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92919

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
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	Private Finance Initiative
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the total private finance initiative liabilities of his Department are for the next 20 years; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	210089
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has only one private finance initiative liability. This is in relation to the British Embassy in Berlin. The FCO Berlin Private Finance Initiative (PFI) liability (the Unitary Payment) expires in June 2030. The Unitary Payment under the PFI agreement is annually indexed using an agreed index formula. The value of the PFI is commercially sensitive, as the release of such information would likely be commercially disadvantageous to the FCO when tendering future contracts as part of the initiative.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 20/10/2014 16:31:53 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

92562

registered interest
date	10/10/2014
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	Poland
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 with his Polish counterpart on UK support for Poland regarding that country's territorial integrity; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	209915
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2014 answer text <p>At the Wales Summit the Alliance reaffirmed its commitment to meet treaty obligations to any member under threat. The UK offered its own force contribution at the Summit, namely a Battle Group and a Brigade HQ. The UK and Poland hold annual quadrilateral meetings involving both Foreign and Defence Secretaries in which, amongst other things, defence cooperation is discussed. At this year’s meeting, we committed to joint UK-Poland military exercises over the next two years. I look forward to future discussions with my new Polish counterpart, Rafał Trzaskowski, on this issue and we were delighted to hand over the baton of hosting the next NATO summit in 2016 to Poland.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 17/10/2014 13:14:29 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

92563

registered interest
date	10/10/2014
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	Baltic States
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has given assurances to the Baltic States about the UK's commitment to (a) the NATO alliance and (b) their territorial integrity; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	209916
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2014 answer text <p>At the Wales Summit the Alliance reaffirmed its commitment to meet treaty obligations to any member under threat. A key UK objective for the Wales Summit was to provide greater reassurance to Eastern Allies as part of a robust response to Russia. The Summit launched a “Readiness Action Plan” which includes a continuous pattern activity in the air, on land and at sea, on a rotational basis. The Summit also agreed a new “spearhead unit” within the NATO Response Force, which will be able to deploy at very short notice. At the Summit, the Prime Minister, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), announced that the UK offer would be a Battle Group and a Brigade HQ. In addition to this, the UK deployed RAF Typhoons to NATO’s standing peacetime Baltic Air Policing Mission in May 2014 and provided E3-D support and 3500 troops for exercises in Eastern Europe before the end of 2015. These actions demonstrate the UK‘s continuing commitment to our eastern Allies, including the Baltic States, as we safeguard the freedom and security of all Allies by political and military means. I underlined the UK’s strong support when I met Foreign Ministers Linas Linkevičius and Urmas Paet at the Wales Summit.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 16/10/2014 12:43:05 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

92565

registered interest
date	10/10/2014
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 steps he is taking to help protect Israeli citizens from rocket fire originating in Gaza; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	209918
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2014 answer text <p>The best way to help protect Israeli citizens from rocket fire, is to reach a comprehensive agreement on Gaza that tackles the underlying causes of the recent conflict. The agreement must also ensure that Hamas and other militant groups permanently end rocket fire and other attacks against Israel, and that the Palestinian Authority resumes control of Gaza and restores effective and accountable governance. It should also include Israel lifting its restrictions on movement and access for goods and people, to ease the suffering of ordinary Palestinians, and allow the Gazan economy to grow. There should be international monitoring and verification to ensure full implementation of a comprehensive agreement. The UK is working to that end.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 17/10/2014 11:38:16 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

91969

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
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	International Relations
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 of increased ties between North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	209370
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2014 answer text <p>North Korea: Russian relations with North Korea have been gradually increasing in the last 12 months. The Russian Duma voted in June to 'forgive' nearly $10 billion of debt. At the beginning of October DPRK Foreign Minister Ri visited Moscow and, according to DPRK media, during this visit Russia agreed to provide food aid to the DPRK. A series of Russian investment visits reportedly planned for the rest of 2014. Russia shares international concerns over North Korea’s security posture and is a party to the (stalled) Six-Party Talks to resolve these concerns.<br> <br>Iran: Presidents Putin and Rouhani recently met in the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Summit. We have expressed our concerns that the proposed “oil for goods” deal between Russia and Iran seems to run contrary to ongoing sanctions against Iran. Russia also continues to be heavily involved in the Iranian civilian nuclear sector, running the Bushehr nuclear plant for Iran. The UK and Russia also work together as part of the E3+3 to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.<br> <br>Venezuela: Venezuela has signed a range of cooperation agreements over the past ten years with Cuba, the People's Republic of China, Russian Federation and Iran, mostly in commercial areas. There are regular meetings between the Venezuelan government and those governments. Venezuela and Cuba have very strong political, economic and social ties. In June 2014, a resolution published in the Venezuelan National Gazette gave agreement for North Korea to reopen an embassy in Caracas</p><p>Cuba: Russia and Cuba have continued the traditionally close ties established between the Soviet Union and Cuba. President Putin visited Cuba prior to the BRICS summit in July and reportedly ‘forgave’ $30 billion of Cuban debt to the Soviet Union (90% of Cuba’s outstanding debt to Russia).<br> <br>China: Russia and China have expanded their relations in the last 12 months, including signing in May of a key energy deal - the culmination of years of negotiations. The deal, worth an estimated $400 billion will see Russia start to provide natural gas resources to China from 2018, and through to 2044. This was an expected development between the country with the world’s largest energy reserves (Russia), and the country with the highest energy consumption (China). China has not supported Russia’s actions in Ukraine at the UN Security Council, nor in the UN General Assembly. Both sides have announced they will sign further deals to expand trade and investment at the upcoming ASEM summit in Milan this month.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 15/10/2014 14:04:27 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

91970

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
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	Iran
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 his Department has made to the Iranian government on its approach to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people; what recent representations he has received on the treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Iran; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	209365
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2014 answer text <p>The UK is concerned by the continued persecution of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Iran. In May 2013, the upper house of the Iranian Parliament adopted a new Islamic Penal Code, which continues to criminalise sex between adults of the same sex. The punishments can range from 100 lashes to the death penalty for both men and women. It is also against Iranian law for same sex people to touch and kiss, and for people to cross dress.</p><p>The UK has repeatedly called on Iran to fulfil its international and domestic obligations to protect the human rights of all Iranians.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/10/2014 13:47:52 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

91971

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
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	Iran
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 effectiveness of UN sanctions in deterring Iran's nuclear programme; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	209366
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2014 answer text <p>UN sanctions on Iran restrict the supply of nuclear-related materials, freeze the assets of key individuals and companies related to nuclear proliferation-sensitive activities, and apply to all states. They have therefore played an important role in international efforts to halt Iran’s nuclear programme. The UK is firmly committed to ensuring compliance with UN sanctions. They can only be lifted as part of a comprehensive agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/10/2014 13:52:47 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

91972

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
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	North Korea and Iran
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 assessment he has made of the nuclear weapons capability of (a) North Korea and (b) Iran.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	209369
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2014 answer text <p>The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) conducted its third nuclear test in February 2013, following earlier tests in 2006 and 2009. We note with concern reports suggesting the Yongbyon nuclear reactor has been restarted, that the nearby uranium enrichment facility has apparently been expanded, as well as DPRK’s statements reiterating its ‘right’ to conduct further nuclear tests. We continue to urge DPRK to comply with its obligations under relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, to refrain from any further provocations to abide by its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and permit full access by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In the event of any further test, we have made clear to DPRK that they should expect a robust response.</p><p>Iran does not have a nuclear weapons capability, but we are concerned about the goals of Iran’s nuclear programme, the associated proliferation risks and Iran’s history of concealing its nuclear activities. The most concerning elements of Iran’s nuclear programme were frozen or rolled back under the Geneva Joint Plan of Action, which will expire on 24 November. A comprehensive agreement between the E3+3 and Iran is the best way to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. We urge Iran to cooperate fully with the IAEA to address international concerns about the possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/10/2014 13:57:54 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

91976

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
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	China: Taiwan
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 is taking to promote dialogue between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	209360
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2014 answer text <p>The UK considers that the issue of cross-Strait relations should be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Strait. Her Majesty's Government welcomes recent improvements in relations.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 16/10/2014 13:43:56 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

91977

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
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	Tibet
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 received from groups representing the Tibetan people; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	209361
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2014 answer text <p>We receive frequent correspondence regarding Tibet. Our officials maintain a regular dialogue with a range of Tibetan interest groups, and I met with a number of such groups in June.</p><p>We monitor the situation in Tibetan areas closely. We have ongoing concerns about restrictions on ethnic minority rights which we raise regularly with Chinese counterparts, most recently during the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue on 19-20 May 2014. We report on the situation in our Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy, and in updates to it.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 16/10/2014 13:53:17 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby