Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

173076

registered interest
date	12/01/2015
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	Russia
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 Russian government on the human rights implications of the decision to ban transgender people and other groups from driving.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	220363
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2015 answer text <p>The Russian government’s decree of 29 December 2014 prohibited certain groups from driving. The Russian Ministry of Health stated on 13 January that the law does not relate to drivers’ sexual orientation, but did not mention transgender people. We have asked the Russian government for clarification on the application and implementation of this amendment in order to fully understand its impact.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 15/01/2015 13:55:51 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

173187

registered interest
date	12/01/2015
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	Burma
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 assessment he has made of progress by Burma towards establishing democracy; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	220428
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2015 answer text <p>We recognise the significant steps towards democratic reform that the government of Burma has taken over the past two years. This includes releasing hundreds of political prisoners and discharging hundreds of child soldiers. It has also included lifting of restrictions on the media, which has opened the space for the growth of a vibrant civil society.</p><p> </p><p>At the same time, we recognise much more needs to be done, and that in some areas progress has declined. We remain deeply concerned about the recent intimidation, detention and sentencing of reporters and political activists, the appalling situation of Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State, and about ongoing conflict in ethnic areas and associated human rights abuses, including sexual violence. All of our concerns are thoroughly documented in our Annual Report on Human Rights, and the quarterly updates to them. I personally raise our concerns regularly with the government of Burma.</p><p> </p><p>Burma’s elections, scheduled for October or November this year, will be a critically important test of the government’s commitment to see the reforms through to their conclusion. It is vital for Burma’s future development that these are inclusive and credible. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) made this point to President Thein Sein at the Group of Twenty (G20) summit in Brisbane in November.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 15/01/2015 12:17:36 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

173191

registered interest
date	12/01/2015
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	Burma
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 improve UK-Burmese diplomatic relations; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	220465
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2015 answer text <p>The UK’s relations with Burma have improved since 2011 when President Thein Sein embarked on a programme of reform. Since then we have been a critical friend, using our bilateral relationship to encourage reforms and speaking out where Burma has fallen short of accepted international standards of democracy and human rights. As a result of our engagement, the UK has been able to increase our access and influence with the government of Burma.</p><p> </p><p>Since the reform process began, the government of Burma has made progress in a number of areas, not least by releasing hundreds of political prisoners and child soldiers, and opening up space for the media and civil society to operate. The UK’s support has included a package of development assistance, worth £82 million in financial year 2015-16. We will continue to use our diplomatic relations to encourage reform in 2015, when elections due to be held towards the end of the year will be a critically important milestone in Burma’s transition to a more open and democratic society. At the same time, we recognise there is still a lot further to go, including on human rights, and we will continue to make our concerns known to the government of Burma, both publicly and privately.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 15/01/2015 12:21:22 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

173195

registered interest
date	12/01/2015
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	EU External Relations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2014 to Question 217644, on Ukraine, what criteria were used to establish EU policy objectives on non-recognition of the illegal annexation by (a) Russia of Crimea and (b) Israel of East Jerusalem and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Northfield
tabling member printed	Richard Burden
uin	220480
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2015 answer text <p>UK policy, aligned with the EU, on Crimea and East Jerusalem is as follows:</p><p>a) The EU does not recognise the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia. Russia’s intervention in Ukraine and illegal annexation of Crimea is a flagrant violation of a number of Russia’s international commitments. That is why Russia has been isolated in the Security Council and in the wider international community.</p><p>b) It has been the position of every British Government since 1948 that the Occupied Palestinian Territories (East Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza), were not lawfully part of the state of Israel at its creation or at any point thereafter. In 2009, EU Council Conclusions stated that the EU “will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties”. It also recalled that “it has never recognised the annexation of East Jerusalem”.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 15/01/2015 13:53:41 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	301 label Biography information for Richard Burden

172900

registered interest
date	09/01/2015
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
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 Saudi Arabian government on the public flogging of Raif Badawi on 9 January 2015.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
tabling member printed	Mr Roger Godsiff
uin	220263
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2015 answer text <p>We condemn the use of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment in all circumstances.</p><p>The UK is a strong supporter of freedom of expression around the world. We believe that people must be allowed to discuss and debate issues freely, challenge peacefully their governments and speak out against violations of human rights wherever they occur.</p><p>We maintain a close dialogue with the Saudi Arabian government on these issues and will continue to do so.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 14/01/2015 15:26:17 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	304 label Biography information for Mr Roger Godsiff

172781

registered interest
date	08/01/2015
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	Thalidomide
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 support the petition from British survivors of thalidomide damage to the EU Commissioner for Health and MEPs which seeks to secure a fair level of compensation for the costs and losses arising from the damage done to them by thalidomide.
tabling member constituency	North West Hampshire
tabling member printed	Sir George Young
uin	220224
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/01/2015 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is in frequent contact with the Thalidomide Trust, and is assisting the Trust in arranging meetings with the relevant German authorities on behalf of British survivors of thalidomide. We are ready to consider similar requests for assistance in lobbying at EU level.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 13/01/2015 16:17:43 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	57 label Biography information for Lord Young of Cookham

172782

registered interest
date	08/01/2015
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	Columbia
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 finding by UNHCR that there were 40 killings of human rights defenders in Colombia in the first nine months of 2014, what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in that country.
tabling member constituency	Blaydon
tabling member printed	Mr David Anderson
uin	220207
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2015 answer text <p>We are aware of the report by Amnesty International which informs that the UNHCHR has confirmed the murder of at least 40 human rights defenders (HRDs) between January and September 2014. ABColombia’s 2014 report stated that 78 human rights defenders were assassinated in 2013, which suggests a decrease this year, though there are reports that threats against HRDs have increased in the same period. However, we await more comprehensive reports including data covering the whole of 2014.</p><p>The UK Government publishes updates on the human rights situation in Colombia every quarter. The most recent report can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/colombia-country-of-concern/colombia-country-of-concern" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/colombia-country-of-concern/colombia-country-of-concern</a>.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 14/01/2015 15:20:34 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1486 label Biography information for Mr David Anderson

172784

registered interest
date	08/01/2015
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	Ilois
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 are being taken to ensure that the Chagossians are taken to the Chagos Islands as soon as possible, since the cancellation by his Department of their scheduled annual trip in November 2014.
tabling member constituency	Islington North
tabling member printed	Jeremy Corbyn
uin	220171
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/01/2015 answer text <p>We are committed to the Chagossians visiting the British Indian Ocean Territory in April 2015. BIOT Administration officials judge that this is the earliest time that safety concerns caused by mechanical problems on board the BIOT Administration's vessel will be satisfactorily addressed, and the logistics of such a complex trip completed. Additionally, the community leaders are working with us to reallocate the funds set aside for the postponed 2014 visit to community projects.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 13/01/2015 14:31:34 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	185 label Biography information for Jeremy Corbyn

172786

registered interest
date	08/01/2015
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	British Indian Ocean Territory
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when and for what reasons permission was given to representatives of the Zoological Society of London to travel to the Chagos Islands.
tabling member constituency	Islington North
tabling member printed	Jeremy Corbyn
uin	220170
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/01/2015 answer text <p>On 14 October 2014, the Administration of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) granted permission for a consortium of scientists, led by representatives of the Zoological Society of London, to undertake an expedition to BIOT (which includes the Chagos Archipelago) in January 2015. The purpose of this expedition, now underway, is to conduct observations on the pelagic ecology within BIOT’s marine protected area. The BIOT Administration is committed to promoting research that increases scientific understanding and informs global conservation efforts, and has identified the documentation of pelagic ecosystems as a priority.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 13/01/2015 14:32:50 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	185 label Biography information for Jeremy Corbyn

172509

registered interest
date	07/01/2015
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	Shaker Aamer
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 US for Shaker Aamer to be among the prisoners expected to be released from Guantánamo Bay within the next two weeks.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	220001
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/01/2015 answer text Shaker Aamer’s case remains a high priority for the UK Government, and Ministers and officials continue to make clear to the US that we want him released and returned to the UK as a matter of urgency. answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 12/01/2015 16:41:43 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas