Tuesday Volume 596 9 June 2015 No. 13 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Tuesday 9 June 2015 £5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2015 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 1023 9 JUNE 2015 1024 Mr Lidington: My hon. Friend is right to allude to House of Commons the fact that sanctions can be strengthened as well as reduced. It all depends on what Russia chooses to do. We have demonstrated our strong commitment to our Tuesday 9 June 2015 NATO allies in the Baltic states through our participation in air policing and NATO training exercises in that The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock region, and our solidarity with them will certainly continue. Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): We PRAYERS hear this morning of even more tragic deaths in Ukraine. When will all this stop? Sanctions are not enough. The Russians are looking closely at us as we run down our [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] defence forces and do not commit to the 2% spending level. That is a fact—the Secretary of State does not like it, but the fact is that a weak Britain, weak in Europe, is Oral Answers to Questions not good for our country. Mr Lidington: I think it is generally accepted that there is not a military solution to the conflict in eastern FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Ukraine. That is why we are determined to continue with the diplomatic and political path on which we, together with our partners and allies, have embarked. The Secretary of State was asked— We need to see the Minsk agreements implemented in full and, in particular, for the OSCE monitoring mission EU Sanctions (Russia) to be given access to the areas controlled by the separatists, which is still not happening. 1. Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con): What his policy is on continuation of EU sanctions on Russia Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): I am until that country complies in full with its obligations pleased to hear the Minister say that there is no military under the Minsk agreements. [900175] solution in this case. Over the weekend the Foreign Secretary reportedly said that “unnecessary provocations” 7. Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough) (Con): What must be avoided when dealing with Russia but, when his policy is on continuation of EU sanctions on Russia asked, he did not rule out the placement of US nuclear until that country complies in full with its obligations missiles on UK soil. Will he take the opportunity to rule under the Minsk agreements. [900181] that out very firmly? The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington): Sanctions were imposed because Russia invaded and annexed Mr Lidington: We have not been asked by the United Crimea and intervened in eastern Ukraine. They can be States for such a location. If we received such a request, rolled back when Russia has taken steps to comply with we would consider it on its merits in the way that international law and its own commitments, starting successive British Governments always have done. with the full implementation of the Minsk agreements. Mr John Baron (Basildon and Billericay) (Con): Given Alec Shelbrooke: The sanctions on the Russian regime that evidence was submitted to the Foreign Affairs are clearly starting to have an effect, but does my right Committee that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office hon. Friend agree that support for the democratically had no in-house Crimea experts at the time of the elected Government of Ukraine is also important? Will Russian annexation, does the Minister agree that greater he describe the action that the Government are taking investment is required in our analytical capabilities? to support the democratically elected president, President Poroshenko, in moving forward to defend Ukraine from Mr Lidington: We have an extremely talented team of Russia? analysts working in the eastern European and central Asian directorate within the Foreign and Commonwealth Mr Lidington: I completely agree with my hon. Friend Office. In the light of events over the past 18 months, we about the importance of helping the elected Government have taken steps to strengthen the capacity of that side of Ukraine. The United Kingdom has provided Ukraine of the FCO. It is fair to say that most Governments with technical assistance to support economic and throughout the world had hoped on the basis of the administrative reform as well as humanitarian aid and past 25 years’ experience that Russia was moving towards non-lethal military assistance. We stand ready to discuss integration in a rules-based international order. It is with the Ukrainian Government in what further ways clear from the actions that Russia has taken in the past we might be able to help them in their task. year that that cannot be guaranteed and we need to respond accordingly. Mr Jackson: Will my right hon. Friend commit to working with the Defence Secretary to ensure that the toughest possible sanctions are applied to Russia until Mr Pat McFadden (Wolverhampton South East) (Lab): all the Minsk II protocols are met, and that Russia is The G7 communiqué agreed in Germany states that aware that threats to Moldova and the Baltic states will “we…stand ready to take further restrictive measures in order to result in the most severe repercussions? increase cost on Russia should its actions so require. We expect 1025 Oral Answers9 JUNE 2015 Oral Answers 1026 Russia to stop trans-border support of separatist forces and to Mr Hammond: The crisis in the eurozone is clearly a use its considerable influence over the separatists to meet their challenge for the eurozone. Part of our agenda is to Minsk commitments in full.” ensure that a robust framework is in place to regulate Given the clear evidence that Russia continues to pursue its the relationships between the eurozone countries that proxy war in the Ukraine, what more will the Government will integrate more closely in the future and the non- do to ensure European unity and maximum pressure on eurozone countries such as Britain that are in the EU Russia in the sanctions process? On today of all days, and need to be sure that they will be treated fairly and does the Minister agree that our role as a strong voice appropriately as the eurozone integrates further. for united European action in the face of Russian aggression would be helped if we did not leave the 20. [900194] Wayne David (Caerphilly) (Lab): Will the European Union—a move that would delight President Foreign Secretary tell us what treaty changes the Putin? Government want to achieve? Mr Lidington: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman Mr Hammond: The Prime Minister set out in a number for his final words. If he looks at how the United of publications and speeches the key areas in which we Kingdom Government have been engaged since the need to make change. I do not know whether the hon. Ukraine crisis began, he will see that my right hon. Gentleman has ever engaged in a process of negotiation, Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary but if I were to produce a piece of paper with our red have been decisive in getting a tough EU sanctions lines and bottom lines on it, we would be shot; our regime in place against Russia. We are actively engaged negotiating position would be destroyed. We do not in contingency planning should those sanctions need to intend to proceed in that way. be further strengthened in response to Russia’s actions. When I saw the Russian ambassador last week, I emphasised 17. [900191] Mr Douglas Carswell (Clacton) (UKIP): to him the need for the Minsk agreements to be Are there any circumstances in which, if the Foreign implemented in full, including access to all territory for Secretary fails to secure agreement for real reform from the external observers. our counterparts, he will join the out campaign—or is he in at any price? EU Reform Mr Hammond: I am very much with the Prime Minister when he says that we are confident that we will succeed 2. Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con): What in this negotiation, but that if our partners in Europe discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on do not accommodate Britain’s requirements, he will rule prospects for reform of the EU. [900176] nothing out. 6. Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con): What discussions he 22. [900196] Lucy Frazer (South East Cambridgeshire) has had with his EU counterparts on prospects for (Con): Like many constituencies, South East Cambridgeshire reform of the EU. [900180] contains many industries that compete in the international markets, as well as many small businesses. Will the Secretary The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth of State engage as many of those businesses as possible Affairs (Mr Philip Hammond): My right hon. Friend the in the debate on reform? Prime Minister and I have already started talking to our counterparts about our agenda for change in Britain’s Mr Hammond: Yes, indeed. The business view is relationship with the EU. We have set out British concerns important, and I have no doubt that it will make its with the status quo and the areas where we need to see view clear during the referendum campaign, but I emphasise change. again that the British people must make the ultimate decision. Graham Evans: The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, Alex Salmond (Gordon) (SNP): Will the Government’s said last week that one of the guiding principles of objectives, which the Foreign Secretary will not tell us negotiations on the UK’s future within the EU should about, require a treaty change, no treaty change or a be “where there’s a will, there’s a way”.