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

100704

registered interest
date	23/10/2014
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	Conflict Prevention
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 and outcomes of the Building Stability Overseas Strategy.
tabling member constituency	Lagan Valley
tabling member printed	Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson
uin	211690
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text Progress on the implementation of the Building Stability Overseas Strategy (BSOS) – including through the Conflict Pool – has been reported to Parliament annually since 2011. Progress includes: the achievement of 30% of DFID spending going to fragile states; establishment of cross-HMG strategies for priority fragile or conflict-affected States; the implementation of a cross-HMG tool to analyse drivers of conflict; and changes made to the Conflict Pool to reflect the challenges of spending in high-risk environments, including multi-year funding and the introduction of a dedicated crisis response Early Action Facility (EAF). Once the Conflict Pool comes to a close at the end of FY14/15 the FCO, MOD and DFID will commission an external review, covering the three-year Conflict Pool results framework. This report will be published once completed. The BSOS will continue to be one of the key policy drivers for UK activity in fragile states including under the new Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), which builds on the success of the Conflict Pool and replaces it from financial year 2015/16. As well as responding to crises, the CSSF will also ensure longer term conflict prevention work to tackle the root causes of conflict abroad. answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 29/10/2014 16:30:24 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	650 label Biography information for Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

100705

registered interest
date	23/10/2014
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	Conflict Prevention
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 Cabinet colleagues on the future of the Building Stability Overseas Strategy; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Lagan Valley
tabling member printed	Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson
uin	211691
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p>The Building Stability Overseas Strategy (BSOS), published by the Coalition Government in 2011, set out a new strategic framework for cross-Government work to prevent conflict and build stability in fragile states focussing on better early warning, rapid response, upstream conflict prevention and working with international partners. The BSOS remains one of the Government’s key policy frameworks for activity in fragile states including under the new Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), which builds on the success of the Conflict Pool, and replaces it from Financial Year 2015/16. Priorities for the Fund will be set by the National Security Council to ensure a strengthened cross-departmental approach that draws on the most effective combination of defence, diplomacy, development assistance, security and intelligence. This will include funding to ensure the UK can respond quickly to crises. It will also ensure longer term conflict prevention work to tackle the root causes of conflict abroad.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 29/10/2014 16:31:57 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	650 label Biography information for Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

100803

registered interest
date	23/10/2014
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	Languages: Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much his Department spent on language training in each year since 2010.
tabling member constituency	North Durham
tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
uin	211814
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2014 answer text <p>Following the closure of the language centre under the previous Government, the former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks.) (Mr Hague), restablished one in 2013. Fulltime language training (FTLT) is provided for all officers going overseas where the ability to communicate effectively in another language is considered essential to meet the requirements of their role. Training is provided to either C1 operational level or C2 Extensive level depending on the job requirements. The FCO also provides language training to A2 Confidence level to staff and their spouses/partners being posted overseas into non speaker roles. In 2012 the FCO also introduced a developmental language training programme to enable all staff to learn a new language or maintain existing language skills. The table below summarises the annual spend on all three language training programmes since 2010. Essential fulltime language training includes a period of training overseas. Research has shown that the experience of immersing themselves in a new language and culture makes a huge difference to students’ learning and their future effectiveness in their job. The associated costs of immersion are shown in Row B. Financial Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 (forecast) A: Language Training costs only 2,034,609 2,231,436 2,350,730 2,999,781 3,223,107 3,242,509 B: Associated costs (e.g. travel, accommodation etc) 418,964 772,472 626,807 385,895 682,257 782,720 C: Total spend 2,453,573 3,003,908 2,977,537 3,385,676 3,905,364 4,025,229</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 30/10/2014 14:48:35 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

100804

registered interest
date	23/10/2014
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	Security Guards
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much his Department spent on private security companies in each year since 2010; and what the contractual arrangements were with each such company.
tabling member constituency	North Durham
tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
uin	211816
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2014 answer text <p>The FCO has spent the following amounts with PSC (Private Security Companies) year by year since 2010: 2010/2011:2011/2012:2012/2013:2013/2014 G4S: £28,916,168 :£30,081,113:£31,391,478:£35,285,387 Control Risks Group: £453,477:£5,573,212:£920,281:£1,208,369 Aegis: £4,211:£183,516:£563,184:£556,920 Minimal Risk :£1,951,611:£1,744,356:£2,122,113:£1,707,150 Gardaworld :£17,291,485:£16,381,944:£17,498,010:£,342,201 PSCs are contracted in a number of countries to carry out a variety of activities and duties including the static protection of premises and the close protection of personnel. They play a vital and necessary protective role in hostile environments, and enable the Government and partner organisations to carry out their work by providing essential security services.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 17/12/2014 13:56:24 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

100806

registered interest
date	23/10/2014
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	Rendition
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 Government's policy is on (a) the transportation of detainees held by another state through UK territory, including UK colonies and dependent territories, other than pursuant to a lawful extradition proceeding, (b) attendance of UK agents at interrogations of detainees by or on behalf of a foreign state and (c) supplying questions for use in interrogating detainees held by foreign states.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne East
tabling member printed	Mr Nicholas Brown
uin	211801
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p>We expect any State wishing to transport detainees via UK territory, including our Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, to seek permission to do so. The Government will grant that permission only if satisfied that such transportation would be in accordance with UK law and our international obligations. Detained persons should remain within the protection of the law at all times.</p><p>Government policy on the principles governing the detention and interviewing of detainees overseas, and on the passing and receipt of intelligence relating to detainees, is set out in the Consolidated Guidance published in July 2010. The Consolidated Guidance is consistent with UK domestic law and international law obligations, and requires an assessment of the standards to which the detainee may have been/or may be subject.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 29/10/2014 16:25:44 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	523 label Biography information for Mr Nicholas Brown

90087

registered interest
date	01/09/2014
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	Abduction
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 provide support to other governments in tackling the threat of kidnapping by terrorist organisations.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	207690
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2014 answer text <p>The UK has driven agreement internationally to combat kidnapping by terrorists. Following G8 agreement under the UK presidency in 2013, we have sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 2133 and led on EU Foreign Affairs Council conclusions on kidnap for ransom. These agreements included commitments to co-operate closely during incidents of hostage taking.</p><p>The UK has considerable experience in responding to terrorist kidnaps. We make the benefits of that experience available to other countries in a number of ways, including best practice sharing bilaterally and through fora like the Global Counter Terrorism Forum. We have provided training on kidnap response to affected governments.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 08/09/2014 14:41:22 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

79056

registered interest
date	21/07/2014
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	Terrorism: 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 discussions he has had with his (a) Egyptian, (b) Syrian and (c) Iraqi counterparts on preventing UK nationals becoming involved in terrorist groups.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	206805
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/09/2014 answer text <p>We remain concerned about the significant number of UK nationals becoming involved in terrorist groups. Since the conflict in Syria began, over 500 individuals have travelled to fight from the UK. Our priority is to dissuade people from travelling to areas of conflict in the first place, and to identify and dissuade individuals at risk of radicalisation.</p><p>We are working closely with allies, partners in the region and through the UN and EU on counter-terrorism priorities. We have had extensive discussions with the opposition Syrian National Coalition on the threat of extremism, including the role of UK nationals. We welcome their rejection of terrorism and their consistent condemnation of terrorist acts, as well as their commitment to upholding international human rights and humanitarian law. We are supporting the moderate opposition in Syria who are leading the fight against both the regime and wider extremism, including ISIL.</p><p>The Prime Minister called the Iraq Prime Minister PM Designate, Dr Haidar al-Abadi, and President Massoud Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government on 13 August to show UK support for Dr al-Abadi’s efforts to form a new government and encourage cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Tobias Ellwood and Secretary of State for International Development Justine Greening visited Baghdad and Erbil on 26-27 August. In Baghdad they met President Fuad Masoum, Prime Minister-designate al-Abadi and Speaker Salman al-Jibouri, all of whom were clear that early progress on the formation of a new government is critical to progress in tackling the challenge Iraq faces from ISIL, and all of whom welcomed UK support.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary discussed the issue of foreign fighters with the Egyptian Foreign Minister in Cairo on 24 July, and Mr Ellwood discussed the regional security situation, including Iraq and Syria, with the Secretary General of the Arab League and the Egyptian Assistant Minister for Europe in Cairo on 25 August.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 01/09/2014 13:12:00 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon