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386878

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2015
	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	Turkey: LGBT+ People
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they plan to make to the government of Turkey about the use of water cannons and tear gas on participants at the gay pride celebrations in Istanbul.
	tabling member printed	Lord Scriven
	uin	HL987
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>We regularly raise human rights issues and the need to allow freedom of expression as part of our ongoing dialogue with the Turkish government. As part of this dialogue, we continue to urge the Turkish authorities to exercise restraint and respond proportionately to public demonstrations. <br><br>We strongly encourage Turkey to continue work towards the full protection of fundamental rights, especially in the areas of minority rights and freedom of expression. Further sustained work is needed to meet EU standards on the fundamental rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. But we do welcome progress made, including the ruling of Turkey’s Constitutional Court finding hate speech on the grounds of sexual orientation to constitute a criminal offence.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 07/07/2015 14:59:50 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4333 label Biography information for Lord Scriven

386106

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2015
	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	Syria
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken to prevent states or other agents sending funds and arms to the parties to the conflict in Syria, in particular those who are guilty or suspected of war crimes and grave human rights abuses; and what further action they plan to take.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL905
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>The UK does not supply weapons to anyone in Syria, and we have played a major role in trying to prevent both the regime and extremists in Syria from acquiring weapons. <br><br>UN sanctions require that no states, groups or individuals may make available arms or funds to designated groups or individuals. In February 2015 the UN Security Council unanimously adopted UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2199, which the British Government co-sponsored. UNSCR 2199 specifically targets the fund raising methods used by Al-Qaida and its affiliates operating in Syria and Iraq. <br><br>The UK is also at the forefront of efforts to broaden the EU Syria sanctions regime, which limits the regime's access to funding. This year the EU has listed 24 new Syrian regime ministers who are jointly responsible for the regime’s reprehensible policies. There are several EU-Syria trade embargoes currently in place, including prohibiting exportation of chemical weapons (and precursors) and luxury goods to Syria, importation of oil from Syria and access to EU financial institutions. <br><br>We will work hard to sustain these efforts.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 07/07/2015 14:56:25 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

386083

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2015
	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	Gaza
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have discussed the recent UN report on Operation Protective Edge with the government of Israel; and if not, whether they intend to do so.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL882
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv had meetings on 29 and 30 June with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs where the UN Human Rights Council Commission of Inquiry Gaza report was discussed.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 07/07/2015 14:56:55 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

386081

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2015
	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	Gaza: Ports
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with European partners concerning the case for mediating an agreement on international supervision of the Port of Gaza; and what assessment they have made of the difficulties that stand in the way of such an agreement.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL880
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>The EU, with UK encouragement, has looked at a number of options for how it can encourage an easing of movement and access into and out of Gaza. This includes the possibility of EU assistance in establishing a sea-link from Gaza to another international port, currently envisaged in Cyprus. The difficulty that stands in the way is the remaining need for all parties to reach an agreement that addresses the underlying causes of the conflict in Gaza. This should ensure that Hamas and other militant groups permanently end rocket fire and other attacks against Israel; the Palestinian Authority resumes control of Gaza and restores effective and accountable governance; and Israel eases movement and access restrictions to allow the Gazan economy to grow.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 07/07/2015 14:58:22 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

385740

	registered interest
	date	25/06/2015
	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	Burma
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Myanmar concerning the Population Control Health Care Law and how it can be implemented in a non-discriminatory way.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Coventry
	uin	HL864
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>We have made representations on all four of the so-called ‘protection of race and religion bills’, including the population law. We remain concerned that these laws could harm religious tolerance and respect for diversity in Burma, and contravene international standards and treaties to which Burma is a signatory. We have voiced our concerns over the proposed legislation to members of the Burmese government and parliamentarians. The then Minister of State for the Home Department, the right hon. Lynne Featherstone, raised the issue when she met Deputy Foreign Minister Thant Kyaw during her visit to Burma in January. The UK also endorsed a local statement issued by EU Heads of Mission in Rangoon in January, reiterating those concerns and calling on the Burmese government and parliament to ensure that all new legislation is fully compliant with Burma’s international human rights obligations. The population bill was also raised in the EU/Burma Human Rights Dialogue on 18 June.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 07/07/2015 15:01:17 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4266 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry

385737

	registered interest
	date	25/06/2015
	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	Indonesia
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the government of Indonesia in its efforts to provide greater legislative protection for freedom of religion or belief in that country.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Coventry
	uin	HL861
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>Our Ambassador in Jakarta met the Indonesian Minister for Religious Affairs in April this year. During the meeting, he urged greater protection of religious beliefs and they discussed the Ministry’s forthcoming bill on protection for religious and faith communities (RUU PUB) on which the Ambassador offered UK assistance and expertise.</p><p>We have also supported a range of activities in this area, such as human rights training specifically related to freedom of religion for members of the Indonesian judiciary.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 07/07/2015 14:39:48 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4266 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry

387443

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2015
	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
	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 provides to UK holidaymakers who get into difficulty when travelling abroad.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	5501
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office offers help appropriate to the individual circumstances of each case. The help offered may include:</p><p>&gt; Issuing replacement emergency travel documents.<br>&gt; Providing information about transferring funds.<br>&gt; Providing appropriate help for victims of crime and those who are ill or in hospital.<br>&gt; Providing details of local lawyers, interpreters, doctors and funeral directors.<br>&gt; Contacting family or friends.<br>&gt; Making special arrangements in cases of terrorism, civil unrest or natural disasters.</p><p>The support that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can offer British Nationals travelling abroad is described in our publication, Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide. This can be found at the following link: http://tinyurl.com/pac6327.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 07/07/2015 11:35:39 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

387238

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2015
	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	Romania: NATO
	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 counterparts in NATO countries on the new NATO Force Integration Unit to be built in Romania.
	tabling member constituency	Newport West
	tabling member printed	Paul Flynn
	uin	5407
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>I frequently have calls with my NATO counterparts and discuss a range of issues including NATO. We are in regular contact with Romania and NATO Allies on the implementation of NATO’s Readiness Action Plan (RAP) agreed at the Wales Summit last September, which includes the development of the NATO Force Integration Units (NFIU) in six eastern Allies. In March 2015, the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks (Mr Fallon), visited Romania, calling on the President, Prime Minister and Defence Minister to discuss these issues. NATO Defence Ministers met in Brussels on 24-25 June to assess progress since Wales. It was agreed that overall there continued to be good progress on RAP implementation and that the six NFIUs would be fully manned by the end of the year. The UK is playing a leading role in this effort. Romania’s NFIU will support planning, conduct host nation liaison and facilitate the rapid deployment of the new Very High Readiness Joint Task Force. The UK will support the NFIU through the provision of a Staff Officer.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 07/07/2015 14:54:55 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	545 label Biography information for Paul Flynn

387445

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2015
	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	Piracy
	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 scale of international at-sea piracy; and what steps the Government is taking to counter piracy at sea.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	5364
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>Recorded acts of piracy have increased in South East Asia from 128 to 141 2014 and 2015. The UK is an active member of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against ships in Asia (ReCAAP) who work to combat piracy in the region.</p><p>International action has suppressed piracy off the coast of Somalia and there has not been a successful attack since 2012. However, the situation is reversible and we remain vigilant. The UK hosts the headquarters of EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA and NATO Operation Ocean Shield, and provides a Deputy Commander to the Combined Maritime Forces. The UK also supports bilateral capacity building in East Africa through EUCAP NESTOR and UN Office on Drugs and Crime.</p><p>The situation in the Gulf of Guinea has remained stable over the last 10 years but there were 67 attacks in 2014. The UK remains committed to supporting west African states build their capacity ashore and at sea.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 07/07/2015 15:13:17 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

387444

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2015
	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	Nuclear Disarmament
	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 encourage nuclear non-proliferation and multilateral disarmament of existing nuclear weapons.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	5363
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>We work with international partners in a variety of fora to prevent nuclear proliferation and to help achieve our shared goal of nuclear disarmament. The UK plays a very active role in the Iran nuclear negotiations, in upholding sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and in applying export controls via the Nuclear Suppliers Group. We encourage States that have not yet done so, to sign up to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) so that this important treaty can enter into force, pending which we provide significant financial and technical support to the international monitoring system designed to detect nuclear tests. We also encourage States that have not done so to sign up to International Atomic Energy Agency Additional Protocols. We continue to urge the start and early completion of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a Fissile Material Cut off Treaty, to seek universalisation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and continue to work to build trust and confidence with other Nuclear Weapon States through the P5 process.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 07/07/2015 11:27:58 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

387040

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2015
	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	Burma: Humanitarian Aid
	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 requested the UN Security-General to lead personally negotiations on securing unrestricted humanitarian access in Rakhine State, Burma.
	tabling member constituency	Sutton and Cheam
	tabling member printed	Paul Scully
	uin	5236
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>The United Kingdom continues to encourage a wider UN leadership role to help bring peace and reconciliation to all communities in Rakhine State. We welcome the firm personal stand the UN Secretary General has already taken on the Rohingya. During his visit to Burma in November 2014, he publicly expressed his concern about the discrimination and violence they face, and called for the human rights and dignity of all the people in Rakhine to be respected. During the recent crisis in the Andaman Sea, he called President Thein Sein on 20 May to make clear his concerns. The UN Secretary General also presided over a meeting of the International Partnership Group on Burma on 24 April. <br><br>More widely, the UK is actively keeping Rakhine and the situation of the Rohingya high on the international agenda and within the UN system. With UK support, the situation in Rakhine was discussed at a UN Security Council briefing on 28 May, and the UK was instrumental in securing strong UN Resolutions on Burma at the UN General Assembly in November and the Human Rights Council in March. The latter resolution extended the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for Human Rights. In Burma, Professor Yanghee Lee, who has highlighted the plight of the Rohingya in her reports. The Government invited Professor Lee to the UK in March, where she discussed the situation in Rakhine with the Minister of State, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Anelay of St Johns. <br><br>We will continue to engage closely with the UN system to maintain a focus on this important issue.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 07/07/2015 13:43:29 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully

386655

	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	Afghanistan
	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 (a) help tackle corruption, (b) promote human rights and (c) improve the justice system in Afghanistan.
	tabling member constituency	Hampstead and Kilburn
	tabling member printed	Tulip Siddiq
	uin	4985
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>The UK is committed to supporting President Ghani’s efforts to eliminate corruption, promote human rights and improve the justice system as set out in his ambitious reform agenda at the London Conference on Afghanistan.</p><p>There has been significant progress, particularly on women’s rights, since 2001, but the gains made are fragile and the country still faces huge challenges. The UK provides support and funding for the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission to help it protect human rights, investigate and catalogue violence and support those seeking justice. We play an active role, along with EU Member States, on protecting human rights defenders as part of the EU Local Strategy. In addition, the Department for International Development (DFID) also funds a number of humanitarian programmes that help to promote human rights.</p><p>Through DFID’s Afghan Reconstruction Trust Fund we run a public financial management reform project to strengthen procurement, audit and reporting controls to improve transparency and accountability. The fund is also used to increase access to legal services through a justice services delivery project. In addition we’re working to increasing women’s access to justice by funding services providing legal advice to women suffering from domestic violence.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 07/07/2015 11:32:48 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4518 label Biography information for Tulip Siddiq

386644

	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	Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Public Appointments
	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 place in the Library a list of all public appointments made by his Department between 1 January 2015 and 1 May 2015.
	tabling member constituency	Barking
	tabling member printed	Margaret Hodge
	uin	4965
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>Under the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies April 2012, Government departments are required to publicise successful appointments. Two appointments have been made in 2015, Sir Ciarán Devane, CEO of British Council in January and Sir Martin Davidson, Chairman of Great Britain China Centre in February.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 07/07/2015 15:15:39 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	140 label Biography information for Dame Margaret Hodge

386652

	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	Tibet
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what change there has been in the Government's policy towards the status of Tibet and the integrity of the culture of Tibetan people within China; and what recent discussions he has had with his Chinese counterparts on the status of Tibet.
	tabling member constituency	East Worthing and Shoreham
	tabling member printed	Tim Loughton
	uin	4947
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>As I stated during a Westminster Hall Debate on Tibet on 18 June, our position on Tibet has not changed. The Government position remains that of subsequent governments before it: we regard Tibet as part of the People’s Republic of China and do not support independence. The Prime Minister confirmed this position with Premier Li during the UK-China Summit in June last year. <br><br>We support the protection of cultural rights throughout China, and remain concerned by restrictions to these rights in ethnic minority regions, including Tibet. <br><br>We maintain our belief that long term stability in Tibet will be best achieved through respect for the universal principles of human rights, and genuine autonomy for Tibet within the framework of the Chinese constitution. Meaningful dialogue is the best way to address and resolve the underlying differences between Tibetan communities and the Chinese government, and we continue to encourage all sides to restart talks as soon as possible.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 07/07/2015 13:33:59 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	114 label Biography information for Tim Loughton

386645

	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: 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 the effect that Iran's possession of advanced IR-8 centrifuge would have on its nuclear break out ability.
	tabling member constituency	Central Suffolk and North Ipswich
	tabling member printed	Dr Poulter
	uin	4900
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>Use of IR-8 centrifuges for enrichment could significantly shorten breakout times. However, as reported in the 29 May report from the IAEA DG Iran currently has only one prototype IR-8 machine in place, without connections, in the research and development area at the Natanz nuclear facility. Ensuring that Iran’s use of advanced centrifuges is adequately constrained remains a key element of the E3+3 negotiations currently underway.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 07/07/2015 11:31:52 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	3932 label Biography information for Dr Dan Poulter

386646

	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: 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 development of the IR-8 centrifuge; and what effect this will have on that country's enrichment capabilities.
	tabling member constituency	Central Suffolk and North Ipswich
	tabling member printed	Dr Poulter
	uin	4899
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>The 29 May report from the International Atomic Energy Agency Director General confirms that Iran’s development work on the IR-8 centrifuge has continued in accordance with the Joint Plan of Action. Iran’s IR-8 research and development is limited to one prototype machine in place without connections at the Natanz nuclear facility. Use of IR-8 machines could significantly increase Iran’s enrichment capabilities should research and development on the centrifuge be completed.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 07/07/2015 11:30:46 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	3932 label Biography information for Dr Dan Poulter

386649

	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: 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 reports he has received on Iran's research and development of advanced centrifuges.
	tabling member constituency	Central Suffolk and North Ipswich
	tabling member printed	Dr Poulter
	uin	4898
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>On 29 May the International Atomic Energy Agency Director General issued the latest report on safeguards implementation in Iran, which includes an update on Iran’s research and development activity at the Natanz nuclear facility. The report confirms that since the Director General’s previous report, Iran has continued safeguarded research and development activities in line with its commitments under the Joint Plan of Action.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 07/07/2015 11:29:54 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	3932 label Biography information for Dr Dan Poulter

386650

	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	EU Reform
	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 reform of (a) EU Social Policy, (b) EU Employment Policy, (c) the free movement of labour within the EU and (e) EU red tape and regulation.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne East
	tabling member printed	Mr Nicholas Brown
	uin	4823
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), has been clear on the need to reform EU laws to reduce the incentives which have led to mass immigration from Europe, increase economic competitiveness and cut red tape to create jobs and growth for hard working families.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 07/07/2015 14:38:46 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	523 label Biography information for Mr Nicholas Brown

386642

	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	UK Membership of 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, what discussion his Department has had with the European Commission on campaigns by that institution during the UK referendum campaign.
	tabling member constituency	Clacton
	tabling member printed	Mr Douglas Carswell
	uin	4784
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text Ministers and officials regularly meet with the European Commission to discuss a range of subjects, including the referendum on the UK's EU membership and the reforms which the Government is seeking. answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 07/07/2015 14:35:11 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	1527 label Biography information for Mr Douglas Carswell

386633

	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	Argentina: Overseas Trade
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the value of trade was between the UK and Argentina in each of the last six years.
	tabling member constituency	Worcester
	tabling member printed	Mr Robin Walker
	uin	4770
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>For the six years to 2013 (most recent figures), trade both goods and services between the United Kingdom and Argentina was worth £1,190m in 2008, £1,250m in 2009, £1,430 in 2010, £1,420m in 2011, £1,460m in 2012 and £1,380 in 2013.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 07/07/2015 13:35:47 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker

386635

	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	Paraguay: Overseas Trade
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the value of trade was between the UK and Paraguay in each of the last six years.
	tabling member constituency	Worcester
	tabling member printed	Mr Robin Walker
	uin	4769
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>For the six years to 2013 (most recent figures), trade between the United Kingdom and Paraguay was worth, £25m in 2008, £23m in 2009, £41m in 2010, £47m in 2011, £40m in 2012 and £53m in 2013.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 07/07/2015 13:38:50 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	4091 label Biography information for Mr Robin Walker

386640

	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	Syria: Military Aid
	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 and assistance the Government is providing to the Al Sanadid Arabs in the fight against ISIS in Syria.
	tabling member constituency	The Wrekin
	tabling member printed	Mark Pritchard
	uin	4762
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>The al-Sanadid army, based in Hasakeh Province, has recently supported the Kurdish armed group, the YPG, in retaking ground from ISIL. However, the UK is not providing any material assistance to the al-Sanadid army. We recognise the difficult circumstances the Syrian Kurds face in the midst of the continuing civil war and their fight against ISIL. They are making gains against ISIL with the help of anti-ISIL coalition airstrikes. But we are concerned that the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) continues to maintain links with the Assad regime and refuses to cooperate fully with the moderate Syrian Opposition. We are also concerned that the PYD maintains some links with the PKK, a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK. Over the past year, UK officials have met PYD representatives to raise our concerns.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 07/07/2015 12:11:40 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1576 label Biography information for Mark Pritchard

386269

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2015
	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	Yemen: 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 recent reports he has received on the political and security situation in Yemen.
	tabling member constituency	Leicester East
	tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
	uin	4691
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>We remain in close contact with the Government of Yemen and other international partners regarding the situation in Yemen. I spoke to President Hadi of Yemen on 3 June and UN Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed on 6 June ahead of consultations in Geneva on 16-18 June. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), spoke to Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Al Jubeir on 23 June to discuss the humanitarian situation. Our Yemen Office in Jeddah and British Embassy in Riyadh are in regular contact with Yemeni and Saudi interlocutors to discuss the political and humanitarian situation and how the UK can best support moving towards a durable process for stability in the country. We remain fully supportive of the UN’s efforts to broker negotiations between Yemeni parties and call on parties to engage in good faith in this process.</p><p>The situation on the ground remains unstable and the humanitarian situation is dire. The Houthis and forces loyal to former President Saleh have continued their aggression, including most recently firing a scud missile across the Saudi border on 29 June.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 07/07/2015 11:38:17 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

386265

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2015
	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	Turkey: 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 staff were employed by HM Consulate-General in Istanbul on (a) 1 January 2010, (b) 1 January 2015 and (c) 1 June 2015.
	tabling member constituency	Leicester East
	tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
	uin	4690
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>The number of staff employed by the British Consulate-General in Istanbul on 31st March 2010 is shown in the table below. The number of staff employed by the British Consulate-General in Istanbul for 1st January 2015 and 1st June 2015 are also shown in the table. All Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Local Staff and Other Government Department Local Staff are directly employed by the British Consulate-General. UK based FCO staff are employed by the FCO in London but are serving a posting in Istanbul.</p><table><tbody><tr><td>Date</td><td>FCO UK based staff</td><td>FCO Locally Employed staff</td><td>OGD Locally Employed staff</td></tr><tr><td>31st Mar 2010</td><td>17</td><td>80</td><td>26</td></tr><tr><td>1st Jan 2015</td><td>18</td><td>96</td><td>72</td></tr><tr><td>1st Jun 2015</td><td>18</td><td>82</td><td>92</td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 07/07/2015 13:39:14 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

386267

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2015
	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	Syria: 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 recent reports he has received on attacks by ISIL on the Syrian town of Kobane.
	tabling member constituency	Enfield North
	tabling member printed	Joan Ryan
	uin	4681
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>On 25 June, the so called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant(ISIL) infiltrated Kobane and launched an attack estimated to have killed over 200 people in the city and surrounding areas. We understand that the People's Defense Units (YPG) have now driven ISIL from the city and have resumed full control.</p><p>We are watching developments closely and continue to call on all sides of the conflict to respect International Humanitarian Law and protect civilians. We are working with the authorities in Turkey and our international partners to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to those who have fled Kobane for Turkey.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 07/07/2015 11:53:38 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	166 label Biography information for Joan Ryan

386266

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2015
	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	Syria: 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 recent discussions he has had with his Turkish counterpart on (a) the situation in Syria and (b) the recent attacks by ISIL on the Syrian town of Kobane.
	tabling member constituency	Enfield North
	tabling member printed	Joan Ryan
	uin	4677
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>The UK Government maintains a close dialogue with the Turkish government on the threat posed by the so called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) last discussed the threat with the Turkish President Erdoğan, on 3 June, 2015. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) also discussed cooperation against ISIL with his counterpart, the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlüt Cavuşoğlu, most recently on 16 June, including the situation in Tel Abyad. On 26 June the UK’s Representative to Syria discussed with Turkish officials, the situation in Kobane following the recent ISIL attacks.</p><p>Turkey is an important member of the Global Coalition, and continues to make a valuable contribution to the international campaign against ISIL, including supporting airstrikes and stopping the transit of foreign fighters. We welcome Turkey’s support, including through hosting one of the Train and Equipment Centres (T&amp;E) for the US-led T&amp;E programme for the Syrian moderate opposition. Turkey also plays a key role in the humanitarian effort. It hosts more than 2 million refugees fleeing from Syria and Iraq, and is facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid across the border.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 07/07/2015 11:54:22 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	166 label Biography information for Joan Ryan

386264

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2015
	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	India: UN Security Council
	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 it his policy to ensure that any progress towards a permanent seat on the UN Security Council for India is made conditional on that country's compliance with UN resolutions relating to Kashmir.
	tabling member constituency	Wycombe
	tabling member printed	Steve Baker
	uin	4623
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>We fully support a permanent seat for India on the UN Security Council. On Kashmir it is our, long-standing position that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation there, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution nor to act as a mediator.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 07/07/2015 13:31:00 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker

386168

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2015
	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	Syria: 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, if he will hold discussions with his Turkish counterpart on the relationship between the Turkish security services and ISIL in Syria.
	tabling member constituency	The Wrekin
	tabling member printed	Mark Pritchard
	uin	4513
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>The UK Government maintains a close dialogue with the Turkish government at all levels on the threat posed the so called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) last discussed cooperation against ISIL with his counterpart, the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlüt Cavuşoğlu, on 16 June. The talks included the situation in Tel Abyad.</p><p>Turkey is also an important member of the Global Coalition, and continues to make a valuable contribution to the international campaign against ISIL, including supporting airstrikes and stopping the transit of foreign fighters. We welcome Turkey’s support, including through hosting one of the Train and Equipment Centres (T&amp;E) for the US-led T&amp;E programme for the Syrian moderate opposition. Turkey also plays a key role in the humanitarian effort. It hosts more than 2 million refugees fleeing from Syria and Iraq, and is facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid across the border.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 07/07/2015 11:55:05 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1576 label Biography information for Mark Pritchard

386166

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2015
	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	Nigeria: Chemical Weapons
	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 napalm bombing taking place in Biafra land, Nigeria.
	tabling member constituency	West Ham
	tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
	uin	4503
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2015 answer text <p>We are aware of recent military activity in the south-east region of Nigeria and also of allegations made, in certain media outlets, of a napalm attack on a community. We are currently seeking more information, but the reports of the use of napalm appear to originate from one source and remain unsubstantiated. In addition, pictures of alleged victims of the attack have proven to be from other incidents, which casts doubts on the validity of the allegations.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 07/07/2015 11:36:21 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
	tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown