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

228801

registered interest
date	20/03/2015
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	South China Sea
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on China's artificial island expansion in disputed waters in the South China Sea.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	228565
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2015 answer text <p>We continue to monitor developments in the South China Sea closely, not least land reclamation and construction activities in disputed waters. We remain concerned about continuing tensions which have the potential to undermine regional stability. The UK does not take a position on the underlying sovereignty disputes, but we continue to emphasise to all claimants, including China, the need to refrain from any activities that could heighten the risk of escalation and to resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 24/03/2015 16:08:23 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

228802

registered interest
date	20/03/2015
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	Middle East
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 steps his Department has taken to protect Christians and other minority groups across the Middle East.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	228525
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2015 answer text <p>Conflict and instability in the region has made the plight of many minorities a significant concern and we have witnessed systematic and deliberate attacks against religious and ethnic minorities in the Middle East and North Africa, including Christians. We regularly urge all governments in the region to ensure the protection of all religious minorities. We encourage them to develop inclusive political systems that represent all of their citizens. We also work proactively in the region to promote community cohesion and inclusive governance.</p><p>The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have been responsible for many recent atrocities committed against religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria. We condemn these appalling acts and are committed to defeating ISIL through a comprehensive and sustained international strategy as part of the efforts of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL. The humanitarian aid provided by the UK will have helped many victims of ISIL’s atrocities, including the protection of vulnerable groups. And the UK co-sponsored the resolution passed by the UN Human Rights Council on 1 September 2014, which highlights ISIL’s abhorrent actions and commits to a team of experts going to Iraq to investigate these atrocities.</p><p>In Syria a number of UK funded projects have brought together religious leaders from all denominations (including Alawi, Christians, Kurds, Druze and Sunnis) to foster greater understanding between faiths and support reconciliation. In Tunisia, we also funded a project run by the Centre for the Study of Islam and Democracy which considers, amongst other things, the protection of religious minorities under the new constitution. In Jordan, our work within refugee camps has helped reduce tensions between Syrian refugees and their host communities. In Lebanon, we are supporting education programmes including the addition of extra-curricular activities to help strengthen social cohesion. And in Iraq, we have funded a series of grassroots meetings between religious leaders to promote religious tolerance and freedom of religion or belief. We also continue to encourage religious leaders in Iraq to speak out publicly and condemn sectarian violence.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 25/03/2015 13:39:45 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

228865

registered interest
date	20/03/2015
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	Bahrain
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 government of Bahrain concerning the cases of Nabeel Rajab and Hussain Jawad and other human rights activists charged with expression-related offences.
tabling member constituency	Islington North
tabling member printed	Jeremy Corbyn
uin	228630
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2015 answer text I have raised Mr. Rajab’s case with senior representatives of the Government of Bahrain and encouraged the Bahraini authorities to ensure due process is followed and international norms of justice are upheld, including with regards to freedom of expression. The Government is also following Mr Jawad’s case closely. The British Embassy in Bahrain has raised the allegations of mistreatment made by Mr Jawad with the Ministry of Interior’s Ombudsman. I understand that Mr Jawad’s complaint has been referred to the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and a criminal investigation is underway. The Ministry of Interior Special Investigation Unit is aware of the UK’s concerns about this case. British embassy officials have attended Mr Rajab and Mr Jawad’s court appearances. answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 25/03/2015 13:38:36 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	185 label Biography information for Jeremy Corbyn

228866

registered interest
date	20/03/2015
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	Bahrain
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 the implications for his policies of the communication to Bahrain by the UN Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, Special Rapporteur on free assembly and Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders on 14 October 2014, expressing concerns about the trial of Mr Nabeel Rajab in Bahrain; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Islington North
tabling member printed	Jeremy Corbyn
uin	228615
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2015 answer text <p>I am aware that a number of UN rapporteurs wrote to the Government of Bahrain in October 2014 in relation to the arrest of Nabeel Rajab. I have raised Mr. Rajab’s case with senior representatives of the Government of Bahrain, and encouraged the Bahraini authorities to ensure due process is followed and international norms of justice are upheld, including with regards to freedom of expression. British embassy officials have attended Mr Rajab’s court appearances to underline the UK’s interest in his case and the UK Government will continue to monitor the situation closely.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/03/2015 17:29:25 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	185 label Biography information for Jeremy Corbyn

228546

registered interest
date	19/03/2015
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	Travel
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much his Department has spent on (a) cancelled and (b) missed transport in each year since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	228401
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2015 answer text <p>This information is not held centrally and it could only be provided at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 24/03/2015 17:25:29 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

228547

registered interest
date	19/03/2015
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	Israel
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 Ministers in his Department have had with their Israeli counterparts since the Israeli elections on 17 March 2015; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harrow West
tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
uin	228397
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2015 answer text <p>None of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers have had any discussions with their Israeli counterparts since the Israeli elections on 17 March. We looked forward to maintaining excellent relations with the new Israeli government, when formed.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/03/2015 17:19:34 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

228548

registered interest
date	19/03/2015
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	Consultants
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which five political risk consultancies have received the largest total amount from (a) his Department and (b) his Department's executive agencies and associated bodies since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	228402
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2015 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has only employed companies to provide physical security, not analysis of political risk.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 24/03/2015 16:30:38 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

228549

registered interest
date	19/03/2015
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	Consultants
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much has been paid to political risk consultancies by (a) his Department and (b) his Department's executive agencies and associated bodies in each year since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	228403
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2015 answer text The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has only employed companies to provide physical security, not analysis of political risk. answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 24/03/2015 16:28:53 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

228551

registered interest
date	19/03/2015
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	Secondment
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 from his Department have been seconded to external organisations in each year since 2010; to which external organisations and for how long such staff were seconded; and what the cost to his Department was of such secondments.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	228356
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2015 answer text <p>The numbers of staff seconded to other external organisations from 2010-2015 are as follows:</p><table><tbody><tr><td>2010</td><td>27</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td>23</td></tr><tr><td>2012</td><td>26</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>13</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>15</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We cannot mention the names of the companies as this would breach commercial and personal confidentiality.</p><p>Without identifying individuals it is not possible to indicate how long each member of staff was seconded. However, in the majority of cases it was 1-3 years.</p><p>There is no cost to the department when an individual is seconded to an external organisation: either salary costs are reimbursed, or, with the Civil Service secondment scheme, the secondee is replaced by a member of staff from the external organisation.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/03/2015 17:30:18 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

228552

registered interest
date	19/03/2015
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: Ceasefires
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 Burmese counterpart on allowing international observers to monitor a future national ceasefire agreement; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Colchester
tabling member printed	Sir Bob Russell
uin	228359
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2015 answer text <p>A national ceasefire agreement in Burma is still being negotiated. Negotiations include discussions on the nature and extent of ceasefire monitoring mechanisms and on the role international observers could play. Our Ambassador in Rangoon has made clear our strong support for international observers of any future ceasefire. Ultimately this is a matter for the various Burmese parties themselves to decide.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 24/03/2015 15:53:19 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	35 label Biography information for Sir Bob Russell