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487028

registered interest
date	24/03/2016
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: Peace Negotiations
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 progress made at the recent UN peace talks in Geneva on Syria.
tabling member constituency	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
tabling member printed	Dr Paul Monaghan
uin	32556
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/04/2016 answer text <p>The latest phase of UN-facilitated peace talks on Syria came to a pause in Geneva on 24 March. UN Special Envoy, Staffan de Mistura intends to reconvene the parties after the Easter break. This latest phase continued in the “proximity talks” format rather than direct talks between the parties. During their discussions with the UN Special Envoy, the High Negotiations Committee of the Syrian Opposition presented their plans for political transition. Conversely, we understand that the Syrian regime did not engage on issues of substance during their discussions with the UN Special Envoy. At the conclusion of this round of talks, the UN produced a paper outlining its assessment of the “points of convergence” between the opposition and regime and has invited both sides to consider it before talks resume on or around 10 April.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 11/04/2016 13:08:50 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4383 label Biography information for Dr Paul Monaghan

487037

registered interest
date	24/03/2016
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Yemen: Human Rights
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what investigatory methods his Department uses for reports of potential breaches of international humanitarian law by UK allies in Yemen.
tabling member constituency	Dunfermline and West Fife
tabling member printed	Douglas Chapman
uin	32498
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/04/2016 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence monitors incidents of alleged International Humanitarian Law (IHL) violations using all available information which in turn informs our overall assessment of IHL compliance in Yemen. We consider a range of information from government sources, foreign governments, the media and international non-governmental organisations regarding reports of potential breaches of IHL.</p><p>We regularly raise the importance of compliance with IHL with the Saudi Arabian Government and other members of the military Coalition. The UK is not a member of the Saudi-led Coalition. British personnel are not involved in carrying out strikes, directing or conducting operations in Yemen or selecting targets and are not involved in the Saudi targeting decision-making process. However we have provided training and advice to Saudi Arabia to ensure continued compliance with IHL and minimise civilian casualties.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 11/04/2016 13:07:00 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4402 label Biography information for Douglas Chapman

487040

registered interest
date	24/03/2016
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	Saudi Arabia: Arms Trade
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make it his policy to end arms exports to Saudi Arabia.
tabling member constituency	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
tabling member printed	Dr Paul Monaghan
uin	32476
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/04/2016 answer text <p>The UK Government takes its arms export responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking account of all relevant factors at the time of the application. A licence will not be issued for any country, including Saudi Arabia, if to do so would be inconsistent with any provision of the mandatory Criteria.</p><p>The Government is satisfied that extant licences for Saudi Arabia are compliant with the UK’s export licensing criteria.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 11/04/2016 13:05:29 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4383 label Biography information for Dr Paul Monaghan

487150

registered interest
date	24/03/2016
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Yemen: Human Rights
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2016 to Question 31488, how many British officials who have provided advice to Saudi Arabia's internal investigation into the breaking of international humanitarian law in Yemen have visited Yemen as part of this investigation; and where each of those officials was based.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	32640
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/04/2016 answer text <p>We will provide advice to the independent committee that will assess Saudi Arabian military activity in Yemen, drawing on a range of information as required. Our Embassy operations in Yemen are suspended and since March 2011 Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice has consistently advised against all travel to Yemen.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 11/04/2016 13:04:15 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

487151

registered interest
date	24/03/2016
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	Middle East: Peace Negotiations
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 prospects for the Middle East peace process.
tabling member constituency	Hazel Grove
tabling member printed	William Wragg
uin	32661
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/04/2016 answer text <p>We remain focused on steps which will secure progress towards a two-state solution. We continue to believe that the best way to achieve this is through negotiations. We are in close consultation with international partners about what kind of renewed process might lead to progress.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 11/04/2016 14:39:21 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4429 label Biography information for Mr William Wragg

485620

registered interest
date	23/03/2016
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	GCHQ: Recruitment
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 letter from the National Security Adviser to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy of 10 March 2016, how many GCHQ staff have been (a) recruited to and (b) completed the CyberFirst scheme.
tabling member constituency	Derby South
tabling member printed	Margaret Beckett
uin	32452
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/04/2016 answer text <p>The CyberFirst scheme was launched in 2015 and met its initial target of awarding 21 bursaries, of which 19 have been taken up and committed to by UK students. Eight of the students are in the first year of their degree, ten are in their second year and one student is in the third year of a four year course. The first students will be able to join the department when they graduate in 2017. As announced by the Minister for the Cabinet Office, we will have 1000 students on the scheme by 2020. During summer 2016, five of the students will attend GCHQ Student Technical Internships, seven will attend the various GCHQ summer technical schools, one will start a 1 year industrial placement at GCHQ and six will attend internships in other government cyber operations.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 11/04/2016 13:02:33 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	328 label Biography information for Dame Margaret Beckett

484415

registered interest
date	22/03/2016
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
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 progress has been made in preventing members of the Islamic State/Daesh from travelling across the border between Syria and Turkey.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	32129
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/03/2016 answer text <p>The UK and Turkey work in close partnership to stop foreign terrorist fighters and extremist travellers from crossing the border between Syria and Turkey, including through practical cooperation between our police and security forces.</p><p>The Turkish authorities are taking significant measures to prevent illegal crossings from Turkey to the conflict zone, including the deployment of additional personnel. Physical security at border crossings between Syria and Turkey is improving, although sections of the border remain porous.</p><p>Between January and December 2015, 913 foreign nationals who are members of Daesh were arrested in Turkey, 435 of whom were caught passing to Syria.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 30/03/2016 12:21:03 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

484454

registered interest
date	22/03/2016
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	Bahrain: Human Rights
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 from the UN High Commissioner on human rights and political prisoners in Bahrain and on the implications for UK policy on Bahrain of the human rights situation in that country.
tabling member constituency	Hammersmith
tabling member printed	Andy Slaughter
uin	32202
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/03/2016 answer text <p>We regularly discuss human rights concerns with the UN Office for the High Commissioner on Human Rights. On 3 March 2016, Baroness Anelay spoke to the High Commissioner in advance of the 31st session of the Human Rights Council.</p><p>The UK continues to encourage and support the Government of Bahrain in ensuring full implementation of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry recommendations, as well as those accepted in their UN Universal Periodic Review. We are offering UK assistance to help them achieve this and believe our approach is the most constructive way to achieve long-lasting and sustainable reform in Bahrain.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 30/03/2016 12:28:20 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1516 label Biography information for Andy Slaughter

484456

registered interest
date	22/03/2016
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	Bahrain: 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, if he will make representations to the government of Bahrain pressing for (a) the release of all people arrested in relation to peaceful protest and (b) reconsideration of the July 2014 amendments to the nationality laws in that country.
tabling member constituency	Hammersmith
tabling member printed	Andy Slaughter
uin	32204
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/03/2016 answer text <p>The UK encourages Bahrain to respect the rights of all peaceful opposition figures. We call on the Bahraini government to act proportionately in all such cases to protect the universal rights of freedom of expression and assembly. We also continue to encourage the Government of Bahrain to meets its human rights obligations and honour all conventions to which it is a party – including on citizenship rights. We regularly discuss human rights with the Government of Bahrain. I most recently raised human rights with the Bahraini Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, on 8 March.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 30/03/2016 12:26:54 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1516 label Biography information for Andy Slaughter

484457

registered interest
date	22/03/2016
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: 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 representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart on settlement activity in the West Bank.
tabling member constituency	Hammersmith
tabling member printed	Andy Slaughter
uin	32092
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/03/2016 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued a statement on 16 March condemning the Government of Israel's decision to expand settlements in the West Bank.</p><p>On 18 February, during my visit to Israel, I discussed the issue of settlements with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, reiterating the UK's position. Our Embassy regularly raises this issue with the Israeli authorities, making clear the UK’s firm and consistent opposition to illegal construction of settlements.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 30/03/2016 12:23:46 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1516 label Biography information for Andy Slaughter