Speeches by Rushworth.

“Q I want to go back and get your views on the use of bank cards. You have talked about the 16,000 people who showed up to vote but were unable to, and no one has ever canvassed without finding, about every hour, someone who that has happened to. There have only been three convictions, however, for electoral fraud. Clea…”

“Is there any technical assistance that the UK could or should be providing?”

“I should draw attention to my entry in the register of interests, having had the opportunity to be up front in Sri Lanka with the HALO Trust. The Government of Syria have set up this national mine action centre. Do you have a sense of how the FCDO could meaningfully engage and support them with that work?”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you.”

“UK technical assistance and expertise is being given to those initiatives.”

“UK technical assistance and expertise is being given to those initiatives.”

“With the welcome return of refugees, both from here, but also from the wider region, the Syrian Government will inevitably face pressures. What are the UK Government doing to support the Syrians in managing the return of refugees to their homeland?”

“With the welcome return of refugees, both from here, but also from the wider region, the Syrian Government will inevitably face pressures. What are the UK Government doing to support the Syrians in managing the return of refugees to their homeland?”

“My question is a simple one: what assessment have you already made of the humanitarian implications that the US-Israel war in Iran has had, particularly for Syria, but also more broadly for the region?”

“Can I ask about ensuring safe passage of humanitarian aid and what the Government are doing to make sure that aid is unimpeded in getting into Syria?”

“That is useful to know. My final question is about the degree to which the level of unexploded ordnance needs to be incorporated into humanitarian action in Syria. In terms of humanitarian programming, to what extent do actors need to take account of unexploded ordnance?”

“Chair, stop me if this question is coming up later, but on the point about system strengthening, there is a state-building project to be done in Syria as well, as it transitions to a new Government. What support is the UK giving in that regard?”

“Chair, stop me if this question is coming up later, but on the point about system strengthening, there is a state-building project to be done in Syria as well, as it transitions to a new Government. What support is the UK giving in that regard?”

“In the Government’s engagement with Israel on that, do we have any influence? Do you feel that we are listened to?”

“Your assessment is that there is a gap between the support needed and the support being given.”

“Is that at the level of the FCDO, or are you suggesting working through partners like the HALO Trust and MAG?”

“Can I ask you about the increasing Israeli military presence in south-western Syria and what steps, if any, the Government are taking to de-escalate tensions?”

“Is there any technical assistance that the UK could or should be providing?”

“I should draw attention to my entry in the register of interests, having had the opportunity to be up front in Sri Lanka with the HALO Trust. The Government of Syria have set up this national mine action centre. Do you have a sense of how the FCDO could meaningfully engage and support them with that work?”