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Select committee: Foreign Affairs Committee

The Commonwealth Summit inquiry

Closed Opened 12 Feb 2018 Closed 13 Jul 2018

Foreign Affairs Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗

Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
The Committee asked the Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the UN what the UK's plans are for the Commonwealth Summit, what the Government wants to get out of the UK's tenure as Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth and how the Commonwealth features in the Government’s plans for a post-Brexit 'Global Britain'. Report: Global Britain and the 2018 Commonwealth Summit Report: Global Britain and the 2018 Commonwealth Summit (PDF: 271KB) Government Response: Global Britain and the 2018 Commonwealth Summit Government Response: Global Britain and the 2018 Commonwealth Summit (PDF: 161KB)

Where it stands

The inquiry is closed, opened 12 February 2018.

The committee has published 1 report, most recently 7th Report - Global Britain and the 2018 Commonwealth Summit on 5 April 2018.

The government's response

Published 13 July 2018.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The Government 'takes note' of the Committee's report, agreeing with some recommendations, concluding against an online Commonwealth news channel, and setting out priorities and commitments for the UK's period as Chair-in-Office.

  • On the Chair-in-Office, it sets out priorities (including the Cyber Declaration, plastic pollution, girls' education, intra-Commonwealth trade and malaria) and says the FCO "will be pleased to give the Committee a mid-term account of progress in April 2019".
  • On the proposed online Commonwealth news channel, the FCO says it "considered carefully" but "concluded that it would not" be an effective way to showcase the Commonwealth, citing disproportionate cost and a limited audience.
  • On a new forum for legal practitioners, it "agrees" that practical co-operation is of great benefit but believes "sufficient fora are already in place".
  • On resources, it says it will open nine new missions in Commonwealth countries, expanding the network from 38 to 47 members, and that future Secretariat funding post-2020 "will depend on progress" on performance, efficiency and reform.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error

Reports

All reports

Evidence

  • 1 oral evidence sessionLatest 20 February 2018
All evidence

Recent activity

Reports

1 report

Oral evidence sessions

1 session

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Date Session and witnesses Source
20 Feb 2018
Oral evidence session
No witnesses recorded 		View ↗