Results 1-20 of 1,547 for in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates' speaker:Mark Simmonds
- Sudan and South Sudan (18 June 2013)
Mark Simmonds: I begin by congratulating all hon. Members who have participated in this important debate. Their knowledge was exemplified by and built on the visits that people have clearly made to this important and challenging part of Africa. I agree with the hon. Member for Wrexham (Ian Lucas) on the importance of the all-party group on Sudan and South Sudan and its significant contribution to...
- Sudan and South Sudan (18 June 2013)
Mark Simmonds: I am grateful for that intervention. The Department for International Development does that sort of project, and the hon. Gentleman is right to highlight the importance of putting in place sustainable economic policies to give people a stake in the community and to be able to provide for themselves and their families in a sustainable way. Ultimately, that is the only way we are going to break...
- Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Chagos Islands (18 June 2013)
Mark Simmonds: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary stated in December last year, we are taking stock of our policy on the British Indian Ocean Territory. We are engaged in a programme of consultation, including with the Chagos islanders.
- Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Chagos Islands (18 June 2013)
Mark Simmonds: As I said in my previous response, we are undertaking a review. There is no fixed timetable for the conclusion of that exercise. It is important that the review is thorough and that it consults as wide a range of partners as possible, both inside and outside Whitehall. That cannot be rushed. However, I hope to provide the House with an update on the process before the summer recess.
- Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Chagos Islands (18 June 2013)
Mark Simmonds: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that question. Significant credit should be paid to him for the assiduous way in which he represents the Chagossian community living primarily in his constituency. I confirm that we will be consulting his constituents and Chagossians who live in Manchester, as well as those who live in Mauritius and the Seychelles.
- Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Chagos Islands (18 June 2013)
Mark Simmonds: If I may correct the hon. Gentleman, the existing agreement runs out in December 2016. The agreement set out in 1966 stipulated that it would automatically be rolled over unless one of the parties disputes it between 2014 and 2016. We welcome the US presence in Diego Garcia, which offers a shared strategic asset for both countries, but the hon. Gentleman has alighted on some of the main...
- Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Discrimination: LGBT (18 June 2013)
Mark Simmonds: The United Kingdom works on human rights issues through international organisations, as well as bilaterally though our embassies and high commissions. Tackling discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity is a UK priority. Our clear message is that human rights are universal, and should apply equally to all people.
- Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Discrimination: LGBT (18 June 2013)
Mark Simmonds: If the hon. Lady has time, she should look at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s human rights and democracy report. It contains a section on LGBT rights, respect for which is an integral part of the Government’s wider international human rights programme. We lobby consistently to try to ensure—through our bilateral relations, and also through multilateral organisations...
- Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Discrimination: LGBT (18 June 2013)
Mark Simmonds: My hon. Friend has made a powerful point. Of course I shall be happy to ensure that the relevant and important non-governmental organisations to which he has referred, along with others, engage with officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He is also right to draw attention to the significant challenges that exist in some countries, but I assure him and other Members that we lobby...
- Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Discrimination: LGBT (18 June 2013)
Mark Simmonds: As I said a moment ago, we consistently lobby—through bilateral relations and our embassy in Moscow, as well as through the multilateral organisations I referred to earlier, particularly the UN with its universal periodic review—to make sure that countries like Russia adhere to the international framework for human rights, especially as it relates to LGBT rights. I can give the...
- Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Topical Questions (18 June 2013)
Mark Simmonds: The hon. Gentleman is right to signify the importance and potential benefit to Africa of the discussions taking place at the G8. He also should be aware of the very positive and speedy way in which the United Kingdom’s Crown dependencies and overseas territories engaged with this important agenda, particularly as it relates to the automatic exchange of tax information, signing up to the...