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1129063

registered interest
date	03/06/2019
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	China: 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, with reference to the upcoming anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, whether he plans to use that anniversary to make representations to the Chinese Government on the human rights situation that country.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	259369
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2019 answer text <p>To mark the 30<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the tragic events in Tiananmen Square, the Foreign Secretary released a statement remembering those who lost their lives when protesting peacefully, and urging the Chinese Government to respect the rights and freedoms enshrined in China’s constitution and in international law.</p><p> </p><p>The British Government raises human rights with the Chinese authorities at all levels and will continue to do so. I raised human rights concerns with State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during my last visit to China. We also raise issues publicly, for example, we registered our concerns about human rights in China in our national statements at recent sessions of the UN Human Rights Council and through our activity at China’s last Universal Periodic Review in November 2018.</p><p> </p><p>British diplomats in Beijing have reported increased censorship and surveillance of citizens in China in the weeks leading up to 4 June. This is a common pattern they observe in the run up to the 4 June anniversary. In recent years, the Chinese authorities have also focused on censoring discussion on the anniversary on social media in China, which has reportedly included some Western news websites being restricted more than usual within China around this period. The British Embassy in China experienced such censorship first hand this week; the Embassy posted my statement in English and Chinese through social media, which was then censored within a few minutes.</p><p> </p><p>We remain concerned by all restrictions on freedom of expression in China and urge the authorities to safeguard citizens’ rights to freedom of speech and expression. It is crucial that governments allow their societies and citizens to remember, debate and discuss important historical events, even when this is uncomfortable for the governments concerned.</p><p> </p><p>The British Government also remains committed to making representations to the Chinese Government on the rights of relatives of protestors. During the Foreign Secretary’s last visit to China, he met with family members of detained Chinese human rights lawyers who were arrested in the so-called “709 crackdown.”</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 11/06/2019 13:03:52 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1129064

registered interest
date	03/06/2019
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	China: 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 assessment he has made of the accuracy of reports of increased surveillance and censorship ahead of the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	259370
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2019 answer text <p>To mark the 30<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the tragic events in Tiananmen Square, the Foreign Secretary released a statement remembering those who lost their lives when protesting peacefully, and urging the Chinese Government to respect the rights and freedoms enshrined in China’s constitution and in international law.</p><p> </p><p>The British Government raises human rights with the Chinese authorities at all levels and will continue to do so. I raised human rights concerns with State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during my last visit to China. We also raise issues publicly, for example, we registered our concerns about human rights in China in our national statements at recent sessions of the UN Human Rights Council and through our activity at China’s last Universal Periodic Review in November 2018.</p><p> </p><p>British diplomats in Beijing have reported increased censorship and surveillance of citizens in China in the weeks leading up to 4 June. This is a common pattern they observe in the run up to the 4 June anniversary. In recent years, the Chinese authorities have also focused on censoring discussion on the anniversary on social media in China, which has reportedly included some Western news websites being restricted more than usual within China around this period. The British Embassy in China experienced such censorship first hand this week; the Embassy posted my statement in English and Chinese through social media, which was then censored within a few minutes.</p><p> </p><p>We remain concerned by all restrictions on freedom of expression in China and urge the authorities to safeguard citizens’ rights to freedom of speech and expression. It is crucial that governments allow their societies and citizens to remember, debate and discuss important historical events, even when this is uncomfortable for the governments concerned.</p><p> </p><p>The British Government also remains committed to making representations to the Chinese Government on the rights of relatives of protestors. During the Foreign Secretary’s last visit to China, he met with family members of detained Chinese human rights lawyers who were arrested in the so-called “709 crackdown.”</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 11/06/2019 13:06:45 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1129065

registered interest
date	03/06/2019
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	China: 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 plans he has to make representations to the Chinese Government on the rights of the family members of the Tiananmen Square protesters.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	259371
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2019 answer text <p>To mark the 30<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the tragic events in Tiananmen Square, the Foreign Secretary released a statement remembering those who lost their lives when protesting peacefully, and urging the Chinese Government to respect the rights and freedoms enshrined in China’s constitution and in international law.</p><p> </p><p>The British Government raises human rights with the Chinese authorities at all levels and will continue to do so. I raised human rights concerns with State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during my last visit to China. We also raise issues publicly, for example, we registered our concerns about human rights in China in our national statements at recent sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council and through our activity at China’s last Universal Periodic Review in November 2018.</p><p> </p><p>British diplomats in Beijing have reported increased censorship and surveillance of citizens in China in the weeks leading up to 4 June. This is a common pattern they observe in the run up to the 4 June anniversary. In recent years, the Chinese authorities have also focused on censoring discussion on the anniversary on social media in China, which has reportedly included some Western news websites being restricted more than usual within China around this period. The British Embassy in China experienced such censorship first hand this week; the Embassy posted my statement in English and Chinese through social media, which was then censored within a few minutes.</p><p> </p><p>We remain concerned by all restrictions on freedom of expression in China and urge the authorities to safeguard citizens’ rights to freedom of speech and expression. It is crucial that governments allow their societies and citizens to remember, debate and discuss important historical events, even when this is uncomfortable for the governments concerned.</p><p> </p><p>The British Government also remains committed to making representations to the Chinese Government on the rights of relatives of protestors. During the Foreign Secretary’s last visit to China, he met with family members of detained Chinese human rights lawyers who were arrested in the so-called “709 crackdown.”</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 11/06/2019 13:09:19 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1110767

registered interest
date	09/04/2019
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	Hong Kong: Elections
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 (a) his Chinese counterpart and b) the Hong Kong Government on the progress towards holding Hong Kong Chief Executive elections in the future.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	242913
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2019 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary raised the issue of Hong Kong with his Chinese counterpart on his last official visit.</p><p>I visited Hong Kong in November and noted the UK’s continued commitment to the Joint Declaration, and to the faithful implementation of the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ agreement, which guarantees rights and freedoms for Hong Kong’s people.</p><p>The Joint Declaration sets out that &quot;The chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be selected by election or through consultations held locally and be appointed by the Central People's Government.&quot;<br> <br>Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials continue to raise the issue of political reform in the course of bilateral exchanges on Hong Kong.​</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 15/04/2019 13:58:46 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1110768

registered interest
date	09/04/2019
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	China: Political Prisoners
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 Chinese counterpart on the convictions of (a) Chan Kin-man, (b) Benny Tai and (c) Chu Yiu-ming.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	242914
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2019 answer text <p>The aforementioned defendants have yet to undergo sentencing, and given their right to appeal, it would therefore not be appropriate to comment further or in detail on these ongoing legal cases.</p><p>It would be deeply concerning if this or any other ruling discourages legitimate protest in the future, or discourages young people from engaging in politics. <br> <br>Hong Kong citizens are guaranteed the right to freedom of assembly and demonstration under the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. Hong Kong's success and stability depend on its high degree of autonomy and respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 15/04/2019 12:50:39 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1109369

registered interest
date	03/04/2019
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	Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Brunei
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether any Ministers in his Department plan to visit Brunei in the next six months.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	240603
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2019 answer text <p>There are no current plans for any Foreign Office Ministers to travel to Brunei in the next six months.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 08/04/2019 15:39:18 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1077591

registered interest
date	26/02/2019
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	Hong Kong: Extradition
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Chief Executive of Hong Kong on that Government's amendment of its extradition laws to include the People's Republic of China.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	226185
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2019 answer text <p>We are aware of the Hong Kong Government's proposals to change extradition legislation and are following the matter closely. A public consultation on the proposals will end next month. It would not be appropriate to comment while the consultation is ongoing.</p><p>It remains the British Government's view that, for Hong Kong's future success, it is essential that Hong Kong enjoys, and is seen to enjoy, the full measure of its high degree of autonomy and rule of law as set out in the Joint Declaration and enshrined in the Basic Law, in keeping with the commitment to &quot;One Country, Two Systems&quot;.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 06/03/2019 15:05:35 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1050485

registered interest
date	29/01/2019
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	China Central Television
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has raised with his Chinese counterpart reports of the alleged use of forced confessions on China Central Television.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	214075
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2019 answer text <p>The UK Government follows recent media reports of forced confessions on Chinese state media. We shall continue to urge the Chinese government to ensure fundamental civil and political rights are protected, in line with China’s constitution and its international commitments. All broadcasts in the UK are regulated by Ofcom and it is their decision whether any particular broadcasters are granted licences.</p><p>​</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 05/02/2019 14:08:25 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

997393

registered interest
date	29/10/2018
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	British Council: Staff
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 (a) are employed directly by, (b) are seconded to and (c) work under contract in the British Council.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	185152
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/11/2018 answer text <p>(a) Employed directly -10750</p><p>(b) Secondees - 0</p><p>(c) Work under contract*- 1115</p><p>Total 11865</p><p> </p><p><strong>* </strong>This figure is a total of external Non-Permanent Workers (NPW) that the British Council have recorded both in the UK and overseas, this however does not capture invigilators/examiners, those provided by other companies to fulfil contracts or other cases of short term duration external workers.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 01/11/2018 16:06:23 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

947473

registered interest
date	24/07/2018
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	Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Afghanistan
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date was the former Foreign Secretary, the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip's recent visit to Afghanistan was first discussed.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	168158
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2018 answer text <p>​The former Foreign Secretary visited Afghanistan on 25 June. Following the recent ceasefires in Afghanistan, and with elections due later this year, this was a timely opportunity to show support for recent positive developments and to take stock of progress and the UK's supportive role in providing peace and stability to Afghanistan (full details can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-flies-into-kabul-to-support-signs-of-progress-in-afghanistan" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-flies-into-kabul-to-support-signs-of-progress-in-afghanistan</a>). The visit took place ahead of a National Security Council (NSC) discussion on Afghanistan on 26 June. We do not discuss operational planning of Foreign Secretary visits.</p><p>Prior to the Foreign Secretary's visit, the last meeting between UK and Afghan government ministers was during the visit to London on 5-8 June of Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive of Afghanistan.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 06/09/2018 13:19:51 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West