Extract from Oral
question (Lords) on Israel and Palestine
(CB):
My Lords, does the Minister agree that two-state solutions do not
have a happy record and simply turn latent ignorance and
prejudice into lasting enmity? We look at the partition of India
into two states, when several million people were killed
immediately and tens of millions were displaced. Closer to home,
we can look at the island of Ireland and the conflict that has
resulted there. Would it not be much better to look for the
commonalities and common aspirations of the two communities and
build on those rather than to divide a country and then have
permanent enmity?
(Con):
I thank the noble Lord for his question. He does well to remind
us of historical difficulties, which make it hard to achieve
peace in difficult circumstances. However, we firmly believe that
ultimately, the best way to promote coexistence is through a just
and lasting resolution that ends the occupation and delivers
peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Extract from Lords
motion to approve the Seafarers (Insolvency, Collective
Redundancies and Information and Consultation Miscellaneous
Amendments) Regulations 2018
(CB):...My Lords,
these regulations are, no doubt, narrowly drawn and seek to
improve protection for at least some seafarers using our ports.
There are, however, some wider problems. Foreign owners and
companies bring fishing vessels to British ports. They are often
largely crewed by people from south-east Asia and the Indian
subcontinent. When, from time to time, the owners become
insolvent or the vessels break down, the crews can be left in
very difficult situations. Their wages may be unpaid for long
periods. They may or may not receive the redundancy payments that
should be due. They may be asked to work on land or may choose to
do so, even illegally, because of the threat of destitution. They
may have serious difficulties in communicating with their
families and their Governments...
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Extracts from Commons
end of day adjournment debate on Maldives: Political
Situation
(North Antrim) (DUP):
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for giving way, and draw
Members’ attention to my registered interests on the Maldives. Is
the right hon. Gentleman going to draw some attention to the fact
that the United Kingdom’s reach on the Maldives has declined
somewhat because it has left the Commonwealth? What can we do to
rebuild that relationship, working with the ambassador, who is
based in Europe? What can we do to rebuild the relationship with
the Government for the very reasons the right hon. Gentleman has
outlined—to make the country more prosperous and, more
importantly, to turn it away from what would be a terrible plight
if his predictions came true?
Sir (East Devon)
(Con): Indeed, and two of the surrounding countries, Sri
Lanka and India, are members of the Commonwealth. I will say
later in my speech that, although I believe much needs to be done
before the Maldives comes back into the Commonwealth, its proper
place is back in the Commonwealth family...
...My fourth point concerns the possibility of regional conflict.
In recent years, China has been sending more tourists to the
islands and investing in the economy. In neighbouring Sri Lanka,
we see China building a port at Hambantota, an 11,500-foot runway
capable of taking an Airbus A380, and docks where oil tankers can
refuel. That has caused understandable nervousness
in India, and it is difficult to believe that
the Indians will allow the Chinese to gain a
similar foothold in the Maldives. It is also reported that the
Japanese navy recently spotted a Maldivian-registered tanker,
which allegedly is linked to President Yameen’s nephew,
transferring suspected crude oil to a North Korean tanker, in
violation of UN sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of
Korea. It would be interesting to hear the Minister’s response to
that...
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