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101553
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-29more like thismore than 2014-10-29
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 remove filter
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading India more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to address the situation of religious minorities in India following the recent elections. more like this
tabling member constituency Belfast East more like this
tabling member printed
Naomi Long more like this
uin 212429 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false remove filter
date of answer remove filter
answer text <p>Our High Commissioner to New Delhi, Sir James Bevan, met the new Indian Minister for Minorities, Mrs Najma Heptulla, on 16 June and discussed issues facing minority communities in India. Our High Commission in New Delhi also maintains a regular dialogue with officials in India’s national human rights institutions, including the Minorities Commission, and with the relevant State level authorities. We will continue to maintain a dialogue with the new Indian government about minority rights issues. <br><br>We also support religious and other minorities in India through the Department for International Development’s programme in India which helps to promote equal treatment and access to services for the most disadvantaged communities.</p> more like this
answering member constituency East Devon more like this
answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T14:47:54.3433447Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T14:47:54.3433447Z
answering member
1408
label Biography information for Lord Swire more like this
tabling member
3920
label Biography information for Naomi Long more like this
101558
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-29more like thismore than 2014-10-29
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 remove filter
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading Montenegro more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his NATO counterparts about offering a Membership Action Plan for Montenegro; and if he will make a statement. more like this
tabling member constituency Brighton, Kemptown more like this
tabling member printed
Simon Kirby more like this
uin 212391 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false remove filter
date of answer remove filter
answer text <p>The first cycle of Montenegro’s Membership Action Plan was initiated in 2009.</p><p>The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), together with his counterparts from NATO Allies, met NATO’s aspiring members, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia and Montenegro, on 4 September 2014 during the NATO Summit in Wales to discuss their progress towards joining the Alliance. The Allies welcomed the significant progress made by Montenegro in its reforms and looked to Montenegro to continue its efforts to address the remaining challenges, particularly with respect to the rule of law and completing security sector reform.</p><p>At the Summit, NATO Foreign Ministers agreed to commence ‘intensified and focused talks’ with Montenegro before reassessing their progress no later than December 2015. As a part of this process NATO’s Military Committee visited Montenegro on 27-28 October 2014.</p><p>The United Kingdom strongly supports NATO’s Open Door policy on enlargement and welcomes the membership aspirations of all the countries currently seeking to join the Alliance.</p>
answering member constituency Aylesbury more like this
answering member printed Mr David Lidington more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T14:52:20.386969Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T14:52:20.386969Z
answering member
15
label Biography information for Sir David Lidington more like this
tabling member
3929
label Biography information for Simon Kirby more like this
101559
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-29more like thismore than 2014-10-29
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 remove filter
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading Macedonia more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Macedonian counterpart about the possibility of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia joining NATO; and if he will make a statement. more like this
tabling member constituency Brighton, Kemptown more like this
tabling member printed
Simon Kirby more like this
uin 212392 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false remove filter
date of answer remove filter
answer text The first cycle of Macedonia’s Membership Action Plan was initiated in 1999 and in 2008 the Allies agreed that an invitation to join NATO would be extended as soon as a mutually acceptable solution to the issue over its name has been reached with Greece within the framework established by the UN. This condition has not yet been fulfilled. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) together with his counterparts from NATO Allies, met NATO’s aspiring members, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia and Montenegro, on 4 September 2014 during the NATO Summit in Wales to discuss their progress towards joining the Alliance. At the Summit, the Allies reaffirmed their continued support for Macedonia’s eventual membership and encouraged them to meet the established conditions on which their next steps towards NATO depend. The United Kingdom strongly supports NATO’s Open Door policy on enlargement and welcomes the membership aspirations of all the countries currently seeking to join the Alliance.
answering member constituency Aylesbury more like this
answering member printed Mr David Lidington more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T14:49:38.949205Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T14:49:38.949205Z
answering member
15
label Biography information for Sir David Lidington more like this
tabling member
3929
label Biography information for Simon Kirby more like this
101561
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-29more like thismore than 2014-10-29
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 remove filter
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading Georgia more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with NATO counterparts about offering a Membership Action Plan for Georgia; and if he will make a statement. more like this
tabling member constituency Brighton, Kemptown more like this
tabling member printed
Simon Kirby more like this
uin 212462 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false remove filter
date of answer remove filter
answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge, (Mr Hammond) together with his counterparts from NATO Allies, met NATO’s aspiring members, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia and Montenegro, on 4 September 2014 during the NATO Summit in Wales to discuss their progress towards joining the Alliance.</p><p>At the Summit, NATO Foreign Ministers agreed to provide Georgia with a ‘substantial package’ of support and engagement measures in recognition of the reform progress it has made.</p><p>Georgia was awarded an Annual National Programme, which is the tool used by MAP countries, in 2008. It continues to reflect Georgia’s strong and productive relationship with NATO and their commitment to the reform process.</p><p>The United Kingdom strongly supports NATO’s Open Door policy on enlargement and welcomes the membership aspirations of all the countries currently seeking to join the Alliance.</p><p> </p> more like this
answering member constituency Aylesbury more like this
answering member printed Mr David Lidington more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T15:01:29.7525057Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T15:01:29.7525057Z
answering member
15
label Biography information for Sir David Lidington more like this
tabling member
3929
label Biography information for Simon Kirby more like this
100606
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-23more like thismore than 2014-10-23
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 remove filter
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading Azerbaijan more like this
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to send observers to the imminent trials in Azerbaijan of (1) Mr Arif and Ms Leyla Yunus of the Peace and Democracy Institute, (2) Mr Intigam Aliyev, and (3) Mr Rasul Jafarov; and whether they will propose that their trials are fully covered by European Union diplomats. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Hylton more like this
uin HL2337 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false remove filter
date of answer remove filter
answer text <p>The British Government has publicly expressed its concern surrounding the arrests of Mr Arif and Ms Leyla Yunus and Mr Rasul Jafarav amongst others, and supports the EU statement of 14 August 2014 regarding the recent deterioration of the human rights situation in Azerbaijan. As has been the case in recent high profile trials, the British Government expects to make representation in coordination with its EU partners.</p> more like this
answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T15:49:52.6019191Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T15:49:52.6019191Z
answering member
3474
label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
tabling member
2018
label Biography information for Lord Hylton more like this
100609
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-23more like thismore than 2014-10-23
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 remove filter
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading Civil Servants: Languages more like this
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government which languages have been studied by civil servants and diplomatic staff at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Language School; and how many civil servants and diplomatic staff have studied each language. more like this
tabling member printed
Baroness Coussins more like this
uin HL2340 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false remove filter
date of answer remove filter
answer text <p>Since the Language Centre opened on 19th September 2013 a total of 45 different languages have been studied there either full or part-time by 813 students. Of those students, 779 are Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff and 34 are from other government departments (OGDs) (including staff from the following departments: Ministry of Defence, Cabinet Office, the Department for Business, Innovation &amp; Skills, Home Office, Ministry of Justice, UK Trade and Investment, the Department for International Development, HM Revenue and Customs, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department of Energy and Climate Change, and the House of Commons). An additional 60 FCO staff have trained at the Institut Francais. Staff across the Civil Service can also access the FCO Language Centre library to continue to develop their own language skills outside formal study and 58 OGD staff have taken advantage of this offer so far.</p><p>It is important to note that when more appropriate, staff from OGDs also receive language training outside of the FCO Language Centre through use of the Civil Service-wide contract with Language Services Direct (the company that run the FCO Language Centre) or at the Institut Francais if French is required. Since September 2014, 113 OGD students have received language training on their own premises via the FCO contract.</p><p>The table below provides a breakdown of the languages that have been taught at the FCO Language Centre:</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Albanian</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Arabic</p></td><td><p>186</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Azeri</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bosnian</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bulgarian</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Burmese</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cambodian</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Czech</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Danish</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Dari</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Dutch</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Farsi</p></td><td><p>33</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Finnish</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>French</p></td><td><p>14</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Georgian</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>German</p></td><td><p>40</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Greek</p></td><td><p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Hebrew</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Hindi</p></td><td><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Indonesian</p></td><td><p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Italian</p></td><td><p>23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Japanese</p></td><td><p>33</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Korean</p></td><td><p>8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Macedonian</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Mandarin</p></td><td><p>93</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Norwegian</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Pashto</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Polish</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Portuguese</p></td><td><p>47</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Romanian</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Russian</p></td><td><p>84</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Serbian</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sinhalese</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Slovak</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Slovene</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Spanish</p></td><td><p>153</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Swedish</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Tajik</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Thai</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Tigrinya</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Turkish</p></td><td><p>11</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Turkmen</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Urdu</p></td><td><p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Uzbek</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Vietnamese</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>813</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p>
answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T15:51:51.0127173Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T15:51:51.0127173Z
answering member
3474
label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
tabling member
3829
label Biography information for Baroness Coussins more like this
100610
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-23more like thismore than 2014-10-23
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 remove filter
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading Civil Servants: Languages more like this
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they expect to see an increase in the numbers of United Kingdom civil servants capable of fulfilling the language requirements for applications to the European Civil Service; and if so by how many, and by when. more like this
tabling member printed
Baroness Coussins more like this
uin HL2341 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false remove filter
date of answer remove filter
answer text <p>The Government is working to increase the number of applicants to the European Civil Service and to increase civil service language training. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) supports all UK applicants, including civil servants, through the EU recruitment process, including advice on how to pass the recruitment tests in a foreign language. The European Fast Stream programme has been re-structured for 2014 and the training updated. As part of this, the language training provided to participants has been revised and tailored to offer more effective preparation for the Commission’s entry exam known as The Concours. There is also language training offered to civil servants through the FCO language centre. Some Government Departments also offer training in-house in different languages.</p><p> </p> more like this
answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T15:54:59.7503661Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T15:54:59.7503661Z
answering member
3474
label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
tabling member
3829
label Biography information for Baroness Coussins more like this
100611
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-23more like thismore than 2014-10-23
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 remove filter
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading Civil Servants: Languages more like this
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government how civil servants from all departments with the wish or the potential to benefit from a course at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Language School are identified. more like this
tabling member printed
Baroness Coussins more like this
uin HL2342 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false remove filter
date of answer remove filter
answer text Full-time language training is available to all staff on appointment to one of the 674 designated ‘speaker’ roles based across the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)’s network of posts overseas. Appointment is made following an advert, application and selection by interview for a position. All positions (including speaker roles) in the Senior Management Service are also advertised across the Civil Service. A number of positions (including speaker roles) in the delegated grades are also advertised across the Civil Service via ‘Interchange’. All FCO staff (or staff from other governmental departments (OGDs) if on Interchange) and their spouses/partners posted to non-speaker roles in a foreign country also have the option of taking up language training to reach a basic level (Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) – A2 Confidence foreign language proficiency) to help settle into a new posting overseas. FCO staff who wish to develop skills in a foreign language can also attend a rolling programme of part-time lunchtime or evening classes in 12 languages. Where there is space in these classes, OGD staff are offered places based on language learning needs analyses by Departments. Language Services Direct (the company who run the FCO Language Centre) also provide part-time classes to a number of OGDs (the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Cabinet Office, the Department for Energy and Climate Change, the Department for International Development, Members of Parliament, UK Hydrographic Office) on their own premises or at Language Services Direct premises (HM Revenue and Customs). Language Services Direct also run a bespoke training package for staff from both the FCO and across the Civil Service wishing to apply for positions within EU institutions. A number of OGDs also appoint staff, following their own internal appointment processes, to their own ‘speaker’ roles overseas and are able use the Language Centre for training, or receive training at their own premises from Language Services Direct. To-date over 130 OGD staff have been trained either full-time or part-time at the Centre or at their own premises.
answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T15:56:28.9626879Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T15:56:28.9626879Z
answering member
3474
label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
tabling member
3829
label Biography information for Baroness Coussins more like this
100640
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-23more like thismore than 2014-10-23
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 remove filter
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading Kashmir more like this
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have received reports about exchanges of fire on the Line of Control in Kashmir and on the working border between India and Pakistan; and whether they have provided any advice to India and Pakistan in order to resolve outstanding matters, including the right of self-determination for the Kashmiri people. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Ahmed more like this
uin HL2371 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false remove filter
date of answer remove filter
answer text <p>We are concerned about the incidents which took place in recent weeks on both sides of the Line of Control and the International Border in Kashmir. We hope that both sides can take steps to reduce tensions. The longstanding position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, one which takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or to mediate in finding one.</p> more like this
answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T15:58:33.010193Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T15:58:33.010193Z
answering member
3474
label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
tabling member
3470
label Biography information for Lord Ahmed more like this
100641
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2014-10-23more like thismore than 2014-10-23
answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept id 16 remove filter
answering dept short name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
answering dept sort name Foreign and Commonwealth Office more like this
hansard heading Kashmir more like this
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to encourage the dialogue between Pakistan and India over the disputed region of Kashmir. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Ahmed more like this
uin HL2372 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false remove filter
date of answer remove filter
answer text <p>We have followed developments in the region and officials from our High Commissions in both Delhi and Islamabad discuss the situation in Kashmir with both governments. The long standing position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, one which takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or to mediate in finding one.</p> more like this
answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
question first answered
less than 2014-11-05T15:58:54.56806Zmore like thismore than 2014-11-05T15:58:54.56806Z
answering member
3474
label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns more like this
tabling member
3470
label Biography information for Lord Ahmed more like this