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164355

registered interest
date	24/11/2014
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
hansard heading	Central African Republic
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Government is taking to promote religious respect and the safety of Christians in the Central African Republic.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	215734
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2014 answer text <p>Addressing religious tensions in the Central African Republic (CAR) is an important part of supporting international efforts to protect the population from ongoing violence. The Inter-Religious platform in CAR is made up of Muslim and Christian leaders and has been at the forefront of peace-building and reconciliation efforts, engaging with communities that have been directly affected by sectarian violence in CAR. We welcome their efforts to promote dialogue, and have called for similar actions from CAR's transitional government. As my hon friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Tobias Ellwood) said in Westminster Hall on 19 November, without justice, peace and reconciliation, there can be no future for the CAR.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 01/12/2014 14:47:21 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

164356

registered interest
date	24/11/2014
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
hansard heading	Middle East
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Palestinian counterparts on levels of incitement to violence against Israel.
tabling member constituency	Brigg and Goole
tabling member printed	Andrew Percy
uin	215756
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2014 answer text <p>Officials from our Consulate-General in Jerusalem regularly speak to members of the Palestinian leadership including representatives from the Palestinian Liberation Organization, the President’s office and the Prime Minister’s office, to underline the importance of the Palestinian leadership taking all possible steps, including avoiding the use of inflammatory rhetoric, to reduce tension and encourage calm in Jerusalem and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). I also raised the importance of this issue with interlocutors on both sides on my visit to Israel and the OPTs in October.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 27/11/2014 14:29:44 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	3939 label Biography information for Andrew Percy

164357

registered interest
date	24/11/2014
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
hansard heading	Antisemitism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had (a) with his counterparts from Belgium, France and the Netherlands and (b) in EU fora about the incidence of anti-Semitic attacks in those countries.
tabling member constituency	Aberconwy
tabling member printed	Guto Bebb
uin	215644
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2014 answer text <p>The British Government is committed to combating anti-Semitism wherever it is found and supports the efforts of EU partners to tackle racism in all its forms.</p><p>As current Chair of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), we will be discussing the recent rise in anti-Semitism across Europe (and particularly Holocaust denial and denigration) with European partners and others at the IHRA's Plenary Meetings in Manchester in December.</p><p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also works very closely with the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, which provides expert advice on tackling anti-Semitism to other EU Member States.</p><p>The British Government was represented by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my Hon Friend the Member for Portsmouth North (Ms Mordaunt), at the tenth anniversary of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Conference and Declaration on Anti-Semitism, held in Berlin on 13 November. We hope the OSCE as a whole will take note of, and act upon, recommendations made at that conference.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 27/11/2014 16:03:07 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	3910 label Biography information for Guto Bebb

164358

registered interest
date	24/11/2014
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
hansard heading	Electronic Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure its services are available online; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	215664
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2014 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is implementing its Digital Strategy which envisages providing its services digitally by default where possible. As envisaged in that strategy, the FCO has put in place a small Digital Transformation Unit with the necessary skills to drive that agenda. That Unit has put in place a prioritised plan for the transformation of the FCO’s services and has thus far transformed Chevening Scholarship applications and begun the roll out of a new online booking service for Consular appointments.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 01/12/2014 13:47:30 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

164360

registered interest
date	24/11/2014
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
hansard heading	Mexico
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Mexican government on the disappearance of students from their college in Guerrero on 26 September 2014.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
tabling member printed	Ann McKechin
uin	215652
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2014 answer text <p>We have been closely monitoring the recent tragic events in Guerrero and both Ministers and officials have raised the case with their Mexican counterparts. During the recent UK-Mexico High Level Political Talks in Mexico City, I personally highlighted the importance of a thorough and transparent investigation into the disappearance of the 43 students and the importance of ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice. We welcome the statements made by the Mexican government, promising that there will be no impunity for those responsible and stand ready to support.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 27/11/2014 14:22:04 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1419 label Biography information for Ann McKechin

164361

registered interest
date	24/11/2014
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
hansard heading	South Sudan
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assistance the UK has provided to Intergovernmental Authority on Development monitoring and verification teams in South Sudan to ensure that they enjoy freedom of movement in that country.
tabling member constituency	North West Norfolk
tabling member printed	Mr Henry Bellingham
uin	215696
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2014 answer text <p>The UK led efforts to secure a UN-mandated protection force to support the Intergovernmental Authority on Development's (IGAD) Monitoring and Verification Teams’ safe operation across South Sudan. In addition, we have committed £1.2 million of support to IGAD for the Monitoring and Verification Teams’ work, including assistance with logistical and transport capacity. As I did with the South Sudanese Foreign Minister, Dr Barnaba Benjamin, during the UN General Assembly in New York in September, we continue to stress to all sides that obstructing the work of the Monitoring and Verification Teams constitutes a violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 01/12/2014 14:44:51 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	1441 label Biography information for Lord Bellingham

164362

registered interest
date	24/11/2014
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
hansard heading	British Overseas Territories
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports or assessments have been commissioned on child protection proceedings in the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies since 1994; when each such report or assessment was commissioned; which jurisdiction was the subject of each such report or assessment; and what external agency was used in each case.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Yardley
tabling member printed	John Hemming
uin	215722
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2014 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has supported the Overseas Territories (OTs) in developing capacity to manage and improve child safeguarding since 2005, through the joint commissioning of a number of reports and assessments:</p><p>• On 21 July 2014 the former FCO Minister for Overseas Territories, the Hon Member for Boston and Skegness (Mark Simmonds) announced to Parliament that the FCO would be establishing an independent Inquiry into child abuse allegations on St Helena. On 20 November 2014, the Foreign Secretary announced to Parliament that Sasha Wass QC will be leading the inquiry.</p><p>• In March 2014: Northumbria Police investigation into observations of child safeguarding provisions and the effectiveness and efficiency of the St Helena Police force.</p><p>• A review of Policing in St Helena was undertaken by Simon Martin, Southern Ocean Law Enforcement Adviser 4-6 March 2013.</p><p>• In September 2013 the Lucy Faithfull foundation carried out a St Helena Child Safeguarding Review 2013. An executive summary was published at the time.</p><p>• In November 2012 Sussex Constabulary investigated complaints about police officers in an Ascension Island investigation.</p><p>• A primary investigation into the allegations raised in an anonymous letter received by the FCO on 7 November 2012 led by Lewis Evans, Immigration Executive Officer on Ascension and St Helena.</p><p>• There were three Pitcairn Child Safeguarding Reviews in 2009, 2011 and 2013, conducted by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and independent Social Work experts from New Zealand.</p><p>• A Child Safety Review in the Falkland Islands by the Lucy Faithful Foundation in June 2013 with a report published in August 2013.</p><p>• The Lucy Faithful Foundation produced a preliminary report in 2014 on Montserrat.</p><p>• There have been the following DFID initiatives since 2005: The Safeguarding Children in the Overseas Territories (SCOT) programme (2009-2013), followed on from a Child Protection Programme (CPP, 2005-2008).</p><p>• In September 2014 a dedicated Child Safeguarding and Domestic Violence Policy Officer position was created within the Overseas Territories Directorate of the FCO to encourage compliance with best practice and support the Territories in establishing and improving existing measures that promote welfare and protect children from harm.</p><p>As self governing jurisdictions the Crown Dependencies have their own systems in place and responsibility for child safeguarding, as such there has been no reason for HMG to commission any reports.</p><p>You have asked for details of reports or assessments commissioned into child protection since 1994. The information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 01/12/2014 17:26:27 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	1483 label Biography information for John Hemming

164364

registered interest
date	24/11/2014
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
hansard heading	Kashmir
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Indian and Pakistani counterparts on a resolution to the situation in Kashmir.
tabling member constituency	Blaydon
tabling member printed	Mr David Anderson
uin	215726
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2014 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has spoken to both his Indian and Pakistani counterparts about regional issues in recent weeks. The longstanding position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, one which takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or to mediate in finding one.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 27/11/2014 14:30:18 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1486 label Biography information for Mr David Anderson

164459

registered interest
date	24/11/2014
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
hansard heading	Bahrain
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he plans to take following the recent death of Hasan Al-Shaikh in Bahrain as a result of alleged police torture; and how the use of torture in Bahrain will change his policy towards that country.
tabling member constituency	Southend West
tabling member printed	Mr David Amess
uin	215742
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2014 answer text <p>The British Ambassador to Bahrain has publicly raised the UK’s concern about the death of Hasan al-Shaikh at Bahrain’s Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre. A Special Investigation Unit report led to six members of staff, including three high ranking officers, appearing before the High Criminal Court on 25 November to answer charges of assaulting and torturing four men, including Al Shaikh. All six defendents pleaded not guilty and the case was adjourned until 22 December. The UK Government stands firmly against torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment, and we continue to work closely with the Government of Bahrain to share best practice on torture prevention measures.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 01/12/2014 15:09:09 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	44 label Biography information for Sir David Amess

164460

registered interest
date	24/11/2014
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
hansard heading	Bahrain
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received on the arrest of Zainab Al-Khawaja in Bahrain; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Southend West
tabling member printed	Mr David Amess
uin	215740
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2014 answer text <p>I understand that Zainab Al-Khawaja was released on bail on 19 November. Her next court hearing will be on 9 December for charges under Bahrain’s &quot;lese majeste&quot; law. The British Ambassador to Bahrain has raised the case at a senior level with the Government of Bahrain and emphasised the importance of ensuring that due legal process is respected and international norms of justice adhered to. I will continue to monitor the case closely.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 01/12/2014 15:09:58 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	44 label Biography information for Sir David Amess