Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

101867

registered interest
date	30/10/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Nepal
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 human rights in Nepal.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	212679
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>Human rights are generally well protected under Nepal’s Interim Constitution, although gaps remain in effective implementation. Overall, respect for civil and political rights has improved since the end of the conflict. But as I pointed out to my Nepali counterparts when I visited in May, the proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Nepal should address crimes committed during the conflict in a way that is consistent with Nepal’s obligations under international law. Social and economic rights have also largely been on a positive trend, although discrimination, inequality and insecurity persist for many. Gender based violence remains a significant concern, and the UK will continue to prioritise it in our political and programmatic engagement with Nepal.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/11/2014 15:30:20 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

101870

registered interest
date	30/10/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Paraguay: Indigenous Peoples
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 deforestation of uncontacted Indians' land in the Chaco region of Paraguay; and if he will make it his policy to liaise with other governments and international agencies to make representations to the government of Paraguay to halt that deforestation.
tabling member constituency	Colchester
tabling member printed	Sir Bob Russell
uin	212736
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>We have received reports from both local and international non-governmental organisations regarding the deforestation of the Chaco region of Paraguay. Our Embassy in Asuncion, accompanied by the World Land Trust and Guyra-Paraguay, met the Environment Minister earlier this year to urge the Government to adopt sustainable development principles and consider the needs of the indigenous people in the area.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/11/2014 15:33:53 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	35 label Biography information for Sir Bob Russell

101872

registered interest
date	30/10/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Burma
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 draft religious conversion law proposed by the government of Burma.
tabling member constituency	Belfast East
tabling member printed	Naomi Long
uin	212573
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>The Government has voiced our strong concerns over proposed legislation on religious conversion, both with members of the Burmese government and with Burmese parliamentarians. If enacted, this law would harm religious tolerance and respect for diversity in Burma, and contravene international standards such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. During my visit in January, I delivered a speech in which I called for greater religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue. We continue to make clear that respect for freedom of religion and belief must be guaranteed.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/11/2014 15:27:56 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	3920 label Biography information for Naomi Long

101875

registered interest
date	30/10/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Burma
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 representations he has made to his Burmese counterparts on ratification of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights.
tabling member constituency	Belfast East
tabling member printed	Naomi Long
uin	212572
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>We have had a number of discussions with the Burmese government on the importance of Burma ratifying the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). I personally raised the importance of adhering to international human rights standards and encouraged the ratification of key human rights treaties with Burma’s Deputy Foreign Minister when we met in June. At the request of the Burmese government the British Embassy in Rangoon recently funded an experts’ visit to Burma to identify steps that would need to be taken and issues that would need to be considered to ratify the ICCPR.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/11/2014 15:25:48 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	3920 label Biography information for Naomi Long

101553

registered interest
date	29/10/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	India
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 address the situation of religious minorities in India following the recent elections.
tabling member constituency	Belfast East
tabling member printed	Naomi Long
uin	212429
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>Our High Commissioner to New Delhi, Sir James Bevan, met the new Indian Minister for Minorities, Mrs Najma Heptulla, on 16 June and discussed issues facing minority communities in India. Our High Commission in New Delhi also maintains a regular dialogue with officials in India’s national human rights institutions, including the Minorities Commission, and with the relevant State level authorities. We will continue to maintain a dialogue with the new Indian government about minority rights issues. <br><br>We also support religious and other minorities in India through the Department for International Development’s programme in India which helps to promote equal treatment and access to services for the most disadvantaged communities.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/11/2014 14:47:54 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	3920 label Biography information for Naomi Long

101592

registered interest
date	29/10/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	India
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 short term objectives are of the Indian Diaspora Champion.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	212444
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for Witham (Ms Patel), was appointed to the role by the Prime Minister in November 2013. Since then, she has led a programme of Indian diaspora engagement across the UK focused on strengthening UK-India ties. Her work has included direct outreach visits – including to Gravesend, Hounslow, Neasden, Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Leicester in the UK – as well as engagement with key people in the UK’s diaspora and in India itself, and relevant media work.</p><p>Since her appointment, the Indian Diaspora Champion has made three visits to India. Funding for these visits has come from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s existing budget.</p><p>The Indian Diaspora Champion has made representations to both the UK Government and the Government of India on several issues on behalf of the Indian diaspora, including the EU ban on importing Indian mangoes, visa service issues, and bilateral trade and investment matters. Like other British Government representatives, the Indian Diaspora Champion has also sought to address misconceptions of the offer that the UK makes to Indian students in the UK, making clear that the UK welcomes Indian students, that there is no cap on total student numbers who can come to the UK, and that they can stay on after completing study if they secure a graduate-level job.</p><p>The Government engages closely on a day-to-day basis with many diaspora communities in the UK, but has no plans at present to appoint further diaspora champions.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/11/2014 15:00:49 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

101593

registered interest
date	29/10/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Ethnic Groups
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to appoint a diaspora champion for (a) Pakistan and (b) other countries.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	212445
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for Witham (Ms Patel), was appointed to the role by the Prime Minister in November 2013. Since then, she has led a programme of Indian diaspora engagement across the UK focused on strengthening UK-India ties. Her work has included direct outreach visits – including to Gravesend, Hounslow, Neasden, Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Leicester in the UK – as well as engagement with key people in the UK’s diaspora and in India itself, and relevant media work.</p><p>Since her appointment, the Indian Diaspora Champion has made three visits to India. Funding for these visits has come from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s existing budget.</p><p>The Indian Diaspora Champion has made representations to both the UK Government and the Government of India on several issues on behalf of the Indian diaspora, including the EU ban on importing Indian mangoes, visa service issues, and bilateral trade and investment matters. Like other British Government representatives, the Indian Diaspora Champion has also sought to address misconceptions of the offer that the UK makes to Indian students in the UK, making clear that the UK welcomes Indian students, that there is no cap on total student numbers who can come to the UK, and that they can stay on after completing study if they secure a graduate-level job.</p><p>The Government engages closely on a day-to-day basis with many diaspora communities in the UK, but has no plans at present to appoint further diaspora champions.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/11/2014 15:03:34 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

101594

registered interest
date	29/10/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	India
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 Indian Diaspora Champion is taking to implement the Government's goal of stronger ties with India.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	212446
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for Witham (Ms Patel), was appointed to the role by the Prime Minister in November 2013. Since then, she has led a programme of Indian diaspora engagement across the UK focused on strengthening UK-India ties. Her work has included direct outreach visits – including to Gravesend, Hounslow, Neasden, Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Leicester in the UK – as well as engagement with key people in the UK’s diaspora and in India itself, and relevant media work.</p><p>Since her appointment, the Indian Diaspora Champion has made three visits to India. Funding for these visits has come from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s existing budget.</p><p>The Indian Diaspora Champion has made representations to both the UK Government and the Government of India on several issues on behalf of the Indian diaspora, including the EU ban on importing Indian mangoes, visa service issues, and bilateral trade and investment matters. Like other British Government representatives, the Indian Diaspora Champion has also sought to address misconceptions of the offer that the UK makes to Indian students in the UK, making clear that the UK welcomes Indian students, that there is no cap on total student numbers who can come to the UK, and that they can stay on after completing study if they secure a graduate-level job.</p><p>The Government engages closely on a day-to-day basis with many diaspora communities in the UK, but has no plans at present to appoint further diaspora champions.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/11/2014 15:06:02 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

101595

registered interest
date	29/10/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	India
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 purpose is of domestic visits by the Indian Diaspora Champion.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	212447
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for Witham (Ms Patel), was appointed to the role by the Prime Minister in November 2013. Since then, she has led a programme of Indian diaspora engagement across the UK focused on strengthening UK-India ties. Her work has included direct outreach visits – including to Gravesend, Hounslow, Neasden, Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Leicester in the UK – as well as engagement with key people in the UK’s diaspora and in India itself, and relevant media work.</p><p>Since her appointment, the Indian Diaspora Champion has made three visits to India. Funding for these visits has come from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s existing budget.</p><p>The Indian Diaspora Champion has made representations to both the UK Government and the Government of India on several issues on behalf of the Indian diaspora, including the EU ban on importing Indian mangoes, visa service issues, and bilateral trade and investment matters. Like other British Government representatives, the Indian Diaspora Champion has also sought to address misconceptions of the offer that the UK makes to Indian students in the UK, making clear that the UK welcomes Indian students, that there is no cap on total student numbers who can come to the UK, and that they can stay on after completing study if they secure a graduate-level job.</p><p>The Government engages closely on a day-to-day basis with many diaspora communities in the UK, but has no plans at present to appoint further diaspora champions.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/11/2014 15:08:54 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

101596

registered interest
date	29/10/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	India
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 candidates there were for the role of Indian Diaspora Champion; and how that Champion was selected.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	212448
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for Witham (Ms Patel), was appointed to the role by the Prime Minister in November 2013. Since then, she has led a programme of Indian diaspora engagement across the UK focused on strengthening UK-India ties. Her work has included direct outreach visits – including to Gravesend, Hounslow, Neasden, Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Leicester in the UK – as well as engagement with key people in the UK’s diaspora and in India itself, and relevant media work.</p><p>Since her appointment, the Indian Diaspora Champion has made three visits to India. Funding for these visits has come from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s existing budget.</p><p>The Indian Diaspora Champion has made representations to both the UK Government and the Government of India on several issues on behalf of the Indian diaspora, including the EU ban on importing Indian mangoes, visa service issues, and bilateral trade and investment matters. Like other British Government representatives, the Indian Diaspora Champion has also sought to address misconceptions of the offer that the UK makes to Indian students in the UK, making clear that the UK welcomes Indian students, that there is no cap on total student numbers who can come to the UK, and that they can stay on after completing study if they secure a graduate-level job.</p><p>The Government engages closely on a day-to-day basis with many diaspora communities in the UK, but has no plans at present to appoint further diaspora champions.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/11/2014 15:14:18 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz