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49014

	registered interest
	date	29/04/2014
	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	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what meetings he has had with (a) representatives of the Colombian government, (b) Colombian civil society and (c) Colombian businesses to discuss his Department's Action Plan on Business and Human Rights since its launch in September 2013.
	tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire South
	tabling member printed	Mr Douglas Alexander
	uin	107176
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2014 answer text <p>I visited Colombia in February this year and discussed business and human rights in my meetings with President Santos, and in meetings with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance and Trade, and with civil society. I welcomed the development of the Colombian national policy on business and human rights during these meetings and raised the importance of protecting Trade Unionists and human rights defenders. We have a strong partnership with the government of Colombia on implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, in the context of the November 2011 Joint Declaration on Human Rights by the Prime Minister and President Santos.</p><p>In addition, British Embassy officials in Bogota have had several meetings with the Colombian government, civil society and businesses in Colombia to discuss the UK Action plan on business and human rights in line with our commitment to working for widespread international uptake of the UN Guiding Principles and to developing partnerships with other countries to progress this.</p><p>Last year, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office funded a project to assist Colombia in drafting its national policy. The Colombian public policy on business and human rights has been formed as a result of consultation across 33 regions and involving over 19,000 people.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Mr William Hague question first answered 06/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 379 label Biography information for Lord Hague of Richmond
	tabling member	632 label Biography information for Mr Douglas Alexander

347143

	registered interest
	date	27/05/2015
	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	Iraq: 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 recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Iraq.
	tabling member constituency	Gedling
	tabling member printed	Vernon Coaker
	uin	114
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/06/2015 answer text <p>Since ISIL’s expansion in the summer of 2014, the Government of Iraq (GoI), with the support of the Global Counter-ISIL Coalition, including the UK, has succeeded in halting ISIL’s advance and pushing them out of a quarter of the territory they have captured. However, the security situation in Iraq remains concerning.</p><p>In central and western Iraq the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), supported by Coalition airstrikes have generally succeeded in containing ISIL advances, and in places like Tikrit, retaken territory. On 17 May, however, ISIL captured the city of Ramadi in Anbar province. While this represents a symbolic and tactical advance for ISIL, we do not judge it to be strategically significant.</p><p>Some areas of Iraq, such as Mosul, remain under complete ISIL control whilst others like Fallujah and Baiji continue to be heavily contested.</p><p>In the north, the Kurdish Security Forces (KSF), supported by Coalition airstrikes, have recaptured territory, particularly around the Sinjar area, and continue to make incremental gains. The majority of southern Iraq remains calm.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 01/06/2015 10:40:36 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	360 label Biography information for Lord Coaker

347147

	registered interest
	date	27/05/2015
	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	Afghanistan: 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 recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Afghanistan.
	tabling member constituency	Gedling
	tabling member printed	Vernon Coaker
	uin	116
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/06/2015 answer text <p>Working for a stable and secure Afghanistan that is willing and able to counter terrorism remains a key objective for our work in Afghanistan. The UK played a leading role in the International Security Assistance Force mission. With NATO support, Afghan security forces now number around 330,000, the strongest in Afghan history. In January 2015 they assumed complete responsibility for the country’s security, a significant achievement and a tangible demonstration of the progress achieved to date. Recent well-publicised attacks have shown insurgent ambition to press for early impact following the announcement on 22 April of the start of their military campaign this year, in which they have declared Afghan Government and international institutions and civilian personnel as legitimate targets. We recognise and are ever mindful of the indiscriminate tragedy that this inflicts. Events have also illustrated the ability and determination of Afghan Defence and Security Forces to absorb pressure and to respond effectively. We expect this capability to broaden and to deepen as NATO’s Resolute Support Mission continues, of which the UK remains a key component.</p><p> </p><p>We are aware of reports claiming that Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant/Daesh have gained a foothold in Afghanistan and that they are seeking to consolidate this. Together with Afghan and international counterparts, we are monitoring the situation closely.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 01/06/2015 10:08:47 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	360 label Biography information for Lord Coaker

347148

	registered interest
	date	27/05/2015
	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	Libya: 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 recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Libya.
	tabling member constituency	Gedling
	tabling member printed	Vernon Coaker
	uin	117
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/06/2015 answer text <p>Ongoing instability and increased violence are a serious threat to Libya’s future. The wider region is threatened by the increasing presence of terrorist organisations and the facilitation of illegal migration. The UK is particularly concerned about the growing threat from extremist groups affiliated with ISIL in Libya. Only a stable and representative Government of National Accord (GNA) can deal with the political and security challenges Libya faces. I discussed this with visiting members of the House of Representatives and Libyan activists during my recent visit to Tunisia.</p><p>The UK remains fully committed to supporting the work of Special Representative of the Secretary General Leon to find a lasting political and security settlement in Libya. An agreement on a GNA is an essential first step to normalising Libya, and needs to be accompanied by a monitored ceasefire, withdrawal of armed groups from the cities and a comprehensive security plan.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 01/06/2015 16:08:05 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	360 label Biography information for Lord Coaker

347151

	registered interest
	date	27/05/2015
	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: 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 recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Nigeria.
	tabling member constituency	Gedling
	tabling member printed	Vernon Coaker
	uin	118
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/06/2015 answer text The security situation in Nigeria remains of strong concern. It is estimated that 20,000 people have been killed, 1.5 million have been displaced and at least 3 million have been affected by the terrorist group Boko Haram. Recent efforts by Nigeria and its neighbours have seen the group pushed back. However, Boko Haram remains a potent threat and retains the ability to conduct attacks. President Buhari has made restoring security and prosperity to north east Nigeria a priority for his government. We look forward to working closely with him on this agenda. answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 01/06/2015 11:23:01 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
	tabling member	360 label Biography information for Lord Coaker

346860

	registered interest
	date	27/05/2015
	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	Burma: Rohingya
	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 international counterparts on the provision of support to stranded Rohingya migrants; and what the outcome was of such discussions.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Northfield
	tabling member printed	Richard Burden
	uin	153
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2015 answer text <p>We are deeply concerned about the crisis in the Bay of Bengal, and particularly for the thousands of people adrift in the Andaman Sea and Malacca Straits. <br><br>It is vital that Burma addresses the longer-term issues which lie at the root of the problem - namely the desperate conditions in which Rohingya communities are living in Rakhine State. I asked the Burmese Ambassador in London to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 18 May to express our concern at the situation, and press Burma to take urgent steps to deal with the humanitarian implications of the crisis, as well as the underlying causes in Rakhine. I also met the Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary on 20 May and raised the need for Bangladesh to work within the region to address people trafficking and irregular migration. <br><br>It is clear that this is an issue that requires a comprehensive regional response, and as such we welcomed the Thai authorities’ decision to call a regional summit on 29 May to tackle the broader issues. Our Ambassador in Bangkok attended this summit as an observer. We also very much welcome the 20 May decision, from the Foreign Ministers of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, to provide humanitarian assitance those stranded at sea. <br><br>As I made clear in a Parliamentary debate in January, we have long encouraged a wider UN leadership role to help bring about a long term solution to bring peace and reconciliation to all communities in Rakhine State. UN Secretary General Ban-ki Moon called Burmese President Thein Sein on 20 May to discuss this issue. It was also discussed at the UN Security Council on 28 May. <br><br>The UK is playing its part to resolve the dire situation in Rakhine. Since 2012, the UK has been one of the largest bilateral humanitarian donors in Rakhine State. We have invested over £18m in humanitarian support there, which helps to provide shelter; water sanitation and hygiene; nutrition and protection activities; and non-food items for over 122,000 people. We also strongly support the UN’s coordination of the international humanitarian response.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 02/06/2015 16:07:40 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	301 label Biography information for Richard Burden

347101

	registered interest
	date	27/05/2015
	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	UK Membership of the EU: Referendums
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether UK citizens living overseas will be eligible to vote in the planned referendum on the UK's continued membership of the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
	tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
	uin	167
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2015 answer text <p>The franchise for the EU referendum is based on the UK Parliamentary franchise with the addition of Members of the House of Lords and Commonwealth citizens in Gibraltar. This includes those who are 18 or over on the day of the poll and who are either British citizens resident in the UK; qualifying Commonwealth and Irish citizens who are resident in the UK; and British citizens who have lived overseas for fewer than 15 years and were registered to vote before they left the UK.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 02/06/2015 14:55:25 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

347102

	registered interest
	date	27/05/2015
	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	UK Membership of the EU: Referendums
	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 franchise for the planned referendum on the UK's continued membership of the EU will exclude (a) citizens of EU member states who are resident in the UK and are eligible to vote in elections to the European Parliament and (b) 16 and 17 year olds; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
	tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
	uin	168
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2015 answer text <p>The franchise for the EU referendum is based on the UK Parliamentary franchise with the addition of Members of the House of Lords and Commonwealth citizens in Gibraltar. This includes those who are 18 or over on the day of the poll and who are either British citizens resident in the UK; qualifying Commonwealth and Irish citizens who are resident in the UK; and British citizens who have lived overseas for fewer than 15 years and were registered to vote before they left the UK.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 02/06/2015 14:56:43 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

46545

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	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	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 Italian counterpart on the status of foreign lecturers in Italian universities.
	tabling member constituency	North West Leicestershire
	tabling member printed	Andrew Bridgen
	uin	194913
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2014 answer text <p>The discrimination faced by UK and foreign national lecturers in Italy is unacceptable and illegal. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) raised the ‘lettori' with the then Italian Foreign Minister, Emma Bonino, on 25 October 2013. I met the then Italian Europe Minister, Enzo Moavero Milanesi, on 19 November 2013, and stressed the importance of progress. I also met the Chairman of the Association of Foreign Lecturers in Italy (ALLSI), David Petrie, on 28 November 2013, and assured him of the Government's commitment to keep up the pressure on the Italian authorities. I raised the issue with Italian Deputy Foreign Minister, Marta Dassu, when I met her on 15 January. Most recently, the Minister of State for Universities and Science, my right hon. Friend the Member for Havant (Mr Willetts), has written to the new Italian Minister for Education, Research and Universities, Stefania Giannini, and underlined the importance of finding a solution.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 09/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	4133 label Biography information for Andrew Bridgen

46541

	registered interest
	date	02/04/2014
	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	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 encourage his counterparts in other EU member states to support and commit resources to the EUFOR RCA mission in the Central African Republic.
	tabling member constituency	Sleaford and North Hykeham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Phillips
	uin	195019
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2014 answer text <p>I welcome the launch of the EU Force (EUFOR) military operation in the Central African Republic (CAR) on 2 April. EUFOR will help the African-led International Support Mission to CAR (MISCA) and French (Sangaris) forces to provide security in Bangui until a hand-over to MISCA or a possible UN Peacekeeping Operation can take place. I discussed the importance of the mission with Ministerial colleagues in the margins of the EU-Africa Summit in Brussels on 1-2 April. The UK has played a strong role in the planning for EUFOR, and is discussing the possibility of providing airlifts to help EUFOR's deployment. Ongoing reports of violence in CAR demonstrate the importance of this mission.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Mark Simmonds question first answered 09/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1393 label Biography information for Mark Simmonds
	tabling member	4054 label Biography information for Stephen Phillips