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391433

	registered interest
	date	20/07/2015
	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	British Nationals Abroad: Crime
	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 ensure that crimes committed against British nationals by family members overseas are investigated and prosecuted.
	tabling member constituency	Edmonton
	tabling member printed	Kate Osamor
	uin	8100
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2015 answer text Whilst we cannot interfere in the investigation or judicial processes in that country, we will also consider making appropriate representations to the local authorities if there are concerns that the investigation is not carried out in line with local procedures; if there are justified complaints about discrimination against the person who has died or their family; or where we judge that a local delay or decisions creates significant distress for the bereaved. Details of the support we offer to all British victims of crimes overseas are set out in our public statement: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/317474/FCO_Brits_Abroad_2014.pdf The investigation of crimes overseas are the responsibility of the country in which they occurred. We cannot interfere in investigations overseas and may be considered a third party by some countries and therefore not entitled to updates on the investigation or court process. We recommend that families engage a local lawyer who can make efforts to ensure that local standards are met and can seek updates from the local authorities and courts. We do though retain close interest in cases, and seek updates where we are able to. We can also formally note our interest in an investigation, in particular if a British National is murdered or dies in suspicious circumstances. answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 07/09/2015 13:47:45 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	4515 label Biography information for Kate Osamor

418050

	registered interest
	date	09/09/2015
	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	Sudan: Peace Negotiations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that Sudan begins a credible and inclusive peace process.
	tabling member constituency	Stafford
	tabling member printed	Jeremy Lefroy
	uin	9733
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/09/2015 answer text We continue to call on the Government of Sudan to deliver on the commitment to hold a comprehensive national dialogue and bring an end to the devastating conflicts in Sudan. We welcome the recent decision by the African Union (AU) to renew the mandate of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel to facilitate negotiations and call on the Government of Sudan to engage in these negotiations fully. answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 16/09/2015 14:39:49 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	4109 label Biography information for Jeremy Lefroy

389822

	registered interest
	date	14/07/2015
	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	Zimbabwe: Overseas Investment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, for what reasons Zimbabwe: Commercial Opportunities, published by the British Embassy in in Harari, in June 2015, did not refer to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	7149
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2015 answer text The focus of the Commercial Opportunities paper was to provide UK companies with information about potential areas for commercial activity and where the British Embassy can assist. The Embassy routinely briefs UK firms on doing business in Zimbabwe, promoting ethical and corporate best practice as well as compliance with relevant legislation. answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 21/07/2015 12:47:44 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

389827

	registered interest
	date	14/07/2015
	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	Boko Haram
	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 support African countries in counter-terrorism efforts against Boko Haram.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	7110
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/07/2015 answer text The UK, in close coordination with the US and France, continues to support Nigeria and its neighbours in their fight against Boko Haram. The UK is providing a substantial package of UK military, intelligence and development support to Nigeria. We have also contributed £5 million to support efforts to establish a Multinational Joint Taskforce against Boko Haram. We are looking to expand our support to Nigeria even further. The Prime Minister has met President Buhari twice, including during the G7 Summit, to discuss how we could best help Nigeria win the fight against Boko Haram, including increasing UK Military Assistance to the region. The National Security Council has agreed that Nigeria will be a Foreign Policy priority and we have established a new cross Government unit dedicated to that task. answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 20/07/2015 15:18:27 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

418686

	registered interest
	date	14/09/2015
	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	Forced Marriage
	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 women have been repatriated after seeking help from the risk of forced marriage from the Forced Marriage Unit or a British Post overseas in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Fiona Mactaggart
	uin	10115
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2015 answer text The Forced Marriage Unit provides a range of support and assistance to both women and men who are at risk of forced marriage. In 2014 the Forced Marriage Unit gave advice or support, related to a possible forced marriage, in 1267 cases. To provide more information on the nature of the assistance provided, including repatriation, would involve a disproportionate cost. answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 21/09/2015 13:30:11 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	12 label Biography information for Fiona Mactaggart

417643

	registered interest
	date	08/09/2015
	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	Africa: Wildlife
	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 his counterparts in (a) Kenya, (b) Uganda, (c) South Africa, (d) Namibia and (e) other countries in Africa on measures to stop the killing of elephants and rhinos.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	9438
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/09/2015 answer text The FCO works very closely with DEFRA to combat the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) and eradicate the poaching of elephants, rhinos, and other animals, reflecting HMG’s global leadership on this issue. Our Posts across Africa, are very active on this. Our Ambassadors and High Commissioners regularly raise the issue of IWT at the highest level, and FCO Ministers raise IWT with their counterparts wherever possible, including at multilateral fora. I recently wrote to the Zimbabwean Minister for Environment, Water, and Climate to advance our working together on this issue. The FCO secured attendance of Ministers from Kenya, Uganda, Namibia and 15 other African countries at the London Conference on IWT in February 2014. We also gained the participation of Ministers from these countries, plus South Africa and 12 other African countries, to attend the UK supported follow-up conference in Kasane, northern Botswana, on 25 March 2015 for further discussions. These initiatives have resulted in collective conference declarations with 40 ambitious commitments, to eradicate IWT through demand reduction, strengthening law enforcement and legal deterrents, and protecting sustainable livelihoods. answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 16/09/2015 15:00:11 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

418443

	registered interest
	date	11/09/2015
	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	Burundi: Armed Conflict
	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 progress by the Burundian government on establishing a truth commission.
	tabling member constituency	Ashton-under-Lyne
	tabling member printed	Angela Rayner
	uin	10060
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2015 answer text The Burundian government first submitted the Truth and Reconciliation Law to Parliament in December 2012 before announcing the appointment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on 3 December 2014. It has not reported further since then. We understand that opposition parties boycotted the process over the remit of the Commission, calling into question its ability to establish the truth and bring reconciliation. The UK Government believes that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, guided by the Arusha Agreement signed in the aftermath of Burundi’s civil war, has an important role in ensuring long-term reconciliation. The illegitimate elections and continued violence show that the principles of inclusion set out in the Arusha Agreement are needed now more than ever and we continue to urge all in Burundi to uphold them. answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 21/09/2015 11:14:51 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	4356 label Biography information for Angela Rayner

416494

	registered interest
	date	04/09/2015
	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	Nigeria: Bombings
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department is providing to government authorities in northern Nigeria to tackle the effect of recent bomb attacks in the city of Gombe.
	tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
	tabling member printed	David Simpson
	uin	8473
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2015 answer text Terrorist attacks by Boko Haram in Gombe, elsewhere in Nigeria and in the wider region have brought untold misery to many. The UK remains firm in our determination to support Nigeria, and its neighbours, in their fight against terrorism. We are providing a substantial package of UK military, intelligence and development support to help Nigeria tackle Boko Haram. This package includes counter-terrorism cooperation, providing training on the response to terrorist attacks and bomb scene management. We are also working closely with Nigeria and our international partners to support the large numbers of people displaced by the conflict in the North East. answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 11/09/2015 09:56:29 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

417642

	registered interest
	date	08/09/2015
	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	British Nationals Abroad: Police Custody
	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 British nationals have died in police custody in other countries in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	9441
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/09/2015 answer text Our current method of recording deaths in custody does not separate those who died in police custody from the overall figure of those who died in custody. Prior to May 2012 we have no statistics on death in custody of British nationals overseas. From May to December 2012 we are aware of two British nationals who died in custody overseas. In 2013 we are aware of ten cases and in 2014 of eleven. This year, up until 31 August, we have been made aware of four cases. To break down the location of death in custody for figures prior to May 2012 would require detailed searches of all detainee records, which would be of disproportionate cost. answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 16/09/2015 12:13:26 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

418966

	registered interest
	date	15/09/2015
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Caribbean: Storms
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support her Department is providing to people affected by Tropical Storm Erika.
	tabling member constituency	Tottenham
	tabling member printed	Mr David Lammy
	uin	10376
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2015 answer text <p>Working through the Pan American Health Organisation and the International Federation of the Red Cross, DFID has been able to provide medical supplies and health care response workers and support efforts to re-establish safe drinking water provision, proper hygiene and sanitation in communities affected by Tropical Storm Erika. This immediate assistance also included the deployment of Royal Fleet Auxiliary Lyme Bay which provided significant humanitarian support to the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica including the provision of 7,170 hot meals, 78,000 litres of water (bottled and containerised), 20 tonnes of dry provisions and treatment of 35 patients ashore. The ship’s company also removed an estimated 600 tonnes of earth in clearing homes and roads, clearing and restoring a number of key public buildings and the clearing and opening of the bridge in Dublanque.</p> answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 22/09/2015 11:10:06 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	206 label Biography information for Mr David Lammy

417717

	registered interest
	date	08/09/2015
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Developing Countries: Medical Records
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what guidelines her Department follows in regards to health data sharing in the countries in which it works.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	9609
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2015 answer text <p>When working in the health sector, DFID usually relies on national data sets or those collected by other partners, such as Demographic and Health Surveys. We usually encourage sharing of data and have worked with the World Health Organization and other UN agencies to encourage them to share data more actively with permission from governments.</p><p> </p><p>Research funded by DFID is covered by our Research Open and Enhanced Access Policy. Open access refers to irrevocable and free online access by any user worldwide to the full version of the scientific and scholarly material. The policy includes the sharing of data from which any research is derived. The policy recommends that raw datasets are deposited in a suitable open access discipline or institutional repository within 12 months of final data collection. Researchers should also retain and provide free on request raw datasets for a minimum of five years after project completion.</p><p> </p><p>The full open access policy is available online: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfid-research-open-and-enhanced-access-policy" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfid-research-open-and-enhanced-access-policy</a>.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 11/09/2015 12:18:49 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

420031

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	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	Republic of Congo: Overseas 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 make representations to the government of the Republic of Congo on the payment of UK companies for infrastructure work undertaken in that country on behalf of the Congolese government.
	tabling member constituency	The Wrekin
	tabling member printed	Mark Pritchard
	uin	10826
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>We were recently made aware of a case where a company owned by a British national has found it difficult to secure payment for infrastructure projects carried out on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Congo. In June this year, my officials raised this case with the Congolese authorities, and highlighted the importance to all involved of resolving this case in accordance with the court decisions made in the Republic of Congo and elsewhere.</p> answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 19/10/2015 14:42:07 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	1576 label Biography information for Mark Pritchard

420037

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	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	Central African Republic: Children
	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 support the reintegration into society of children enlisted in armed groups in the Central African Republic.
	tabling member constituency	Oxford East
	tabling member printed	Mr Andrew Smith
	uin	10936
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>We welcome the agreement reached at the Bangui Forum in May to release all children from the ranks of armed groups. It is important that these children are offered assistance to reintegrate into society. We encourage International Financial Institutions and other donors to invest in productive sectors to increase income-generating opportunities for the youth of Central African Republic and which provide a real alternative to joining an armed group.</p> answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 19/10/2015 14:29:47 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	95 label Biography information for Mr Andrew Smith

420691

	registered interest
	date	12/10/2015
	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	Nigeria: Boko Haram
	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 the Government has had with the Nigerian government on the recent rescue of 178 people from Boko Haram; and what information his Department holds on the number of children so rescued who were kidnapped by Boko Haram in April 2014.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	11345
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>We welcome both the recent successes of the Nigerian Army in their fight against Boko Haram, and that a number of women and children have been rescued. We continue to encourage the Nigerian authorities to provide those rescued with appropriate support. I raised these issues during my visit to Nigeria 12-14 October. We understand that none of those recently rescued were individuals abducted by Boko Haram from the town of Chibok in April 2014. We continue to support the search.</p> answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 19/10/2015 14:48:58 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

348205

	registered interest
	date	28/05/2015
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Developing Countries: EU External Trade
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to help developing countries gain access to EU markets.
	tabling member constituency	Wellingborough
	tabling member printed	Mr Peter Bone
	uin	900068
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/06/2015 answer text <p>We have worked with the EU to lower tariffs for 91 developing countries, agree development-focused trade agreements with African, Caribbean and Pacific regions, and promote developing country interests in the World Trade Organisation. We spend over £1 billion annually on Aid for Trade to help countries take advantage of this access.</p> answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 03/06/2015 15:41:09 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	1581 label Biography information for Mr Peter Bone

388316

	registered interest
	date	07/07/2015
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	South Sudan: Offences against Children
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the UNICEF news note on children killed, abducted and raped in South Sudan attacks, dated 18 May 2015, if she will hold discussions with the government of South Sudan on the protection of children in that country from such attacks.
	tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
	tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
	uin	5841
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2015 answer text <p>We have raised the issue of the protection of civilians, particularly children, both as part of our broader human rights engagement with the Government of South Sudan, as well as with the opposition, most recently on the 7<sup>th</sup> of July. Her Majesty’s Ambassador (HMA) to South Sudan, together with Heads of EU Missions in Juba, issued a statement on the 2<sup>nd</sup> July 2015 condemning the human rights atrocities in Unity State that were raised in the recent UNICEF and United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reports. The joint statement strongly condemned the horrific acts against civilians, including children, and urged all parties involved to take steps to end these atrocities as a matter of urgency. We continue to call for the Government to allow further investigations by granting unimpeded access to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). We will continue to press the Government of South Sudan to ensure the protection of its citizens and investigate these atrocities.</p> answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 13/07/2015 13:50:42 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

418440

	registered interest
	date	11/09/2015
	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	Ethiopia: Ethnic Groups
	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 oppression of the Amahara people in Ethiopia.
	tabling member constituency	Blaydon
	tabling member printed	Mr David Anderson
	uin	10058
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/09/2015 answer text <p>We have not received any recent reports with regards to possible oppression of the Amhara people in Ethiopia. The UK Government takes seriously all allegations of human rights abuses. Whenever credible allegations of human rights infringements are brought to our attention we raise them with the relevant authorities.</p> answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 18/09/2015 09:39:29 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	1486 label Biography information for Mr David Anderson

390975

	registered interest
	date	17/07/2015
	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	Andargachew Tsege
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his US counterpart urging President Obama to raise the case of detained British national Andargachew Tsege with the Ethiopian government during President Obama's forthcoming visit to that country.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	7789
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/07/2015 answer text <p>We have not asked for President Obama to raise the case of Andargachew Tsege with the Government of Ethiopia during his visit. The Secretary of State for Foreign &amp; Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon friend, the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Philip Hammond MP) and the Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service, my Rt Hon friend, the Member for Witney (David Cameron MP) have raised the case directly and at the highest levels of the Ethiopian government and will continue to do so.</p> answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 27/07/2015 12:00:42 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

420030

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	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	Eritrea: Ethiopia
	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 the (a) UN, (b) EU, (c) government of Ethiopia and (d) government of Eritrea on implementation of the recommendations of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	10829
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>We have consistently urged both Eritrea and Ethiopia to engage bilaterally and with international partners, such as the EU and the UN, to overcome the current stalemate. The UK, along with our international partners, has underlined that the decision by the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission is final and binding. We urge both governments to respect the commitment they made in the Algiers peace agreement of December 2000.</p> answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 19/10/2015 14:32:21 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

390781

	registered interest
	date	16/07/2015
	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	Diplomatic Service
	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 Consular (a) hubs and (b) spokes there are in each region; and what criteria his Department has set for deciding those numbers.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	7669
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2015 answer text <p>We do not operate a hub and spoke network as such. In line with the FCO’s Consular Strategy 2013-2016, we focus resources on those who need us most and are most at risk. We route calls to all our consular posts overseas to three contact centres in Malaga, Hong Kong and Ottawa. Urgent cases, and those that require local support, are passed to posts across eight consular regions.</p><p>The number and location of our consular posts is based on the number of British nationals travelling and living overseas, and the number and complexity of consular cases. The number of posts in each region is as follows:</p><p>Eastern Europe &amp; Central North-Eastern Asia 25<br>Europe North 26<br>Europe South 36<br>Latin America 18<br>Middle East, North Africa &amp; South Asia 37<br>North America &amp; Caribbean 23<br>South East Asia Pacific 23<br>Sub-Saharan Africa 37</p><p>In support of these posts there are 217 Honorary Consuls operating in 86 countries.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 21/07/2015 12:59:18 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

419102

	registered interest
	date	16/09/2015
	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	Somalia: 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 his Department has made of the effect on the security situation in Somalia of al Shabaab's seizure of Buqda.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	10478
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/10/2015 answer text <p>We assess that the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM’s) withdrawal from Buqda, and its consequent re-occupation by Al Shabaab, will have little impact on the security situation in Somalia, given Buqda’s limited strategic importance within the context of the overall AMISOM campaign.</p><p>AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) have regained 75% of the territory formerly controlled by Al-Shabaab, forcing it out of many of its traditional strongholds, including major urban centres and its former headquarters in Baraawe. The current AMISOM offensive is designed to remove Al Shabaab from their strong holds in the Gedo, Bakool and Bay regions of Somalia. But Al Shabaab still holds ground in the lower Juba Valley and retains the ability to infiltrate other areas and cause instability.</p><p>We continue to support African Union and SNSF efforts to defeat Al Shabaab, including through the provision of stipends, training, equipment and infrastructure enhancements, and capacity-building. We are also supporting stabilisation and countering violent extremism efforts, including working with the Federal Government of Somalia to develop counter-terrorism legislation.</p> answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 12/10/2015 13:15:11 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

389233

	registered interest
	date	13/07/2015
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Burundi: Refugees
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her policy is on providing additional funds to the Regional Refugee Response Plan for the situation in Burundi.
	tabling member constituency	Congleton
	tabling member printed	Fiona Bruce
	uin	6798
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2015 answer text <p>We are seriously concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Burundi.</p><p> </p><p>To support the international response and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Burundi Regional Refugee Response Plan, DFID has provided £9.25million to support relief efforts for Burundian refugees fleeing to Tanzania and £3.9million to support Burundian refugees in Rwanda. This funding will be deployed to provide life-saving activities (water and sanitation infrastructure, shelter, health and food rations).</p><p> </p><p>We have deployed human resources to improve the quality of the response (a secondment to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to work with the country team in Burundi to strengthen coordination and planning, as well as a DFID Humanitarian Advisor to work with Tanzania and Rwanda DFID offices to monitor the situation and develop appropriate programme responses).</p><p> </p><p>DFID is also the main donor to the international NGO consortium START network, which provides funding to international NGOs to rapidly respond to emergencies and build the capacity of local NGOs. DFID has provided £13.7million to the network for its global operations since April 2014. To support the humanitarian response to the Burundian situation, START has so far released £442,327 in Burundi, £275,281 in Rwanda, £ 430,203 in Tanzania and £330,000 in the DRC.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>DFID continues to work closely with the FCO to monitor the situation in Burundi and in the surrounding areas and to work with our partners to respond to needs on the ground.</p> answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 16/07/2015 16:13:15 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	3958 label Biography information for Fiona Bruce

420032

	registered interest
	date	09/10/2015
	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	Eritrea: Human Rights
	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 issue a response to Early Day Motion 112 on human rights in Eritrea.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	10810
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2015 answer text <p>We are concerned by the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry on human rights in Eritrea, in particular reports of arbitrary detention, and shortcomings in the rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms. We have made clear to the Government of Eritrea that it must honour its international obligations and that improved respect for human rights is required to help stem the flow of irregular migration. Through the Khartoum Process and the forthcoming Valletta Summit we will continue to engage Eritrea to that end.</p> answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 19/10/2015 14:33:34 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

388596

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2015
	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	Democratic Republic of Congo: Overseas 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 make representations to the government of Congo to ensure that UK companies are paid for infrastructure works undertaken in Congo on behalf of the Congelese government.
	tabling member constituency	The Wrekin
	tabling member printed	Mark Pritchard
	uin	6217
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2015 answer text <p>We are aware of a small number of cases where British companies have found it difficult to enforce contracts and secure payment for services provided to state bodies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Whilst legal channels remain the best route for contractors to pursue unpaid bills, and officials at our Embassy in Kinshasa are unable to become involved in private legal matters, officials have recently formally contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kinshasa to draw its attention to an individual case with the aim of highlighting our interest in seeing a timely and fair solution to disputes involving British companies</p> answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 16/07/2015 13:40:57 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	1576 label Biography information for Mark Pritchard

417634

	registered interest
	date	08/09/2015
	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	South Korea: Embassies
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, for what reasons civil partnerships are not permitted in HM Embassy in South Korea.
	tabling member constituency	Rhondda
	tabling member printed	Chris Bryant
	uin	9596
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2015 answer text <p>We are awaiting confirmation from the authorities in the Republic of Korea that they would have no objection to our Embassy registering civil partnerships. Such cooperation is required under UK legislation.</p> answering member constituency Welwyn Hatfield answering member printed Grant Shapps question first answered 11/09/2015 09:08:14 answering member 1582 label Biography information for Grant Shapps
	tabling member	1446 label Biography information for Sir Chris Bryant