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47816

registered interest
date	09/04/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many incursions into Gibraltarian waters by Spanish government-owned vessels occurred in (1) 2012, (2), 2013, and (3) January and February 2014.
tabling member printed	Lord West of Spithead
uin	HL6758
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>The number of unlawful incursions into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters by Spanish state vessels totalled:</p><p>229 in 2012<br>496 in 2013<br>75 in January and February 2014</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
tabling member	3834 label Biography information for Lord West of Spithead

47826

registered interest
date	09/04/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of the recent arrival at Port Sudan of land cruisers, tanks and heavy artillery to be delivered via the Sudanese authorities to Malian fighters in Western Darfur in camps around al-Geneina and Kutum.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL6768
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>We have not seen any reports of a recent arrival at Port Sudan of land cruisers, tanks and heavy artillery to be delivered via the Sudanese authorities to Malian fighters in Western Darfur in camps around al-Geneina and Kutum. The UK remains deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in Darfur. We continue to monitor developments in Darfur and call for all sides to immediate cease the violence.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

47836

registered interest
date	09/04/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made representations to the government of Sudan following reports of population displacement by violence in Darfur since the beginning of 2014 and that UNAMID and humanitarian agencies have been prevented from entering the affected areas; and if so, at what level of government, and whether any other countries have been involved in those representations.
tabling member printed	The Earl of Sandwich
uin	HL6778
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>We continue to raise the issues around Darfur with the Government of Sudan consistently and frequently, and at all levels. Most recently, the Minister for Africa, my hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mr Simmonds), issued two statements on 6 March and 7 April condemning the escalating violence in Darfur, calling for humanitarian access and for all sides to immediately cease the violence. Our Ambassador in Khartoum raised Darfur with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (State Minister level) in late March, and with the Chairman of the Darfur Regional Authority on 1 April. The Head of the Department for International Development (DFID) in Sudan met the Commissioner of the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) to raise access for humanitarian agencies in Darfur in April. The UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator's Office also led a high level mission of UN and EU/US ambassadors and heads of agency to Darfur, during which UK representatives raised this issue with the Governor of North Darfur. Officials have also raised Darfur with the acting Ambassador of the Sudanese Embassy in London.</p><p>UN Resolution 2148 which focuses on UNAMID was adopted on 3 April. It expresses particular concern at reports of an escalation of violence in Darfur since February 2014, resulting in the displacement of a large number of civilians, and at the denial of access for UNAMID and humanitarian actors to the affected areas by the Sudanese authorities and calls on the Government of Sudan to comply with the Status of Forces Agreement fully and without delay, and to enhance its cooperation with UNAMID on the implementation of the peacekeeping mission's mandate.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
tabling member	2109 label Biography information for The Earl of Sandwich

47838

registered interest
date	09/04/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Botswana about the ban on hunting imposed on the Bushmen, in contravention of the terms of independence agreed by the United Kingdom in 1966.
tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
uin	HL6780
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>The British Government have had regular discussions with the Government of Botswana regarding the situation of the San (Bushmen). In those discussions we have consistently encouraged the Government of Botswana to seek an inclusive, sustainable and negotiated solution. EU Heads of Mission discussed the impact of the hunting ban on the San (Bushmen) in February 2014 with the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch

47839

registered interest
date	09/04/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have discussed with the government of Botswana its decision to allow only the 189 successful applicants in the Bushmen's case against their government in 2006 to return to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
uin	HL6781
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>The British Government have had regular discussions with the Government of Botswana regarding the situation of the San (Bushmen). In those discussions we have consistently encouraged the Government of Botswana to seek an inclusive, sustainable and negotiated solution. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised the situation of the San communities in Botswana with President Khama when they met on 13 February.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch

47840

registered interest
date	09/04/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have discussed with the government of Botswana its decision to restrict water bore holes for the Bushmen, in view of that country's court decisions in 2006 and 2011 and the terms of independence agreed by the United Kingdom in 1966.
tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
uin	HL6782
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>The British Government have had regular discussions with the Government of Botswana regarding the situation of the San (Bushmen). In those discussions we have consistently encouraged the Government of Botswana to seek an inclusive, sustainable and negotiated solution. We welcomed the government's announcement that it would abide by the 2011 ruling concerning boreholes.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch

47841

registered interest
date	09/04/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have discussed with the government of Botswana its decision in 2013 to ban Mr Gordon Bennett from entering that country following his pursuit of successful cases against that government on behalf of the Bushmen.
tabling member printed	Lord Pearson of Rannoch
uin	HL6783
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>Our High Commissioner to Botswana has raised the issue of Mr Bennett's visa status with senior officials from the Government of Botswana.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
tabling member	3153 label Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch

47871

registered interest
date	09/04/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the recent medical evaluation by Dr Emily Keram of the British Guantánamo Bay detainee, Shaker Aamer, whether they will make further representations to the government of the United States concerning Mr Aamer's release; and whether they intend to provide an amicus curiae brief in support of Mr Aamer's motion for release, as requested by his lawyers.
tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
uin	HL6813
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>Mr Aamer's case remains a high priority for the Government. We take Mr Aamer's welfare very seriously and continue to make clear to the US at the highest levels that we wish to secure his release, and return to the UK, as a matter of urgency. Most recently, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised Mr Aamer's case in a meeting with the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, in February this year. We are currently considering Reprieve's request for the Government to provide an amicus curiae brief and will respond in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

47752

registered interest
date	08/04/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what were the circumstances of the incursion by a Spanish state research vessel accompanied by a Spanish Guardia Civil vessel into British Gibraltar territorial waters on 1 April; whether they consider that such incursions present any danger to human safety; and what naval and police resources are available in Gibraltar to counter such incidents and to secure the safety of personnel.
tabling member printed	Lord Luce
uin	HL6700
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>On the evening of 1 April, the Spanish state research vessel, Angeles Alvarino, entered British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW). The vessel was shadowed by Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron and Royal Gibraltar Police vessels. The Angeles Alvarino departed BGTW after approximately three hours. The Government publicly summoned the Spanish Ambassador to the UK on 2 April to make a formal diplomatic protest. In his statement of the same day, the Minister for Europe, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington), made clear that not only were the actions of the survey vessel unlawful, but the dangerous manoeuvring of the accompanying Spanish Guardia Civil vessel presented a significant safety concern on the waters.</p><p>Although unlawful, incursions are a violation of British sovereignty, not a threat to it. They do not weaken or undermine the legal basis in international law for British sovereignty over Gibraltar including British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.</p><p>Maritime security in Gibraltar is provided by the Royal Navy's Lifespan Patrol Vessels, HMS SCIMITAR and HMS SABRE, and up to three Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs), all operated by the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron. The Gibraltar Defence Police have two 15 metre launches and three Arctic 24 RHIBs for maritime force protection. Ordinarily three police officers are assigned to marine duties, drawing on a cadre of some 20 personnel. Larger Royal Navy ships visit Gibraltar regularly in relation to operational and training activity, reflecting its utility as a permanent joint operating base.</p><p>The Royal Gibraltar Police is responsible for law enforcement in Gibraltar. Their Marine Section has two patrol vessels, one of them with a small deployable RHIB onboard, three RHIB interceptors, one ‘jet boat' and three jet skis.</p><p>All elements of the situation, including the maritime security capabilities available to the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron, are kept under review. We are ready to provide additional assets to the Squadron or augment our broader maritime posture as necessary.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
tabling member	908 label Biography information for Lord Luce

47754

registered interest
date	08/04/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 7 April (WA 244), by what criteria they decided to promote a United Nations inquiry into events in Sri Lanka; whether they have considered the situation of the Sikh community in India against those criteria; if not, why not; and if so, with what conclusions.
tabling member printed	Lord Singh of Wimbledon
uin	HL6702
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>We have serious human rights concerns on Sri Lanka, and concerns over lack of progress on accountability and reconciliation. In a joint statement with the UN Secretary-General in 2009, the Sri Lankan government committed to addressing accountability issues. In 2011, the UN Panel of Experts recommended that the Sri Lankan government should immediately hold ‘an effective domestic accountability process' into alleged violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law by both sides of Sri Lanka's military conflict. The Panel of Experts also recommended that the UN Secretary-General should establish an ‘independent international mechanism' to investigate these allegations.</p><p>In both 2012 and 2013, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) subsequently called upon the Sri Lankan government to hold a credible domestic accountability process into the allegations. In the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay's report to the UNHRC on Sri Lanka in March 2014, the High Commissioner assessed that domestic accountability processes were ‘limited and piecemeal', and that none ‘had the independence or credibility required'. As a result of this, the British Government supported the High Commissioner's call for an international investigation. On 27 March, the UNHRC passed a resolution which establishes an international investigation, in addition to calling on the Sri Lankan government to make progress on human rights and accountability.</p><p>On the situation of the Sikh community in India, I refer the noble Lord to my answer of 7 April 2014, Official Report Column WA 244.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
tabling member	4251 label Biography information for Lord Singh of Wimbledon