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1183291

	registered interest
	date	06/03/2020
	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: Identity Cards
	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 received on the (a) access to fundamental rights of Iranian citizens who do not have a new digitised ID card and (b) effect of that new system on (i) members of the Baha’i community and (ii) others not recognised under the 1979 constitution; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	26142
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2020 answer text <p>We are aware of reports that Iran's Baha'i community are being prevented from obtaining identity cards under new rules, depriving them of accessing many basic services. We remain concerned about the continued harassment and mistreatment that the Baha'i and other minority religious groups face. We support the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran's assessment that discrimination against the Baha'is in Iran is sanctioned by a lack of constitutional recognition. We regularly call upon Iran to cease harassment of all religious minorities and to fulfil its international and domestic obligations to protect freedom of religion or belief to all Iranians.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 12/03/2020 15:02:58 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

1167924

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2019
	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	India: Foreign Relations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What diplomatic steps he has taken to strengthen UK relations with India.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	900307
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>The UK’s bilateral relationship with India is strong and growing. It is broad, covering trade and investment, people-to-people connections, and being a Force for Good in the world. The Foreign Secretary met Foreign Minister Jaishankar on his first overseas visit, to ASEAN on 1 August, and the Prime Minister met Prime Minister Modi at the G7 in August. They agreed that we should expand ambition of trade relationship as we leave the EU. The Prince of Wales will visit India in November to celebrate the depth and richness of the UK-India relationship.</p><p>New rules on post-study work visas announced in October will ensure we attract India’s best and brightest to mutual advantage.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 05/11/2019 14:51:43 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

1167452

	registered interest
	date	30/10/2019
	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: Press Freedom
	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 counterpart in the Palestinian Authority on the effect of the implementation of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 on freedom of the press in that region.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	7719
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>The UK supports calls for greater media freedoms in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The evidence is clear: where journalists and media organisations are free to do their work, societies are more prosperous and resilient. Officials from our Consulate-General in Jerusalem regularly raise the issue of freedom of expression, including the revision of relevant legislation, with the Palestinian Authority. Her Majesty’s Consul General in Jerusalem raised this most recently on 30 October. We encourage the Palestinian Authority to ensure the harmonisation of Palestinian laws with International Human Rights conventions to which it has acceded, in order to guarantee that freedom of expression and the generally free and pluralistic media environment are preserved.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 05/11/2019 10:07:59 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

1136217

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2019
	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	Khaleda Zia
	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 potential effect of the imprisonment of the main opposition leader in Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia, on political stability in that country; and what representations he has made to his Bangladeshi counterpart on that matter.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	272185
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>We continue to stress to the Government of Bangladesh, both in public and in private, the importance of respect for human rights and the rule of law. We expect those in detention including Khaleda Zia to be treated in accordance with Bangladesh's international commitments on human rights, and we regularly engage with the Government of Bangladesh on the treatment of those in detention and on the integrity and independence of the judicial process.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary has written to Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen this year to express our concerns about the general election in December 2018 and to encourage the Government of Bangladesh to maintain dialogue with opposition parties and civil society.</p><p>The Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific reiterated these concerns and the importance of respect for human rights when he met the Prime Minister and ministers during his visit to Bangladesh in April 2019.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 10/07/2019 13:31:07 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

1077393

	registered interest
	date	26/02/2019
	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: Terrorism
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What diplomatic steps he has taken to support India following the recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	909449
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/02/2019 answer text <p>The UK government unequivocally condemns the appalling terror attacks in Pulwama on 14 Februrary. We are actively encouraging the Governments of both India and Pakistan to find diplomatic solutions and refrain from actions that could jeopardise regional stability. We are also working through the UN Security Council to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 26/02/2019 16:05:00 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

943841

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2018
	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: Politics and Government
	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 received representations on the arrest of an Iranian diplomat in Germany on charges related to a foiled plot against the Iran Freedom – The Alternative gathering on 30 June 2018 in Paris; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	165541
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/07/2018 answer text <p>We have not received specific representations from any other governments on the arrest of an Iranian diplomat in Germany but we are concerned by reports that an Iranian diplomat may have been involved with a plot against a conference in Paris.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 27/07/2018 11:26:24 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

943842

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2018
	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: Politics and 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 assessment he has made of the potential perpetrators of the plot against the Iran Freedom – The Alternative gathering on 30 June 2018 in Paris.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	165542
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/07/2018 answer text <p>We are concerned by reports that an Iranian diplomat may have been involved with a plot against a conference in Paris, and understand that investigations are ongoing in a number of European countries. We are not aware at this stage of a link to the UK.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 27/07/2018 11:27:38 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

933920

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2018
	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: Multinational Companies
	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 tackle the issue of China's (a) pressuring British Airways and other airlines to use its nomenclature for Taiwan on their websites and (b) interfering in other ways in the free operations of international business.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	159579
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2018 answer text <p>Her Majesty’s Government’s long-standing policy on Taiwan has not changed. The British Government refers to Taiwan as simply “Taiwan” and, when included in a list of places, does so under an inclusive heading, such as “country/territory” or “world locations”. When guidance has been sought from HMG on the terminology to use, we have been clear about the British Government’s terminology for Taiwan.</p><p>Private companies and organisations should be able to decide the terminology that they use to list destinations. UK companies should not be placed under political pressure to make changes. FCO Officials have registered our concern with the Chinese Government on this point.</p><p>​</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 10/07/2018 16:31:44 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

922377

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2018
	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	Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
	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 the Government is taking to secure the immediate release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	152745
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2018 answer text <p>​We remain very concerned about all our dual nationals detained in Iran. We continue to raise their cases with the Iranian government at every opportunity, and make decisions in line with what we believe will produce the best outcomes in their cases. However, we will not be providing a continuous commentary. We judge this will not be helpful, or in the best interest of each case.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 19/06/2018 15:22:03 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

922386

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2018
	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	Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
	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 identified the factors which are preventing the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	152746
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2018 answer text <p>​We remain very concerned about all our dual nationals detained in Iran. We continue to raise their cases with the Iranian government at every opportunity, and make decisions in line with what we believe will produce the best outcomes in their cases. However, we will not be providing a continuous commentary. We judge this will not be helpful, or in the best interest of each case.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 19/06/2018 15:42:54 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

872227

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2018
	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	Hong Kong: National Anthems
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the change to the national anthem law in Hong Kong on the operation of British businesses; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	134141
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2018 answer text <p>It is vital that Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms are respected, including when new legislation is being considered. We therefore welcome the Hong Kong Government’s commitment to carefully consider the views of the public and members of the Legislative Council during this legislative process.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 05/04/2018 15:25:04 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

868493

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2018
	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	Hong Kong: Politics and Government
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, what assessment he has made of the charges which have been brought against Benny Tai, Dr Chan Kin-min, Reverend Chu Yiu-ming and eight other leaders of the Occupy Movement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	133713
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2018 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary confirmed in the foreword to the most recent Six Monthly Report to Parliament: &quot;The rule of law and independence of the judiciary is the foundation on which Hong Kong's success and prosperity is built. This reporting period has seen a large number of cases related to the political system come before Hong Kong's courts, including the disqualification of a further four legislators. The judiciary in Hong Kong remains in high esteem. It will be vital that the Hong Kong SAR Government is seen to use the system of justice fairly in all cases&quot;.</p><p>We shall not comment on ongoing specific, legal proceedings, which are a matter for the Hong Kong Courts.</p><p>However, we raised our concerns about the timing of a number of arrests of pro-democracy Occupy Movement activists with the Hong Kong Department of Justice in April 2017, and issued a statement in August 2017 following the sentencing of student pro-democracy activists.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 28/03/2018 12:44:20 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

868498

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2018
	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	Hong Kong: Rule of Law
	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 he has received on the erosion of the rule of law in Hong Kong and the potential effect of that on British businesses; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	133718
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2018 answer text <p>​The British Government believes that the rule of law and independence of the judiciary is the foundation on which Hong Kong's success and prosperity is built. Despite challenges, Hong Kong's commitment to the rule of law remains strong and the judiciary is held in high esteem. Confidence in rule of law is essential for 'One Country, Two Systems' and for Hong Kong's reputation as a global centre for business</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 27/03/2018 13:58:55 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

838918

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2018
	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	India: Social Security
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, if he will take steps to establish an India-UK social security totalisation agreement; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	127480
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2018 answer text <p>​Ministers and officials are working with counterparts in India on a range of social and economic issues to promote the UK as a place to do business and trade. We are seeking to further improve our relationship. We value our international agreements with India and continue to work together to support our shared ambition for an even stronger partnership.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 22/02/2018 17:51:39 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

838993

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2018
	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	Religious Freedom
	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 provide additional compulsory training on religion and freedom of religion or belief for diplomats and Government officials working in countries where violations of those freedoms are most prevalent.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	127554
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2018 answer text <p>​A specific course in Religion and Diplomacy is available to FCO staff designated to take up roles where an understanding of religion is key to their work. We will keep attendance at the course under review, but so far we do not see a need to make this training mandatory.</p><p>The FCO also runs seminars on specific themes. For example, Bishop Jonathan Goodall spoke to the FCO about Orthodox Christianity and foreign policy.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 22/02/2018 17:53:13 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

838995

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2018
	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	Religious Freedom
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has held recent round-table meetings on freedom of religion or belief with interested stakeholders; if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	127555
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2018 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister with responsibility for human rights, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, has hosted two roundtables on FoRB to date. The first roundtable on 23 October 2017 looked at Burma in the light of the Rohingya crisis. The second roundtable on 12 December examined the role of women in tackling religiously motivated violent extremism. These roundtables have been excellent opportunities for the minister and officials to hear the perspectives of faith leaders. Officials are currently identifying a date and topic for the next roundtable.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 23/02/2018 16:39:00 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

839237

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2018
	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	Tobacco
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how his Department monitors the observance of guidance on support to the tobacco industry in its overseas posts; what assessment he has made of compliance with that guidance by those posts; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	127792
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2018 answer text <p>The Government has standing instructions to all diplomatic staff to follow the revised December 2013 guidelines on interactions with tobacco companies. The Government does not catalogue the representations it makes on behalf of companies.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 22/02/2018 17:55:11 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

839239

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2018
	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	Tobacco
	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 set out all instances where assistance was provided to the tobacco industry by UK overseas posts since December 2013.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	127793
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2018 answer text <p>The Government does not catalogue the representations it makes on behalf of companies. The Government has standing instructions to all diplomatic staff to follow the revised December 2013 guidelines on interactions with tobacco companies. In line with this guidance, however,some assistance may be offered to counter discriminatory practices.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 22/02/2018 17:58:30 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

838603

	registered interest
	date	07/02/2018
	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	Religious Freedom
	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 freedom of religion or belief a strategic priority.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	127423
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2018 answer text <p>The protection of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is a priority of the Government's foreign policy and will continue to be so. In their interactions with foreign governments, and Embassies/High Commissions overseas, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office ministers and officials routinely raise individual cases and highlight practices and laws that discriminate against people on the basis of their religion or belief.</p><p>The United Kingdom also actively promotes FoRB through multilateral forums. At the most recent United Nations Human Rights Council, the UK worked successfully to help maintain consensus on the adoption and implementation of the European Union sponsored Resolution on 'Freedom of Religion or Belief' and the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation sponsored Resolution on 'Combating Religious Intolerance'. The FCO also continues to support a number of projects to promote tolerance through the Magna Carta Fund for Human Rights and Democracy. Current projects include work to promote religious tolerance through secondary school curricula in Iraq, Morocco and Lebanon.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 22/02/2018 17:50:14 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

765261

	registered interest
	date	06/10/2017
	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	Diplomatic Service: Tobacco
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what training or information has been provided to UK diplomatic posts on the revised guidelines for overseas posts on support to the tobacco industry since those guidelines were published in December 2013.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	105760
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2017 answer text <p>The Government has standing instructions to all diplomatic staff to follow the revised December 2013 guidelines on interactions with tobacco companies. We remind staff at diplomatic posts of these guidelines and their implications for our work overseas annually, most recently in May 2017.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 16/10/2017 15:46:43 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

765262

	registered interest
	date	06/10/2017
	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	Diplomatic Service: Tobacco
	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 representations UK diplomatic posts have made to overseas governments on behalf of tobacco companies since the revised guidelines for overseas posts on support to the tobacco industry were published in December 2013; and on what issues and with which Governments those representations were made.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	105761
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2017 answer text <p>The Government has standing instructions to all diplomatic staff to follow the revised December 2013 guidelines on interactions with tobacco companies. In line with this guidance, assistance may be offered to counter discriminatory practices. The Government does not catalogue the representations it makes on behalf of companies.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 16/10/2017 15:48:15 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

765983

	registered interest
	date	06/10/2017
	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	Bangladesh: British American Tobacco
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government has given assistance to British American Tobacco in its challenge to the claim for unpaid VAT brought against it by the Government of Bangladesh; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	105750
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2017 answer text <p>Her Majesty’s Government continues to engage with the Government of Bangladesh over what is, in our view, discriminatory action against a British company. Guidance was issued in December 2013 to assist compliance with the World Health Organisation’s Frame​work Convention on Tobacco Control and we have observed the guidelines for support to the tobacco industry at all times.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 16/10/2017 15:44:53 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

722106

	registered interest
	date	18/04/2017
	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	USA: Palestinians
	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 US counterpart on the proposed Taylor Force Act and ending that country's provision of economic aid to the (a) Palestinian Authority and (b) families of those who have died while carrying out terrorist attacks against Israel.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	70994
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2017 answer text <p>We have not had any discussions with the US authorities on this issue. We, however, regularly raise the issue of payments to prisoners and their families with senior Palestinian officials. We push them to ensure that such payments are transparent and needs-based.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/04/2017 15:34:00 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

711770

	registered interest
	date	16/03/2017
	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: Baha'i Faith
	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 he has received on Baha'i-owned shops being sealed by government authorities in the city of Alborz, Iran in November 2016 and remaining closed; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	68221
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2017 answer text <p>The Government regularly raises human rights concerns with the Iranian government, including the continued persecution of religious minorities and the treatment of the Baha'i community. We are aware that the Iranian authorities shut down a number of Baha'i businesses in response to their closure to observe Baha'i holy days in November 2016. This forms part of a worrying trend of persecution of the Baha'i faith in Iran. We call on Iran to cease harassment of all religious minorities and to fulfil its international and domestic obligations to allow freedom of religion to all Iranians.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 27/03/2017 12:01:06 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

711457

	registered interest
	date	15/03/2017
	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: Baha'i Faith
	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 the suppression of the economic activity among the Baha'i community in Iran; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	68161
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2017 answer text <p>The treatment of the Baha'i community in Iran is of particular concern. The latest report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran sets out the suppression and harassment that Baha'is are subject to in Iran. This includes restrictions on the types of businesses and jobs Baha'is can have, unequal treatment of Baha'i employees, and seizures of Baha'i businesses and property.</p><p>The UK has consistently pressed Iran to improve its human rights record, both through bilateral engagement and with our international partners. We fully support the Special Rapporteur's recommendation that the Iranian authorities should recognise freedom of religion and belief, and that this entails the freedom to choose a religion or belief free from discriminatory or restrictive measures.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/03/2017 15:47:48 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

710528

	registered interest
	date	13/03/2017
	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	Mahmoud Abbas
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 February 2017 to Question 64413, if he will make representations to President Mahmoud Abbas on his posing with a photograph of Dalal Mughrabi.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	67669
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/03/2017 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Mr Johnson), raised the issue of incitement with President Abbas and Foreign Minister Malki during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 8 March. UK officials will raise this incident as part of their regular dialogue with the Palestinian Authority on the matter. We continue to support the reinstatement of the Tripartite Committee on Incitement as the best channel to deal with any allegations of incitement from either side.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 21/03/2017 15:42:44 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

692535

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2017
	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: Capital Punishment
	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 his Department has made to the Palestinian Authority on death sentences imposed on Palestinians for the alleged collaboration with the Israeli Authorities.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	64883
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/03/2017 answer text <p>​We have not raised this issue with the Palestinian Authority (PA), as the PA, at this present time, has no control over the Gaza Strip. The increasing use of the death penalty in Gaza is a worrying trend. The UK maintains a no contact policy with the de facto authority in Gaza, Hamas.</p><p>The local EU Heads of Mission issued a statement on 21 February condemning the use of the death penalty in this case and calling on the de facto authorities in Gaza to refrain from carrying out any executions in line with the PA’s moratorium on executions.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 01/03/2017 14:53:50 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

691897

	registered interest
	date	20/02/2017
	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	Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will take steps to work with UK allies to expel the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its proxies from Syria, Iraq and Yemen and to impose sanctions on that organisation.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	64415
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2017 answer text <p>​The Government remains deeply concerned about Iranian activity in the region, particularly its support for armed militias in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. We continue to encourage Iran to play a transparent and constructive role in regional affairs and, as the Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May) made clear in her speech to the Gulf Cooperation Council in Manama on 7 December, we remain committed to working with our allies to push back against Iran’s aggressive regional actions. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is currently sanctioned in its entirety under the EU’s nuclear listings. In addition, specific individuals within the IRGC are sanctioned in the EU for broader reasons including counter terrorism and human rights.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 28/02/2017 15:07:04 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

691898

	registered interest
	date	20/02/2017
	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	Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
	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 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' and the (a) persecution of dissidents and dual nationals in Iran, (b) exporting of terrorism abroad and (c) need to proscribe that organisation.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	64414
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2017 answer text <p>The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) is a proscribed organisation by the EU, listed due to actions relating to Iran's support for terrorism and human rights violations. There are several reports on the IRGC's role and their involvement in the persecution of individuals in Iran, including the latest report from the UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Iran.</p><p>We remain concerned about IRGC activity in the region, including worrying reports of Iran's links and support (including financial support and the provision of military equipment and training) to militant/proscribed groups, such as Hizballah, Hamas, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and Palestinian rejectionist groups. This support directly undermines prospects for regional security and lasting-peace in the region.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 28/02/2017 15:02:59 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

691899

	registered interest
	date	20/02/2017
	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: Palestinians
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 February 2017 to Question 62082, what recent assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of allegations that the Palestinian Authority honours those who have killed Israelis.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	64413
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2017 answer text <p>Our clear position is that we do not hesitate to raise instances of incitement whenever it is appropriate. We have a regular dialogue with both the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel in which we reiterate the need for both sides to prepare their populations for peaceful coexistence. We consider that the track record of President Abbas and Prime Minister Hamdallah shows their commitment to non-violence.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 28/02/2017 15:00:25 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

679707

	registered interest
	date	27/01/2017
	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: Palestinians
	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 Palestinian Authority after a demonstration hosted by President Abbas' Fatah party to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of its first terror attack on Israel at which terrorists who have killed Israelis were honoured.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	62082
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2017 answer text <p>While we have not raised this specific issue with the Palestinian Authority, our Consul-General raised the issue of incitement with President Abbas on 24 December. We continue to support the reinstatement of the Tripartite Committee on Incitement as the appropriate channel to deal with allegations of incitement from either side.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 06/02/2017 16:59:41 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

641458

	registered interest
	date	16/11/2016
	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	India: Foreign 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 assessment he has made of the strength of diplomatic and economic relations between India and the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	907420
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/11/2016 answer text <p>As the Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May) noted when she visited India, this relationship matters more than ever. The UK shares a longstanding, broad and deep friendship with India, covering economic and commercial ties, defence and security, and people-to-people links.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 22/11/2016 15:02:43 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

627354

	registered interest
	date	02/11/2016
	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: Palestinians
	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 implications of the ongoing glorification sanctioned by the Palestinian Authority of people who have killed Israelis for the viability of a lasting two-state solution.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	51552
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2016 answer text <p>While we have not made any assessment on this specific issue, we regularly urge the Palestinian and Israeli leaderships to refrain from or prevent any actions that could threaten the viability of a two-state solution, including violence, incitement and settlement expansion. We continue to support the reinstatement of the Tripartite Committee on Incitement as the appropriate channel to deal with allegations of incitement from either side, and continue to press the Palestinian Authority (PA) regularly on the importance of their swift condemnation of violent attacks.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 08/11/2016 14:57:47 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

539560

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2016
	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	Bangladesh: Religious Freedom
	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 counterpart in Bangladesh on tackling increasing levels of violence against minority Hindu communities in that country.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	43157
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/07/2016 answer text <p>The British Government is extremely concerned by the increase in extremist-related violence against a number of minority groups including Hindus in Bangladesh since September 2015. The former Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) most recently talked to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh about countering extremism in the margins of the G7 meeting in Japan on 27 May. The former Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire) raised this with Foreign Minister Ali on 5 July. The British High Commissioner regularly discusses these issues with Bangladesh government ministers. We welcome Prime Minister Hasina’s “zero tolerance” approach towards terrorism, but this must be implemented in a way that fully respects the international rights standards that Bangladesh has signed up to and which, as a member of both the Commonwealth and the UN Human Rights Council, it has pledged to uphold.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 26/07/2016 15:11:01 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

539562

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2016
	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	Bangladesh: Religious Freedom
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will take steps to encourage the government of Bangladesh to put the perpetrators of violence against religious minorities in the region on trial as soon as possible.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	43156
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/07/2016 answer text <p>The British Government is extremely concerned by the increase in extremist-related violence against a number of minority groups including Hindus in Bangladesh since September 2015. The former Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) most recently talked to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh about countering extremism in the margins of the G7 meeting in Japan on 27 May. The former Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire) raised this with Foreign Minister Ali on 5 July. The British High Commissioner regularly discusses these issues with Bangladesh government ministers. We welcome Prime Minister Hasina’s “zero tolerance” approach towards terrorism, but this must be implemented in a way that fully respects the international rights standards that Bangladesh has signed up to and which, as a member of both the Commonwealth and the UN Human Rights Council, it has pledged to uphold.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 26/07/2016 14:59:42 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

536467

	registered interest
	date	14/07/2016
	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	Bangladesh: Religious Freedom
	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 his Department has had with the government of Bangladesh on tackling levels of violence against minority Hindu communities in that country.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	42822
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2016 answer text <p>The British Government is extremely concerned by the increase in extremist-related violence against a number of minority groups including Hindus in Bangladesh since September 2015. The former Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) most recently talked to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh about countering extremism in the margins of the G7 meeting in Japan on 27 May. The former Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire) raised this with Foreign Minister Ali on 5 July. The British High Commissioner regularly discusses these issues with Bangladesh government ministers.</p><p>We welcome Prime Minister Hasina’s “zero tolerance” approach towards terrorism, but this must be implemented in a way that fully respects the international rights standards that Bangladesh has signed up to and which, as a member of both the Commonwealth and the UN Human Rights Council, it has pledged to uphold.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 42823 question first answered 22/07/2016 13:54:15 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

536468

	registered interest
	date	14/07/2016
	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	Bangladesh: Religious Freedom
	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 encourage the government of Bangladesh to put perpetrators of violence against religious minorities on trial as soon as possible.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	42823
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2016 answer text <p>The British Government is extremely concerned by the increase in extremist-related violence against a number of minority groups including Hindus in Bangladesh since September 2015. The former Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) most recently talked to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh about countering extremism in the margins of the G7 meeting in Japan on 27 May. The former Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire) raised this with Foreign Minister Ali on 5 July. The British High Commissioner regularly discusses these issues with Bangladesh government ministers.</p><p>We welcome Prime Minister Hasina’s “zero tolerance” approach towards terrorism, but this must be implemented in a way that fully respects the international rights standards that Bangladesh has signed up to and which, as a member of both the Commonwealth and the UN Human Rights Council, it has pledged to uphold.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 42822 question first answered 22/07/2016 13:54:15 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

524249

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2016
	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: Palestinians
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Answers of 27 April 2016 to Questions 34797 and 34798, what assessment he has made of the implications for the UK's role in Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations of UK funding being used by UN-funded non-governmental organisations to commemorate Palestinian terrorists.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	40140
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2016 answer text <p>We have made no such assessment.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/06/2016 13:29:04 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

514452

	registered interest
	date	20/04/2016
	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: Palestinians
	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 his international counterparts on reports that a UN-funded Palestinian non-governmental orgaisation, Rural Women's Development Society, organised an event commemorating a Palestinian terrorist who killed three Israeli civilians.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	34797
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2016 answer text <p>While we have not made any representations to our international counterparts about this specific issue, we condemn all acts of terrorism and incitement to commit violence, whichever side it comes from.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 34798 question first answered 27/04/2016 13:30:49 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

514453

	registered interest
	date	20/04/2016
	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: Palestinians
	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 his international counterparts on reports of a UN-funded Palestinian non-governmental organisation, Union of Agriculture Work Committee, organised a tree planting ceremony honouring 209 martyrs of the popular uprising.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	34798
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2016 answer text <p>While we have not made any representations to our international counterparts about this specific issue, we condemn all acts of terrorism and incitement to commit violence, whichever side it comes from.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 34797 question first answered 27/04/2016 13:30:49 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

386654

	registered interest
	date	30/06/2015
	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: Terrorism
	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 Iranian counterpart on that country's (a) financial and (b) other support for international terror groups.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	4998
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2015 answer text The Iranians are fully aware of our concern about their military and financial support to groups such as the military wings of Hizballah and Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which are all proscribed in the UK. This support undermines the prospects for peace and stability in the Middle East. We have raised our concerns about such activity with the Iranian authorities on many occasions, and will continue to do so. answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 08/07/2015 12:58:38 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

386657

	registered interest
	date	30/06/2015
	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: Terrorism
	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 counterparts in countries in the Gulf region on support provided by Iran to international terror groups.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	4999
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2015 answer text <p>We regularly discuss regional security challenges – including those posed by Iran’s links to armed groups – with our Gulf partners. The Foreign Secretary most recently met Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers on this topic at the UK-GCC Strategic Dialogue on 2 June. We continue to encourage Iran to break its links with armed groups undermining stability and to work towards peace in the Middle East.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 08/07/2015 13:00:07 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

386658

	registered interest
	date	30/06/2015
	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: Terrorism
	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 whether Iran is providing (a) financial and (b) other support to international terror groups.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	5000
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2015 answer text We remain deeply concerned by Iran’s links to designated terrorist groups such as the military wings of Hizballah and Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Iran’s support includes financial assistance, the provision of military equipment and training, and directly undermines prospects for peace in the region. We call on Iran to implement its obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1747, which inter alia bans the export of military equipment by Iran. answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 08/07/2015 13:00:34 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

383878

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2015
	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: Products
	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 proposals to introduce EU sanctions on Israeli products.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	3065
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2015 answer text <p>There are currently no EU proposals to introduce EU sanctions on Israeli products. We do not believe that imposing sanctions or boycotts on Israel would promote progress towards peace.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/06/2015 13:37:27 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

349598

	registered interest
	date	10/06/2015
	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: Nuclear Power
	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 Iran's level of co-operation with International Atomic Energy Agency investigations into its current and previous nuclear activities.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	2010
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2015 answer text <p>We and other members of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) receive quarterly reports on Iran's nuclear programme, the IAEA's efforts to address the Possible Military Dimensions of Iran’s nuclear programme, and the nuclear aspects of the Joint Plan of Action with the E3+3.</p><p>The IAEA Director General issued his latest report on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme on 29 May 2015; this confirms Iran continues to implement its commitments under the Joint Plan of Action. However, we remain disappointed by Iran’s limited engagement with the IAEA on Possible Military Dimensions.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/06/2015 13:48:29 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

349599

	registered interest
	date	10/06/2015
	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: Nuclear Power
	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 he has received on recent comments by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would be denied access to Iran's military facilities and nuclear officials under a nuclear deal; and what assessment he has made of the effect such a stance by Iran would have in the IAEA's ability to verify that country's adherence to a permanent nuclear deal.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	2008
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2015 answer text <p>We are aware of recent media reports of the Supreme Leader’s comments. A comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran that addresses our proliferation concerns will need to be fully verifiable by the International Atomic Energy Agency. This must include robust monitoring of Iran’s nuclear activities, and its implementation of the Additional Protocol, in order to reassure the international community that Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/06/2015 13:45:00 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

349600

	registered interest
	date	10/06/2015
	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: Nuclear Power
	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 he has received on whether Iran has denied International Atomic Energy inspectors access to its Arak and Parchin facilities.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	2009
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2015 answer text <p>The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has monthly access to the reactor at Arak. The IAEA Director General’s 29 May Iran report confirms that Iran continues to abide by its commitments under the Joint Plan of Action. Access for the IAEA to Parchin remains an important but unfulfilled step. The Director General’s report reiterates that clean-up activities at the site are likely to have undermined the Agency’s ability to conduct effective verification, however it is imperative that Iran provides swift access as the Agency continues to request. We fully support their work on this crucial issue.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/06/2015 13:46:39 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

155897

	registered interest
	date	17/11/2014
	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	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 (a) the recent report from the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to a fissile purity of five per cent has increased to 8.4 tonnes and (b) whether such an increase would be in compliance with the terms of the Joint Plan of Action.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	214422
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/11/2014 answer text The latest IAEA Director General's report puts Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to less than 5% at 8290.3kg. We do not believe anything in the November report indicates a violation by Iran of the JPoA. answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/11/2014 16:00:00 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

155898

	registered interest
	date	17/11/2014
	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	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 (a) recent reports that Iran has injected uranium hexafluoride into IR-5 centrifuges and (b) whether such activity would be in compliance with the terms of the Joint Plan of Action.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	214423
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/11/2014 answer text <p>The 7 November 2014 IAEA report into the status of Iran’s nuclear programme states that since September, Iran has intermittently fed natural UF6 into the single IR-5 centrifuge installed at the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant at Natanz as a part of its IAEA safeguarded research and development activities. We do not believe that anything in the November report indicates a violation by Iran of the Joint Plan of Action. Our focus remains on reaching a comprehensive agreement by 24 November 2014.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/11/2014 14:15:04 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

92214

	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, if his Department will make recommendations to the UN Universal Periodic Review of the human rights record of Iran to encourage that state to cease its policies of persecution of members of the Bahá’í community; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	209697
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2014 answer text <p>The UK will fully engage in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Iran’s human rights record, which is due to be considered by the Human Rights Council on 31 October 2014. As at the last UPR, the UK will make a statement and table recommendations on how Iran could improve its approach to human rights. This will include minority religious rights - the UK has repeatedly expressed concern at the persecution of the Baha’i community in Iran, and we will continue to encourage Iran to ensure all its citizens are able to exercise their right to freedom of religion, free from persecution and harassment.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/10/2014 14:09:17 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman