Covid-19
Vaccine
(Harrogate and Knaresborough)
(Con): Around the world, there are more than 100 programmes to
develop a coronavirus vaccine. Can my hon. Friend confirm that our
global diplomatic presence is assisting UK companies and
universities to participate in those programmes, basically by using
their local networks to highlight the significant expertise that
the UK can contribute, but also vice versa to identify where those
contacts can contribute to UK-based programmes, because this is
truly a global effort?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and
Commonwealth Affairs (): Yes, our overseas network
is working actively around the globe, particularly through our
world-leading science and innovation network. The Vaccine Taskforce
is also ensuring that work being done to find a vaccine in the UK
complements and supports global efforts, including by providing
industry and research institutions with resources and support. We
welcome the announcement on 4 June of the innovative collaborations
between AstraZeneca, CEPI, Gavi and the Serum Institute of
India to support the production of 1.3 billion
doses for global access to a potential covid-19 vaccine.
Topical
Questions
(Manchester, Gorton) (Lab)
[V]: While the Government set out plans for easing the UK’s
lockdown, I remind the House that Kashmiris have
been under lockdown for more than 330 days. Unlike ours, their
lockdown is not being lifted at any time, with the humanitarian
situation worsening each day. Will the UK Government condemn the
human rights abuses in Kashmir and call on the
Indianauthorities to immediately lift the
lockdown? [904078]
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and
First Secretary of State (): I know that the hon.
Gentleman follows this issue assiduously. I have raised with the
Indian Foreign Minister issues in relation to
human rights in Kashmir. We continue to regard
it as a bilateral dispute that needs to be resolved between
Pakistan and India, but the issues the hon.
Gentleman has raised are important, we are concerned about them
and we do raise them with the Indian Government
