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228547

registered interest
date	19/03/2015
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	Israel
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions Ministers in his Department have had with their Israeli counterparts since the Israeli elections on 17 March 2015; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	228397
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2015 answer text <p>None of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers have had any discussions with their Israeli counterparts since the Israeli elections on 17 March. We looked forward to maintaining excellent relations with the new Israeli government, when formed.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/03/2015 17:19:34 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

226692

registered interest
date	11/03/2015
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Iraq
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 effectiveness of the efforts of the Iraqi government to engage constructively with the Sunni community; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	227355
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/03/2015 answer text <p>Political unity in Iraq is critical to military efforts to defeat ISIL. The Government continues to support political initiatives by Prime Minister Abadi that promote inclusive politics and national reconciliation, of which engagement with the Sunni community is a key part. Sunni political blocs are represented in the Iraqi government and have also been appointed to prominent positions within the Iraqi Security Forces as part of wider reforms. Prime Minister Abadi has taken a number of important steps to address Sunni concerns including ordering the cessation of artillery bombardments of Sunni towns where fighting against ISIL continues and the release of certain Sunni prisoners that had been held without trial following previous counter terrorism operations.</p><p>We are pleased that Sunni MPs ended their boycott of parliament on 2 March, however, further progress must be made, including agreement on the formation of a National Guard and legislative reform.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/03/2015 17:26:26 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

226694

registered interest
date	11/03/2015
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	Islamic State: Boko Haram
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the extent of links between ISIS and Boko Haram; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	227354
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/03/2015 answer text ISIL are seeking to influence other groups beyond the Middle East. Recent communications from Boko Haram appear to contain similar elements to those found in ISIL videos. On 7 March, Boko Haram released an audio statement by leader Abubakar Shekau pledging allegiance to ISIL which was subsequently accepted by ISIL on 12 March. Although concerning, this is not a particularly significant development. We assess that the alignment of the groups is for propaganda purposes and we have seen no evidence of operational links between the groups. We continue to keep the situation under review. answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/03/2015 17:28:22 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

176832

registered interest
date	29/01/2015
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	Egypt
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 the Government has made to the Egyptian government about the death of Shaimaa El-Sabbagh; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	222764
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2015 answer text <p>We deplore the deaths in Egypt in recent days. We are deeply concerned by the use of deadly force against those demonstrating peacefully on 25 January. My rt hon friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Sameh Shukri, on 27 January and conveyed his deep concern about the violence and the deaths, including that of Shaimaa El-Sabbagh. He urged that an independent investigation take place as soon as possible. I also raised these concerns with the Egyptian Ambassador on 27 January.</p><p>Egypt’s long-term stability and success requires protection of the rights that underpin peaceful politics, including accountability of the security forces and revision of the demonstrations law.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 03/02/2015 17:56:23 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

171615

registered interest
date	18/12/2014
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	Iraq
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 progress of efforts to form an inclusive government in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	219554
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/01/2015 answer text A new Iraqi government under Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was approved by the Iraqi parliament on 8 September. Prime Minister Abadi committed to creating an inclusive government, including representatives of Iraq’s diverse communities. This process was completed on 18 October when the Iraqi parliament approved the appointments of a new Defence Minister (one of several Sunni Ministers), an Interior Minister, and swore in six Kurdish Ministers. answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 06/01/2015 12:14:05 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

171616

registered interest
date	18/12/2014
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	Syria
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 initiative to host a conference in Moscow of representatives of the Syrian regime and opposition for talks to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	219553
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/01/2015 answer text <p>The UK continues to believe that a negotiated political transition in Syria is the only way to end the conflict and alleviate Syria’s humanitarian crisis. The UN is best placed to facilitate any talks between the regime and the opposition designed to help bring about a political settlement. The UK supports the efforts of UN Special Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, to reduce the bloodshed and encourage political progress. We regularly discuss Syria with Russian counterparts, including how we can work to bring about a political resolution of the conflict, and will continue to do so.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 06/01/2015 12:15:34 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

170689

registered interest
date	16/12/2014
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	Iraq
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what priority he and other Ministers in his Department are giving during discussions on the UK's military involvement in Iraq to ensuring that the Iraqi government holds talks with Sunni tribes; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	219061
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2015 answer text <p>We welcome the commitments that Prime Minister Abadi has made to inclusive governance and ensuring that the interests of all communities in Iraq are properly represented in the political process and in the fight against ISIL. <br><br>The Iraqi government’s constructive engagement with the Sunni community, who continue to suffer at the hands of ISIL’s brutality, to bring them back into the political fold will be critical if ISIL is to be defeated in Iraq. The Government has raised this issue with Prime Minister Abadi on a number of occasions, including during my visit to Baghdad in October when I welcomed the progress that has been made so far, including steps to reform the Iraqi Security Forces. The UK will continue to support Prime Minister Abadi’s efforts to advance the national reconciliation process.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 05/01/2015 13:26:35 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

170695

registered interest
date	16/12/2014
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	Democratic Republic of Congo
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 made to the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo on possible closures of camps for internally displaced peoples around Goma by the end of 2014; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	218912
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2015 answer text <p>We recognise the right of the Government to close the camps in North Kivu. However, any camp closures just be done in a way that reflects the Government’s obligations under the Kampala Convention – this includes the respect of humanitarian principles and the rights and dignity of the internally displaced people affected, including the right for voluntary return.</p><p>The UK has been working closely with the wider humanitarian community to support an ongoing dialogue with the Government of Democratic Republic of Congo on this issue. We hope that this constructive dialogue can be maintained to find appropriate, and durable, long term solutions for those currently located in camps around Goma and across North Kivu.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 218914 question first answered 05/01/2015 16:47:04 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

170697

registered interest
date	16/12/2014
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	Democratic Republic of Congo
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 the Government has made of the potential effect of closures to camps for internally displaced peoples around Goma on local refugee populations; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	218914
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2015 answer text <p>We recognise the right of the Government to close the camps in North Kivu. However, any camp closures just be done in a way that reflects the Government’s obligations under the Kampala Convention – this includes the respect of humanitarian principles and the rights and dignity of the internally displaced people affected, including the right for voluntary return.</p><p>The UK has been working closely with the wider humanitarian community to support an ongoing dialogue with the Government of Democratic Republic of Congo on this issue. We hope that this constructive dialogue can be maintained to find appropriate, and durable, long term solutions for those currently located in camps around Goma and across North Kivu.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 218912 question first answered 05/01/2015 16:47:04 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

100392

registered interest
date	22/10/2014
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	Africa
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 effectiveness of UN peacekeeping efforts in Africa; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	211510
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2014 answer text <p>In collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and Department for International Development, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office carries out regular assessments of United Nations peacekeeping missions. These assessments enable us to make recommendations for improvements and influences our negotiating position in the Security Council when drafting or renewing peacekeeping mandates. Nine out of the current sixteen United Nations peacekeeping missions are in Africa. All the missions in Africa face distinctive challenges as a result of the changing nature of the conflicts they are facing, the environment in which they operate or the capacity and capability of their personnel. Peacekeepers are likely to face violence, insurgency, terrorism and the absence of credible state authority. We welcome the announcement in June, by the United Nations Secretary General, of a review of United Nations peacekeeping. The UK will make an active contribution.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 17/12/2014 14:04:29 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas