flights, accommodation, food and transport £960 (2) accommodation, airport transfer and hospitality £500 Destination of visit: West Bank and Israel Dates of visit: 11 – 18 February 2018 Purpose of visit: Fact finding visit organised by the Council for Arab-British Understanding, Medical Aid for Palestinians and Conservative Friends of Israel. (Registered 01 March 2018)
Member of the Army Reserves. (Registered 6 July 2017)
Ian Austin declared an interest as having visited the United Arab Emirates in February 2018 as a guest of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (see Appendix).
2. 2017 elections to the International Court of Justice The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (2017 elections to the International Court of Justice), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Fourth Report of the Committee, HC 860.
[Adjourned till today at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 27 February 2018
AFTERNOON SITTING
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Priti Patel Mike Gapes Andrew Rosindell Stephen Gethins Mr Bob Seely Ian Murray Royston Smith
1. Violence in Rakhine State the UK’s response: Government response The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Special Report (Violence in Rakhine State the UK’s response: Government response to the Committee’s First Report), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s repose to the First Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Fourth Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
2. ASEAN Ordered, That the letter from the Foreign Secretary on ASEAN be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Committees on Arms Export Controls The Committee considered this matter.
4. FAC roadshows The Committee considered this matter.
5. Oral evidence from the Foreign Secretary, 21 March The Committee considered this matter.
6. Visit to Paris The Committee considered this matter.
7. The FCO’s Human rights work The Committee considered this matter.
8. Declaration of interests Priti Patel declared her interests, in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992:
Name of donor: Government of India Address of donor: Ministry of External Affairs, Akbar Bhawan, New Delhi Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): Air fare, transfers and accommodation costs approx. £6,500 Destination of visit: New Delhi Dates of visit: 7-11 January 2018 Purpose of visit: Head of UK delegation to the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas/Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) Parliamentarians Conference New Delhi. (Registered 29 January 2018)
9. The UK’s response to hurricanes in its Overseas Territories The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (The UK’s response to hurricanes in its Overseas Territories), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Fifth Report of the Committee, HC 722.
10. Declaration of interests Stephen Gethins declared an interest as having visited the United Arab Emirates in the February recess as part of a cross-party delegation. (see Appendix).
11. Global Britain The Committee considered this matter.
Rt Hon Alderman Charles Bowman, Lord Mayor of London 2017–18, and Rt Hon Alderman Sir David Wootton, Chairman, Mayoral Visits Committee, and Lord Mayor 2011–12, gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 6 March at 2.00 pm]
Thursday 1 March
The Chair, Mr Ian Austin, Mr Stephen Gethins, and Mr Andrew Rosindell visited Birmingham in connection with the Committee’s inquiry into Global Britain, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 23 January 2018. Tuesday 6 March 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Ian Murray Royston Smith Priti Patel
1. Human rights The Committee considered this matter.
Natalie Samarasinghe, Executive Director, United Nations Association UK, gave oral evidence.
Mike Gapes declared an interest as Chair of the APPG on the United Nations.
The Committee further considered this matter.
2. FAC roadshow event in Birmingham The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee will visit St Andrews for the next FAC Roadshow event.
3. Session 2016–17 FAC Report on Article 50 negotiations: implications of ‘no deal’ The Committee considered this matter.
4. Future Programme The Committee considered this matter.
5. Global Britain The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That the memorandum from the FCO be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
Draft Report (Global Britain), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Sixth Report of the Committee, HC 780.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 13 March at 2.15 pm]
Thursday 8 – Friday 9 March The Chair, Ian Austin, Chris Bryant, Mike Gapes, Stephen Gethins, Ian Murray, Andrew Rosindell and Royston Smith visited Paris in connection with the future of UK diplomatic relations with Europe, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 5 December 2017. Tuesday 13 March 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Priti Patel Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Ann Clwyd Mr Bob Seely Mike Gapes Royston Smith Ian Murray
1. Letter from PUS on changes to FCO overseas network Ordered, That the letter from the Permanent Under Secretary be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
2. Letter from Lord Ahmad on Bermuda’s Domestic Partnership Act Ordered, That the letter from Lord Ahmad be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Visit to Paris, 8–9 March The Committee considered this matter.
4. Evidence from the Foreign Secretary, 21 March The Committee considered this matter.
5. Work of the Minister of State for Africa The Committee considered this matter.
Harriett Baldwin MP, Minister of State for Africa, Mr Donal Brown, Director East and Central Africa, DFID, and Mr Neil Wigan, Director, Africa, FCO, gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 20 March at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 20 March 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Priti Patel Ann Clwyd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith
1. The future of UK diplomacy in Europe: Government response The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Special Report (The future of UK diplomacy in Europe: Government response to the Committee’s Second Report), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s repose to the Second Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Fifth Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
2. Letter from Lord Ahmad on Commonwealth Summit Ordered, That the letter from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Letter from FCO on Supplementary Estimates memorandum Ordered, That the letter from the FCO be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
4. FCO human rights work The Committee considered this matter.
5. China and the international rules-based system The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee visit China in connection with its inquiry into China and the rules-based international order, and that the Chair seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
6. Russia The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into Russian corruption and the UK.
7. Western Balkans Resolved, That the Committee inquire into the July Western Balkans summit.
Resolved, That the Committee visit the Western Balkans in connection with its inquiry into the Western Balkans summit, and that the Chair seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
Oral evidence from the Foreign Secretary, 21 March The Committee considered this matter.
[Adjourned till tomorrow at 1.45 pm]
Wednesday 21 March 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Priti Patel Ann Clwyd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith
1. Oral evidence from the Foreign Secretary The Committee considered this matter.
Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service, and Ms Karen Pierce, Director General Political, FCO, gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
2. Session 2016–17 FAC Report on Article 50 negotiations: implications of ‘no deal’ Ordered, That the letter from the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 27 March at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 27 March 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Priti Patel Ann Clwyd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith
1. Letter from PUS on FCO contacts with SCL Ordered, That the letter from the Permanent Under Secretary be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
2. Letter from Minister of State for Africa Ordered, That the letter from the Minister of State be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Russia The Committee considered this matter.
4. Visit to USA The Committee considered this matter.
5. Future programme The Committee considered this matter.
6. Ditchley Foundation conference Ordered, That the Chair have leave to attend the Ditchley Foundation conference on the future of the EU and the euro after Brexit on 17–19 May in Oxfordshire in a representative capacity.
7. Global Britain and the 2018 Commonwealth Summit The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (Global Britain and the 2018 Commonwealth Summit), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Seventh Report of the Committee, HC 831.
8. China and the international rules-based system George Magnus, Associate at Oxford University's China Centre and Research Associate at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Dr Yuka Kobayashi, Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in China and International Politics, Politics and International Studies, SOAS, University of London, and Dr Jan Knoerich, Lecturer in the Economy of China, Lau China Institute and Department of International Development, King’s School of Global Affairs, King’s College London, gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till tomorrow at 2.15 pm]
Wednesday 28 March 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Priti Patel Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Ann Clwyd Mr Bob Seely Mike Gapes Royston Smith Ian Murray
1. Visit to China The Committee considered this matter.
2. Visit to USA The Committee considered this matter.
3. Russian corruption and the UK The Committee considered this matter.
Oliver Bullough, Journalist and author on Russia, Juliette Garside, Financial Correspondent, Guardian, Luke Harding, Journalist and author on Russia and Tom Keatinge, Director, Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, RUSI, gave oral evidence.
Vladimir Ashurkov, Executive Director, the Anti-Corruption Foundation, and Roman Borisovich, Co-founder, ClampK, gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 17 April at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 17 April 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Priti Patel Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Ann Clwyd Mr Bob Seely Mike Gapes Royston Smith Stephen Gethins
1. Organogram of Government responsibilities for international crime Ordered, That the Organogram of Government responsibilities for international crime be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
2. Letter from the High Commissioner to Barbados Ordered, That the letter from the High Commissioner to Barbados be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Kurdish Aspirations and the interests of the UK: Government response The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Special Report (Kurdish Aspirations and the interests of the UK: Government response to the Committee’s Third Report), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s repose to the Third Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Sixth Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
4. China and the international rules-based system
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet: CIR0002- Dr Lee Jones CIR0003- Dr Lee Jones CIR0005- Scottish Centre for Himalayan Research CIR0006- Human Rights Watch CIR0007- Dr Tim Summers CIR0008- British Standards Institution CIR0009- Center for China and Globalization CIR0010- Mr Andrew Moody CIR0011- Professor Rosemary Foot CIR0012- Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) CIR0013- The International Coalition to End Organ Pillaging in China (EOP) CIR0014- Dr Jie Yu CIR0015- Dr Horace Yeung CIR0016- Free Tibet CIR0017- Professor David M. Ong CIR0018- Foreign and Commonwealth Office CIR0019- Overseas Development Institute CIR0020- Henry Jackson Society CIR0021- Hong Kong Watch
5. Visit to China The Committee considered this matter.
6. Future business The Committee considered this matter
6. US visit The Committee considered this matter
7. Syria and the Responsibility to Protect The Committee considered this matter.
8. Visit to St Andrews The Committee considered this matter.
14. Letter from the APPG for International Freedom of Religion and Belief The Committee considered this matter.
15. Russian corruption and the UK
Mark Galeotti, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of International Relations and author, Emile Simpson, Research Fellow, Harvard University, gave evidence.
Garry Kasparov, Author and political activist gave evidence via video/audio link.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 1 May at 2.15 pm]
Monday 23 – Thursday 26 April The Chair, Ian Austin, Chris Bryant, Mike Gapes, Stephen Gethins, Ian Murray, Priti Patel, Bob Seely and Royston Smith visited Washington and New York in connection with the inquiry into Global Britain, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 5 December 2017
Tuesday 1 May 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Priti Patel Mike Gapes Royston Smith Stephen Gethins Ian Murray
1. Committee visit to the United States The Committee considered this matter.
2. Government response to the Committee’s Fourth Report
The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Special Report (2017 elections to the International Court of Justice: Government response to the Committee's Fourth Report of session 2017-19), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Fourth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Seventh Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
3. FCO Preparedness for the World Cup The Committee considered this matter. Resolved, That the Committee inquire into FCO preparedness for the World Cup.
4. Western Balkans The Committee considered this matter. Resolved, That the Committee inquire into the Western Balkans.
5. Russian corruption and the UK The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet: RSC0006- GML RSC0007- Price Waterhouse Coopers RSC0008- Emile Simpson RSC0009- Oliver Bullough
6. China Charles Parton, Specialist Adviser, made a further declaration of interests (see Appendix).
7. FCO Estimates memorandum The Committee considered this matter. Ordered, That the FCO Estimates memorandum be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
8. Visit to St Andrews The Committee considered this matter.
9. Russia Co-ordination Group The Committee considered this matter.
5. Responsibility to Protect and humanitarian intervention Inquiry
Dr Kate Ferguson, Director of Research and Policy, Protection Approaches, Dr Leslie Vinjamuri, Director, Centre on Conflict, Rights and Justice and Associate Professor of Internatioanl Relations at SOAS, and Professor Marc Weller, Professor of International Law and international constitutional studies, University of Cambridge, gave evidence.
The Committee considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 8 May at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 8 May 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith
1. Corporate update from the FCO Ordered, That the Corporate update from the FCO be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
2. Invitation to Club of Three Plenary The Committee considered this matter.
3. Committee visit to St Andrews The Committee considered this matter.
4. Russian corruption and the UK The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet: RSC0013- Deloitte LLP RSC0011- Garry Kasparov RSC0012- Dr Andrew Foxall RSC0014- Embassy of the Russian Federation RSC0010- Foreign and Commonwealth Office
5. FCO Preparedness for the World Cup Inquiry
In the absence of the Chair, Mike Gapes was called to the chair.
Kevin Miles, Chief Executive, the Football Supporters Federation, Deputy Chief Constable Mark Roberts, National Lead for Football Policing and Robert Sullivan, Strategy and Communications Director, the Football Association, gave evidence.
Tom Tugendhat resumed the chair.
Kevin Miles, Chief Executive, the Football Supporters Federation, Deputy Chief Constable Mark Roberts, National Lead for Football Policing and Robert Sullivan, Strategy and Communications Director, the Football Association, gave further oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 9 May at 2.15 pm] Wednesday 9 May 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Priti Patel Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith Ian Murray
1. Russian corruption and the UK The Committee considered this matter.
2. FCO Preparedness for the World Cup Inquiry Harriett Baldwin MP, Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Julia Longbottom, Director for Consular Affairs, and Martin Harris, Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 15 May at 2.15 pm]
Thursday 10 May – Friday 11 May
The Chair, Mr Stephen Gethins, Mr Ian Murray and Ms Priti Patel visited St Andrews in connection with the Committee’s inquiry into Global Britain, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 6 March 2018.
Tuesday 15 May 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Priti Patel Mike Gapes Andrew Rosindell Stephen Gethins Mr Bob Seely Ian Murray Royston Smith
1. Government responses to Reports
The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Special Report (Article 50 negotiations: Implications of "No Deal": Government response to the Committee's Ninth Report of Session 2016–17), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Ninth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Eighth Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
Draft Special Report (Hurricanes in its Overseas Territories: Government response to the Committee's Fifth Report of Session 2017–19), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Fifth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Ninth Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
2. Visit to St Andrews The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee will visit Southampton for the next FAC Roadshow event.
3. Liaison Committee: bids for debates Ordered, That the Chair, on behalf of the Committee, bid for debates on Russian corruption and the UK; and the international rules-based order.
4. Global Britain: US-UK relationship Professor Walter Russell Mead, Distinguished Fellow in American Strategy and Statesmanship, Hudson Institute, and Dr Kori Schake, Deputy Director-General, International Institute for Strategic Studies, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
5. Russian corruption and the UK
The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (Moscow’s Gold: Russian corruption in the UK), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Eighth Report of the Committee, HC 932.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 22 May at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 22 May 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Priti Patel Ann Clwyd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith
1. Letter from Sir Alan Duncan on the post-legislative scrutiny of the Antarctic Act 2013
Ordered, That the letter from the Minister of State for Europe and the Americas be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
2. Letter from Sir Alan Duncan on the action the Government is taking on the ratification of EU Third Country Agreements
Ordered, That the letter from the Minister of State for Europe and the Americas be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Letter to the Foreign Secretary regarding the JCPOA Resolved, That the Committee noted the Chair had written to the Foreign Secretary regarding the JCPOA.
4. Letter to the FCO regarding National Archive files Ordered, That the Chair write to the FCO concerning the reported loss of files on loan from the National Archives.
5. Future Programme of Work Resolved, that the Committee would undertake a short inquiry into specialist skills capacity and resources within the FCO.
Ordered, that the Chair will write to selected interested parties concerning Nord Stream 2
5. The Western Balkans Summit Inquiry
Sir Robert Cooper a former UK and EU diplomat, Professor James Ker-Lindsay, Professor of Politics and Policy at St Mary’s University and Senior Visiting Fellow at the LSE, Dr Cvete Koneska, Senior Analyst for Central and South Eastern Europe at Control Risks, and Ms Tena Prelec, a PhD student at the University of Sussex, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 5 June at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 5 June 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Andrew Rosindell Chris Bryant Mr Bob Seely Mike Gapes Royston Smith Stephen Gethins
1. FCO’s preparations for the World Cup
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
WCR0001 – Mr Richard Heller WCR0002 – Mr Simon Parkin WCR0003 – Dr Andrew Foxall and Dr Richard Arnold WCR0004 – The FA Group WCR0005 – Stonewall WCR0006 – Pride in Football WCR0007 – FCO WCR0008 – FCO letter
2. FCO’s preparations for the World Cup Report
The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (The FCO’s preparations for the 2018 World Cup), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Ninth Report of the Committee, HC 1011. 3. Briefing on the FCO’s 2018-19 Main Estimates and draft letter to the FCO in response
Ordered, That a letter to the FCO regarding the FCO’s 2018-19 Main Estimates be sent with a view to publishing the correspondence.
4. Cancellation of Foreign Affairs Committee meeting on 12 June
Resolved, That the meeting scheduled for 12 June 2018 be cancelled.
5. Postponement of evidence session with Minister of State for Europe and the Americas Resolved, That the evidence session with the Minister of State for Europe and the Americas scheduled for Tuesday 5 June be postponed to Wednesday 13 June 2018.
6. Western Balkans visit Resolved, That the visit to the Western Balkans scheduled for 25-28 June 2018 be cancelled. 7. Election of Deputy Secretary General of the ITU Ordered, That Committee staff liaise with DCMS officials working on this matter. 8. Foreign Affairs Committee – Seventh Report, Turks and Caicos Islands (Session 2009-10) Resolved, That the Committee considered correspondence relating to this report. 9. The Western Balkans Summit Inquiry
Dr Peter Sankey, Deputy Director for Country Economics and Policy, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 13 June at 2.15 pm]
Wednesday 13 June 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Andrew Rosindell Chris Bryant Mr Bob Seely Ann Clywd Royston Smith Mike Gapes
1. FCO response to the Global Britain report
Draft Special Report (Global Britain: Government response to the Committee's Sixth Report of Session 2017–19), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Sixth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Tenth Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
2. Western Balkans Inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
WBS0001 – Mr Shaun Leavey WBS0002 - Dr Andi Hoxhaj, University of Warwick WBS0003 - Miss Jenny Blake WBS0004 - Kurt Bassuener, Democratization Policy Council WBS0005 - Thomas Keighley, Tom Keighley Associates WBS0006 - Jessie Hronesova, University of Oxford and Aktis Strategy WBS0007 - Dr Dimitar Bechev WBS0008 - Professor Othon Anastasakis, Dr Cvete Koneska and Mr Kyril Drezov WBS0009 - Foreign & Commonwealth Office WBS0010 - Professor Kenneth Morrison WBS0011 - Dr Michael Taylor WBS0012 - Dr Spyros Economides WBS0013 - Mr Timothy Less WBS0014 - Dr Enkeleida Tahiraj WBS0015 - The European Bank for Reconstruction & Development WBS0016 - Dr Denisa Kostovicova WBS0017 - Protection Approaches WBS0018 - Stonewall
3. Correspondence between the Chair and the Foreign Secretary on JCPOA Ordered, That the correspondence between the Chair and the Foreign Secretary be reported to the House for publication on the internet. 4. Global Britain: FCO Skills inquiry 2018
The Committee considered this matter. Resolved, That the Committee inquire into FCO skills.
5. Liaison Committee Report, Witness Gender Diversity The Committee considered this matter.
6. China and the international rules-based system Inquiry Resolved, That the Committee visit China in connection with its inquiry into China and the international rules-based system, and that the Chair seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
7. The Western Balkans Summit Inquiry
Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan KCMG, FCO Minister of State for Europe and the Americas; Andrew Page, Western Balkans Summit Coordinator at the FCO; Fiona McIlwham, UK Director, Western Balkans at the FCO gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 19 June at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 19 June 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Priti Patel Ann Clywd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith
1. Correspondence between the Chair and Sir Simon McDonald on files loaned from the National Archives
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Chair and the Permanent Under Secretary be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
2. Western Balkans Inquiry
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Correspondence from Lord Barker Resolved, That the Committee invites Lord Barker, Chairman of EN+ Group Plc, to give oral evidence. 4. FCO’s Human Rights Work inquiry
Ben Emmerson QC, former Special Rapporteur on Counterterrorism, Professor Rosa Freedman, University of Reading, and Professor Javaid Rehman, Brunel University London gave evidence. Sir Roger Gale MP, Angela Smith MP, and Murray Hunt, Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 26 June at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 26 June 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Priti Patel Ann Clywd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith
1. Supplementary written evidence to the China and the International rules-based system inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
CIR0022 – Dr Yuka Kobayashi CIR0023 – George Magnus CIR0024 – Jan Knoerich
2. Supplementary written evidence to the Western Balkans inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
WBS0020 – James Thornley WBS0021 – European Parliament’s Committee of Foreign Affairs 3. Correspondence between the Chair and the Foreign Secretary on the treatment of BBC Persia staff Ordered, That the correspondence between the Chair and the Foreign Secretary be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
4. China and international rules-based system inquiry
The Committee considered this matter.
5. Invitation to Lord Barker to give oral evidence
The Committee considered this matter.
6. Correspondence between the Chair and the Foreign Secretary on the FCO’s Main Estimate
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Chair and the Foreign Secretary be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
7. Visit to Southampton
The Committee considered this matter.
8. Responsibility to Protect and Humanitarian Intervention inquiry oral evidence session
Dr Farouq al Habib, Director at the Mayday Rescue Foundation, Haid Haid, Research Fellow at King’s College London, and Laila Alodaat, Middle East and North Africa Director at the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 3 July at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 3 July 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Ann Clywd Mr Bob Seely Mike Gapes Royston Smith Stephen Gethins
1. Written evidence for the Human Rights Inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
HMR0001 - Reprieve HMR0002 - UNAUK HMR0007 - Action on Armed Violence HMR0008 - Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) HMR0009 - Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines HMR0010 - Campaign Against Arms Trade HMR0011 - Burma Campaign UK HMR0012 - Adalah - The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel HMR0013 - Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales (department of international affairs) HMR0015 - Baha'i community of the UK HMR0016 - All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief HMR0017 - The Rights Practice HMR0018 - Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights HMR0019 - CAFOD HMR0020 - Reprieve HMR0021 - National Union of Journalists HMR0022 - War Child UK HMR0023 - BBC World Service HMR0024 - Human Rights Watch HMR0025 - REDRESS HMR0026 - Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales HMR0027 - Sir Malcolm D Evans HMR0028 - Foreign and Commonwealth Office HMR0029 - Ben Emmerson QC HMR0030 - Hamdi Akın İpek HMR0031 - Amnesty International HMR0032 - Marc Limon HMR0033 - Javaid Rehman
2. Written evidence for the Responsibility to Protect and humanitarian intervention inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet: RTP0002 - Protection Approaches RTP0003 - Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect RTP0004 - Brigadier (Retired) Anthony Paphiti RTP0005 - Dr Eglantine Staunton and Dr Outi Donovan RTP0006 - Professor Jason Ralph RTP0007 - Gerrit Kurtz RTP0008 - Dr Adrian Gallagher RTP0009 - Dr Aidan Hehir RTP0010 - UNA-UK RTP0011 - Chloe Gilgan RTP0012 - Syria Solidarity UK RTP0013 - Jo Cox Foundation RTP0014 - Peace Direct RTP0015 - Professor Guglielmo Verdirame RTP0016 - The Foreign and Commonwealth Office
3. Global Britain and the Western Balkans report The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (Global Britain and the Western Balkans), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Tenth Report of the Committee, HC 1013.
4 Alistair Burt’s Ministerial Responsibilities – oral evidence session
The Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP, Minister of State for the Middle East and Dr Martin Longden, Head of Near East Department UK Special Representative for Syria at the FCO gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 11 July at 2.15 pm]
Wednesday 11 July 2018
Members present:
Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely
Priti Patel
The Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development and International Trade Committees met concurrently, pursuant to Standing Order No. 137A.
Graham Jones was called to the chair, in accordance with Standing Order No. 137A(1)(d).
1. UK arms exports during 2016
Draft Report (UK arms exports during 2016), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be considered concurrently, in accordance with Standing Order No. 137A (1)(c).
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 229 read and agreed to.
Annex agreed to.
Summary agreed to.
Resolved, That the draft Report prepared by the Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development and International Trade Committees be the Eleventh Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 137A(2) be applied to the Report.
Ordered, That Graham Jones make the Joint Report to the House.
Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No.134.
[Adjourned till 2.15 pm.
Wednesday 11 July 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Ian Murray Ann Clywd Mr Bob Seely Mike Gapes
1. Written evidence for the Human Rights inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
HMR0034 – Dr Rhona Smith
2. Written evidence for the FCO Skills Inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
SKI0001- European Institute of Public Administration SKI0002- Professor Thomas Otte SKI0003- Dr Heidrun ("Heidi") Maurer SKI0004- Foreign and Commonwealth Office SKI0005- Andrew Ehrhardt SKI0006- Bar Human Rights Committee SKI0007- Ron Ton 3. Response to the Global Britain and the 2018 Commonwealth Summit report Draft Special Report (Global Britain: Government response to the Committee's Seventh Report of Session 2017–19), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Seventh Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Eleventh Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
4. Letter to the Prime Minister on Nord Stream II
The Committee considered this matter.
5. Letter to the Foreign Secretary
The Committee considered this matter.
6. R2P and humanitarian intervention and Human Rights Inquiries – Oral evidence session
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the United Nations at the FCO, Richard Jones, Deputy Director of Human Rights and Democracy at the FCO, Corinne Kitsell, Deputy Director of UN & Multilateral / UN Coordinator at the FCO, and Paul McKell, Legal Director at the FCO gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 17 July at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 17 July 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Priti Patel Ann Clywd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Royston Smith Stephen Gethins
1. Written evidence for the Global Britain inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
GLO0005 - Nicholas Beale GLO0006 - William James GLO0007 - Sarina Theys GLO0008 - Young Fabians GLO0009 - Chatham House/ Global Europe Centre GLO0010 - Jim Coke GLO0011 - CND GLO0012 - Charities Aid Foundation GLO0013 - Bright Blue GLO0014 - British Council GLO0015 - TheCityUK GLO0016 - Jamie Gaskarth GLO0017 - APPG for International Freedom of Religion or Belief GLO0018 - James Rogers GLO0019 - Corporate Responsibility Corporation GLO0020 - Traidcraft GLO0021 - UNA-UK GLO0022 - Save the Children UK GLO0023 - Hansard Society GLO0024 - Reprieve GLO0025 - Amnesty International UK GLO0026 - Professor Juliet Kaarbo (and others)
2. Written evidence for the Responsibility to Protect and Humanitarian Intervention Inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
RTP0017 – Patrick Butchard RTP0018 – UNA-UK
3. Response to the Committee’s Letters on Nord Stream 2 The Committee considered this matter. 4. Committee working methods
The Committee considered this matter. Ordered, That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, written evidence or correspondence received between scheduled committee meetings, where the material is directly related to a current inquiry or is otherwise judged to be of an urgent nature, shall be reported to the House for publication.
5. FCO Corporate update Ordered, That the Corporate update from the FCO be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
6. Global Britain and India
The Committee considered this matter. Resolved, That the Committee inquire into Global Britain and India.
7. The Future of the UK Overseas Territories
The Committee considered this matter. Resolved, That the Committee inquire into the Future of the UK Overseas Territories.
8. FCO Skills Inquiry – Oral evidence session
Dr Peter Ammon, former Ambassador of Germany to the UK, the Hon. Alexander Downer, former Foreign Minister of Australia and former High Commissioner of Australia to the UK, Dr Kori Schake, Deputy Director-General of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) gave evidence.
Patrick Horgan, Regional Director, North-East Asia, Rolls Royce plc, Dr Catherine Fieschi, Director, Counterpoint gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 5 September at 2.15 pm]
Wednesday 5th September 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith
1. Consideration of the Government response to the report on Moscow’s Gold: Russian corruption in the UK
Draft Special Report (Moscow’s Gold: Russian corruption in the UK: Government response to the Committee's Eighth Report of Session 2017–19), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Eighth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Twelfth Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
2. Consideration of the Government response to the Committee’s report on The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Preparations for the World Cup
Draft Special Report (The FCO’s preparations for the 2018 World Cup: Government response to the Committee's Ninth Report of Session 2017–19), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Ninth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Thirteenth Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
3. Correspondence from the Prime Minister regarding Nord Stream 2
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committees and the Prime Minister be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
4. Written evidence for the FCO Skills inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
SKI0009 – Dr Adam Steinhouse and Dr Adrian Rossiter SKI0010 – Prospect SKI0011 – Dr Peter Ammon SKI0015 – Embassy of Ireland, London SKI0016 – Embassy of Japan in the United Kingdom SKI0017 – Foreign and Commonwealth Office SKI0018 – Embassy of Mexico, United Kingdom SKI0019 – High Commissioner of Canada SKI0020 – Embassy of Switzerland in the United Kingdom
5. Consideration of two letters from the PUS regarding the refurbishment of the Embassy compound in Washington Ordered, That the correspondence between the Chair and the PUS be reported to the House for publication on the internet. 6. Consideration of the update on the recovery of the hurricane affected British Overseas Territories from the FCO. Ordered, That the update be reported to the House for publication on the internet. 7. Papers reported to the House and published using the delegated authority to the Chair
• Government Response to the Committee’s eighth report on Moscow’s Gold: Russian corruption in the UK (published as correspondence) • FCO paper: analysis of UK- Ireland relationship • Letters from the FCO and Embassies regarding Nord Stream 2 • Supplementary evidence from Lord Ahmad, re. July 11 evidence session • Reply from the Foreign Secretary regarding R2P and the protection of civilians in Syria
The Committee considered this matter.
8. Invitation to the Inter-Parliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CFSP/CSDP) Vienna Ordered, That Stephen Gethins attend the Inter-Parliamentary Conference for the CFSP/CSDP in Vienna in a representative capacity, and that the Chair seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
9. Declaration of interests
The Chair updated his declaration of interests to reflect his wife’s appointment as a legal adviser at the French Embassy (see Appendix).
10. Declaration of staff interests
The Committee considered this matter.
11. China visit
The Committee considered this matter.
12. Invitation to Lord Barker to give evidence
The Committee considered this matter.
13. FCO Skills Inquiry – Oral evidence session
Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan MP, Minister of State for Europe and the Americas, Jon Benjamin, Director of the Diplomatic Academy, FCO, and Victoria Smith, Head of Talent and Capability, FCO, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
14. Report Consideration - Global Britain: Responsibility to Protect and Humanitarian Intervention
The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (Global Britain: Responsibility to Protect and Humanitarian Intervention), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Twelfth Report of the Committee, HC 1005.
15. Report Consideration - Global Britain: Human Rights and the Rule of Law
The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (Global Britain: Human Rights and the Rule of Law), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Thirteenth Report of the Committee, HC 874.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 11 September at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 11 September 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Priti Patel Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith
1. Consideration of the Government response to the Committee’s report on Global Britain and the Western Balkans
Draft Special Report (Global Britain and the Western Balkans: Government response to the Committee's Tenth Report of Session 2017–19), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Tenth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Fourteenth Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
2. Written evidence for the FCO Skills inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
SKI0014 – Sarah Lain 3. Correspondence from Commissioner Cressida Dick The Committee considered this matter. 4. The future of the Overseas Territories inquiry plan The Committee considered this matter. 5. Global Britain and India inquiry plan The Committee considered this matter.
6. Invitation to a possible five-day political visit to Germany
The Committee considered this matter.
7. FAC’s planned visit to China
The Committee considered this matter.
8. Human Rights report correction
Ordered, That the online version of the Thirteenth Report of Session 2017-19 of the Committee (Global Britain: Human Rights and the rule of law) be amended at paragraphs 5 and 7 to correct a minor factual error.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 9 October at 4.30 pm]
Sunday 16 – Friday 21 September The Chair, Chris Bryant, Mike Gapes, Ian Murray, Bob Seely and Royston Smith visited Beijing and Hong Kong in connection with the inquiry into China and the international-rules based system, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 20 March 2018.
Tuesday 9 October 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Priti Patel Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith
1. China and the international rules-based order inquiry
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Ditchley Conference
Resolved, That the conference at Ditchley Park be postponed until a later date.
3. Global Britain and South America terms of reference The Committee considered this matter. Resolved, That the Committee inquire into Global Britain and South America. 4. Written evidence for the FCO Skills inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet: SKI0012: The Hon. Alexander Downer SKI0021: Norwegian Foreign Ministry 5. Written evidence for the Global Britain and India inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
GBI0002 - UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) GBI0003 - National Association of Software & Services Companies (NASSCOM) GBI0004 - TheCityUK GBI0005 - Association of British Insurers GBI0007 - Dr Ruth Kattumuri GBI0009 - Lord Karan Bilimoria GBI0010 - Mr Aditya Mehan GBI0011 - Royal Commonwealth Society GBI0012 - Dr David Scott GBI0013 - Mrs Antonia Filmer GBI0014 - Observer Research Foundation GBI0015 - FCO GBI0016 - Indo-British APPG GBI0017 - Chatham House GBI0018 - UK India Business Council GBI0020 - Nicholas Booker GBI0021 - Henry Jackson Society GBI0022 - City of London Corporation GBI0023 - EPG Strategic Communications Ltd GBI0025 - The British Library GIB0026 - Frank O’Donnell
6. Consideration of correspondence received from Harriet Baldwin MP clarifying details from the Government response to the Committee’s Report on The FCO’s Preparations for the World Cup
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Chair and Harriet Baldwin MP be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
7. Consideration of correspondence regarding the level of policing at the Embassy of Bahrain
The Committee considered this matter.
8. Invitation to the Chair to participate in World War 1 commemorations in India
Ordered, That the Chair attend World War 1 commemorative events in India in a representative capacity, to be facilitated by the Ministry of Defence.
9. Global Britain and India – Oral evidence session
Sir James Bevan, former High Commissioner to India, and Rahul Roy-Chaudhury, Senior Fellow for South Asia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 16 October at 2.15 pm]
Thursday 11 and Friday 12 October Stephen Gethins attended the Inter-Parliamentary Conference for the CFSP/CSDP in Vienna in a representative capacity in accordance with the Committee’s decision of Wednesday 5 September.
Tuesday 16 October 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith
1. Written evidence for The Future of the UK’s Overseas Territories inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
OTS0020 – Dr Peter Clegg OTS0052 – Ms Susie Alegre OTS0103 – Foreign and Commonwealth Office OTS0109 – Cayman Islands Government OTS0110 – George Fergusson
2. Consideration of correspondence from Sir Alan Duncan MP regarding Global Britain: FCO Skills inquiry
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Chair and Sir Alan Duncan MP be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Consideration of correspondence from the Foreign Secretary relating to human rights in Egypt
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Chair and Foreign Secretary be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
4. The future of UK Sanctions Policy terms of reference
The Committee considered this matter. Resolved, That the Committee inquire into the future of UK Sanctions Policy.
5. Correspondence with Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP
The Committee considered this matter.
6. Declaration of Interests
Andrew Rosindell declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into the future of the Overseas Territories as a participant of the following groups:
Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Caribbean Chairman of the British-Pacific Islands All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the British-Montserrat All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Pitcairn Islands All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the British-Switzerland All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Central America All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Liechtenstein All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Isle of Man All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Channel Islands All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Commonwealth All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Canada All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Conservative Friends of Gibraltar Chairman of the Chagos Islands (British Indian Ocean Territory) All-Party Parliamentary Group Parliamentary Advisor of the Friends of the British Overseas Territories Vice Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Cayman Islands Vice Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Denmark Vice Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Bermuda Co-Chairman of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly Governor of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy Chairman of the UK-Norfolk Island Friendship Group Secretary of St Helena All-Party Parliamentary Group Secretary of Falkland Islands All-Party Parliamentary Group
He also declared an interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into the future of the Overseas Territories as a participant in two trips in 2018 to the Cayman Islands and Gibraltar funded by the governments of the Cayman Islands and Gibraltar respectively.
Mike Gapes declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into the future of the Overseas Territories as Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Anguilla. He also declared an interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into the future of the Overseas Territories as a participant in a trip to Gibraltar in 2018 funded by the government of Gibraltar.
Ian Murray declared an interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into the future of the Overseas Territories as a participant on a visit to the Falkland Islands in 2013 funded by the government of the Falkland Islands.
Stephen Gethins amended his declaration of interests of 12 September 2017 to reflect his appointment as a Trustee to the John Smith Trust.
7. The Future of the UK Overseas Territories– Oral evidence session
George Fergusson, former Governor of Bermuda and (non-resident) Governor of Pitcairn, and Susie Alegre, Director of Island Rights Initiative, gave evidence.
Dr Peter Clegg, Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations at the University of the West of England, and Eric Bush, Director of Cayman Islands Government Office and Chair of UK Overseas Territories Association, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 23 October at 2.15 pm]
Thursday 18 October
The Chair, Mr Chris Bryant, Mr Mike Gapes, Ms Priti Patel, Mr Bob Seely and Mr Royston Smith visited Southampton in connection with the Committee’s inquiry into Global Britain, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 15 May 2018.
Tuesday 23 October 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith
1. Letter from the Foreign Secretary regarding the Kosovo-Serbia land swap
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Chair and Foreign Secretary be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
2. Consideration of the Southampton visit The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee will visit Wales for the next FAC Roadshow event.
3. Possible extradition case
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Declaration of Interests
Ian Austin declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into China and the international rules-based system as a member of the All-Party Parliamentary China Group.
Ian Austin declared an interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into China and the international rules-based system as a participant on a visit to China in 2013 with and funded through the All-Party Parliamentary China Group, sponsored by HSBC, Arup, GKN, Cambridge Assessment, John Swire & Sons and City of London.
Ian Murray declared an interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into China and the international rules-based system as a participant on a visit to Taiwan in 2017 with the British- Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group, funded by the Taiwanese Government.
5. China and the international rules-based system – Oral evidence session
Nigel Inkster, Senior Adviser at IISS, Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor of The Economist, and Helena Legarda, Research Associate of Mercator Institute for China Studies, gave evidence. The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 31 October at 2.15 pm] Wednesday 31 October 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Priti Patel Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Ian Murray Royston Smith
1. FCO corporate update, July to September 2018 Ordered, That the quarterly corporate update from the FCO be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
2. Letter from the Foreign Secretary regarding the case of Asia Bibi
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Chair and Foreign Secretary be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Letter from the Foreign Secretary regarding Global Britain and the international rules-based order
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Chair and Foreign Secretary be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
4. Correspondence from the Minister of State for Security and Economic Crime and others relating to meetings with Members of either House of Parliament
Ordered, That the correspondence be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
The following correspondence has been exchanged:
• Letter from the Chair to the Minister of State, dated 17 September 2018 • Letter from the Minister of State in response to the Chair, dated 11 October 2018 • Letter from Lord Fairfax relating to Minister’s response to the Chair, dated 24 October 2018 • Letter from Lord Barker relating to the Minister’s response to the Chair, dated 26 October 2018 • Letter from Lord Barker, regarding the Chairmanship of EN+ Group Plc, dated 12 June 2018 • Letter from Lord Barker, to Minister of State in response to letter to the Chair, dated 24 October 2018
5. Oral evidence from the Foreign Secretary
Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under Secretary, and Richard Moore, Director-General, Political, at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 6 November at 2.15 pm]
Tuesday 6 November 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Priti Patel Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins
1. Written evidence for The Future of the UK’s Overseas Territories inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
OTS0002 - John Knox OTS0005 - Mr John Turner OTS0006- Russell David OTS0008 - Mr Michael Jarvis OTS0009- Alquimi Renewables, LLC and Thermal Energy Partners LLC OTS0011 - Campaign for British Citizenship OTS0012 - Montserrat Association for Persons with Disabilities OTS0013 - Equality & Human Rights Commission, St Helena OTS0015- Professor Nicola Barker OTS0016- Transparency International UK and Global Witness OTS0017 - "The Rt Hon" Dr Lowell Lewis OTS0018 - Dominic Thomas-James OTS0021 - Terence Silcott OTS0022 - Colours Cayman OTS0024 - Hon Joseph Easton Farrell OTS0025 - St Helena Tourism Association OTS0026 - Government of Tristan da Cunha OTS0027 - Mr Jamal Smith OTS0028 - St Helena Chamber of Commerce OTS0029 - Anne Casssell OTS0031- Colours Cayman OTS0034 - Mr Christopher Marshall OTS0035 - Mr Peter Moll OTS0036 - Benjamin Roberts OTS0037 - Turks and Caicos Forum OTS0038 - Rodney Smith OTS0040 - The Honourable Everard Trenton Richards OTS0041 - Turks and Caicos Islands Human Rights Commission OTS0042 - Vernon Jeffers OTS0047 - Virgin Islands Public Meetings OTS0048 - Anguilla Finance OTS0049- Elected Members of the St Helena Legislative Council OTS0050 - South Georgia Heritage Trust OTS0053 - The West India Committee OTS0054 - Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church OTS0055 - Jean Kelsick OTS0056- Ms Shelley Harris OTS0058 - Mr Tari Trott OTS0059- Avaline Potter OTS0060- Mr Lee Ingham OTS0061- St Helena Government OTS0062 - Ms Kavita Frary OTS0064 - Capt. Colin Fergus OTS0065 - Youth Alliance OTS0066 - Tabitha Sprague OTS0067- UKOTCF OTS0069 - Dr Alasdair Pinkerton & Dr Matthew C. Benwell OTS0070- RSPB OTS0071 - Sylvia Gabriel OTS0072 - Oxfam GB OTS0073 - UK Chagos Support Association OTS0074 - Cayman Finance OTS0075 - Denzil West OTS0078 - Caribbean Conservation Network OTS0079 - British Virgin Islands Government OTS0080 - Mr Jerzy Kolodziej OTS0081 - Mr Peter Sanderson OTS0082 - Office of the Premier of Montserrat OTS0083 - Dr James Reeve OTS0084 - Mr Lawrence Sticca OTS0085 - Mrs Dancia Penn OTS0086 - Mrs Medita Wheatley OTS0089 - Friends of the British Overseas Territories (FOTBOT) OTS0090 - Ms Dorothea Hodge OTS0091 - Mrs Tecla Henry-Benjamin OTS0092 - Ms Shirley Osborne OTS0093 - The Office of the Montserrat Legislative Assembly OTS0094 - International Financial Centres Forum OTS0095 - Benito Wheatley OTS0096 - Kattina Anglin OTS0097 - David Brandt OTS0100 - Mr Kedrick Malone OTS0101 - Mr Timothy Adam OTS0104 - Anguilla Christian Council (ACC) OTS0106 - Falkland Islands Government OTS0107- HM Government of Gibraltar OTS0108 - Harv Edge OTS0111- Donaldson Romeo
2. Letter from the Foreign Secretary relating to plans to reform the UN Resident Coordinator system
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Chair and Foreign Secretary be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Letter from the Foreign Secretary relating to the FCO’s processes for filling senior vacancies
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Chair and Foreign Secretary be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
4. FAC Roadshow event in Wales
The Committee considered this matter.
5. The Future of the UK Overseas Territories– Oral evidence session
Elise Donovan, British Virgin Islands Government representative in the UK and Janice Panton, Montserrat Government representative in the UK, gave evidence.
Jonathan Hall, Head, RSPB’s UK Overseas Territories Unit and Dr Mike Pienkowski, Executive Director, UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 13 November at 2.15 pm]
Friday 9 - Monday 12 November
The Chair visited India to attend World War 1 commemorative events in a representative capacity in accordance with the Committee’s decision of Tuesday 9 October.
Tuesday 13 November 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Priti Patel Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith Ian Murray
1. Consideration of the Government response to the Committee’s report on Global Britain: The Responsibility to Protect and Humanitarian Intervention Draft Special Report (Global Britain: The Responsibility to Protect and Humanitarian Intervention Government response to the Committee's Twelfth Report of Session 2017–19), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Twelfth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Fifteenth Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
2. Written evidence submitted into the future of the UK Overseas Territories inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
OTS112 – UK Overseas Territories Association OTS113 – Professor Robert Marsh, Professor Emma Tompkins, Dr Yue Zhang, University of Southampton
3. Written evidence submitted into China and the international rules-based system inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
CIR0025 – Hong Kong Civil Hub
4. Written evidence submitted into the Global Britain and India inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
GBI0027 – VisitBritain GBI0028 – Aaditya Dave GBI0029 – Bridge India GBI0030 – BuffaloGrid GBI0031 – Confederation of Indian Industry GBI0032 – WIPRO
5. Correspondence from the Foreign Secretary relating to his plans for the future of the FCO, following his Policy Exchange Speech
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Chair and Foreign Secretary be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
6. Correspondence from the Foreign Secretary regarding follow up to Moscow’s Gold: Russian Corruption in the UK
The Committee considered this matter.
7. Consideration of correspondence regarding the level of policing at the Embassy of Bahrain
The Committee considered this matter.
8. Global Britain and South America inquiry
Resolved, That the Committee recruit a Specialist Adviser to assist on the Global Britain and South America inquiry.
9. Oral evidence session with the Permanent Under-Secretary of State
Resolved, That the Committee take part of the evidence to be given by Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Andrew Sanderson, Finance Director and Peter Jones, Chief Operating Officer at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at this day’s sitting in private.
10. FCO budget and capacity and Annual Report 2017-18
Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Andrew Sanderson, Finance Director and Peter Jones, Chief Operating Officer, at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, gave evidence.
The public withdrew, in accordance with the Committee’s Resolution of this day’s sitting.
Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Andrew Sanderson, Finance Director and Peter Jones, Chief Operating Officer, at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office gave oral evidence.
Ordered, That the public be now re-admitted.
The public withdrew again, in accordance with the Committee’s Resolution of this day’s sitting.
Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Andrew Sanderson, Finance Director and Peter Jones, Chief Operating Officer, at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Thursday 15 November at 2.15 pm]
Thursday 15 November 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Mr Bob Seely Mike Gapes Royston Smith Ian Murray
1. Written evidence submitted into China and the international rules-based system inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
CIR0026 – Bill Hayton
2. Oral evidence
The Hon. Kevin Rudd, 26th Prime Minister of Australia, and President of the Asia Society Policy Institute gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 20 November at 10am]
Tuesday 20 November 2018
MORNING SITTING
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Stephen Gethins Mr Bob Seely Priti Patel
1. Global Britain and India - Oral evidence session
Dr Reuben Abraham, CEO and Senior Fellow of the IDFC Institute gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 20 November at 2.15pm]
Tuesday 20 November 2018
AFTERNOON SITTING
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Priti Patel Chris Bryant Mr Bob Seely Ian Murray Royston Smith
1. Consideration of the Government response to the Committee’s report on Global Britain: Human rights and the rule of law Draft Special Report (Global Britain: Human Rights and the rule of law Government response to the Committee's Thirteenth Report of Session 2017–19), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Thirteenth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Sixteenth Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
2. Consideration of the supplementary Government response to the Committee’s report on Global Britain and the Western Balkans Draft Special Report (Global Britain and the Western Balkans Supplementary Government response to the Committee's Tenth Report of Session 2017–19), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Tenth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Seventeenth Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
3. Written evidence submitted into the future of the UK Overseas Territories inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
OTS114 – UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum OTS115 – British Virgin Islands government
4. Correspondence from the Foreign Secretary regarding the Elsheikh and Kotey case
The Committee considered this matter.
5. China Specialist Adviser update on declaration of interests
Charles Parton, Specialist Adviser, made a further declaration of interests (see Appendix)
6. Report Consideration - Delivering Global Britain: FCO skills
The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (Delivering Global Britain: FCO Skills), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Fourteenth Report of the Committee, HC 1254.
7. Joint correspondence from the Chair and Chair of the Home Affairs Committee to the Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary about the election of the President of Interpol
Ordered, That the correspondence from the Chair and Chair of the Home Affairs Committee to the Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
8. Global Britain and India - Oral evidence session
Shishir Bajoria, Chairman of the Bajoria Group, Lord Bilimoria CBE DL, Founder and Chairman of Cobra Beer, Dan Mobley, Global Corporate Relations Director of Diageo, and Devie Mohan, Co-founder and CEO of Burnmark gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 27 November at 2.15pm]
Tuesday 27 November 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith Andrew Rosindell
1. Written evidence submitted into the Global Britain and India inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
GBI0033 – Professor Kate Sullivan de Estrada
2. Correspondence with the Foreign Secretary and others relating to meetings with Members of either House of Parliament
Ordered, That the correspondence from the Foreign Secretary and the Chair, and Lord Barker and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
In the absence of the Chair, Stephen Gethins was called to the Chair.
3. Global Britain and South America inquiry
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Global Britain and India inquiry
The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee visit India in connection with its inquiry into Global Britain and India, and that the Chair seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
5. Invitation to a possible five-day political visit to Germany
The Committee considered this matter.
6. Chairmanship of oral evidence session
Resolved, That, at this day’s oral evidence session, Mike Gapes take the Chair of the Committee.
7. Global Britain and India - Oral evidence session
Dr Rudra Chaudhuri, Director of Carnegie India, Ranjan Mathai, former Indian Foreign Secretary and former Indian High Commissioner to the UK, and Professor Kate Sullivan de Estrada, Associate Professor in the International Relations of South Asia, University of Oxford gave oral evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 27 November at 5pm
Tuesday 27 November 2018
Members present: Ann Clwyd Ian Murray Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely
The Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development and International Trade Committees met concurrently, pursuant to Standing Order No. 137A.
Graham Jones was called to the chair, in accordance with Standing Order No. 137A(1)(d).
1. UK arms exports during 2016 Draft Joint Special Report (UK arms exports during 2016: Government Response to the Committees’ First Joint Report), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to. The Government response to the First Joint Report of Session 2017–19 was appended to the Report. Resolved, That the draft Report be the Eighteenth Special Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 137A(2) be applied to the Report. Ordered, That Graham Jones make the Joint Special Report to the House.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 5 December at 3.45pm]
Wednesday 5 December 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Ian Murray Royston Smith Priti Patel
1. Written evidence submitted into the China and the international rules-based system inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
CIR0027 – Scott Kennedy
2. Correspondence with the Permanent Under-Secretary following up on his oral evidence session
Ordered, That the correspondence from the Permanent Under-Secretary to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Correspondence with the Foreign Secretary relating to the UAE
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Correspondence with the Foreign Secretary relating to Hong Kong
Ordered, That the correspondence from the Foreign Secretary to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
5. Correspondence with the Foreign Secretary following up on his oral evidence session
Ordered, That the correspondence from the Foreign Secretary to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
6. Re-appointment of John Bew as an adviser
Ordered, That Professor John Bew be appointed Specialist Advisers to assist the Committee in relation to the Global Britain inquiry.
7. Correspondence from Sir Alan Duncan MP relating to Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018
Ordered, That the correspondence from Sir Alan Duncan MP to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
8. Declaration of Interests
Mike Gapes declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into the future of the Overseas Territories as Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Anguilla. He also declared an interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into the future of the Overseas Territories as a participant in a trip to Gibraltar in 2018 funded by the government of Gibraltar.
Ian Murray declared an interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into the future of the Overseas Territories as a participant on a visit to the Falkland Islands in 2013 funded by the government of the Falkland Islands.
9. The future of the UK’s Overseas Territories - Oral evidence session
Victor F. Banks, Chief Minister of Anguilla, Donaldson Romeo, Premier of Montserrat, Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, Premier of the Turks & Caicos and Teslyn Barkman, Member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, gave evidence
Councillor Leslie Jaques, Government of Pitcairn Islands, Councillor Derek Thomas, Member of the St Helena Legislative Assembly, Mr Ian Lavarello, Chief Islander of Tristan da Cunha, and Councillor Keturah (Kitty) George, Ascension Island Council gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 18 December at 2.45pm
Tuesday 18 December 2018
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Ann Clywd Mr Bob Seely Mike Gapes Royston Smith Stephen Gethins
1. Written evidence submitted into the Future of the UK Overseas Territories inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
OTS0116 – New Zealand High Commission, UK OTS0117 – Royal Danish Embassy, UK OTS0118 – Tom Keatinge OTS0119 – Ascension Island Council OTS0120 – Foreign and Commonwealth Office OTS0121 – Paul Mildon OTS0122 – Dr Leonardo Raznovich OTS0123 – Foreign and Commonwealth Office
2. Written evidence submitted into the Global Britain and the South America inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
SAM0001 – Peru Support Group SAM0002 – Jacques Arnold SAM0004 – Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) SAM0005 – Earlham Institute SAM0006 – The Law Society SAM0007 – ABColombia SAM0009 – London Mining Network SAM0010 – Colombian Caravana SAM0011 – City of London Corporation SAM0012 – Matheus Mendes SAM0013 – WWF SAM0014 – Canning House SAM0015 – British Council SAM0017 – Amnesty International UK SAM0018 – Foreign and Commonwealth Office SAM0019 – Embassy of Colombia, UK SAM0020 – Santander UK
3. Written evidence submitted into the Global Britain and India inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
GBI0034 – The British Asian Trust GBI0035 – India Dialogue (UEA) GBI0036 – Ranjan Mathai
4. Future programme of inquiries
The Committee considered this matter.
5. Visit to India as part of Global Britain and India inquiry
The Committee considered this matter.
6. FCO funding of the Institute of Statecraft
The Committee considered this matter.
7. Correspondence from the Foreign Secretary to the Chair and Chair of the Home Affairs Committee regarding Interpol
Ordered, That the correspondence from the Foreign Secretary to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
8. Chair visit to the US
Ordered, That, subject to confirmation of availability, the Chair represent the Committee in meetings with U.S. counterparts during his forthcoming private visit to Washington DC.
9. Declaration of Interests
Mike Gapes declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into the future of the Overseas Territories as Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Anguilla. He also declared an interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into the future of the Overseas Territories as a participant in a trip to Gibraltar in 2018 funded by the government of Gibraltar.
Ian Murray declared an interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into the future of the Overseas Territories as a participant on a visit to the Falkland Islands in 2013 funded by the government of the Falkland Islands.
Andrew Rosindell declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into the future of the Overseas Territories as a participant of the following groups:
Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Caribbean Chairman of the British-Pacific Islands All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the British-Montserrat All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Pitcairn Islands All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the British-Switzerland All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Central America All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Liechtenstein All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Isle of Man All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Channel Islands All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Commonwealth All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Canada All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Conservative Friends of Gibraltar Chairman of the Chagos Islands (British Indian Ocean Territory) All-Party Parliamentary Group Parliamentary Advisor of the Friends of the British Overseas Territories Vice Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Cayman Islands Vice Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Denmark Vice Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Bermuda Co-Chairman of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly Governor of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy Chairman of the UK-Norfolk Island Friendship Group Secretary of St Helena All-Party Parliamentary Group Secretary of Falkland Islands All-Party Parliamentary Group
He also declared an interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into the future of the Overseas Territories as a participant in two trips in 2018 to the Cayman Islands and Gibraltar funded by the governments of the Cayman Islands and Gibraltar respectively.
10. The future of the UK’s Overseas Territories - Oral evidence session
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the UN and Ben Merrick, Director, Overseas Territories, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 8 January at 2.15pm
Tuesday 8 January 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Priti Patel Ann Clywd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith Ian Murray
1. Written evidence submitted into the Future of the UK Overseas Territories inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
OTS0124 – Falkland Islands Government OTS0126 – Transparency International UK OTS0127 – British Virgin Islands Government OTS0128 – Embassy of France
2. Papers reported to the House and published using the delegation to the Chair
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Appointment of member as a PPS
Mr Bob Seely declared that he had been appointed as a PPS within DEFRA.
4. China and the international rules-based system - Oral evidence session
Professor Eva Pils, Professor of Law at King’s College London, Paul Roseby, CEO and Artistic Director of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, Professor Steve Tsang, Director, SOAS China Institute, and Professor Sebastian Veg, Professor of Intellectual History and Literature of 20th Century China at the School of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences (EHESS) in Paris, gave evidence.
The Rt Hon. the Lord (Chris) Patten of Barnes CH, former Governor of Hong Kong, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 15 January at 2.15pm
Tuesday 15 January 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ann Clywd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Ian Murray Royston Smith
1. Written evidence submitted into the Future of the UK Overseas Territories inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
OTS0125 – Poiesis Techne Ltd & Archer’s Mark International Ltd OTS0129 – St Helena Government OTS0130 – Government of Bermuda
2. Written evidence submitted into the Global Britain and South America Inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
SAM0021 - WWF
3. Written evidence submitted into the Global Britain: Future of UK sanctions policy inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
FSP0015 – Foreign and Commonwealth Office
4. Finding a Diplomatic Route: European responses to irregular migration terms of reference The Committee considered this matter. Resolved, That the Committee inquire into Finding a Diplomatic Route: European responses to irregular migration.
5. Invite to the Interparliamentary Conference on CFSP/CSDP on 7-8 March in Bucharest, Romania
The Committee considered this matter.
6. Invitation to the Chair of the International Development Committee to attend the oral evidence session with the Executive Director of the World Food Programme
Ordered, That the Chair of the International Development Committee be invited to attend the oral evidence session with the Executive Director of the World Food Programme in accordance with Standing Order No. 137A.
7. Visit to Washington DC
Ordered, That the Chair have leave to visit Washington DC in 2019 in a representative capacity, and that the Chair seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
8. Correspondence from Sir Alan Duncan MP regarding the Institute of Statecraft
Ordered, That the correspondence from Sir Alan Duncan MP to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
9. Declaration of Interests
Mike Gapes declared an interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into China and the international rules-based system as a participant two visits to Taiwan with the British- Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group, funded by the Taiwanese Government.
Ian Murray declared an interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into China and the international rules-based system as a participant on a visit to Taiwan in 2017 with the British- Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group, funded by the Taiwanese Government.
Andrew Rosindell declared an interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into China and the international rules-based system as a participant on visits to Taiwan with the British- Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group, funded by the Taiwanese Government.
Andrew Rosindell declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into China and the international rules-based system as Chair of the Hong Kong Former Servicemen Parliamentary Support Group and Vice Chair of the British Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group.
10. China and the international rules-based system - Oral evidence session
The Rt Hon Mark Field MP, Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, Kate White, Director of Asia-Pacific Department, and James Kariuki, Multilateral Policy Director at the FCO, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 23 January at 2.15pm
Wednesday 23 January 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Priti Patel Ann Clywd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith
1. Written evidence submitted into the Global Britain: Future of UK sanctions policy inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
FSP0001 - Embassy of Ukraine, United Kingdom FSP0002- Mr Neil Whiley FSP0003- Dr Matthew Moran FSP0004- Dr Erica Moret FSP0005- Jewish Leadership Council/Board of Deputies of British Jews FSP0006- Burma Campaign UK FSP0007- Professor Paul James Cardwell FSP0008- UK Finance FSP0009- GML FSP0010- BICOM FSP0011- United Nations Association – UK FSP0012- Royal United Services Institute FSP0013- The Law Society FSP0014- europeansanctions.com FSP0016 – Richard Ratcliffe, Free Nazanin Campaign
2. Written evidence submitted into the China and International rules-based system inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
CIR0029 – Professor Eva Pils
3. Written evidence submitted into the Future of the UK Overseas Territories inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
OTS0132 – Foreign and Commonwealth Office 4. Correspondence between the Chair and the Foreign Secretary on the current situation in Cameroon
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Foreign Secretary and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
5. Correspondence from the Foreign Secretary to the Chair on forced marriage repatriation charges
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Foreign Secretary and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
6. Correspondence from Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP to the Chair and Chair of the International Development Committee regarding humanitarian access in northern Syria
Ordered, That the correspondence from Alistair Burt MP to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
7. Correspondence between the Permanent Under-Secretary of State and the Chair regarding the Government response to the Global Britain: Responsibility to Protect and Humanitarian Intervention Inquiry
Ordered, That the correspondence from the PUS to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
8. The FCO and global media freedom inquiry terms of reference The Committee considered this matter. Resolved, That the Committee inquire into the FCO and global media freedom.
9. Cancellation of India visit as part of Global Britain and India Inquiry
The Committee considered this matter. Ordered, That the decision of 27 November 2018 to visit India as part of the Global Britain and India Inquiry in February be rescinded.
10. Global Britain: the Future of UK sanctions policy inquiry - Oral evidence session
Tom Keatinge, Director of the Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies at RUSI and Dr Justine Walker, Head of Sanctions Policy at UK Finance, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 29 January at 2.15pm Tuesday 29 January 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Royston Smith Mike Gapes
1. Written evidence submitted into the China and International rules-based system inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
CIR0030 – Professor Sebastian Veg
2. Correspondence from Secretary of State for exiting the EU
Ordered, That the correspondence from Stephen Barclay MP to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Declaration of Interests
Mike Gapes declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into Global Britain and South America as Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Venezuela.
Chris Bryant declared an interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into Global Britain and South America as a participant on a visit to Colombia in 2018, funded by ABColombia.
4. Global Britain and South America - Oral evidence session
John Dew, former UK Ambassador to Colombia and Professor Julia Buxton, Professor of Comparative Politics at the Central European University, gave evidence.
Cristine Cortes, Chief Executive Officer at Canning House, and Professor Anthony Pereira of the Brazil Institute at King’s College London, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 5 February at 2.15pm
Tuesday 5 February 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Priti Patel Ann Clywd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith Stephen Twigg (International Development Committee) also attended the meeting pursuant to Standing Order 137A (e) and the decision of the Committee of 15 January 2019.
1. Written evidence from the Cayman Islands Human Rights Commission submitted into the Future of the UK Overseas Territories inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
OTS0133 – Cayman Islands Human Rights Commission
2. Consideration of the Government response to the Committee’s report on Delivering Global Britain: FCO skills
Draft Special Report (Delivering Global Britain: FCO Skills Government response to the Committee's Fourteenth Report of Session 2017–19), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Fourteenth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Nineteenth Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
3. Response from the PUS relating to the FCO’s contract with Healix Holdings Ltd
The Committee considered this matter.
4. The Autocracies and UK Foreign Policy inquiry terms of reference The Committee considered this matter. Resolved, That the Committee inquire into Autocracies and UK foreign policy.
5. The World Food Programme - Oral evidence session
David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 13 February at 2.15pm
Thursday 7 February
The Chair, Mr Chris Bryant, Ms Ann Clwyd, Mr Mike Gapes, Mr Stephen Gethins, Mr Ian Murray, and Mr Royston Smith visited Wales in connection with the Committee’s inquiry into Global Britain, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 23 October 2018.
Wednesday 13 February 2019
FIRST AFTERNOON SITTING
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Priti Patel Ann Clywd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith
1. The Future of the UK Overseas Territories – draft report and marshalled list of amendments The Committee considered this matter. 2. Corporate update from the FCO for the period October-December 2018 Ordered, That the update from the FCO be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Response from the Foreign Secretary regarding charges for consular related services and related annexes
Ordered, That the correspondence from the Foreign Secretary to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
4. Response from Sir Alan Duncan clarifying the SIs that the FCO will be laying under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018
Ordered, That the correspondence from Sir Alan Duncan to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
5. Letter from Lord Ahmad to the Chair on a draft Order and draft SI relating to Anguilla Ordered, That the correspondence from Lord Ahmad to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
6. Letter from Sir Alan Duncan regarding an agreement being reached between the UK and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein to protect citizens’ rights in the event of a ‘no deal’ outcome with the EU. Ordered, That the correspondence from Sir Alan Duncan to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
7. Response from the Foreign Secretary relating to the Government’s strategy on China Ordered, That the correspondence from the Foreign Secretary to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
8. Correspondence between the Chair of the Procedure Committee and the Secretary of State for DExEU on international agreements The Committee considered this matter. 9. Travel in representative capacity to EU Parliamentary CFSP/CSDP conference, Bucharest Resolved, That a member of Committee staff attend the EU Parliamentary CFSP/CSDP conference in Bucharest in a representative capacity, and that the Chair seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
10. Supplementary Estimates Day Debate The Committee considered this matter. Ordered, That the FCO Supplementary Estimates Memorandum be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
11. Global Britain: The future of UK Sanctions Policy - Oral evidence session
Bill Browder, CEO, Hermitage Capital Management, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 13 February at 5.00pm
Wednesday 13 February 2019
SECOND AFTERNOON SITTING
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Priti Patel Ann Clywd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith Ian Murray
1. Report Consideration - The Future of the UK Overseas Territories
The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (The Future of the UK Overseas Territories), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Fifteenth Report of the Committee, HC 1464.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 26 February at 2.15pm
Tuesday 26 February 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Ian Murray Ann Clywd Priti Patel Mike Gapes Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith
1. Letter from the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on preparations for maintaining the UK’s access to key fishing stocks in the event of a no- deal Brexit The Committee considered this matter. 2. Response from Sir Alan Duncan on land reform in Colombia Ordered, That the correspondence between Sir Alan Duncan and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Response from Sir Alan Duncan on the Government’s progress in rolling over or replacing EU agreements with third countries
Ordered, That the correspondence between Sir Alan Duncan and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
4. Response from the Foreign Secretary relating to the suspension of flights to Sharm El Sheikh
Ordered, That the correspondence from the Foreign Secretary to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
5. Response from the Foreign Secretary relating to the current situation in Zimbabwe Ordered, That the correspondence from the Foreign Secretary to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
6. Response from Sir Alan Duncan relating to the upcoming presidential elections in Ukraine Ordered, That the correspondence from Sir Alan Duncan to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
7. Response from Sir Alan Duncan relating to Venezuela Ordered, That the correspondence from Sir Alan Duncan to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet. 8. Global Britain: The future of UK Sanctions Policy
The Committee considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 27 February at 2.15pm
Wednesday 27 February 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Ian Murray Chris Bryant Mr Bob Seely Ann Clywd Royston Smith Mike Gapes
1. Global Britain: The future of UK Sanctions Policy Lord Barker of Battle and William McGlone, Partner at Latham & Watkins, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 5 March at 2.15pm
Tuesday 5 March 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Priti Patel Chris Bryant Mr Bob Seely Mike Gapes Royston Smith Stephen Gethins
1. Treaties or agreements laid under the provisions of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 The Committee considered the matter of: • Agreement establishing an Economic Partnership Agreement between the Eastern and Southern Africa States and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. • Free Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Kingdom of Denmark in respect of the Faroe Islands. • Agreement establishing an Association between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Chile.
2. FAC Roadshow Resolved, That the Committee visit Northern Ireland for its next FAC Roadshow event.
3. Declaration of Interests
Chris Bryant declared an interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into Global Britain and South America as a participant on a visit to Colombia in 2018, funded by ABColombia.
4. Global Britain and South America - Oral evidence session
Dr Julia Calvert, Lecturer in Political Economy at the University of Edinburgh, Michael Reid at The Economist, and Dr Peter Collecott CMG, former UK Ambassador to Brazil, gave evidence.
The Committee further considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 12 March at 10.30am
Tuesday 12 March 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Stephen Gethins Chris Bryant Ian Murray Ann Clywd Mr Bob Seely Mike Gapes Royston Smith
1. Response from Sir Alan Duncan relating to the UK’s support for Georgia Ordered, That the correspondence between Sir Alan Duncan and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
2. Response from Dame Janet Beer, Universities UK, relating to potential foreign interference in UK higher education sector Ordered, That the correspondence between Dame Janet Beer and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Supplementary written evidence provided by Lord Barker
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
FSP0017 – Lord Barker
4. Finding a Diplomatic route: European responses to irregular migration inquiry plan
The Committee considered this matter.
5. Treaties or agreements laid under the provisions of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010
The Committee considered the matter of the Convention on Social Security between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ireland. 6. The work of the Minister of State for Africa - Oral evidence session
Harriett Baldwin, Minister of State for Africa, Julia Longbottom, FCO Director Consular Services, and Harriet Mathews, FCO Director Africa, gave evidence.
In the absence of the Chair, Mike Gapes was called to the chair.
Harriett Baldwin, Minister of State for Africa, Julia Longbottom, FCO Director Consular Services, and Harriet Mathews, FCO Director Africa, gave evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 19 March at 2.15pm Tuesday 19 March 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ian Austin Priti Patel Ann Clywd Andrew Rosindell Mike Gapes Royston Smith Ian Murray
1. Written evidence submitted into the Global Britain and India inquiry and advice grid Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
2. Treaties or agreements laid under the provisions of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010
The Committee considered the matter of • Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Swiss Confederation, • Agreement between the UK and the Kingdom of Spain on the participation in certain elections of nationals of each country resident in the territory of the other • International Agreement on Taxation and the Protection of Financial Interests between the UK and the Kingdom of Spain regarding Gibraltar. 3. Global Britain and India - Oral evidence session
Mark Field, Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, and Fergus Auld, Head of South Asia Department and India Coordinator at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, gave evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 26 March at 2.15pm
Excerpt from Votes and Proceedings, Tuesday 19 March 2019:
Foreign Affairs Committee Ordered, That Ian Austin and Mike Gapes be discharged from the Foreign Affairs Committee and Conor McGinn and Catherine West be added.—(Bill Wiggin, on behalf of the Selection Committee.) Tuesday 26 March 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ann Clywd Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith Conor McGinn Catherine West Ian Murray
1. Declaration of Interests Mr Conor McGinn declared his interests, in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992:
Name of donor: ITV plc Address of donor: The London Television Centre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9LT Amount of donation, or nature and value if donation in kind: Ticket and hospitality at Six Nations rugby match at Twickenham Stadium, value £1,198.80 Date received: 17 March 2018 Date accepted: 17 March 2018 Donor status: company, registration 4967001 (Registered 10 April 2018)
Name of donor: Racecourse Association Ltd Address of donor: Winkfield Road, Ascot SL5 7HX Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: a metal badge entitling the bearer to admittance to certain horse racing meetings in the UK during 2018. The badge is not available for purchase, but its estimated value is between £0 and £1,000, depending on usage. Date received: 1 April 2018 Date accepted: 1 April 2018 Donor status: company, registration 93447 (Registered 08 May 2018)
Name of donor: Racecourse Association Ltd Address of donor: Winkfield Road, Ascot SL5 7HX Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: a metal badge entitling the bearer to admittance to certain horse racing meetings in the UK during 2018. The badge is not available for purchase, but its estimated value is between £0 and £1,000, depending on usage. Date received: 9 January 2019 Date accepted: 9 January 2019 Donor status: company, registration 93447 (Registered 28 January 2019)
From 13 November 2017, flat in London, owned jointly with a family member: (i) and (ii). (Registered 09 November 2017)
Ms Catherine West declared his interests, in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992:
Membership of UNITE Trade Union and GMB Trade Union Patron Hong Kong Watch Patron for Justice for Rohingya Minority Husband works as a Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and University College Hospital as a clinical scientist in diagnosis of neglected tropical diseases e.g. malaria.
Name of donor: Malaria No More Address of donor: The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London SE11 5RR Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): Flights, accommodation, food and in-country transport to the value of £1,600.57 Destination of visit: Kenya Dates of visit: 24 - 28 July 2018 469 Purpose of visit: To see first-hand the impact of malaria on local communities and the challenges of fighting malaria in a high-burden country. (Registered 03 August 2018)
Name of donor: Medical Aid for Palestinians (which receives support from the Sir Joseph Hotung Charitable Settlement) Address of donor: 33a Islington Park Street, London N1 1QB Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): Flights, accommodation, food and transport to the value of £1,725 Destination of visit: West Bank and Israel Dates of visit: 17-20 September 2018 Purpose of visit: Fact finding visit organised by the Council for Arab-British Understanding and Medical Aid for Palestinians. (Registered 26 September 2018)
2. Response from Russell Group of Universities relating to potential foreign interference in UK higher education sector Ordered, That the correspondence between Russell Group and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Correspondence from the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Japanese House of Representatives regarding the British Embassy in Tokyo
Ordered, That the correspondence between Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Japanese House of Representatives and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
4. Response from Lord Ahmad on the UK’s intended commitment to UN peacekeeping post-2020
Ordered, That the correspondence between Lord Ahmad and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
5. Response from Lord Ahmad on TCI illegal migration Ordered, That the correspondence between Lord Ahmad and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
6. Response from the National Crime Agency on sanctions Ordered, That the correspondence between National Crime Agency and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
7. Response from Minister of State for Trade Policy, George Hollingbery, following up on the China Ministerial evidence session
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Minster of State for Trade Policy in the Department for International Trade and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
8. Treaties or agreements laid under the provisions of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010
The Committee considered the matter of • Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement • Swiss Citizens’ Rights
9. Report Consideration – China and the rules-based international system
The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (China and Rules-Based International System), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Sixteenth Report of the Committee, HC 612.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 2 April at 2.15pm
Tuesday 2 April 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Priti Patel Stephen Gethins Mr Bob Seely Conor McGinn Royston Smith Ian Murray Catherine West
1. Supplementary written evidence submitted by Bill Browder into the Global Britain: The future of UK sanctions policy inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
FSP0019 – Bill Browder
2. Global Britain: The future of UK sanctions policy - Oral evidence session
Maya Lester QC gave evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 3 April at 3pm
Wednesday 3 April 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Stephen Gethins Royston Smith Ian Murray Catherine West
1. Written evidence submitted into The FCO and Global media freedom inquiry and advice grid Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
GMF0001 – University of Sussex GMF0002 – Burma Campaign UK GMF0003 – Institute of Commonwealth Studies GMF0004 – Foreign & Commonwealth Office GMF0005 – UNESCO GMF0006 – Albany Associates Ltd GMF0007 – International Media Support GMF0008 – English PEN GMF0009 – BBC World Service GMF0010 – The National Union of Journalists in the UK and Ireland (NUJ) and International Federation of Journalists
2. The FCO and Global Media Freedom inquiry plan The Committee considered this matter.
3. Correspondence from Chris Heaton-Harris MP regarding progress on international agreements
Ordered, That the correspondence between Chris Heaton-Harris MP and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
4. Follow up correspondence from Harriet Baldwin MP
Ordered, That the correspondence between Minister of State for Africa and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
5. Correspondence from the Foreign Secretary regarding Huawei
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Foreign Secretary and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
6. Global Britain and South America inquiry
Resolved, That the Committee visit South America in connection with its inquiry into Global Britain and South America, and that the Chair seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
7. Global Britain and South America inquiry - Oral evidence session
John Carroll, Head of International Trade, Santander UK, Wilson Del Socorro, Global Director of Government Affairs, Diageo and Stephen Hill, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, gave evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 24 April at 2.15pm
Wednesday 24 April 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Priti Patel Ann Clywd Andrew Rosindell Stephen Gethins Mr Bob Seely Conor McGinn Royston Smith Ian Murray Catherine West
1. Written evidence submitted into the Finding a diplomatic route: European responses to irregular migration inquiry and advice grid Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
ERM0001 – Refugees Rights Europe ERM0002 – Center for Global Development (CGD) ERM0008 – George Mpanga ERM0009 – Lawyers for Justice in Libya ERM0010 – Dr Mariagiulia Giuffre ERM0011 – Mr John Edwards
2. Correspondence from the Department for Exiting the European Union updating the Committee on the Government’s progress to transition existing international agreements with third countries, dated 4 April 2019 Ordered, That the correspondence between Kwasi Karteng, the Permanent Under Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Correspondence from the Department for Exiting the European Union updating the Committee on the Government’s progress to transition existing international agreements with third countries, dated 11 April 2019
Ordered, That the correspondence between James Cleverly, Permanent Under Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
4. Response from the PUS in relation to the FCO Supplementary Estimate
Ordered, That the correspondence between the PUS and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
5. Response from Sir Alan Duncan relating to the recent Royal Visit to Cuba Ordered, That the correspondence between Sir Alan Duncan and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
6. Response from the Foreign Secretary relating to the UK’s candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council
The Committee considered this matter.
7. Follow up letter from Mr Wilson Del Socorro following his appearance before the Committee on Wednesday 3 April in the evidence session for the Global Britain and South America inquiry
The Committee considered this matter.
8. Response from the Foreign Secretary regarding the introduction of punishments under the Sharia Penal Code in Brunei
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Foreign Secretary and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
9. Global Britain: Appointment of Specialist Adviser Dr Matthew Harries
Ordered, That Dr Matthew Harries be appointed Specialist Adviser to assist the Committee in relation to Global Britain. (For details of declaration of interests, see Appendix.)
10. FAC Roadshow event in Northern Ireland
The Committee considered this matter.
11. Finding a Diplomatic Route: European responses to irregular migration inquiry - Oral evidence session
Sarah Elliott, Legal Officer at UNHCR UK, and Charlotte McDonald-Gibson, journalist and author, gave evidence.
Professor Sir Paul Collier, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at University of Oxford, and Dr Roderick Parkes, Senior Analyst at EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), gave evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 30 April at 2.15pm
Tuesday 30 April 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Mr Bob Seely Ann Clywd Royston Smith Stephen Gethins Catherine West Ian Murray
1. Supplementary written evidence from Santander submitted into the Global Britain and South America inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
SAM0022 – Santander UK
2. Letter from Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan MP covering the UK’s report to the 2019 Non- Proliferation Treaty Preparatory Commission The Committee considered this matter.
3. The future of Britain’s diplomatic relationship with Europe: follow up inquiry
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into the future of Britain’s diplomatic relationship with Europe: follow up inquiry.
4. Letter to the National Security Adviser about Huawei
Ordered, That the correspondence between the Chair and the National Security Adviser be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
5. Declaration of Interests Chris Bryant declared an interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into Global Britain and South America as a participant on a visit to Colombia in 2018, funded by ABColombia.
6. Global Britain and South America inquiry - Oral evidence session
Dr Marina Brilman, International Human Rights Policy Adviser, Law Society, Dr Par Engstrom, Senior Lecturer in Human Rights, Institute of the Americas, University College London, and Andrei Gomez-Suarez, Co-founder, Rodeemos el Dialogo Foundation, gave evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 7 May at 2.15pm
Tuesday 7 May 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Priti Patel Ann Clywd Andrew Rosindell Stephen Gethins Royston Smith Connor McGinn Catherine West
Jo Stevens MP (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee) also attended the meeting pursuant to Standing Order 137A (e) and the decision of the Committee of this day.
1. Global Britain and the British Overseas Territories: Government response
The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Special Report (Global Britain and the British Overseas Territories: Government response to the Committee’s Fifteenth Report), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the First Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Twentieth Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
2. Written evidence submitted into the FCO and global media freedom inquiry and advice grid Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
GMF0011 - Internews GMF0012 - Daoud Kuttab GMF0013- Joan Chirwa
3. Written evidence submitted into the Global Britain and India inquiry and advice grid Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
GBI0040 – Henry Jackson Society
4. Written evidence submitted into the Finding a diplomatic route: European responses to irregular migration inquiry and advice grid ERM0008 - George Mpanga ERM0009 - Lawyers for Justice in Libya ERM0010 - Dr Mariagiulia Giuffre ERM0011 – Mr John Edwards 5. Written evidence submitted into the Global Britain and South America inquiry and advice grid Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
SAM0024 – Anglo American
6. Written evidence submitted into the Autocracies and UK foreign policy inquiry and advice grid Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
AFP0024 United Nations Association UK AFP0023 Dr Andrew Blick AFP0022 Foreign and Commonwealth Office AFP0001 Dr Andreas Fulda AFP0002 Conservative Party Human Rights Commission AFP0005 Dr Samuel Jarvis AFP0006 Dr Anna Stavrianakis AFP0007 Campaign Against Arms Trade AFP0008 Miss Sara Jones AFP0009 The Sentry AFP0010 Dr David Wearing AFP0011 Tibet Society UK and The International Campaign for Tibet AFP0012 Quakers in Britain AFP0013 War on Want AFP0014 Jonathan Fisher AFP0015 Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) AFP0016 Human Rights Watch AFP0017 Henry Jackson Society AFP0018 Saferworld AFP0020 Falun Dafa Assoc. UK AFP0021 Dr Daniel Kenealy AFP0025 Yousuf Al-Shehhi
7. Correspondence from the Chinese Ambassador relating to the Committee’s Report on China and the Rules-Based International System Ordered, That the correspondence from the Chinese Ambassador to the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet. 8. Invitation to Jo Stevens MP, a Member of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, to attend this day’s oral evidence session on global media freedom
Ordered, That Jo Stevens MP, a Member of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, be invited to attend this day’s oral evidence session on global media freedom in accordance with Standing Order No. 137A.
9. Global media freedom inquiry - Oral evidence session
Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC, Barrister, Doughty Street Chambers, Julie Posetti, Senior Research Fellow, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, University of Oxford, Olga Robinson, Russia and Disinformation Specialist, BBC Monitoring, and Professor Jackie Harrison, UNESCO Chair on Media Freedom, Journalism Safety, and the Issue of Impunity, University of Sheffield, gave evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 14 May at 2.15pm
Tuesday 14 May 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Royston Smith Ann Clywd Catherine West Mr Bob Seely
1. FCO Main Estimate Memorandum
Ordered, That the FCO Main Estimate Memorandum be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
2. Written evidence submitted into the Global Britain and South America inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
SAM0023 – Protection Approaches SAM0025 – Peace Brigades International
3. Correspondence from the Ambassador of China Resolved, That the Committee’s decision of 7 May to publish correspondence from the Chinese Ambassador be rescinded.
4. The FCO and global media freedom inquiry The Committee considered this matter.
5. Correspondence from the National Security Adviser Ordered, That the correspondence from Sir Mark Sedwill and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
6. Invitation to a Member of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee and International Development Committee, to attend oral evidence sessions on FCO and global media freedom Ordered, That a Member from each of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee and International Development Committee, be invited to attend oral evidence sessions as part of the FCO and global media freedom inquiry in accordance with Standing Order No. 137A.
7. Global Britain and the future of UK sanctions inquiry - Oral evidence session
Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan KCMG MP, Minister of State and Qudsi Rasheed, Head of the Sanctions Unit and the UK’s Sanctions Envoy, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, gave evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 21 May at 2.15pm
Tuesday 21 May 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Ann Clywd Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith Ian Murray Catherine West Andrew Rosindell
Jo Stevens MP (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee) also attended the meeting pursuant to Standing Order 137A (e) and the decision of the Committee of 14 May 2019.
1. Written evidence submitted into the FCO and global media freedom inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
GMF0017 – Index on Censorship GMF0018 – Beata Balogova GMF0019 – International Press Institute GMF0020 – Najib Sharifi GMF0022 – Dr Sejal Parmar
2. Written evidence submitted into the Global Britain and India inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
GBI0042 – Foreign and Commonwealth Office
3. Corporate update for the period January to March 2019 from the FCO Ordered, That the FCO Corporate update be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
4. Correspondence from the Foreign Secretary updating the Committee on the delivery of Commonwealth Summit commitments and mid-term report Ordered, That the correspondence from the Foreign Secretary and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
5. Correspondence from the Foreign Secretary on the current situation in Sudan Ordered, That the correspondence from the Foreign Secretary and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
6. Treaties or agreements laid under the provisions of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010
The Committee considered the matter of • Agreement between the UK of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway on trade in goods
7. The FCO and global media freedom inquiry - Oral evidence session
Michelle Stanistreet, General Secretary, National Union of Journalists (NUJ); Scott Griffen, Deputy Director, International Press Institute (IPI); Rosie Parkyn, Director of Programmes, Internews gave evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 5 June at 2.15pm
Wednesday 5 June 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Andrew Rosindell Stephen Gethins Royston Smith Conor McGinn Catherine West Ian Murray
1. Written evidence submitted into the Global Britain and India inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
GBI0043 – Abhijit Mukhopadhyay GBI0044 – Professor Kate Sullivan de Estrada GBI0045 – Confederation of Indian Industry
2. Written evidence submitted into the Global Britain and South America inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
SAM0026 – Embrace Dialogue SAM0027 – Amnesty International UK
3. Written evidence submitted into Global Britain: the Future of UK Sanctions policy inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
FSP0020 – Foreign and Commonwealth Office
4. Report Consideration – Fragmented and incoherent: the UK’s sanctions policy The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (Fragmented and incoherent: the UK’s sanctions policy), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Seventeenth Report of the Committee, HC1703.
5. Autocracies and UK foreign policy inquiry - Oral evidence session
Aleksey Shmatko, Businessman, Jihyun Park, North Korean defector and human rights activist and Outreach Director, Connect North Korea, and Ayeshagul Nur Ibrahim, Uyghur activist, gave evidence.
Dr Oisín Tansey, Reader in Comparative and International Politics, King's College London; Annette Bohr, Associate Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House and Prof John Heathershaw, Professor of International Relations, University of Exeter, gave evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 11 June at 2.00pm
Tuesday 11 June 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith Ian Murray Catherine West Andrew Rosindell
1. FAC Roadshow visit to Northern Ireland
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Written evidence submitted into the FCO and global media freedom inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
GMF0023 – Newsguard Technologies GMF0024 – BBC Media Action GMF0025 – Paul Caruana Galizia GMF0026 – Hong Kong Journalists Association GMF0027 – AIB Association for International Broadcasting GMF0028 – Daniela Pastrana GMF0029 – Gerall Chavez GMF0030 – Scottish PEN & PEN International GMF0031 – Dr Carmen Draghici GMF0032 - TAPOL
3. Written evidence submitted into the Autocracies and UK foreign policy inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
AFP0019 – Koza Ltd
4. Response from Sir Alan Duncan relating to UK support to Albania to strengthen adherence to the rule of law Ordered, That the correspondence from the Sir Alan Duncan and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
5. Letter from the Foreign Secretary on the FCO’s plans for priority elections to multilateral international organisations Ordered, That the correspondence from the Foreign Secretary and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
6. The status of the Committee on Arms Export Control The Committee considered this matter.
7. Estimates Day Debate The Committee considered this matter.
8. Global Britain and South America Inquiry
Ordered, That senior representatives of Anglo American attend the Committee to give oral evidence at such time as determined by the Committee.
9. Report Consideration – Building Bridges: Reawakening UK-India ties
The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (Building Bridges: Reawakening UK-India ties), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Eighteenth Report of the Committee, HC1465.
10. The FCO and global media freedom inquiry - Oral evidence session
Rana Rahimpour, Senior Presenter, BBC Persian, Jessikka Aro, Reporter, Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yle), and Beata Balogová, Editor-in-Chief, SME newspaper, Slovakia, gave evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 18 June at 2.15pm
Wednesday 12 June – Friday 14 June
The Chair, Mr Stephen Gethins, Mr Conor McGinn, and Ms Catherine West visited Northern Ireland in connection with the Committee’s inquiry into Global Britain, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 5 March 2019. Tuesday 18 June 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith Ian Murray Catherine West Conor McGinn
1. China and the Rules-Based International System: Government response
The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Special Report (China and the Rules-Based International System: Government response to the Committee’s Sixteenth Report), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Sixteenth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-First Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
2. Global Britain visit to Northern Ireland
The Committee considered this matter.
In the absence of the Chair, Stephen Gethins was called to the chair. 3. Future Programme of Work
The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, that the Committee would undertake an inquiry into Beyond Aid: The UK’s Strategic Engagement in Africa
Resolved, that the Committee would undertake an inquiry into The UK and Iran's regional role
Resolved, that the Committee would undertake an inquiry into The Caucasus
Resolved, that the Committee would undertake an inquiry into Human rights: Freedom of religion and belief and human rights defenders
[Adjourned till Tuesday 2 July at 2.15pm
Sunday 23 – Saturday 29 June Stephen Gethins, Ian Murray, Royston Smith and Catherine West visited Argentina and Colombia in connection with the inquiry into Global Britain and South America, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 3 April 2019.
Tuesday 2 July 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Priti Patel Ann Clywd Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith Conor McGinn Catherine West Ian Murray
1. Correspondence from the Minister of State for the Commonwealth relating to the United Nations General Assembly resolution on the implementation of the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion relating to the British Indian Ocean Territory
Ordered, That the correspondence from Lord Ahmad and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
2. Response from the Foreign Secretary relating to the FCO’s role in the process of leaving the European Union
Ordered, That the correspondence from the Foreign Secretary and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
3. Treaties or agreements laid under the provisions of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010
The Committee considered the matter of the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of the Republic of North Macedonia.
4. Written evidence and ministerial correspondence to CAEC for publication The Committee considered this matter. 5. Papers reported to the House and published using the delegated authority to the Chair • Letter from the Foreign Secretary regarding Russia’s proposed re-entry to the Council of Europe The Committee considered this matter. 6. Visit to Brussels and the Netherlands Ordered, That the Chair have leave to visit Brussels and the Netherlands in 2019 in a representative capacity, and that the Chair seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
7. Declaration of Interests Chris Bryant declared an interest in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into Global Britain and South America as a participant on a visit to Colombia in 2018, funded by ABColombia.
8. Global Britain and South America - Oral evidence session Jonathan Dunn, Head of International Policy and Planning, and Cristina Bruce, Head of International Relations at Anglo American, gave evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 9 July at 2.15pm
Tuesday 9 July 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Stephen Gethins Mr Bob Seely Priti Patel Royston Smith Andrew Rosindell
1. Written evidence submitted into the Finding a diplomatic route: European responses to irregular migration inquiry and advice grid Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet: ERM0012 – Saferworld ERM0013 – Amnesty International
2. Terms of reference for the proposed inquiry Beyond Aid: UK strategic engagement in Africa The Committee considered this matter. 3. Proposed inquiry Human rights: Shrinking civil society space and support for, and protection of, Human Rights Defenders The Committee considered this matter. 4. Treaties or agreements laid under the provisions of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 The Committee considered the matter of the Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Portuguese Republic regarding the participation in local elections of Nationals of Each State Resident in the Other’s Territory The Committee considered the matter of the Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on the Participation in Certain Elections of Nationals of Each Country Resident in the Territory of the Other 5. Finding a diplomatic route: European responses to irregular migration inquiry - Oral evidence session Sam Turner, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), gave evidence. Pascouau, Jacques Delors Institute and the University of Nantes; Shoshana Fine, European Council on Foreign Relations and Matteo Villa, Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), gave evidence. [Adjourned till Wednesday 10 July at 12.45pm
Wednesday 10 July 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Priti Patel Stephen Gethins Mr Bob Seely Conor McGinn Royston Smith Ian Murray
1. FCO secure communications and handling of classified information - Oral evidence session
Sir Simon McDonald, KCMG, KCVO, Permanent Under Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Edward Hobart, Director Estates and Security, Paul Williams, Chief Information Officer, gave evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 16 July at 2.15pm
Tuesday 16 July 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Priti Patel Royston Smith Andrew Rosindell Catherine West Mr Bob Seely
1. Terms of reference for the proposed inquiry The UK and Iran’s regional role
The Committee considered this matter.
2. The future of Britain’s diplomatic relationship with Europe: follow up
Sir Ivan Rogers, former UK Permanent Representative to the EU, gave evidence.
3. FCO secure communications and handling of classified information
Sir Ivan Rogers, former UK Permanent Representative to the EU, Sir Adam Thomson, former UK Permanent Representative to NATO and Director of the European Leadership Network, Sir Peter Westmacott, former UK Ambassador to the US, France and Turkey, gave evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 18 July at 10.45am
Tuesday 18 July 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Mr Bob Seely Ian Murray Royston Smith Priti Patel Catherine West
1. FCO secure communications and handling of classified information
Lord Hague of Richmond, former Foreign Secretary, gave evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 22 July at 3.30pm
Monday 22 July 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Priti Patel Stephen Gethins
1. FCO secure communications and handling of classified information The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (Stemming the flow: tackling a culture of leaks), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Nineteenth Report of the Committee, HC 1466.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 23 July at 2.15pm
Tuesday 23 July 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Chris Bryant Mr Bob Seely Stephen Gethins Royston Smith Andrew Rosindell Catherine West
1. Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union concerning international agreements Ordered, That the correspondence from James Cleverly and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
2. Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs concerning the State Visit of President Xi Ordered, That the correspondence from the Foreign Secretary and the Chair be reported to the House for publication on the internet. 3. Written evidence submitted into the Autocracies and UK foreign policy inquiry Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
AFP0027 – The Rights Practice AFP0026 – Ruslan Myatiev, Turkmen
4. Written evidence submitted into the Finding a diplomatic route: European responses to irregular migration inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet: ERM0013 – UNHCR 5. Terms of reference for the proposed inquiry Human Rights: Freedom of Religion and Belief, and Human Rights Defenders The Committee considered this matter. 4. Terms of reference for the proposed inquiry Eastern Europe and the Caucasus The Committee considered this matter. 6. Global Britain and South America
Nigel Baker, Head of Latin America Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Menna Rawlings, Director General Global and Economic Issues, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, gave evidence. Stephen Gethins assumed the Chair at 3.15pm.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 3 September at 2.15pm
Tuesday 3 September 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Andrew Rosindell Royston Smith Mr Bob Seely
1. Building Bridges: Reawakening UK-India ties: Government response
The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Special Report (Building Bridges: Reawakening UK-India ties: Government response to the Committee’s Eighteenth Report), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Eighteenth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty Second Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
2. Treaties or agreements laid under the provisions of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 The Committee considered the matter of: • Agreement establishing an Association between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Central America
3. Letter from Transparency International The Committee considered this matter.
4. Letter from Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under Secretary of State Ordered, That the letter of 28 August from Sir Simon McDonald be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
5. Letter from Liz McInnes MP The Committee considered this matter.
6. Autocracies and UK foreign policy
Bill Rammell, Vice Chancellor, University of Bedfordshire and Chair of Million Plus, Professor Christopher Hughes, Professor of International Relations, LSE, Alexander Bustamante, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance and Audit Officer, University of California, gave evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 4 September at 11am
Wednesday 4 September 2019
Members present:
Tom Tugendhat, in the Chair
Mr Bob Seely Catherine West Royston Smith
1. Written evidence submitted into the Global Britain and South America inquiry
Ordered, That the following written evidence be reported to the House for publication on the internet:
SAM0028 – Anglo American SAM0029 – Falkland Islands Government SAM0030 – Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, Honorable Camara de Diputados de la Nacion Argentina and the British Embassy Buenos Aires
2. Fragmented and incoherent: the UK’s sanctions policy: Government response
The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Special Report (Fragmented and incoherent: the UK’s sanctions policy: Government response to the Committee’s Seventeenth Report), proposed by the Chair, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Seventeenth Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty Third Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House.
3. Report Consideration - Global Britain and South America
The Committee considered this matter.
Draft Report (Global Britain and South America), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Twentieth Report of the Committee, HC 1617.
4. Report Consideration - "Media freedom is under attack": The FCO's defence of an endangered liberty
Draft Report ("Media freedom is under attack": The FCO's defence of an endangered liberty), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
The draft Report was agreed to; the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published with the Twenty-First Report of the Committee, HC 1920.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 15 October at 2.15pm
Appendix
DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
Tom Tugendhat By birth – dual citizen (British/French); Father – British/ Irish, Mother – British/ French Wife is a legal adviser at the French Embassy (formerly a French judge / senior civil servant). (Updated 05 September 2018) Father-in-law is a French diplomat, the lead OSCE mediator in Ukraine
Land and property portfolio: (i) value over £100,000 and/or (ii) giving rental income of over £10,000 a year— One property of four flats in Essonne, France, owned jointly with three family members: (i). (Registered 04 June 2015) Agricultural land and forestry in Essonne, France, owned jointly with eleven family members: (i). (Registered 04 June 2015)
Commissioned officer in British Army Reserve. (Registered 04 June 2015).
Ian Austin Name of donor: Labour Friends of Israel Destination of visit: Washington DC, USA Purpose of visit: To attend meetings and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Conference Dates of visit: 23-28 March 2017
Name of donor: (1) Labour Friends of Israel; (2) Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Destination of visit: Israel and Palestinian territories Purpose of visit: Fact-finding visit. Meeting with Israeli and Palestinian coexistence campaigners, politicians, academics and diplomats. Dates of visit: 2-6 January 2017
UK Delegate to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly.
Name of donor: Nokan Group Address of donor: 48, 2 Salim, 111 Shaheed Aram, Sulaimanya, Kurdistan Region, Iraq Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): Flights, internal transport, hotels and meals with a value of approx. £3,428 Destination of visit: Erbil, Kirkuk and Slemani, Kurdistan Region in Iraq Dates of visit: 22-28 September 2017 Purpose of visit: Kurdistan APPG visit to observe the referendum and meet party, UK business and church leaders, NGOs, British Consul staff, UK forces training Peshmerga, managers and residents of a camp for internally displaced people. (Registered 24 October 2017)
Name of donor: United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs Address of donor: Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): Travel and accommodation with a value of £3,800 Destination of visit: United Arab Emirates Dates of visit: 10-16 February 2018 Purpose of visit: To attend the World Government Summit, meet with Government Ministers, Members of the Federal National Council and senior business figures, in order to build on the bilateral relationship. (Registered 22 February 2018)
Chris Bryant Name of donor: Best for Britain (UK-EU Open Policy Ltd) Address of donor: 11 Manchester Square, London W1U 3PW Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £2,000 towards my election expenses Donor status: company, registration 10436078 (Registered 05 July 2017)
Vice President (unpaid) of Canning House, a Latin American think tank.
Ann Clwyd Chair of APPG on Human Rights Chair of APPG on Iraq Chair of APPG on Cambodia
Vice-Chair, British Group Inter-Parliamentary Union, and Member of UK delegation to IPU Assembly.
Mike Gapes Name of donor: (1) Labour Friends of Israel (2) Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Address of donor: (1) BM LFI, London WC1N 3XX (2) 9 Yitzhak Rabin Blvd., Kiryat Ben-Gurion, Jerusalem 9103001 Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): (1) flights, accommodation, meals, airport and taxi transfers, with a value of £1,500 (2) fast track access through security check, passport control, registration and customs, value £75. Destination of visit: Israel and Palestinian territories Dates of visit: 2-6 January 2017 Purpose of visit: Fact-finding visit. Meeting with Israeli and Palestinian co-existence campaigners, politicians, academics and diplomats. (Registered 23 January 2017)
Name of donor: United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs Address of donor: Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): travel and accommodation with a total value of £3,500 Destination of visit: United Arab Emirates Dates of visit: 1-7 April 2017 Purpose of visit: As part of the UAE APPG, to meet with Government Ministers, Members of the Federal National Council and senior business figures to build on the bilateral relationship and promote trade and investment ties. (Registered 10 April 2017)
Member of UK delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Member of UK delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union Parliamentary Assembly Member of Chatham House. Chair of APPG on the United Nations.
Stephen Gethins Name of donor: Foundation Institute for Eastern Studies / Office of the Economic Forum Address of donor: 85 Solec Street, 00-382 Warsaw Amount of donation (or estimate of the probable value): two nights’ accommodation with an approx. value of £135. The cost of flights were met by a non-registrable source. Destination of visit: Krynica, Poland Date of visit: 7-8 September 2016 Purpose of visit: to speak at the Economic Forum on the UK Referendum result. (Registered 30 September 2016)
Name of Donor: Friedrich Ebert Foundation Address of Donor: 1023 15th Street NW, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20005 Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): flights £3,887 and accommodation £449, total value £4,336 Destination of visit: Washington D.C, United States of America Dates of Visit: 11-13 September 2016 Purpose of visit: Seminar and series of meetings with US officials and others on security issues along with other parliamentarians from EU countries. (Registered 05 October 2016)
Name of donor: Remembering Srebrenica (Scotland) Address of donor: c/o Turcan Connell, Princes Exchange, 1 Earl Grey Street, Edinburgh EH3 9EE Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): flights and accommodation with a value of £608 Destination of visit: Srebrenica Dates of visit: 18-21 September 2016 Purpose of visit: for Educational and commemorative purposes. (Registered 26 October 2016)
Name of donor: British Council Address of donor: 10 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2BN Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): Flights, accommodation and in- country transport with a value of £721.48 Destination of visit: Morocco Dates of visit: 20 March to 2 April 2017 Purpose of visit: British Council APPG – Inquiry Committee Delegation Visit. (Registered 27 April 2017)
Adviser (unpaid) at Beyond Borders Scotland, a not-for profit organisation facilitating international dialogue and cultural exchange. (Registered 01 September 2015).
Name of donor: United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs Address of donor: Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): Travel and accommodation with a value of £3,000 Destination of visit: United Arab Emirates Dates of visit: 10-13 February 2018 Purpose of visit: Cross party group visit to attend the World Government Summit, meet with Government Ministers, Members of the Federal National Council and senior business figures. (Registered 20 February 2018)
Trustee (unpaid) to the John Smith Trust (23 October 2018)
Ms Nusrat Ghani Name of donor: The PCAA Foundation Address of donor: BM5369 London WC1N3XX Amount of donation (or Estimate of the probable value): Flights £1,196; hotels £824; transport £388; meals/coffee £130; tours £75; total value £2,613 Destination of visit: Israel and the Palestinian Territories Dates of visit: 2-6 January 2017 Purpose of visit: APPG Against Antisemitism delegation to discuss good practice in addressing antisemitism and racism in football and on the internet, including briefing Knesset Members on a recent Home Affairs Select Committee’s report. (Registered 17 January 2017)
Name of donor: Hong Kong Government Address of donor: c/o Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, 18 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3JA Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): Flights approx. £8,500; accommodation approx. £413 per night; transport and hospitality approx. £207; total value £10,359 Destination of visit: Hong Kong Dates of visit: 9-13 January 2017 Purpose of visit: APPG on China delegation to maintain bilateral ties; support British businesses operating in Hong Kong; and deepen the knowledge of parliamentarians of Hong Kong’s political, social and economic development. (Registered 10 February 2017)
Name of donor: The PCAA Foundation Address of donor: BM5369 London WC1N 3XX Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): travel and accommodation with a total value of £362.50 Destination of visit: The Vatican, Rome Dates of visit: 19-20 March 2017 Purpose of visit: Delegation of MPs with the APPG Against Antisemitism to visit the Vatican to discuss Christian responses to antisemitism. (Registered 12 April 2017)
Name of donor: United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs Address of donor: Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): travel and accommodation with a total value of £3,500 Destination of visit: United Arab Emirates Dates of visit: 2-6 April 2017 Purpose of visit: to meet with Government Ministers, Members of the Federal National Council, Dubai police and security authorities, a charity on violence against women, and business figures to build on bilateral trade and investment ties. (Registered 12 April 2017)
Member of Executive Committee of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK.
Conor McGinn Name of donor: ITV plc Address of donor: The London Television Centre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9LT Amount of donation, or nature and value if donation in kind: Ticket and hospitality at Six Nations rugby match at Twickenham Stadium, value £1,198.80 Date received: 17 March 2018 Date accepted: 17 March 2018 Donor status: company, registration 4967001 (Registered 10 April 2018)
Name of donor: Racecourse Association Ltd Address of donor: Winkfield Road, Ascot SL5 7HX Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: a metal badge entitling the bearer to admittance to certain horse racing meetings in the UK during 2018. The badge is not available for purchase, but its estimated value is between £0 and £1,000, depending on usage. Date received: 1 April 2018 Date accepted: 1 April 2018 Donor status: company, registration 93447 (Registered 08 May 2018)
Name of donor: Racecourse Association Ltd Address of donor: Winkfield Road, Ascot SL5 7HX Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: a metal badge entitling the bearer to admittance to certain horse racing meetings in the UK during 2018. The badge is not available for purchase, but its estimated value is between £0 and £1,000, depending on usage. Date received: 9 January 2019 Date accepted: 9 January 2019 Donor status: company, registration 93447 (Registered 28 January 2019)
From 13 November 2017, flat in London, owned jointly with a family member: (i) and (ii). (Registered 09 November 2017)
Ian Murray Member of Executive Committee of Commonwealth Parliamentary Assembly (CPA) UK Member of UK delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Member of a delegation to Taiwan at the start of August 2017 which will appear in Register at the next publication.
Participated in a CPA UK and Westminster Foundation for Democracy delegation to The Gambia on a capacity building project for new Gambian MPs.
Priti Patel Name of donor: Government of India Address of donor: Ministry of External Affairs, Akbar Bhawan, New Delhi Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): Air fare, transfers and accommodation costs approx. £6,500 Destination of visit: New Delhi Dates of visit: 7-11 January 2018 Purpose of visit: Head of UK delegation to the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas/Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) Parliamentarians Conference New Delhi. (Registered 29 January 2018)
Andrew Rosindell Name of donor: Norfolk Island Council of Elders Address of donor: P.O. Box 414, Norfolk Island, South Pacific Amount of donation (or estimate of the probable value): accommodation, travel and subsistence with an approx. value of £2,011.72. Destination of visit: Norfolk Island Date of visit: 29 August - 2 September 2016 Purpose of visit: to travel to Norfolk Island as a guest of the Council of Elders to meet with representatives of the local community and investigate the constitutional and governmental changes introduced by the Commonwealth of Australia. (Registered 28 September 2016)
Name of donor: Government of Gibraltar Address of donor: Gibraltar Parliament, John Mackintosh Square, Gibraltar Amount of donation (or estimate of the probable value): for a member of staff and myself, accommodation, travel and subsistence with an approx. value of £1,952 (£976 each) Destination of visit: Gibraltar Date of visit: 8–11 September 2016 Purpose of visit: As part of the Gibraltar APPG delegation, to meet the government of Gibraltar on their National Day and to discuss the future of Gibraltar and relations with the United Kingdom. (Registered 29 September 2016)
Name of donor: Mercator European Dialogue Address of donor: The German Marshall Fund of the United States, Voss-strasse 20, 10117 Berlin Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): For two people, accommodation, travel and subsistence with an approximate value of £1,800 in total. Destination of visit: Bratislava Date of visit: 14 – 16 October 2016 Purpose of visit: Participate in the 3rd Mercator European Dialogue, a conference of European MPs to discuss European politics. (Registered 29 November 2016)
Name of donor: Swiss Foreign Ministry Address of donor: Presence Switzerland PRS, Bundesgasse 32, 3003 Bern, Switzerland Amount of donation (or estimate of the probable value): approximately £1,900 Destination of visit: Switzerland (Zurich, Bern, Lausanne, Geneva) Date of visit: 3-7 April 2017 Purpose of visit: Participation in a study trip to Switzerland (Swiss-EU relations, Swiss financial centre, Science and Innovation, International Geneva) (Registered 20 April 2017)
Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Norfolk Island Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Caribbean Co-Chair of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Commonwealth Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Australia & New Zealand Chairman of the British-Canada All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the All-Party British-Swiss Parliamentary Group Chairman of the British-Pacific Islands All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the British-Central American All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the British-Liechtenstein All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Channel Islands Group Chairman of the United Kingdom-Isle of Man (Manx) All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the British-Montserrat All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the Pitcairn Islands All-Party Parliamentary Group Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary British-Mauritius Group Governor of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy Assembly Member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly Executive Committee Member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Executive Committee Member Inter-Parliamentary Union (British Group) Chairman of the Conservative Friends of Gibraltar Chairman of the Conservative Friends of Australia & New Zealand Trustee of the Friends of the British Overseas Territories.
Mr Bob Seely Name of donor: (1) Medical Aid for Palestinians (2) Conservative Friends of Israel Ltd Address of donor: (1) 33a Islington Park Street, London N1 1QB (2) PO Box 72288, London SW1P 9LB Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): (1) Flights, accommodation, food and transport £960 (2) accommodation, airport transfer and hospitality £500 Destination of visit: West Bank and Israel Dates of visit: 11 – 18 February 2018 Purpose of visit: Fact finding visit organised by the Council for Arab-British Understanding, Medical Aid for Palestinians and Conservative Friends of Israel. (Registered 01 March 2018)
Member of the Army Reserves. (Registered 6 July 2017)
Royston Smith Name of donor: Government of Pakistan Address of donor: c/o High Commission of Pakistan, 36 Lowdnes Sq., London SW1X 9JN Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): Flights, accommodation, meals, internal travel with an approx. value of £3,598 Destination of visit: Lahore, Islamabad, Muzaffarad, Karachi Dates of visit: 1-9 April 2017 Purpose of visit: Parliamentary delegation, as part of 70th anniversary of independence, to look at strengthening democratic institutions, security, trade, religious freedom and the work of DFID in Pakistan. (Registered 09 June 2017)
Member of UK delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
Catherine West Membership of UNITE Trade Union and GMB Trade Union Patron Hong Kong Watch Patron for Justice for Rohingya Minority Husband works as a Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and University College Hospital as a clinical scientist in diagnosis of neglected tropical diseases e.g. malaria.
Name of donor: Malaria No More Address of donor: The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London SE11 5RR Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): Flights, accommodation, food and in-country transport to the value of £1,600.57 Destination of visit: Kenya Dates of visit: 24 - 28 July 2018 469 Purpose of visit: To see first-hand the impact of malaria on local communities and the challenges of fighting malaria in a high-burden country. (Registered 03 August 2018)
Name of donor: Medical Aid for Palestinians (which receives support from the Sir Joseph Hotung Charitable Settlement) Address of donor: 33a Islington Park Street, London N1 1QB Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): Flights, accommodation, food and transport to the value of £1,725 Destination of visit: West Bank and Israel Dates of visit: 17-20 September 2018 Purpose of visit: Fact finding visit organised by the Council for Arab-British Understanding and Medical Aid for Palestinians. (Registered 26 September 2018)
Nadhim Zahawi 4 July 2017, received £200 from British Broadcasting Corporation, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London W1A 1AA, for being a panel guest on BBC World Service on 2 July 2017. Hours: 2 hrs. (Registered 11 July 2017)
Name of donor: Falcon and Associates International Ltd Address of donor: 140 Brompton Road, London SW3 1HY Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): travel, accommodation, transport and food with a value of £4,313 Destination of visit: Dubai, UAE Dates of visit: 3-7 November 2016 Purpose of visit: Parliamentary delegation to gain a deeper understanding of the important strategic links between Dubai and the UK. (Registered 30 November 2016)
Name of donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Address of donor: P.O. Box 547, Government Road, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): Flights, hotel accommodation, food and transport with a value of £3,250 Destination of visit: Manama, Bahrain Dates of visit: 9-12 December 2016 Purpose of visit: Attendance of IISS Manama Dialogue. (Registered 20 December 2016)
Zahawi and Zahawi Ltd; business advisory service (50% shareholding). Clients include YouGov, IPBD + GAMA Non-executive director of SThree; international specialist recruitment business – receive monthly salary Chief Strategy Officer of GKP – receive monthly salary
Shareholdings valued at more than £70,000: SThree; international specialist recruitment business. From 12 December 2016, Gulf Keystone Petroleum, an oil and gas exploration and production company. (Registered 09 January 2017) From 23 February 2017, British Telecom; telecommunications services company. (Registered 24 February 2017)
Shareholding in YouGov plc, which I co-founded, that is below the registrable value
Kurdistan/Iraq – born there, often travel for business and in personal capacity
Sons at university in Princeton, USA.
DECLARATIONS OF SPECIALIST ADVISERS’ INTERESTS
Dr Zeynap Kaya No financial interest in relation to the topic of this inquiry. No active memberships of a relevant campaign group or political party in the UK and elsewhere. No close family members involved in financial or political activities in relevant groups or political parties in the UK or elsewhere. 17 November 2017
Dr Robert Lowe No financial interest in relation to the topic of this inquiry. No active memberships of a relevant campaign group or political party in the UK and elsewhere. No close family members involved in financial or political activities in relevant groups or political parties in the UK or elsewhere. 17 November 2017
Professor John Bew Consultant for the think tank Policy Exchange on a project called ‘Britain in the World’, examining UK foreign policy (since March 2016).
Contributing writer (not contracted) for New Statesman.
Past consultancy for M&C Saatchi on informal basis (2015).
Father is Cross-Bench Peer in House of Lords (Lord Bew of Donegore). 20 November 2017
Charles Parton OBE Director of my own consultancy company China Ink, which provides advice on the implications of China’s politics to businesses and other organisations.
London Director of China Policy, a Beijing based research and analysis company, which provides briefs and reports to companies and organisations on development in a number of economic, financial, social and political sectors.
I am in the process of consideration as Associate Fellow of the Royal United Services Institute and of the School of Oriental and African Studies, as well as a being proposed for the board of China Dialogue, an organisation which works on environmental questions in China. 2 December 2017
Director of my own consultancy company China Ink, which provides advice on the implications of China’s politics to businesses and other organisations.
London Director of China Policy, a Beijing based research and analysis company, which provides briefs and reports to companies and organisations on development in a number of economic, financial, social and political sectors.
Associate Fellow of the Royal United Services Institute. Most activity is unpaid, but I am undertaking the production of a report for them on Chinese influence in the UK.
Trustee of Chinadialogue, an organisation which works on environmental questions in China.
Paid and unpaid lecturing for universities and schools on Chinese politics.
Updated 27 April 2018
RUSI paper on China and the UK (paid)
Chatham House article on China and the use of big data, artificial intelligence and recognition systems in the control of society (paid)
Great Britain China Centre lecture on china's domestic politics (paid)
Jamestown foundation conference on Chinese interference in Europe (travel expenses)
Speaking at Centra Technology Washington conference on Chinese interference (fee and travel expenses)
Leading Royal College of Defence Studies session on Chinese domestic politics (paid)
Speaking at FCO conference in Shenzhen on environmental issues funded by UK, Australian, Netherlands and Norwegian consulates, Chinese commercial sponsors and Shenzhen trade promotion body (travel expenses and accommodation)
Upcoming: Speaking on China to Tonbridge School parents association (paid), Other engagements are unpaid, apart from small travel expenses.
Updated 20 November 2018
Professor Katherine Morton I am fully aware of the political sensitivities involved in conducting such an inquiry. By intention, my current academic work is not externally funded, including my work on the South China Sea and my book project on China and Global Governance. On account of the confidentiality issues involved, I have maintained a strict rule of academic independence. My only declared interest is my associate fellowship with Chatham House, which is unpaid. 7 December 2017
Dr Matthew Harries Verification Research, Training and Implementation Centre (VERTIC) February 2017– present, Member of the Board of Trustees
UK Project on Nuclear Issues, Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) September 2017– present, Member of the Board of Advisors 24 April 2019