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78950

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2014
	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	Zimbabwe: Pensions
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the failure of Zimbabwe to pay pensions due to former Rhodesia or Zimbabwe public sector pensioners living outside Zimbabwe, whether they have any plans to make ex gratia payments to those affected; and if not, why not.
	tabling member printed	Lord Goodlad
	uin	HL1267
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2014 answer text <p>The UK has no plans to make ex-gratia payments to former Rhodesia or Zimbabwe public sector pensioners living outside Zimbabwe. The legal obligation to pay these pensions rests solely with the Government of Zimbabwe. We will continue to press the Government of Zimbabwe to fulfil their obligation.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 30/07/2014 11:07:12 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	670 label Biography information for Lord Goodlad

78951

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2014
	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	Kenya
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the title and wording of the memorial in Nairobi to those who suffered during the Emergency period of 1952 to 1963 will indicate that it is a memorial to all those who suffered, on all sides, during that period.
	tabling member printed	Lord Goodlad
	uin	HL1268
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/07/2014 answer text <p>The UK is working with the Kenyan Human Rights Commission, the Mau Mau War Veterans Association, the Nairobi Governor’s Office, and the National Museums of Kenya to make sure the proposed memorial is as inclusive as possible and promotes reconciliation. The Overseas Service Pensioners’ Association (OSPA) has also been fully consulted. <br><br>The first plaque will state: ‘This memorial is a symbol of reconciliation between the British Government, the Mau Mau, and all those who suffered during the Emergency Period’. <br><br>The proposed title of the memorial is: ‘Memorial to the Victims of Torture and Ill-Treatment during the Colonial Era (1952-1963)’. This reflects the wording of the settlement agreement and the announcement made by the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), on 6 June 2013.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 28/07/2014 11:11:42 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
	tabling member	670 label Biography information for Lord Goodlad

47391

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent reports that anti-balaka forces from the Central African Republic have attacked villages in Northern Cameroon.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL6623
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>UK officials and their Cameroon counterparts hold regular discussions on the Central African Republic (CAR), including the impact of cross-border violence and refugees. We both agree that the international community's top priority is to protect civilians and stop the violence; this is in the best interests of both CAR and the region as a whole including Cameroon. We therefore welcome the continued efforts of African Union and French forces in CAR, and welcome the imminent deployment of European troops to provide further assistance.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

47400

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what were their reasons for intervening in proceedings in the United States Supreme Court regarding alleged liability by Shell and Rio Tinto for abuses of human rights in Nigeria and Papua New Guinea; and whether those companies requested Her Majesty's Government to intervene on their behalf.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lester of Herne Hill
	uin	HL6632
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>The UK intervened in both these cases (Kiobel vs Royal Dutch Shell Petroleum and Rio Tinto v Sarei) to clarify our position on the proper limits of the extraterritorial application of US law. The amicus brief submitted by the UK was confined to our views on this point of international law, and did not take a position on the allegations made against the defendants in this case. The views expressed were consistent with long-standing UK policy.</p><p>The UK strongly supports the promotion of business and human rights and was the first country to produce a National Action Plan to implement the UN Guiding Principles. We have consistently made clear that we expect British companies to act in accordance with human rights wherever they operate, and that companies should not be able to act with impunity. States should enact domestic law to regulate the activity of businesses to ensure that they do not have a negative impact on human rights. We believe it appropriate and desirable for a State to provide remedies for human rights victims where human rights abuses are committed by their nationals (including corporate nationals) overseas.</p><p>Rio Tinto wrote to the British Government in November 2011 requesting that the Government intervene in their case in view of our stance on extraterritoriality. After considering the points of law that the case raised, we considered that submitting a brief would be appropriate. The Shell case was brought to our attention by a third party and again we objected because there was little, or no, connection between the corporate defendant and the US. Officials discussed the case with the company after we had made the decision to intervene. The Government initially submitted a brief in support of Shell in the Kiobel vs Royal Dutch Shell Petroleum case because we were not advised that a neutral brief was a possibility. As soon as we became aware, we replaced our original brief with a neutral brief, as the best way of representing our wider legal concerns without taking a position on the specific allegations in this case.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
	tabling member	2037 label Biography information for Lord Lester of Herne Hill

47408

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recruitment of child soldiers by the government of Chad; whether they have raised concerns about the presence of Chadian soldiers in the Central African Republic; and whether they are part of the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6640
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised concerns about the conduct of Chadian troops in Central African Republic with Chad President Iddris Deby Itno when they met on 13 February. The Government take any allegations of wrongdoing by national armies very seriously.</p><p>Chad is making progress to tackle the issue of child soldiers in close cooperation with the UN, although there is still work to be done, particularly on birth registration and recruitment processes. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mr Simmonds), pressed the Chad Foreign Minister, Moussa Faki, for further progress when they met on 28 January at the African Union (AU) summit and 2 April at the EU-Africa Summit.</p><p>Chad has announced that it is withdrawing its troops from the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA) in agreement with the AU. The UK is not part of MISCA, but has provided £2million to MISCA to cover some essential MISCA costs including food, fuel and water. The UK is also providing logistical support to French and EU deployments and £23 million in humanitarian aid to the ongoing crisis.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

47409

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they consider that the holding of elections in the Central African Republic on 15 February 2015 will support the development of good governance; what assessment they have made of the impact such elections will have on disenfranchised Muslim refugees who have fled the country and are in refugee camps beyond its borders; and whether they have made representations about the inclusion of Central African Republic citizens in the election process.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6641
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>Preparations for elections, which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mr Simmonds), discussed with the Head of the Central African Republic (CAR)'s Transitional Government, Catherine Samba-Panza, on 2 April, are at a very early stage. The primary focus of the international community is to stabilise CAR and protect its civilians. However, progress on the political front, including through the establishment of a strong, democratic government that represents its whole population, will be vital if long-term peace and security are to be achieved in CAR.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

47410

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of the kidnapping of two Italian priests and a Canadian nun by unidentified gunmen in the Maroua district of Cameroon, and of the identity of the perpetrators; and what information they have of the spread of Boko Haram's influence and activity in Cameroon.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6642
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>We are very concerned about kidnappings in Cameroon, which follow two similar incidents in 2013. We are aware of the growing evidence of Boko Haram having a presence in Cameroon, and discuss this regularly with the Government of Cameroon and other partners in the region. Our Travel Advice reflects the threat from kidnapping in Cameroon and other countries in the region. We have advised against all travel to the Far North Province of Cameroon since March 2013.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

47415

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which sexualviolence has been used by all parties to theconflict in the Central African Republic.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Worcester
	uin	HL6647
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>Reports suggest that sexual violence in conflict is widespread in the Central African Republic (CAR). UN Security Council Resolution 2149 on CAR authorises a UN Peacekeeping Operation which will, as part of its mandate, be required to help to prevent sexual violence, and contribute to efforts to identify and prosecute perpetrators. The UK is also looking to provide funding to the African Union (AU)'s response to the urgent needs of CAR's victims of sexual violence, and to track and report on specific occurrences of sexual violence. We encourage CAR to endorse the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict and to attend the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, in London in June 2014.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
	tabling member	4257 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Worcester

47416

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to deploying experts from their Stabilisation Unit to theCentral African Republic to enhance the capacity of institutions and communities in that country to support the survivors of sexual violence in conflictand to end impunity for perpetrators.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Worcester
	uin	HL6648
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) Stabilisation Unit is looking for opportunities to share its expertise and has been asked to provide a strategic communications expert to the African Union (AU) to support the efforts of the AU led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (CAR). The UK is also looking to give support to the AU's response to the urgent needs of CAR's victims of sexual violence, and to track and report on specific occurrences of sexual violence.</p><p>UN Security Council Resolution on CAR 2149 authorises a UN Peacekeeping Operation which will, as part of its mandate, be required to help prevent sexual violence, and contribute to efforts to identify and prosecute perpetrators.</p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
	tabling member	4257 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Worcester

47752

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