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864289

registered interest
date	15/03/2018
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	Bangladesh: Elections
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 his counterpart in the Government of Bangladesh on the disqualification of the leader of the opposition from participation in parliamentary elections in that country.
tabling member constituency	Stockton South
tabling member printed	Dr Paul Williams
uin	132773
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2018 answer text <p>On 8 February 2018, Khaleda Zia, the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, was convicted of corruption charges relating to misappropriation of funds. She was sentenced to a five year prison term. It would not be appropriate for the Government to seek to interfere in the judicial processes of another country.</p><p>I remain concerned about the political unrest in Bangladesh and the absence of dialogue among Bangladesh's political parties. The UK is committed to supporting democracy in Bangladesh. The Foreign Secretary met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Ali during his visit to Bangladesh from 9 to 10 February. In public and in private he stressed the importance of free and fair elections and affording political space to the opposition. The UK, together with international partners, will continue to encourage a peaceful way forward, and dialogue, between political parties in Bangladesh.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 23/03/2018 11:21:36 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4666 label Biography information for Dr Paul Williams

864318

registered interest
date	15/03/2018
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	Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting: Religious Freedom
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 ensure that the Commonwealth Heads of Government joint communique makes reference to the right to freedom of religion and belief.
tabling member constituency	Lagan Valley
tabling member printed	Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson
uin	132802
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2018 answer text <p>We are working with fellow member states to negotiate the communiqué for next month's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. While it would be inappropriate to comment on those negotiations, the UK considers freedom of religion and belief to be one of the Commonwealth's core values.</p><p>Encouraging member states to uphold the values and principles enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter – which include freedom of religion as well as democracy, freedom of expression, the rule of law and opposition to all forms of discrimination – will be an important part of April's summit.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 20/03/2018 15:48:45 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	650 label Biography information for Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

864374

registered interest
date	15/03/2018
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: Cleaning Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information he holds on the rate of remuneration for cleaners in his Department.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	132858
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2018 answer text <p>Cleaning services to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) UK Estate, are provided by Interserve, as part of a facilities management contract. Interserve are responsible for setting rates of pay for their staff and have informed the FCO that they currently pay £9.75 per hour to staff for cleaning the FCO’s London buildings and the National Living Wage at an hourly rate of £7.50 out of London.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 23/03/2018 14:12:20 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

864445

registered interest
date	15/03/2018
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	Russia: Football
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 protect UK fans planning to travel to Russia this year, ahead of the Football world cup.
tabling member constituency	Tooting
tabling member printed	Dr Rosena Allin-Khan
uin	132928
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2018 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is responsible for supporting all British nationals overseas and their safety and security is our primary objective. In June 2017, we launched our 'Be on the Ball' travel campaign page for the 2018 World Cup, in addition to our travel advice for Russia. We continue to update this with practical information for all fans travelling to Russia. FCO officials are working very closely with the Football Association, UK Police, Football Supporters Federation and local organisers who share our same objective.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 20/03/2018 12:17:37 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	4573 label Biography information for Dr Rosena Allin-Khan

864458

registered interest
date	15/03/2018
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	United Arab Emirates: Christianity
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 his Department has made to the Government of the United Arab Emirates on the persecution of Christians in that country.
tabling member constituency	South Antrim
tabling member printed	Paul Girvan
uin	132941
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2018 answer text <p>Human rights, including the protection of freedom of religion or belief, is a UK foreign policy priority. As part of our bilateral relationship with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), we discuss human rights at both ministerial and official levels. We note the positive steps the UAE has made in this area, including the establishment of the Ministry of Tolerance in 2016, with the objective of supporting religious tolerance and diversity. Promoting dialogue between different faiths was a key theme of the visit of HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to the UAE in 2016. This included a reception hosted at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque involving a discussion with leaders of the Christian faith in the UAE.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 23/03/2018 14:51:59 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4633 label Biography information for Paul Girvan

864468

registered interest
date	15/03/2018
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	Commonwealth: 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 steps he is taking to encourage free and fair elections in Commonwealth nations.
tabling member constituency	South Antrim
tabling member printed	Paul Girvan
uin	132951
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/03/2018 answer text <p>We are committed to upholding the principles of the Commonwealth Charter, including the inalienable right of individuals to participate in free and fair elections. Our High Commissions regularly engage with a range of political actors and institutions across the Commonwealth in support of those principles.</p><p>We also support the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat in this field: both its co-ordination of Commonwealth Election Observer Groups and the technical assistance it provides to improve electoral systems, practice and legislation in Commonwealth member states. In addition, the UK works closely with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to promote stronger parliamentary democracy in the Commonwealth.</p><p>The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London in April will discuss the protection and promotion of democracy. The UK will also join the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, which acts as the custodian of the values and principles set out in the Commonwealth Charter</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 21/03/2018 17:25:39 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4633 label Biography information for Paul Girvan

864481

registered interest
date	15/03/2018
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	Hong Kong: 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, what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Hong Kong as a result of the disqualification of lawmakers from its Legislative Council.
tabling member constituency	East Antrim
tabling member printed	Sammy Wilson
uin	132964
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2018 answer text <p>Since October 2016, six legislators have been disqualified from the Legislative Council. The FCO issued a statement in November 2016 which expressed concern about developments in the Legislative Council. The by-elections held on 11 March 2018 filled four of those seats. The remaining two disqualified legislators are appealing against the judgement, and it would not be appropriate for the Government to comment on an ongoing legal matter. My department will continue to monitor developments closely.</p><p>​</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 20/03/2018 15:08:56 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	1593 label Biography information for Sammy Wilson

864482

registered interest
date	15/03/2018
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	Gui Minhai
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 made to (a) the Government of Hong Kong and (b) the Government of the People's Republic of China on the status of the Hong Kong bookseller, Gui Minhai.
tabling member constituency	East Antrim
tabling member printed	Sammy Wilson
uin	132965
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2018 answer text <p>I remain concerned at the developments surrounding Swedish National Gui Minhai, who was first detained, along with British national Lee Po and three others, in late 2015. We have raised these cases at the most senior levels with the authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing. Following Mr Gui’s latest detention in January 2018, our Ambassador in Beijing raised the case with Vice Minister at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang Chao, and my officials continue to liaise closely with Swedish and other EU counterparts. The EU have released two statements calling for Mr Gui’s release, which we fully support.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 20/03/2018 12:07:17 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	1593 label Biography information for Sammy Wilson

864483

registered interest
date	15/03/2018
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	Iran: Visas
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 she has had with her counterpart in Iran on ensuring that visa applications from Iranian nationals to visit the UK are processed as quickly and fairly as possible.
tabling member constituency	Spelthorne
tabling member printed	Kwasi Kwarteng
uin	132966
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2018 answer text <p>​In 2016 UK Visas &amp; Immigration launched a full UK visa service at their Visa Application Centre in Tehran. We continue to work with the Government of Iran on all migration issues and the Foreign Secretary discussed these issues during his visit to Iran in December 2017.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 23/03/2018 14:14:00 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4134 label Biography information for Kwasi Kwarteng

864484

registered interest
date	15/03/2018
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: Religious Freedom
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 has taken to develop religious literacy among its staff in the past two years.
tabling member constituency	Congleton
tabling member printed	Fiona Bruce
uin	132967
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2018 answer text <p>Given the importance in global affairs, the FCO would expect British diplomats to be conversant with religious issues as part of their general professional expertise. However, we also offer specific support, notably a course on &quot;Religion and Diplomacy&quot;, delivered by the London School of Economics Faith Centre, which has run 4 times in the past two years. Geographic Directorates and posts also arrange ad hoc activities such as courses, seminars and roundtables to allow their staff to explore religious themes with academic experts and faith leaders. Examples include a seminar by General Sir Nicholas Carter, British Army, Chief of the General Staff on 29 March 2017, a course on political Islam organised in January 2017 by FCO's South Asia and Afghanistan Directorate, and a seminar on Islamist ideology: history and contemporary developments in January 2018 by FCO's National Security Directorate.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 20/03/2018 17:56:48 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	3958 label Biography information for Fiona Bruce