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91610

registered interest
date	11/09/2014
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	NATO: Newport
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 propose at the next NATO Leaders Summit extending that alliance's support for the principles of weapons ban conventions, which are outlined in the Wales Declaration, to nuclear weapons.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Paul Flynn
uin	209098
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2014 answer text <p>As set out in its 2010 Strategic Concept, NATO is committed to the long-term goal of a world without nuclear weapons. However, for as long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO has stated that it will remain a nuclear alliance.</p><p>The United Kingdom fully supports efforts to combat the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction through the universalisation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention. Furthermore, the UK will continue to work to make nuclear weapons less necessary, with the goal of making them unnecessary. We believe that the best way to achieve a world without nuclear weapons is through gradual disarmament negotiated step–by-step within the framework of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. As set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review in 2010, we consider that our nuclear deterrent is the ultimate means to deter the most extreme threats, and the United Kingdom will retain a credible, continuous and effective minimum nuclear deterrent for as long as the global security situation makes it necessary.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 15/10/2014 14:08:04 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	545 label Biography information for Paul Flynn

91625

registered interest
date	11/09/2014
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	Wildlife: Smuggling
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 his Department has made of the extent of the role of terrorist organisations in the illegal ivory and wildlife smuggling trade.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	Mr John Spellar
uin	209107
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2014 answer text <p>The Government recognises that the multi-billion pound illegal wildlife trade not only has a devastating effect on affected species.</p><p>The Government hosted a major conference of global leaders in London in February 2014 to help eradicate the illegal wildlife trade and better protect affected species from the threat of extinction. 25 practical commitments to action were agreed in a Declaration by the participating states. One of those commitments was to undertake further assessment of the markets and dynamics of the illegal wildlife trade and progress made to combat it, including exploring links to terrorism.</p><p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office commissioned a review of the Global Impacts of the Illegal Wildlife Trade: The Costs of Crime, Insecurity and Institutional Erosion, which was published in February this year. This Review found that armed non-state actors are involved with poaching. Progress on all commitments in the London Declaration will be assessed at a follow-up Conference in Kasane, Botswana, in March 2015.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 16/10/2014 13:44:54 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

91626

registered interest
date	11/09/2014
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	Papua
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 raise the arrest of two French journalists in West Papua for breach of immigration rules with the Indonesian authorities.
tabling member constituency	Cynon Valley
tabling member printed	Ann Clwyd
uin	209101
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2014 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td>The recent incident involving French nationals is being handled by the French authorities, with whom we are in regular contact. <br><br>On 16 September, our British Acting Ambassador in Jakarta met the Director General of Human Rights of the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights and raised the specific case of the two journalists, and discussed our continued concern about limited access rights for journalists and international non-governmental organizations in Papua and West Papua province. If the French authorities request the UK to take additional action, we would give it our full and proper consideration.</td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 13/10/2014 14:35:22 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	553 label Biography information for Ann Clwyd

91627

registered interest
date	11/09/2014
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	Papua
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 or officials in his Department have had with the Indonesian authorities on securing greater access to Papua for journalists and non-governmental organisations.
tabling member constituency	Cynon Valley
tabling member printed	Ann Clwyd
uin	209102
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2014 answer text <p>We continue to follow the situation in the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua closely. We remain concerned about reports of violence and human rights abuses, and our Embassy officials regularly visit the provinces to meet government officials, civil society leaders, and human rights defenders. We actively raise concerns with the Indonesian authorities regarding freedom of expression and restrictions on access to the region by international non-governmental organisations, diplomats and foreign journalists; most recently, the British Acting Ambassador in Jakarta met the Director General of Human Rights of the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights on 16 September.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 13/10/2014 14:38:47 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	553 label Biography information for Ann Clwyd

91628

registered interest
date	11/09/2014
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	Burkina Faso
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what presence his Department has in Burkina Faso; and what steps his Department is taking to support a peaceful transition of presidential power in Burkina Faso in 2015.
tabling member constituency	Wirral South
tabling member printed	Alison McGovern
uin	209142
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2014 answer text <p>The UK has an Honorary Consul in Burkina Faso who provides basic consular assistance to British Nationals as and when required. Our High Commissioner to Ghana is currently awaiting accreditation as non-resident Ambassador to Burkina Faso. My Rt. Hon. Friend the Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for International Development visited Burkina Faso in February 2014.</p><p>The UK supports the democratic process in Burkina Faso and wishes to see peaceful and constitutional elections in 2015, in order to secure Burkina Faso’s own stability and that of the region. We are working with partners on the ground, including the European Union, to make clear to the Government of Burkina Faso international concern about possible attempts to amend the constitution ahead of the elections.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 14/10/2014 13:14:35 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	4083 label Biography information for Alison McGovern

91629

registered interest
date	11/09/2014
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	Burma
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 whether the actions and policies of the government of Burma are consistent with the commitments that government made when it signed the declarations on ending sexual violence in conflict.
tabling member constituency	Bethnal Green and Bow
tabling member printed	Rushanara Ali
uin	209150
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/10/2014 answer text <p>We welcome the Burmese government’s endorsement of the Declaration of Commitment and attendance at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in June 2014. There have been some positive signs that the Burmese authorities are taking seriously the commitments contained in the Declaration. In his speech at the UN General Assembly in September 2014, Burmese Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin reaffirmed the Government of Burma’s “zero tolerance” policy towards the use of rape and sexual violence in the military. In September, a civilian court in Shan State heard a case involving the alleged rape of a minor by a Burmese soldier. While much more must be done to hold perpetrators of sexual violence to account, this was a step towards accountability for survivors of sexual violence. We continue to encourage the Burmese government to take concrete action, including by strengthening legislation and improving access to justice for survivors. I urged the Burmese government swiftly to create a credible action plan to tackle sexual violence when I met Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister U Thant Kyaw on 13 June. The UK also funds projects to provide women with basic legal skills so they can advise survivors of sexual violence, and workshops to help community leaders and local government staff prevent sexual violence in their communities.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 13/10/2014 14:28:57 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	4138 label Biography information for Rushanara Ali

91643

registered interest
date	11/09/2014
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	Burkina Faso
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 effects of political instability in Burkina Faso on (a) the Sahelian region and (b) the Ebola outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Wirral South
tabling member printed	Alison McGovern
uin	209143
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2014 answer text <p>Serious political instability in Burkina Faso would have a wider effect given the fragility of the Sahel region. Burkina Faso has demonstrated commitment to ensuring regional stability through its role as a mediator on behalf of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) during the Mali crisis, and as a major contributor to the United Nations Multi-Dimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali. We are working with international partners to make clear to the Burkina Faso government our desire to see this positive approach to external stability mirrored domestically.<br>The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is an unprecedented human tragedy. The UN has declared it a public health crisis requiring an urgent international response.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 14/10/2014 13:15:42 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	4083 label Biography information for Alison McGovern

91440

registered interest
date	10/09/2014
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	Africa
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's posts in Africa are taking to promote UK businesses linked to sustainable tourism.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	Mr John Spellar
uin	208997
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/10/2014 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is working closely with our partners in government, including DFID and UKTI, to deliver a number of UK Government objectives in Africa, particularly to support UK business and drive sustainable economic growth. For example, Her Majesty's Government’s High Level Prosperity Partnerships with Angola, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Mozambique and Tanzania involves collaborating with UK business across a variety of sectors, though not exclusive to tourism.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 10/10/2014 15:31:01 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

91441

registered interest
date	10/09/2014
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	Africa
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 (a) provide and (b) facilitate (i) military and (ii) other training to law enforcement agencies in Africa to tackle wildlife poaching and smuggling.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	Mr John Spellar
uin	208998
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/10/2014 answer text <p>The UK Government is committed to playing its part in international action to tackle wildlife poaching and smuggling.</p><p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is using its network of diplomatic posts to influence international efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade, including through supporting anti-poaching and trafficking initiatives.</p><p>In December 2013 the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for International Development announced £10 million of funding, over 4 years, to help developing countries tackle the illegal wildlife trade. The funding will support actions under three themes: developing sustainable livelihoods for communities affected by illegal wildlife trade, strengthening law enforcement and the role of the criminal justice system, and reducing demand for the products of illegal wildlife trade.</p><p>One of the projects already selected for funding aims to identify trafficking routes, individuals and networks involved in the illegal trade of elephant ivory and rhinoceros horns in Uganda, Kenya and South Africa. This project will increase cooperation between national and international authorities.</p><p>Further information about projects that successfully applied for funding under the competitive “Illegal Wildlife Challenge Fund” this summer will be available soon.</p><p>The FCO is working with a number of African countries in assisting them with options to provide anti-poaching training. For example, the British Army ran a training programme for the Kenyan Wildlife Service and the Kenyan Forestry Service, beginning in December 2013, with the aim of sharing operational tactics with Kenyan rangers following the killing of over 60 rangers on duty across the country by poachers in the past two years.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 15/10/2014 13:36:36 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

91442

registered interest
date	10/09/2014
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	Sudan
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 take steps to encourage female participation in peace processes in Sudan in order to ensure that women from all sections of society are represented in those processes.
tabling member constituency	Foyle
tabling member printed	Mark Durkan
uin	208996
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/10/2014 answer text <p>We are taking steps to ensure female participation in Sudan’s peace processes. At the national level we have regularly called on the Government of Sudan to include all parts of society in the ongoing National Dialogue, which aims to secure peace in Sudan. We have also supported engagement by UK parliamentarians with female parliamentarians in Sudan to strengthen the role of women in Sudan. Additionally, we are supporting work in Darfur and South Kordofan to ensure women are represented in community peace and conflict resolution processes.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 10/10/2014 15:09:10 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	1594 label Biography information for Mark Durkan