Gulf of Guinea: Abduction

Foreign and Commonwealth Office written question – answered at on 5 March 2020.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Emily Thornberry Emily Thornberry Shadow Foreign Secretary

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the increase in kidnappings off the coast of the Gulf of Guinea.

Photo of James Duddridge James Duddridge Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) (Joint with the Department for International Development)

The UK is aware of continuing reports of piracy attacks in the Gulf of Guinea. While the number of attacks remain within historic norms, we share the concern of the shipping industry about the increase in kidnappings for ransom. The UK's first priority in the region is to support British businesses and trade. The UK is engaged bilaterally, with allies, and through international structures to tackle maritime insecurity, through military capacity building, the provision of aid, and civil training. We also work closely with proactive partners in the shipping and petrochemicals industry to ensure that their voice is heard in the region.

Does this answer the above question?

Yes1 person thinks so

No0 people think not

Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.