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229379

registered interest
date	24/03/2015
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	Tunisia
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 EU counterparts on the statement by the President of the European Council published on 18 March 2015 on support for Tunisia in response to the recent shootings in that country.
tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
uin	228900
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2015 answer text <p>The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) discussed and agreed the Statement with his counterparts at the European Council on 20 March following the terrorist attack in Tunisia on 18 March. Discussions continue at official level on how the EU will intensify its existing cooperation with Tunisia to counter the terrorist threat and support Tunisia’s political, social and economic development.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 26/03/2015 08:37:34 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

229122

registered interest
date	23/03/2015
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	Saudi Arabia and 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 steps he is taking to secure the release of Raif Badawi and Alaa Abdel Fattah.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Greg Mulholland
uin	228725
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2015 answer text <table><tbody><tr><th> </th><td><table><tbody><tr><td>The UK condemns the use of cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment in all circumstances. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) raised the matter last month with the Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Naif. My right hon. Friend also raised the case again when he visited the Kingdom on 23 March. The Saudi authorities have confirmed that the case has been referred to the Saudi courts for further consideration. <br><br>We have raised this case of Alaa Abdel Fattah in our conversations with the Egyptian government and will continue to do so. We remain concerned by the Protest Law under which Alaa Abdel Fattah was charged. Egypt’s constitution rightly demands respect for freedom of expression and association. I call on the Egyptian government to ensure that they implement these rights for Egyptian citizens, including by reviewing the Protest Law.</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 25/03/2015 17:49:56 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1540 label Biography information for Greg Mulholland

229123

registered interest
date	23/03/2015
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	Jordan
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 non-governmental organisations on the issuing of work visas to Syrian refugees in Jordan; and if he will raise this issue with the Jordanian government.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Northfield
tabling member printed	Richard Burden
uin	228793
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2015 answer text <p>We regularly discuss the situation for Syrian refugees in Jordan, including access to work, with non-governmental organisations and civil society representatives. The Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney, Roehampton and Southfields (Justine Greening) raised our concerns about the need for refugees to have access to livelihood opportunities with Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour when she visited Jordan in February. <br><br>The UK is committed to supporting Jordan as it hosts over 620,000 refugees from the Syria crisis, placing an enormous burden on local services and communities. We have provided £220 million to ensure Syrian refugees and host communities can continue to receive food, water and shelter while shoring up stretched public services.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 26/03/2015 08:39:28 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	301 label Biography information for Richard Burden

228802

registered interest
date	20/03/2015
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	Middle East
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 steps his Department has taken to protect Christians and other minority groups across the Middle East.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	228525
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2015 answer text <p>Conflict and instability in the region has made the plight of many minorities a significant concern and we have witnessed systematic and deliberate attacks against religious and ethnic minorities in the Middle East and North Africa, including Christians. We regularly urge all governments in the region to ensure the protection of all religious minorities. We encourage them to develop inclusive political systems that represent all of their citizens. We also work proactively in the region to promote community cohesion and inclusive governance.</p><p>The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have been responsible for many recent atrocities committed against religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria. We condemn these appalling acts and are committed to defeating ISIL through a comprehensive and sustained international strategy as part of the efforts of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL. The humanitarian aid provided by the UK will have helped many victims of ISIL’s atrocities, including the protection of vulnerable groups. And the UK co-sponsored the resolution passed by the UN Human Rights Council on 1 September 2014, which highlights ISIL’s abhorrent actions and commits to a team of experts going to Iraq to investigate these atrocities.</p><p>In Syria a number of UK funded projects have brought together religious leaders from all denominations (including Alawi, Christians, Kurds, Druze and Sunnis) to foster greater understanding between faiths and support reconciliation. In Tunisia, we also funded a project run by the Centre for the Study of Islam and Democracy which considers, amongst other things, the protection of religious minorities under the new constitution. In Jordan, our work within refugee camps has helped reduce tensions between Syrian refugees and their host communities. In Lebanon, we are supporting education programmes including the addition of extra-curricular activities to help strengthen social cohesion. And in Iraq, we have funded a series of grassroots meetings between religious leaders to promote religious tolerance and freedom of religion or belief. We also continue to encourage religious leaders in Iraq to speak out publicly and condemn sectarian violence.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 25/03/2015 13:39:45 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

228865

registered interest
date	20/03/2015
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	Bahrain
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 concerning the cases of Nabeel Rajab and Hussain Jawad and other human rights activists charged with expression-related offences.
tabling member constituency	Islington North
tabling member printed	Jeremy Corbyn
uin	228630
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2015 answer text I have raised Mr. Rajab’s case with senior representatives of the Government of Bahrain and encouraged the Bahraini authorities to ensure due process is followed and international norms of justice are upheld, including with regards to freedom of expression. The Government is also following Mr Jawad’s case closely. The British Embassy in Bahrain has raised the allegations of mistreatment made by Mr Jawad with the Ministry of Interior’s Ombudsman. I understand that Mr Jawad’s complaint has been referred to the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and a criminal investigation is underway. The Ministry of Interior Special Investigation Unit is aware of the UK’s concerns about this case. British embassy officials have attended Mr Rajab and Mr Jawad’s court appearances. answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 25/03/2015 13:38:36 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	185 label Biography information for Jeremy Corbyn

228866

registered interest
date	20/03/2015
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	Bahrain
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 an assessment of the implications for his policies of the communication to Bahrain by the UN Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, Special Rapporteur on free assembly and Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders on 14 October 2014, expressing concerns about the trial of Mr Nabeel Rajab in Bahrain; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Islington North
tabling member printed	Jeremy Corbyn
uin	228615
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2015 answer text <p>I am aware that a number of UN rapporteurs wrote to the Government of Bahrain in October 2014 in relation to the arrest of Nabeel Rajab. I have raised Mr. Rajab’s case with senior representatives of the Government of Bahrain, and encouraged the Bahraini authorities to ensure due process is followed and international norms of justice are upheld, including with regards to freedom of expression. British embassy officials have attended Mr Rajab’s court appearances to underline the UK’s interest in his case and the UK Government will continue to monitor the situation closely.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/03/2015 17:29:25 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	185 label Biography information for Jeremy Corbyn

228541

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	Employment Agencies
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which five recruitment agencies have received the largest amount of money from (a) his Department and (b) associated bodies since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Wolverhampton South East
tabling member printed	Mr Pat McFadden
uin	228379
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2015 answer text <p>The following five agencies received the largest amount of money from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in the UK. Figures for recruitment conducted by Posts overseas are not held centrally. Capita Penna Veredus Hudson Hays Recruitment agencies are selected through a competitive tendering exercise to ensure value for money. The following five agencies received the largest amount of money from the executive agencies and associated bodies of the FCO (FCO Services, Wilton Park, British Council, Great Britain China Centre, Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission and Westminster Foundation for Democracy). Accountancy Recruitment Morgan Hunt Perrett Laver Prospectus Pytec</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 25/03/2015 17:06:03 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1587 label Biography information for Pat McFadden

228543

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	Employment Agencies
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 has been paid to recruitment agencies by (a) his Department and (b) its executive agencies and associated bodies in each year since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Wolverhampton South East
tabling member printed	Mr Pat McFadden
uin	228440
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2015 answer text <p>The following table shows the total amount paid to all recruitment agencies used by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for each year since 2010/11. Our records for 2010/11 and 2011/12 did not include the cost of advertising. Records for subsequent years have included the cost of advertising.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>2010/11</p></td><td><p>£238,416.80</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011/12</p></td><td><p>£80,867.21</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012/13</p></td><td><p>£275,515.25</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013/14</p></td><td><p>£255,777.10</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014/15 (year to date)</p></td><td><p>£101,869.75</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Recruitment agencies are selected through a competitive tendering exercise to ensure value for money. <br> <br></p><p>Over the same years the following amounts were paid to recruitment agencies used by executive agencies and associated bodies of the FCO (FCO Services, Wilton Park, British Council, Great Britain China Centre, Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission and Westminster Foundation for Democracy). <br> <br></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>2010/11</p></td><td><p>£5,955.00</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011/12</p></td><td><p>£18,287.79</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012/13</p></td><td><p>£13,351.37</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013/14</p></td><td><p>£34,485.87</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014/15 (year to date)</p></td><td><p>£64,694.71</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 25/03/2015 17:41:36 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1587 label Biography information for Pat McFadden

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

228551

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	Secondment
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 staff from his Department have been seconded to external organisations in each year since 2010; to which external organisations and for how long such staff were seconded; and what the cost to his Department was of such secondments.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	228356
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2015 answer text <p>The numbers of staff seconded to other external organisations from 2010-2015 are as follows:</p><table><tbody><tr><td>2010</td><td>27</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td>23</td></tr><tr><td>2012</td><td>26</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>13</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>15</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We cannot mention the names of the companies as this would breach commercial and personal confidentiality.</p><p>Without identifying individuals it is not possible to indicate how long each member of staff was seconded. However, in the majority of cases it was 1-3 years.</p><p>There is no cost to the department when an individual is seconded to an external organisation: either salary costs are reimbursed, or, with the Civil Service secondment scheme, the secondee is replaced by a member of staff from the external organisation.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/03/2015 17:30:18 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy