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1183291

	registered interest
	date	06/03/2020
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Iran: Identity Cards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received on the (a) access to fundamental rights of Iranian citizens who do not have a new digitised ID card and (b) effect of that new system on (i) members of the Baha’i community and (ii) others not recognised under the 1979 constitution; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	26142
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2020 answer text <p>We are aware of reports that Iran's Baha'i community are being prevented from obtaining identity cards under new rules, depriving them of accessing many basic services. We remain concerned about the continued harassment and mistreatment that the Baha'i and other minority religious groups face. We support the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran's assessment that discrimination against the Baha'is in Iran is sanctioned by a lack of constitutional recognition. We regularly call upon Iran to cease harassment of all religious minorities and to fulfil its international and domestic obligations to protect freedom of religion or belief to all Iranians.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 12/03/2020 15:02:58 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

1167924

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2019
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	India: Foreign Relations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What diplomatic steps he has taken to strengthen UK relations with India.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	900307
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>The UK’s bilateral relationship with India is strong and growing. It is broad, covering trade and investment, people-to-people connections, and being a Force for Good in the world. The Foreign Secretary met Foreign Minister Jaishankar on his first overseas visit, to ASEAN on 1 August, and the Prime Minister met Prime Minister Modi at the G7 in August. They agreed that we should expand ambition of trade relationship as we leave the EU. The Prince of Wales will visit India in November to celebrate the depth and richness of the UK-India relationship.</p><p>New rules on post-study work visas announced in October will ensure we attract India’s best and brightest to mutual advantage.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 05/11/2019 14:51:43 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

1167452

	registered interest
	date	30/10/2019
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Palestinians: Press Freedom
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Palestinian Authority on the effect of the implementation of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 on freedom of the press in that region.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	7719
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>The UK supports calls for greater media freedoms in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The evidence is clear: where journalists and media organisations are free to do their work, societies are more prosperous and resilient. Officials from our Consulate-General in Jerusalem regularly raise the issue of freedom of expression, including the revision of relevant legislation, with the Palestinian Authority. Her Majesty’s Consul General in Jerusalem raised this most recently on 30 October. We encourage the Palestinian Authority to ensure the harmonisation of Palestinian laws with International Human Rights conventions to which it has acceded, in order to guarantee that freedom of expression and the generally free and pluralistic media environment are preserved.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 05/11/2019 10:07:59 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

1136217

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2019
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Khaleda Zia
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the imprisonment of the main opposition leader in Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia, on political stability in that country; and what representations he has made to his Bangladeshi counterpart on that matter.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	272185
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>We continue to stress to the Government of Bangladesh, both in public and in private, the importance of respect for human rights and the rule of law. We expect those in detention including Khaleda Zia to be treated in accordance with Bangladesh's international commitments on human rights, and we regularly engage with the Government of Bangladesh on the treatment of those in detention and on the integrity and independence of the judicial process.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary has written to Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen this year to express our concerns about the general election in December 2018 and to encourage the Government of Bangladesh to maintain dialogue with opposition parties and civil society.</p><p>The Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific reiterated these concerns and the importance of respect for human rights when he met the Prime Minister and ministers during his visit to Bangladesh in April 2019.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 10/07/2019 13:31:07 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

1077393

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

943841

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2018
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Iran: Politics and Government
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has received representations on the arrest of an Iranian diplomat in Germany on charges related to a foiled plot against the Iran Freedom – The Alternative gathering on 30 June 2018 in Paris; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	165541
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/07/2018 answer text <p>We have not received specific representations from any other governments on the arrest of an Iranian diplomat in Germany but we are concerned by reports that an Iranian diplomat may have been involved with a plot against a conference in Paris.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 27/07/2018 11:26:24 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

943842

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2018
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Iran: Politics and Government
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential perpetrators of the plot against the Iran Freedom – The Alternative gathering on 30 June 2018 in Paris.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	165542
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/07/2018 answer text <p>We are concerned by reports that an Iranian diplomat may have been involved with a plot against a conference in Paris, and understand that investigations are ongoing in a number of European countries. We are not aware at this stage of a link to the UK.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 27/07/2018 11:27:38 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

933920

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2018
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	China: Multinational Companies
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will tackle the issue of China's (a) pressuring British Airways and other airlines to use its nomenclature for Taiwan on their websites and (b) interfering in other ways in the free operations of international business.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	159579
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2018 answer text <p>Her Majesty’s Government’s long-standing policy on Taiwan has not changed. The British Government refers to Taiwan as simply “Taiwan” and, when included in a list of places, does so under an inclusive heading, such as “country/territory” or “world locations”. When guidance has been sought from HMG on the terminology to use, we have been clear about the British Government’s terminology for Taiwan.</p><p>Private companies and organisations should be able to decide the terminology that they use to list destinations. UK companies should not be placed under political pressure to make changes. FCO Officials have registered our concern with the Chinese Government on this point.</p><p>​</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 10/07/2018 16:31:44 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

922377

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2018
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to secure the immediate release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	152745
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2018 answer text <p>​We remain very concerned about all our dual nationals detained in Iran. We continue to raise their cases with the Iranian government at every opportunity, and make decisions in line with what we believe will produce the best outcomes in their cases. However, we will not be providing a continuous commentary. We judge this will not be helpful, or in the best interest of each case.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 19/06/2018 15:22:03 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

922386

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2018
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has identified the factors which are preventing the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	152746
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2018 answer text <p>​We remain very concerned about all our dual nationals detained in Iran. We continue to raise their cases with the Iranian government at every opportunity, and make decisions in line with what we believe will produce the best outcomes in their cases. However, we will not be providing a continuous commentary. We judge this will not be helpful, or in the best interest of each case.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 19/06/2018 15:42:54 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

872227

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2018
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Hong Kong: National Anthems
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the change to the national anthem law in Hong Kong on the operation of British businesses; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	134141
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2018 answer text <p>It is vital that Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms are respected, including when new legislation is being considered. We therefore welcome the Hong Kong Government’s commitment to carefully consider the views of the public and members of the Legislative Council during this legislative process.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 05/04/2018 15:25:04 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

868493

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2018
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Hong Kong: Politics and Government
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, what assessment he has made of the charges which have been brought against Benny Tai, Dr Chan Kin-min, Reverend Chu Yiu-ming and eight other leaders of the Occupy Movement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	133713
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2018 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary confirmed in the foreword to the most recent Six Monthly Report to Parliament: &quot;The rule of law and independence of the judiciary is the foundation on which Hong Kong's success and prosperity is built. This reporting period has seen a large number of cases related to the political system come before Hong Kong's courts, including the disqualification of a further four legislators. The judiciary in Hong Kong remains in high esteem. It will be vital that the Hong Kong SAR Government is seen to use the system of justice fairly in all cases&quot;.</p><p>We shall not comment on ongoing specific, legal proceedings, which are a matter for the Hong Kong Courts.</p><p>However, we raised our concerns about the timing of a number of arrests of pro-democracy Occupy Movement activists with the Hong Kong Department of Justice in April 2017, and issued a statement in August 2017 following the sentencing of student pro-democracy activists.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 28/03/2018 12:44:20 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

868498

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2018
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Hong Kong: Rule of Law
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on the erosion of the rule of law in Hong Kong and the potential effect of that on British businesses; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	133718
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2018 answer text <p>​The British Government believes that the rule of law and independence of the judiciary is the foundation on which Hong Kong's success and prosperity is built. Despite challenges, Hong Kong's commitment to the rule of law remains strong and the judiciary is held in high esteem. Confidence in rule of law is essential for 'One Country, Two Systems' and for Hong Kong's reputation as a global centre for business</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 27/03/2018 13:58:55 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

838918

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2018
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	India: Social Security
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, if he will take steps to establish an India-UK social security totalisation agreement; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	127480
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2018 answer text <p>​Ministers and officials are working with counterparts in India on a range of social and economic issues to promote the UK as a place to do business and trade. We are seeking to further improve our relationship. We value our international agreements with India and continue to work together to support our shared ambition for an even stronger partnership.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 22/02/2018 17:51:39 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

838993

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2018
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Religious Freedom
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will provide additional compulsory training on religion and freedom of religion or belief for diplomats and Government officials working in countries where violations of those freedoms are most prevalent.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	127554
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2018 answer text <p>​A specific course in Religion and Diplomacy is available to FCO staff designated to take up roles where an understanding of religion is key to their work. We will keep attendance at the course under review, but so far we do not see a need to make this training mandatory.</p><p>The FCO also runs seminars on specific themes. For example, Bishop Jonathan Goodall spoke to the FCO about Orthodox Christianity and foreign policy.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 22/02/2018 17:53:13 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

838995

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

839237

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2018
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Tobacco
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how his Department monitors the observance of guidance on support to the tobacco industry in its overseas posts; what assessment he has made of compliance with that guidance by those posts; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	127792
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2018 answer text <p>The Government has standing instructions to all diplomatic staff to follow the revised December 2013 guidelines on interactions with tobacco companies. The Government does not catalogue the representations it makes on behalf of companies.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 22/02/2018 17:55:11 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

839239

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2018
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Tobacco
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will set out all instances where assistance was provided to the tobacco industry by UK overseas posts since December 2013.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	127793
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2018 answer text <p>The Government does not catalogue the representations it makes on behalf of companies. The Government has standing instructions to all diplomatic staff to follow the revised December 2013 guidelines on interactions with tobacco companies. In line with this guidance, however,some assistance may be offered to counter discriminatory practices.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 22/02/2018 17:58:30 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

838603

	registered interest
	date	07/02/2018
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Religious Freedom
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make freedom of religion or belief a strategic priority.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	127423
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2018 answer text <p>The protection of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is a priority of the Government's foreign policy and will continue to be so. In their interactions with foreign governments, and Embassies/High Commissions overseas, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office ministers and officials routinely raise individual cases and highlight practices and laws that discriminate against people on the basis of their religion or belief.</p><p>The United Kingdom also actively promotes FoRB through multilateral forums. At the most recent United Nations Human Rights Council, the UK worked successfully to help maintain consensus on the adoption and implementation of the European Union sponsored Resolution on 'Freedom of Religion or Belief' and the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation sponsored Resolution on 'Combating Religious Intolerance'. The FCO also continues to support a number of projects to promote tolerance through the Magna Carta Fund for Human Rights and Democracy. Current projects include work to promote religious tolerance through secondary school curricula in Iraq, Morocco and Lebanon.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 22/02/2018 17:50:14 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

765261

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

765262

	registered interest
	date	06/10/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Diplomatic Service: Tobacco
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many representations UK diplomatic posts have made to overseas governments on behalf of tobacco companies since the revised guidelines for overseas posts on support to the tobacco industry were published in December 2013; and on what issues and with which Governments those representations were made.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	105761
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2017 answer text <p>The Government has standing instructions to all diplomatic staff to follow the revised December 2013 guidelines on interactions with tobacco companies. In line with this guidance, assistance may be offered to counter discriminatory practices. The Government does not catalogue the representations it makes on behalf of companies.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 16/10/2017 15:48:15 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

765983

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

722106

	registered interest
	date	18/04/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	USA: Palestinians
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the proposed Taylor Force Act and ending that country's provision of economic aid to the (a) Palestinian Authority and (b) families of those who have died while carrying out terrorist attacks against Israel.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	70994
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2017 answer text <p>We have not had any discussions with the US authorities on this issue. We, however, regularly raise the issue of payments to prisoners and their families with senior Palestinian officials. We push them to ensure that such payments are transparent and needs-based.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/04/2017 15:34:00 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

711770

	registered interest
	date	16/03/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Iran: Baha'i Faith
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on Baha'i-owned shops being sealed by government authorities in the city of Alborz, Iran in November 2016 and remaining closed; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	68221
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2017 answer text <p>The Government regularly raises human rights concerns with the Iranian government, including the continued persecution of religious minorities and the treatment of the Baha'i community. We are aware that the Iranian authorities shut down a number of Baha'i businesses in response to their closure to observe Baha'i holy days in November 2016. This forms part of a worrying trend of persecution of the Baha'i faith in Iran. We call on Iran to cease harassment of all religious minorities and to fulfil its international and domestic obligations to allow freedom of religion to all Iranians.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 27/03/2017 12:01:06 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

711457

	registered interest
	date	15/03/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Iran: Baha'i Faith
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received of the suppression of the economic activity among the Baha'i community in Iran; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	68161
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2017 answer text <p>The treatment of the Baha'i community in Iran is of particular concern. The latest report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran sets out the suppression and harassment that Baha'is are subject to in Iran. This includes restrictions on the types of businesses and jobs Baha'is can have, unequal treatment of Baha'i employees, and seizures of Baha'i businesses and property.</p><p>The UK has consistently pressed Iran to improve its human rights record, both through bilateral engagement and with our international partners. We fully support the Special Rapporteur's recommendation that the Iranian authorities should recognise freedom of religion and belief, and that this entails the freedom to choose a religion or belief free from discriminatory or restrictive measures.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/03/2017 15:47:48 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman