Foreign Affairs in the Lords

As has been noted in earlier posts, there is a lot of interest in the House of Lords in international matters. This is reflected in next weeks business.

On Wednesday the Lib-Dem Peer Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer will ask Her Majesty’s Government what contribution they will make to the work required to achieve progress on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons following the resolution passed at the Review Conference in May.

Lord Teverson will initiate a debate on the Report of the European Union Committee on Stars and Dragons: The EU and China (7th Report, Session 2009–10, HL Paper 76).

On Thursday Lord Chidgey will ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to reports of human rights abuses by state organisations in the run-up to the recent elections in Sudan.

Later in the day Lord St John of Bletso will start a debate on developments in Zimbabwe.

In Congress This Week

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS



Thursday, September 10, 2009
9:30 a.m.(EDT)
Full Committee Hearing:
Outlook for Iraq and U.S. Policy
U.S. Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-CA), Chairman

WITNESS:
The Honorable Christopher R. Hill,
American Ambassador to Iraq
Room 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

What are the key issues in Foreign Policy?

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean described - in one succinct sentence, the key questions of foreign policy -

"what is happening in other people’s countries and

how much we intervene through the encouragement of some,

the criticism of others,

or, frankly, direct action when we feel the need"

It would be hard to better this useful summary.

Baroness Symons served as a Minister for eight years; including six in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and two in the Ministry of Defence.

Foreign Affairs in the House of Lords

The House of Lords takes a keen interest in Foreign Affairs. Its membership includes many former diplomats; Foreign Secretaries; Defence Ministers and leaders of the Armed Services. In House of Lords Business this week -

Lord Blaker asked about the Government's current policy towards Zimbabwe

Lord Alton asked a question for short debate on progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.

Today Lord Fowler will ask a question on Iraq and Lord Astor of Hever on Afghanistan.

Tomorrow Lord Roper will begin a debate on the EU and Russia.

In addition there are frequent questions on the EU - and there is an extensive series of sub-committees uner The European Union Committee.