Category: Questions

Q Asked by Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes)
Asked on: 12 May 2020

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Taiwan: Interpol / 46033

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to member states of INTERPOL to (a) grant observer status to Taiwan at the 89th General Assembly of INTERPOL, and (b) enable Taiwan to have access to that organisation’s I-24/7 Global Police Communications System and key training programmes.

A Answered by: Nigel Adams
Answered on: 22 May 2020

The UK’s longstanding policy on Taiwan and international organisations has not changed. The British Government continues to hold the view that the people of Taiwan have a meaningful contribution to make towards global issues such as combatting organised crime. We therefore support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations, such as INTERPOL, where there is precedent for their involvement, where they can contribute to the global good and where there is no pre-requisite of nationhood for participation. The UK has not made any representations on Taiwan’s observer status at INTERPOL this year but will work with international partners on this issue.

 

Q Asked by John Spellar (Warley)
Asked on: 22 April 2020

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Taiwan: Coronavirus / 38872

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the Taiwanese authorities on lessons learned from their handling of the covid-19 pandemic.

A Answered by: Nigel Adams
Answered on: 30 April 2020

Through our office in Taipei, the British Government has been in regular contact with the Taiwanese health authorities around all aspects of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. We will continue to learn from and share good practice with Taiwan, as we aim to do with all those who have been affected by this pandemic. In line with our longstanding policy, we believe Taiwan has a meaningful role to play in combatting global threats like COVID-19.

 

Q Asked by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
Asked on: 16 March 2020

Department for International Trade
Renewable Energy: Exports / HL2649

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support exports by the renewable energy sector.

A Answered by: Viscount Younger of Leckie
Answered on: 24 March 2020

The Department for International Trade (DIT) undertakes a range of activities to support exports from the renewable energy sector, including those under the ‘GREAT’ campaign. DIT’s renewable energy sector team engages with UK exporters, and our international network of trade and investment advisors offers further help to exporters, with renewable energy and clean growth key themes.

For example, last year the Department worked closely with Taiwan, signing a Memorandum of Understanding to open up Taiwan’s offshore wind opportunities for UK companies. The offshore wind sector deal commits DIT and industry to increase offshore wind exports fivefold to £2.6 billion by 2030.

 

Q Asked by Lord Truscott
Asked on: 09 March 2020

Department of Health and Social Care
Coronavirus: Taiwan / HL2390

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the success of measures adopted in Taiwan to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

A Answered by: Lord Bethell
Answered on: 23 March 2020

United Kingdom officials continue to work closely with key multinational partners to ensure that the Government’s response to COVID-19 is guided by the international situation, the advice of organisations such as the World Health Organization, surveillance, data modelling and the recommendations of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, which provides expert medical scientific advice.

The Deputy Chief Medical Officer is due to have a conversation with key experts in Taiwan to learn further information about their approach. We are enormously grateful for the support from foreign countries like Taiwan.

 

Q Asked by Lord Blencathra
Asked on: 13 February 2020

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Taiwan: Coronavirus / HL1631

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the World Health Organisation about including the 18 cases of coronavirus on Taiwan with the 40,000 in China; and whether they are concerned that this misrepresents the true position in Taiwan.

A Answered by: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Answered on: 26 February 2020

Alongside a number of like-minded countries, the UK has raised at the highest levels of the World Health Organisation the importance of having accurate data on Taiwan. It is crucial that there is an accurate picture of how the virus is spreading globally. Public Health England reports cases in mainland China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), Macau SAR and Taiwan separately.

 

Q Asked by Lord Blencathra
Asked on: 13 February 2020

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Taiwan: Coronavirus / HL1632

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the World Health Organisation about sharing its information on coronavirus with the government of Taiwan separately from the information that that organisation has shared with the government of China.

A Answered by: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Answered on: 26 February 2020

Alongside a number of like-minded countries, the UK has raised, at the highest levels of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the importance of all states and territories having access to the most up to date information about COVID-19. This is consistent with the UK’s longstanding position that Taiwan should be able to meaningfully participate in international organisations such as the WHO, where statehood is not a prerequisite and it can contribute to the global good.