Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

769200

registered interest
date	12/10/2017
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
hansard heading	North Korea: Diplomatic Relations
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government which countries have downgraded or severed diplomatic relations with North Korea over the past two months; and what assessment they have made of the UK’s diplomatic relationship with North Korea.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1934
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2017 answer text <p>The following countries have downgraded diplomatic relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the last two months: Egypt, Italy, Kuwait, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Spain and the United Arab Emirates. <br> <br>In the light of the repeated violations of UN Security Council Resolutions, we keep our bilateral relations with DPRK under constant review. At present, we judge that it is better to have open channels of communication where we can, especially in view of our presence in Pyongyang. This enables us to deliver tough messages directly to the regime.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 26/10/2017 16:33:56 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

769201

registered interest
date	12/10/2017
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
hansard heading	North Korea: Electronic Warfare
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of cyber threats to, and attacks on, the UK by North Korea; and what assessment they have made of reports that North Korea has opened a second internet connection to the rest of the world through a firm based in Russia.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1935
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/10/2017 answer text <p>The National Cyber Security Strategy 2016-2021 defines our vision and ambition for a UK that is secure and resilient to cyber threats. This includes the capacity to disrupt and deter those criminals and hostile states who threaten us, and we have increased the scale and development of GCHQ, Ministry of Defence and the National Crime Agency capabilities. The National Cyber Security Centre carries out regular assessments of the major cyber threats to the UK.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 25/10/2017 15:47:38 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

769202

registered interest
date	12/10/2017
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
hansard heading	North Korea: Crimes against Humanity
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the finding contained in the UN Report of the Commission of inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, published on 7 February 2014, that crimes against humanity have been committed in North Korea; and whether they intend to discuss with Michael Kirby, Chair of the Commission, the non-implementation of the recommendation contained in that report that the Security Council should refer the situation in North Korea to the International Criminal Court.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1936
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2017 answer text <p>The UK is fully committed to the principle that there must be no impunity for the most serious international crimes, such as those documented by the Commission of Inquiry as taking place in North Korea . In principle, the International Criminal Court (ICC) could be an appropriate forum to hold North Korea to account for its behaviour, but the ICC can only take action when a war crime or crime against humanity is suspected to have been committed in or by a country which is party to the Rome Statute, or when a situation is referred to them by the UN Security Council. North Korea is not a party to the Rome Statute. As we have seen with Syria, it can be difficult to achieve a referral when a country is not a signatory to the ICC. We welcome the Human Rights Council resolution in March 2017 which provides the basis for further work on a credible framework for accountability.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 26/10/2017 16:34:27 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

769235

registered interest
date	12/10/2017
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
hansard heading	Cameroon: Minority Groups
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Cameroon regarding reports of a recent escalation of violence directed at the Anglophone minority; and whether they have discussed with that government its obligations under international law and its own constitution to uphold the rights of its minorities, to refrain from torture, and to guarantee freedom of movement and expression to all its citizens.
tabling member printed	Baroness Northover
uin	HL1969
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2017 answer text <p>The Government is deeply concerned to hear reports of deaths and injuries in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon, including reports that 17 civilians were killed by the security services and many more injured. The situation appears to have calmed down since 1 October. <br> <br>The Minister for Africa released a statement on 4 October expressing the Government’s concern, urging restraint, and calling on all parties to reject violence and enter into dialogue to find urgent solutions to Anglophone grievances. <br> <br>The High Commissioner in Yaoundé has raised the need for dialogue and restraint with the Cameroonian authorities, including their obligations under international law in respect to human rights. He met with Prime Minister Philémon Yang on 27 September and 10 October, the Minister of Communication on 9 October, the Minister of Defence, Director General of Intelligence, and the Minister of Higher Education on 10 October, and the Minister of External Relations on 11 October. He also reiterated the United Kingdom’s concerns in television interviews on 9 and 10 October. <br> <br>The situation in Cameroon remains tense, and we urge the Cameroonian Government to accept the United Nations’ offer to support dialogue with the Anglophone community.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 24/10/2017 16:14:37 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover

769690

registered interest
date	12/10/2017
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
hansard heading	Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Trade Agreements
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many officials employed in his Department in June 2016 had substantial experience of international trade negotiation.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen North
tabling member printed	Kirsty Blackman
uin	107343
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2017 answer text <p>A significant proportion of FCO officials, both in the UK and overseas, have worked on roles relevant to the prosperity agenda, within which international trade is included. The FCO is also investing further to equip its and other HMG staff with the necessary skills through the Trade Policy and Negotiations Faculty of the Diplomatic Academy​.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 20/10/2017 13:49:40 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4357 label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman

769692

registered interest
date	12/10/2017
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
hansard heading	Andargachew Tsege
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on whether Andargachew Tsege's in absentia death sentence is unlawful.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	107401
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2017 answer text <p>​The British Government consistently lobbies against the application of the death penalty, and against the carrying out of such sentences when they are imposed. In respect of UK nationals overseas, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's role is primarily to look after a prisoner's welfare while they are detained. We cannot give or pay for legal advice, start legal proceedings on their behalf or interfere in local judicial procedures. We do not hold any information on, and are therefore not in a position to form a view as to, the legality of the process in this case but we remain resolute opponents of the death penalty.</p> answering member constituency Penrith and The Border answering member printed Rory Stewart question first answered 19/10/2017 15:58:23 answering member 4137 label Biography information for Rory Stewart
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

769693

registered interest
date	12/10/2017
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
hansard heading	Iran: Christianity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Government of Iran on the cases of four Christians in that country who were due to have an appeal hearing in October 2017 on their sentence of 10 years imprisonment for involvement with the House Church movement.
tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
uin	107403
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2017 answer text <p>We regularly raise human rights, including continued persecution of religious minorities with the Iranian government at all levels. I raised our concerns about the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities in Iran, including Christians, directly with my Iranian counterpart during my visit to Tehran on 5 August. We will continue to support the work done by the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 17/10/2017 15:20:03 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

769694

registered interest
date	12/10/2017
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
hansard heading	Israel: Arms Trade
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the humanitarian effect on Palestinians of UK arms sales to Israel.
tabling member constituency	Sheffield, Hallam
tabling member printed	Jared O'Mara
uin	107360
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2017 answer text <p>​While we have not made any assessment on this issue, the Government takes its defence export responsibilities extremely seriously and operates some of the most robust export controls in the world. We only approve equipment which is for Israel's legitimate self defence and where we are satisfied it would be consistent with the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria and other relevant commitments. We continue to assess the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and take into account the latest circumstances when assessing licence applications.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 20/10/2017 12:11:09 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4661 label Biography information for Jared O'Mara

769695

registered interest
date	12/10/2017
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
hansard heading	Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Trade Agreements
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many officials employed in his Department as of 12 October 2017 have substantial experience of international trade negotiations.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen North
tabling member printed	Kirsty Blackman
uin	107363
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2017 answer text <p>Building the UK’s prosperity is a key priority for the Foreign &amp; Commonwealth Office (FCO). Our network of Posts overseas work to deliver the goals of the whole of Government, including in support of the objectives of the Department for International Trade. A significant proportion of FCO officials, both in the UK and overseas, have worked on roles relevant to the prosperity agenda, within which international trade is included. The FCO is also investing further to equip its and other HMG staff with the necessary skills through the Trade Policy and Negotiations Faculty of the Diplomatic Academy.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 17/10/2017 16:00:40 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4357 label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman

769696

registered interest
date	12/10/2017
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
hansard heading	Palestinians: Refugees
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on Palestinian refugees' right of return to Israel and the Occupied Palestian Territories.
tabling member constituency	Sheffield, Hallam
tabling member printed	Jared O'Mara
uin	107394
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2017 answer text <p>The Government's policy is that the question of the right of return of Palestinian refugees needs to be addressed in a final status agreement, negotiated between the two parties, and including a just, fair and agreed settlement for refugees.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 20/10/2017 12:12:35 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4661 label Biography information for Jared O'Mara