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1138456

	registered interest
	date	11/07/2019
	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	Members: Correspondence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he plans to respond to the letter of 18 June 2019 from the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland requesting a meeting with the Minister of State for the Commonwealth.
	tabling member constituency	Bishop Auckland
	tabling member printed	Helen Goodman
	uin	276170
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>A response from Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon was sent to the hon. Member for Bishop Aukland on 15 July 2019.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 16/07/2019 14:08:04 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	1484 label Biography information for Helen Goodman

1136419

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2019
	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	Ark Group DMCC: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they paid £19 million to the ARK Group DMCC based in Dubai; and if so, why.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Cox
	uin	HL16869
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>ARK Group have delivered UK-funded programmes across the Middle East through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) and the Global Britain Fund (now International Programme Fund). We have not been able to identify the specific payment of £19m based on the information provided. However, since 2016-17 ARK have worked on over 20 projects for the FCO and received c.£25m of funding for these projects.</p><p>ARK's work for the FCO includes projects aimed at improving security stabilisation and communications in Lebanon; improving Security Sector Reform in Jordan; tackling sexual and gender-based violence in Syria; providing support to Syrian voices and civil society; and improving Community Resilience and Peacebuilding in Yemen.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 16/07/2019 15:14:46 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
	tabling member	3364 label Biography information for Baroness Cox

1136897

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2019
	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	Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether requests were made for Ministers to meet with Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe ahead of (a) his visit to Tehran on 19 November 2018 and (b) the Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa's visit to Tehran on 22-23 June 2019; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	273366
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2019 answer text <p>Ahead of the Foreign Secretary’s visit to Tehran in November 2018, a request was made for a meeting with Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe. Iran continues to deny consular access, as it does not recognise dual nationality. Nonetheless, we continue to request it. During our visits to Tehran, the Foreign Secretary and I underlined our deep concern about the treatment of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and other British-Iranian dual nationals detained in Iran, and reiterated our request for their release.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 12/07/2019 10:21:55 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1133477

	registered interest
	date	19/06/2019
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what mechanisms will be used to evaluate the UK funding used to support the actions agreed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018.
	tabling member printed	Lord Mendelsohn
	uin	HL16512
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2019 answer text <p>All UK-funded programmes and projects to support actions agreed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2018 are subject to thorough monitoring and evaluation. The majority of such programmes and projects are subject to the standard monitoring and evaluation processes of either the Department for International Development (DFID) or the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund. Annual Reviews of those projects are published online on gov.uk and DFID's Development Tracker.</p><p>Mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation of other UK-funded programmes and projects to support actions agreed at CHOGM 2018 vary, but common elements include annual reviews, site visits, log frame reporting, and regular progress meetings.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/07/2019 15:34:00 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4286 label Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn

1134477

	registered interest
	date	25/06/2019
	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	Yemen: Military Intervention
	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 24 June 2019 to Question 266880 on Yemen: Military Intervention and with reference to the news article entitled, The Saudis couldn’t do it without us: the UK’s true role in Yemen’s deadly war, published by The Guardian on 18 June 2019 in which a senior UK diplomatic source stated that the UK was a party to the conflict in Yemen, for what reason the Answer stated that the UK is not part of the coalition operating in Yemen but did not state whether the UK is a party to the conflict.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
	tabling member printed	Lloyd Russell-Moyle
	uin	269109
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>As stated in my answer of 24 June (PQ 266880), the UK is not part of the Saudi-led Coalition operating in Yemen. The UK does supports Saudi Arabia’s efforts to protect its national security against critical threats, such as the ballistic missiles and drones fired by the Houthis into civilian areas in Saudi Arabia. Because of this, we decided to provide information, advice and assistance to Saudi Arabia in responding to this threat. This assistance is part of our ongoing defence relationship with Saudi Arabia. This does not mean that the UK has a role in setting Coalition policy and our assistance is clearly limited to addressing this specific threat. We cannot comment further for operational security reasons except to say that all UK military personnel in Saudi Arabia remain under UK command and control.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 01/07/2019 16:52:55 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4615 label Biography information for Lloyd Russell-Moyle

1133804

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	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 Secretariat: Reform
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the progress made in reforming the Commonwealth Secretariat.
	tabling member printed	Lord Mendelsohn
	uin	HL16555
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2019 answer text <p>At CHOGM 2015, Heads of Government mandated the Secretary-General to convene a high-level group (HLG) to review the full governance arrangements of the Commonwealth Secretariat to ensure that its governance is streamlined and integrated in order to improve oversight, efficiency and transparency. This mandate was reiterated by Heads at CHOGM 2018, who asked Foreign Ministers to make decisions in response to the HLG's findings. Reform and strengthening of the Commonwealth Secretariat is a priority for our period as Commonwealth Chair-in-Office. We have worked with member states and the Commonwealth Secretariat to support the fulfilment of the mandate set by Heads.</p><p>An HLG, convened by the Secretar- General, first met shortly before CHOGM 2018. Since then, the HLG has submitted two reports. The first - covering roles and responsibilities, funding, and arrangements for the appointment of Secretaries-General - was submitted in early September 2018, and discussed by Foreign Ministers when they met in the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York. At that meeting, Foreign Ministers instructed the Commonwealth Secretariat Board of Governors (of which the UK Commonwealth Envoy is a member) to agree recommendations in the light of that report by 30 November 2018. The Board fulfilled that instruction, unanimously agreeing a set of recommendations through a thorough, transparent and inclusive process. At the end of December 2019, the HLG produced a second report, focused on the Secretariat's collaboration with accredited Commonwealth organisations and other partners. Through a further thorough, transparent and inclusive process the Board of Governors unanimously agreed a set of recommendations in response to that second HLG report.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary, as current Chair of Commonwealth Foreign Ministers, has recommended that they adopt the recommendations. A few of them have some outstanding questions. We hope that those can be resolved, and the recommendations adopted, soon. Once implemented, they will make a significant difference to the effective governance and operation of the Commonwealth Secretariat and its collaboration with member states and Commonwealth organisations.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/07/2019 13:29:10 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4286 label Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn

1136378

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2019
	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	Syria: Armed Conflict
	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 the Government is taking with the UN Security Council to ensure that de-escalation zones in Idlib, Syria are recognised by all states.
	tabling member constituency	Preston
	tabling member printed	Sir Mark Hendrick
	uin	272128
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>At recent meetings of the UN Security Council on Syria, including an emergency session on Idlib on 18 June, we have repeatedly called on the Syrian regime and Russia to end their current offensive in Idlib and to respect the ceasefire agreed between Russia and Turkey last year at Sochi. The Prime Minister raised the urgent need to restore the ceasefire in Idlib with President Putin and President Erdogan at the G20 Summit on 28-29 June. ​</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 10/07/2019 16:07:17 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

1133476

	registered interest
	date	19/06/2019
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government which programmes they are funding to support the actions agreed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 broken down by (1) the budgeted amount, (2) the current level of actual expenditure, and (3) the expected timeline for disbursing that funding.
	tabling member printed	Lord Mendelsohn
	uin	HL16511
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2019 answer text <p>At the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), Leaders agreed a range of actions to deliver a future that is fairer, more prosperous, more sustainable, and more secure. The Government has allocated approximately £526.7 million to programmes and projects to support delivery of these ambitious commitments. As of 31 March, £187.1 million had been disbursed. The remaining funds are expected to be disbursed over varying timeframes with completion dates ranging from March 2020 to March 2025.</p><p>A list of UK-funded programmes and projects has been placed in the Library of the House. Furthermore, the Foreign Secretary wrote to the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) on 15 May to provide an update on delivery of CHOGM commitments. This report can be accessed via the FAC's website.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 03/07/2019 15:36:20 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4286 label Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn

1134185

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	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	Pakistan: 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 he has taken to ensure the implementation of the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s Judgement of 19 June 2014 to protect the rights of religious minorities in the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow East
	tabling member printed	David Linden
	uin	268579
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>At the UN Periodic Review of Pakistan's human rights record in November 2017, the UK called on Pakistan to strengthen protection of minorities and establish an independent National Commission for Minorities. We regularly raise our concerns about discrimination against minority communities with the Pakistan Government at a senior level. Lord Ahmad raised our concerns about protection of minority religious communities with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Dr Shireen Mazari, during his visit to Islamabad in February 2019. The British Government strongly condemns the persecution of minorities, including the targeting of innocent people based on their beliefs. We will continue to urge Pakistan to honour in practice its human rights obligations, including those related to religious minorities, and to uphold the rule of law.</p><p>Through the Magna Carta Fund for Human Rights and Democracy, the UK has supported projects in Pakistan to combat intolerance and encourage respect amongst individuals of different faiths and beliefs through education. The British Government strongly condemns the persecution of minorities, including the targeting of innocent people based on their beliefs.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 02/07/2019 14:47:04 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4640 label Biography information for David Linden

1133817

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	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: Politics and Government
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government on what basis their Human Rights and Democracy report, published on 5 June, “welcomed continuing progress in and commitment to the democratic process” in Bahrain following its elections in November 2018; and what account that report took of (1) the government of Bahrain's ban on all political opposition from electoral participation in, and (2) condemnation by the United States Congress and the parliaments of the UK, the EU, Ireland and Italy, of those elections.
	tabling member printed	Lord Scriven
	uin	HL16568
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2019 answer text <p>Bahrain held parliamentary elections for the fifth time in November. The British Government takes note of a number of information sources on Bahrain and we continue to encourage Bahrain to ensure all elections are fair, transparent and inclusive.​</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/07/2019 13:30:25 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4333 label Biography information for Lord Scriven

1136270

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2019
	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	Malawi: Diplomatic Relations
	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 he has taken to improve diplomatic relations with Malawi.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	272204
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>Bilateral relations between the UK and Malawi remain strong. Following the Presidential election on 21 May, our High Commission in Lilongwe is engaging with the newly appointed Government to agree areas for future co-operation. The UK supports prosperity and development for the people of Malawi with around £140 million invested per year through the Department for International Development (DFID)'s work, which is targeted on the most vulnerable in society. The UK-funded Commonwealth Trade Facilitation Programme is helping Malawi adopt faster and more efficient customs procedures. In turn, these will reduce the cost of doing business and create a more enabling environment for intra-Commonwealth Trade. In conjunction with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD), we are also providing expertise and training to Malawian rangers to tackle the Illegal Wildlife Trade. The recently announced Royal Visit to Malawi by HRH The Duke of Sussex in the Autumn will strengthen further our deep and long-standing relationship with Malawi.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 09/07/2019 14:08:20 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1133362

	registered interest
	date	19/06/2019
	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	Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
	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 his Brazilian counterpart on the release from detention of former Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as a result of the publication of documents revealing a plot to jail Mr da Silva to prevent him from standing in the 2018 presidential election.
	tabling member constituency	Derby North
	tabling member printed	Chris Williamson
	uin	266834
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>Brazil has a robust, transparent and independent justice system that is rightly tackling corruption and wider issues.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 27/06/2019 16:18:04 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	3976 label Biography information for Chris Williamson

1135886

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	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	China: Sub-Saharan 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 recent assessment he has made of (a) China’s influence in sub-Saharan Africa and (b) the extent of Chinese investment in ports in sub-Saharan Africa.
	tabling member constituency	Heywood and Middleton
	tabling member printed	Liz McInnes
	uin	271498
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>China is Sub-Saharan Africa's largest trading partner and a significant source of investment and development finance. Decisions about the extent of Chinese invements in ports are for the respective countries to decide. The UK want to work with China and our African partners to ensure all investments are economically viable and sustainable for the debtor.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 09/07/2019 14:10:24 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	4342 label Biography information for Liz McInnes

1136916

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2019
	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	China: Diplomatic Service
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what restrictions the UK Government places on diplomats from China travelling in the UK; and who is responsible for those diplomats.
	tabling member constituency	East Worthing and Shoreham
	tabling member printed	Tim Loughton
	uin	273301
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>Chinese diplomats have no restrictions placed on them when travelling in the UK, and the Chinese Embassy is responsible for those diplomats.</p><p>​</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 09/07/2019 14:45:05 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	114 label Biography information for Tim Loughton

1137859

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	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	Romania: Deportation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, what steps he is taking to protect UK residents subject to deportation from Romania.
	tabling member constituency	The Cotswolds
	tabling member printed	Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown
	uin	275099
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>Deportations from Romania is a matter for the Romanian immigration authorities. We provide country specific advice for British nationals overseas on gov.uk in our 'living in guides', including Romania, which are regularly updated.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 16/07/2019 14:17:03 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	249 label Biography information for Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown

1138695

	registered interest
	date	12/07/2019
	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	Ukraine: Sanctions
	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 implications for his Department's policies of the decision of the European Court of Justice to annul sanctions on members of Ukraine's Yanukovych regime; and whether the Government remains committed to recovering those assets in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	276521
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>EU sanctions against members of Ukraine's Yanukovych regime were originally imposed on 5 March 2014 and were renewed on a yearly basis. The decision by the European Court of Justice annuls sanctions decisions made in March 2017 and March 2018. However, the EU decided on 4 March to extend asset freezes against the individuals in question until 6 March 2020. The UK continues to freeze the assets of listed individuals under this regime.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 17/07/2019 16:11:14 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1137749

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	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	Rockall: Fisheries
	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 Irish counterpart on international fishing fleets' access to waters around Rockall.
	tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
	tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
	uin	275131
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>Fisheries compliance policy is a devolved competence for the Scottish Government. I have therefore not raised the matter of international fishing fleets' access to waters around Rockall with my Irish counterpart. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials, working closely with other Government departments, including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, remain in close contact with the Irish and Scottish Governments about this issue.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 15/07/2019 08:05:56 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

1135446

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2019
	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: Technical Assistance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, following their decision to suspend the issuance of new export licences for the sale of arms to Bahrain, whether they intend to impose a similar moratorium on the technical assistance programme to Bahrain in view of reports of human rights abuses in that country.
	tabling member printed	Lord Scriven
	uin	HL16767
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>Following the Court of Appeal judgement in a Judicial Review into the Government’s decision-making process for granting export licences to Saudi Arabia, Her Majesty's Government will not be issuing new licenses to Saudi Arabia and its Coalition partners for the sale of arms destined for use in the conflict in Yemen. The Government is currently considering the implications of the Review. The judicial review judgement is not about whether the Government has made the right decisions in granting export licences but concerns the rationality of the process used to reach those decisions.</p><p>Under the UK technical assistance programme within the Integrated Activity Fund, each project goes through a rigorous compliance process before commencement. All projects are regularly monitored and reviewed to ensure that the training provided by or on behalf of the British Government complies with our domestic and international human rights obligations.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 10/07/2019 11:25:14 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4333 label Biography information for Lord Scriven

1133028

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2019
	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	Omar al-Bashir
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 17 June (HL15969), why, following his indictment by the International Criminal Court, Omar al-Bashir is not subject to financial measures in the UK; and whether, in the light of his removal as President of Sudan and imprisonment, they will review this decision.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL16446
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>Former President Omar al-Bashir is not subject to financial measures in the UK. We do not have any information that former President Bashir has assets in the UK. The UK currently implements financial sanctions through the UN and the EU. There is a mixture of UN and EU sanctions regimes in place for Sudan and its citizens. Following the removal of Bashir and recent events we are, with international partners, considering how we can hold Sudanese regime figures accountable for serious abuses. We are seeking information on financial flows relating to Bashir's overthrow, and will act accordingly.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 02/07/2019 13:20:39 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1134123

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	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	Uganda: Human Rights
	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 Ugandan Ambassador to the UK on press freedom and civil liberties in that country.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	268432
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>Government officials have discussed the upcoming media freedom conference, and its priority for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with the Ugandan High Commission in London. The Ugandan Foreign Minister is also confirmed to attend the conference. Our High Commission in Kampala, alongside the EU and other missions, released a statement on 3 May calling on the Ugandan Government to guarantee freedom of speech and expression, and freedom of assembly as enshrined in the Ugandan Constitution. Following the statement, British High Commission staff highlighted our concerns during the EU Heads of Mission meeting with President Museveni in May. The UK supports freedom of expression as a fundamental human right alongside freedom of the media and we continue regularly to raise any concerns around civic and political issues directly with the Ugandan government.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 27/06/2019 15:46:31 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1135198

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2019
	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	International Decade for People of African Descent
	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 they have (a) taken (b) plan to take as part of the UN Decade for African People in support of the theme entitled People of African descent: recognition, justice and development.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	270326
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2019 answer text <p>Her Majesty's Government has no specific plans to mark the UN International Decade for People of African Descent. However, the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance remains a priority for the UK.</p><p>Domestically, the UK has one of the strongest legislative frameworks in place to protect communities from hostility, violence and bigotry and we keep it under review to ensure that it remains effective and appropriate in the face of new and emerging threats.</p><p>Internationally, we work through the United Nations to ensure the international community focuses on strengthening national, regional and international legal frameworks, in order to make a reality of the protections contained in the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 04/07/2019 13:37:10 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1135504

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2019
	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	Overseas Visitors: 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 assessment he has made of the potential merits of facilitating visa applications by human rights defenders to allow them to travel more easily to the UK.
	tabling member constituency	North East Fife
	tabling member printed	Stephen Gethins
	uin	270752
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>Human rights defenders wishing to travel to the UK are able to do so, provided that they comply with existing immigration rules, which in some cases will mean applying for a visa. However, there is no provision in the Immigration Rules to allow someone to travel to the UK for temporary protection, or to claim asylum. Those human rights defenders who may need to travel outside their home country in emergency situations are advised to go to the first country of safety they can reach, which is often a neighbouring country.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 08/07/2019 14:54:04 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4434 label Biography information for Stephen Gethins

1133819

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	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	Yemen: Integrated Activity Fund
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 18 June (HL16049), whether Yemen was (1) considered as part of the original Gulf Strategy, and (2) a recipient of funding from the Gulf Integrated Activity Fund in 2015; and if not, on which date, and on what basis, they decided to include Yemen in the budget for the 2019–20 financial year.
	tabling member printed	Lord Scriven
	uin	HL16570
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2019 answer text <p>I refer the Noble Lord to the corrected answer to question HL16049.​</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/07/2019 14:51:17 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4333 label Biography information for Lord Scriven

1134490

	registered interest
	date	25/06/2019
	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	Intelligence 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 assessment he has made of the potential effect on intelligence sharing between the UK and EU of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
	tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
	tabling member printed	David Simpson
	uin	269016
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>Intelligence sharing between the British Government and overseas partners is important to the security of our country. The Government's vision for a security partnership with the European Union is set out in the White Paper: &quot;The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union&quot; (July 2018). This includes a proposal for continued information and intelligence sharing, for example through the EU Intelligence and Situation Centre, European Union Satellite Centre and EU Military Staff. It is the longstanding policy of successive British Governments not to comment in detail on intelligence matters.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 02/07/2019 16:23:39 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

1134334

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	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: Nuclear Weapons
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) SIPRI Yearbook 2019, Armaments, Disarmaments and International Security, published on 17 June, which claims that Israel has between 80 and 90 nuclear warheads.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL16619
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2019 answer text <p>Israel has not declared a nuclear weapons programme. The British Government has consistently called on Israel to join the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear weapon state and to upgrade its arrangement to a full scope Comprehensive Safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/07/2019 13:32:53 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

1136962

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2019
	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	Yemen: Armed Conflict
	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 report by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project on 18 June 2019, what estimate he has made of the number of deaths resulting from the current conflict in Yemen.
	tabling member constituency	West Ham
	tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
	uin	273357
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2019 answer text <p>It is difficult to assess the number of deaths resulting from the conflict in Yemen due to our lack of access and presence on the ground. We welcome the efforts of the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project and others to estimate the impact of the conflict, recognising that sadly the true fatality figures are likely to be higher. We maintain that a political settlement is the only way to bring long-term stability to Yemen and to address the worsening humanitarian crisis. All parties must engage constructively and in good faith to overcome obstacles and find a political solution to end the conflict.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 12/07/2019 10:31:16 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

1136899

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2019
	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	Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assistance his Department can provide to Richard Ratcliffe to obtain a visa to visit his wife, Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe, in prison in Iran.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	273368
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2019 answer text <p>It is for Iran to decide whether Mr Ratcliffe meets their visa criteria. We do not interfere with other states’ visa processes, just as the UK would not accept interference in our immigration system.</p><p>We are in regular contact with Mr Ratcliffe, and continue to call for Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s release at the highest levels.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 12/07/2019 10:25:40 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1134518

	registered interest
	date	25/06/2019
	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	Libya: Freezing of Assets
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when his Department first became aware that HM Treasury had received tax receipts derived from the interest on frozen Libyan assets held in UK banks; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	North Down
	tabling member printed	Lady Hermon
	uin	269000
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2019 answer text <p>It is the Government's long-standing policy that designated persons are not exempt from tax as a consequence of having their assets frozen. The Government's response of 24 June to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee report (into Government support for UK victims of IRA attacks that used Qadhafi-supplied Semtex and weapons) set out the releasable information the Government has about tax receipts derived from the interest on frozen Libyan assets held in UK banks. The Government's response says:</p><p><em>&quot;As stated in the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation's letter to the Committee of 23 April 2019, OFSI's responsibilities do not include tracking tax liabilities on frozen assets. HMRC, as the department responsible for safeguarding the flow of money to the Exchequer is responsible for any records of tax liability. HMRC has reconsidered how we can help the Committee within the legal constraints governing our ability to share information. We have concluded that we can use aggregated information to answer the Committee's questions, provided that information cannot be tied back to individual persons or companies as a result. HMRC receives payments of tax from a small proportion of the entities designated under the Libyan regime. Around £17 million has been received in total since the start of the 2016-17 tax year. HMRC currently receives around £5 million each year.&quot;</em></p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 03/07/2019 16:10:36 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	1437 label Biography information for Lady Hermon

1135691

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	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	Christian Michel
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of India to ensure that a trial date is set for Christian Michel following his arrest in July 2018 and subsequent extradition to India in December 2018.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Couttie
	uin	HL16784
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>Mr Michel's case is currently working its way through the Indian judiciary system. The British Government cannot interfere in the judicial process of another country, just as we would expect India to respect the UK's legal process. That said, we encourage all states to ensure that their domestic laws meet international human rights standards.</p><p>It is the responsibility of Mr Michel's legal team to ensure that a trial date is set. We have not made any representation to the Government of India about remarks made by Prime Minister Modi, but we have encouraged Mr Michel to seek advice from his legal team on this issue. Our staff in India continue to visit him and check his welfare. We are also supporting the family and in contact with the Indian authorities regarding his case.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL16785 question first answered 15/07/2019 14:43:47 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4583 label Biography information for Baroness Couttie

1135692

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	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	Christian Michel
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that (1) Christian Michel receives a fair trail when such a date is set, and (2) that any evidence used in such a trial is accurate; and what representations they have made, if any, to the government of India about the impact of remarks made by Prime Minister Modi during the recent elections about Christian Michel’s case.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Couttie
	uin	HL16785
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>Mr Michel's case is currently working its way through the Indian judiciary system. The British Government cannot interfere in the judicial process of another country, just as we would expect India to respect the UK's legal process. That said, we encourage all states to ensure that their domestic laws meet international human rights standards.</p><p>It is the responsibility of Mr Michel's legal team to ensure that a trial date is set. We have not made any representation to the Government of India about remarks made by Prime Minister Modi, but we have encouraged Mr Michel to seek advice from his legal team on this issue. Our staff in India continue to visit him and check his welfare. We are also supporting the family and in contact with the Indian authorities regarding his case.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL16784 question first answered 15/07/2019 14:43:47 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4583 label Biography information for Baroness Couttie

1137851

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	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	Oman: Detainees
	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 potential merits of imposing sanctions under Section 1(2)(f) of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 on officials from Oman involved in human rights abuses against the Shuhuh 6.
	tabling member constituency	Lincoln
	tabling member printed	Karen Lee
	uin	275245
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>My Rt Hon Friend The Minister of State for the Middle East has raised these cases with the Omani authorities, as has our Ambassador in Muscat. They have given us the strongest assurances that the individuals concerned were given full legal assistance and treated in accordance with Oman’s constitution and international laws and conventions. There is no evidence of any discrimination against the Shihuh more generally, many of whom occupy senior positions in the Omani state and wider society. Our current assessment of the situation means that we see no merit in considering any action.</p><p>With regard to the use of the powers under Section 1(2)(f) of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act, the government is actively considering establishing a human rights sanctions regime to support the UK’s work in promoting and defending human rights around the world. Any potential listings would need to be consistent with the purposes of the regime and thresholds for evidence. As the sanctions regime is not yet established we are not able to provide any comment on possible designations.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 16/07/2019 14:22:26 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	4664 label Biography information for Karen Lee

1133699

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	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	Council of Europe: Finance
	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 oppose any proposal at the Council of Europe to decrease the budget for youth activities.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
	tabling member printed	Lloyd Russell-Moyle
	uin	267332
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>No decision has been taken to decrease the budget of the Council of Europe's (CoE) youth department. The suggestion to decouple the youth budget from the main budget is just one option proposed to manage the CoE's budget deficit following Russia's non-payment of its contributions and as part of wider reforms and efficiency savings. The UK's priority remains to protect the core functions of the CoE, including the European Court of Human Rights and the European Convention system. The UK continues to urge Russia to abide by its freely entered into and legally binding obligation to pay outstanding contributions in full.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 27/06/2019 14:08:40 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4615 label Biography information for Lloyd Russell-Moyle

1135447

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2019
	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: Sentencing
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for the Middle East on 18 June (HC264373), whether the training provided by the UK to a delegation from the government of Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior on alternative sentencing was delivered as part of their technical assistance programme to that country; and on which dates that training was delivered.
	tabling member printed	Lord Scriven
	uin	HL16768
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>No training on alternative sentencing was provided to the delegation from the Ministry of Interior when they conducted a study visit to the UK on the 14-15 March. The study visit was a part of the technical assistance that the UK is providing the Government of Bahrain.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/07/2019 11:31:30 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4333 label Biography information for Lord Scriven

1136267

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2019
	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	Falkland Islands: Sovereignty
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Argentinian counterpart on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	272201
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>None. The position remains unchanged.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 09/07/2019 15:58:50 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1132665

	registered interest
	date	17/06/2019
	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: West Bank
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the ambassador of the USA in Jerusalem that Israel has the right to retain parts, but not all, of the West Bank.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL16443
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2019 answer text <p>Our position is well-known and has not changed. In line with international law, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, notably Resolutions 242 and 497, we do not recognize Israel's sovereignty over the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967. Annexation of territory by force is prohibited under international law. The UK has also reiterated our position at the UN Security Council, including with our Belgian, French, German and Polish colleagues on 26 March, and in the UN Security Council Chamber on 27 March. On 2 April, the Foreign Secretary also made clear the UK's position in the House of Commons confirming we view the annexation of territory by force as prohibited under international law.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 01/07/2019 16:08:25 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

1136271

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2019
	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	Brazil: Rainforests
	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 Brazilian counterpart on protecting the Amazon rainforest.
	tabling member constituency	Warrington South
	tabling member printed	Faisal Rashid
	uin	272247
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>Our posts in Brazil frequently engage with the Brazilian Government on a number of environmental issues including deforestation. We have been having positive discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture and work closely with them on our International Climate Fund programmes.</p><p>We are working with Brazil to help ensure it continues to protect the Amazon and have invested nearly £120 million through the International Climate Fund on projects to limit deforestation, prevent forest fires and implement the Forestry Code in the Amazon, Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 09/07/2019 16:08:24 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	4670 label Biography information for Faisal Rashid

1133803

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	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: Diplomatic Service
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government which countries the UK Commonwealth Envoy has visited since the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018.
	tabling member printed	Lord Mendelsohn
	uin	HL16554
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2019 answer text <p>Since taking up the role in June 2018, the UK Commonwealth Envoy has visited the following Commonwealth countries: Rwanda, Kenya, India, Barbados, Saint Lucia, South Africa and the Seychelles. The Commonwealth Envoy has called on all Commonwealth High Commissioners in London, and is in regular contact with them (including at frequent meetings of the Commonwealth Secretariat Board of Governors and Executive Committee).</p><p>Outside of the Commonwealth he has travelled to New York: for a Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting, a Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting and other Commonwealth-related meetings; Dubai, for Commonwealth meetings at the Plenipotentiary Conference of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and to consolidate Commonwealth members' support for the re-election of the British Deputy Secretary General of the ITU; and to Addis Ababa, for a UN conference on implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (for which the UK is supporting several Commonwealth countries), and to discuss Commonwealth-African Union collaboration.</p><p>He has also visited: Brussels, to meet the Ambassador of a Commonwealth government which is not represented in London; and Geneva, for a Commonwealth Health Ministers' Meeting, discussions with the International Trade Centre (which is implementing the UK-funded She Trades Commonwealth Project) and the ITU (re the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation), a discussion with Commonwealth member representatives about increasing collaboration, and to visit the Commonwealth Small States Office, to which the UK has provided specific financial support.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/07/2019 13:28:31 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4286 label Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn

1138231

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	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	Diplomatic Service: Disclosure of Information
	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 adequacy of the process for (a) distributing and (b) grading of diplomatic telegrams of a sensitive nature; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Mid Sussex
	tabling member printed	Sir Nicholas Soames
	uin	275645
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) gave evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 10 July on the recent leak of classified information official documents, which covered Diplomatic Telegrams. Formal correspondence from diplomats, including these, is marked either OFFICIAL, OFFICIAL SENSITIVE or SECRET in line with government policy.</p><p>We use the Cabinet Office Government Security Classification policy as a guide to classifying all FCO information and its subsequent handling. We are confident we have good security systems. Nevertheless we are reviewing how they are functioning in light of recent events. The new cross-government SECRET system developed by the Cabinet Office now also provides enhanced secure communication in the majority of our posts around the world and across government.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 15/07/2019 14:57:22 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	116 label Biography information for Lord Soames of Fletching

1134821

	registered interest
	date	26/06/2019
	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: 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 representations he has made to his counterparts in (a) Saudi Arabia and (b) the United Arab Emirates on ceasing funding the current regime in the Sudan.
	tabling member constituency	Stroud
	tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
	uin	269617
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2019 answer text <p>Sudan is facing a profound economic crisis alongside its political upheaval. That economic crisis is having a variety of consequences, including humanitarian. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are among those who have provided economic assistance. We are engaged with them – at ministerial and official level – as we are with other partners, on how the international community can best support economic reform and political progress in Sudan.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 04/07/2019 15:29:12 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1135452

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2019
	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	Jamal Khashoggi
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Goudie on 27 June, what repercussions the UK has indicated to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would follow should international judicial norms not be followed in all matters relating to the death of Jamal Khashoggi.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL16773
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>The British Government condemns Jamal Khashoggi's killing in the strongest possible terms. The Government remains clear that anyone found responsible must be held fully accountable. The ongoing Saudi judicial process is an important element in the process to establish accountability. We expect it to proceed in line with internationally recognised legal standards. The UK attends the trial as part of a group of international observers. We attend all trials of international concern where host governments permit us to do so. It would not be appropriate for us to comment on an ongoing legal process.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 11/07/2019 11:32:03 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1138627

	registered interest
	date	12/07/2019
	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: Ukraine
	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 Ukrainian counterpart on the involvement of the Russian military in Ukraine.
	tabling member constituency	Chipping Barnet
	tabling member printed	Theresa Villiers
	uin	276525
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>The British Government has regular discussions with Ukraine, including at Ministerial level, on Russia's aggression against Ukraine and continued threats to Ukrainian sovereignty. Our position is clear that Russia must end its financial and military support for armed separatists and fully respect Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity. We will continue to be one of the strongest supporters of Ukrainian defence and security. Since 2015 the UK has helped build the resilience and capacity of the Ukrainian Armed Forces through Operation Orbital, providing training to over 16,000 personnel so far. HMS Duncan visited Odessa on 7 July as part of Exercise Sea Breeze and hosted Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on board the ship.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 17/07/2019 16:22:13 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	1500 label Biography information for Theresa Villiers

1136538

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2019
	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	Gaza: Armed Conflict
	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 has had with his international counterparts on reports set out in the BBC documentary, One day in Gaza, that Hamas transported Gazan civilians to violent areas on the border with Israel last year.
	tabling member constituency	Brigg and Goole
	tabling member printed	Andrew Percy
	uin	272813
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2019 answer text <p>The British Government has regular discussions with international counterparts about the situation in Gaza. Whilst Palestinians have the right to peaceful protest, we have been clear that Hamas exploited the border protests for their own benefit. Their incitement of violence is unacceptable. When I visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in May, I pressed the importance of Israel, the Palestinian Authority and international partners working together to ensure a durable solution for Gaza.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 12/07/2019 10:20:17 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	3939 label Biography information for Andrew Percy

1136911

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2019
	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	Wang Quanzhang
	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 Chinese Government on the health of imprisoned human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang.
	tabling member constituency	Congleton
	tabling member printed	Fiona Bruce
	uin	273375
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>The British Government has taken regular action bilaterally and multilaterally in cases involving detained human rights lawyers and activists, including the case of Wang Quanzhang. This has included raising our concerns about lawyers and activists at China’s Universal Periodic Review in November 2018, and at the last UK/China Human Rights Dialogue. Moreover, the Minister of Asia and the Pacific raised Wang Quanzhang’s case with the Chinese Government during his visit last July. The Foreign Secretary raised Wang Quanzhang’s case last July, when he met Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi; he also met with family members of detained human rights lawyers. Additionally, the Foreign Secretary released a statement on 29 January 2019, which expressed concern over the sentencing of Wang Quanzhang, and urged the Chinese government to ensure fundamental civil and political rights are protected, in line with China’s constitution and its international commitments.</p><p>​</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 09/07/2019 15:03:39 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	3958 label Biography information for Fiona Bruce

1132302

	registered interest
	date	14/06/2019
	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	Pakistan: Indigenous Peoples
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when representatives of the UK High Commission in Islamabad last visited members of the Kalash community in Pakistan.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL16371
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>The British Government is aware of recent media reports that members of the Kalash community in Pakistan have been subject to harassment including by domestic tourists. The UK High Commission does not hold detailed information on all visits, but does not believe it has visited the Kalash community in recent times. We regularly raise our concerns about the protection of minority communities with the Pakistan Government at a senior level.</p><p>We continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all people in Pakistan, particularly the most vulnerable as laid down in the Constitution of Pakistan and in accordance with international standards.</p> answering member printed Baroness Goldie question first answered 27/06/2019 14:54:21 answering member 4306 label Biography information for Baroness Goldie
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1135968

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	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: Political Prisoners
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has made representations to his Saudi Arabian counterpart on the publication of proof of life evidence on political detainees being in custody in that country.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North East
	tabling member printed	Mr Paul Sweeney
	uin	271524
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2019 answer text <p>The British Government is very concerned about allegations of mistreatment of those detained in Saudi Arabia because of their political views. While we have not requested this information from the Saudi authorities, we continue to monitor these cases.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 04/07/2019 16:23:44 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4642 label Biography information for Mr Paul Sweeney

1136898

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2019
	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	Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
	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 secure a British consular visit to assess the health and wellbeing of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	273367
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2019 answer text <p>The British Government remains extremely concerned about the welfare of British-Iranian nationals detained in Iran, including Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe. We continue to raise Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s case with the Iranian Government at every opportunity, which includes making requests for consular access. I did exactly this during my visit to Tehran on 23 June. We continue to work to secure her unconditional release.​</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 12/07/2019 10:23:43 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1138636

	registered interest
	date	12/07/2019
	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	Guantanamo Bay: Detainees
	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 US Administration on releasing Guantanamo Bay inmates who have been cleared for release by the Periodic Review Board.
	tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
	tabling member printed	Tom Brake
	uin	276506
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>The British Government's long-standing position remains that the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay should close and we continue to engage with the US Government on this issue to make this position clear. The UK continues to work closely with the US on a wide range of national security issues.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 17/07/2019 16:16:58 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1137128

	registered interest
	date	05/07/2019
	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	India: Christianity
	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 Indian counterpart on attacks on Christians by Hindu activists.
	tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
	tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
	uin	273749
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>The British High Commission in New Delhi, and our network of Deputy High Commissions, maintain a continuous assessment of the human rights situation across India and raise issues with Indian officials where appropriate. We have raised Christian persecution with the Indian Government. Most recently, on 25 March 2019, the British High Commission highlighted the importance of tackling Christian persecution with India’s Ministry of External Affairs.</p><p>We will continue to engage with India on the full range of human rights matters, working with Union and State Governments, and with non-governmental organisations, to build capacity and share expertise to promote human rights for all.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 10/07/2019 15:55:12 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

1137884

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2019
	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	Malaysia: Diplomatic Relations
	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 he has taken to improve diplomatic relations with Malaysia.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	275149
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>The British government has long-standing diplomatic relations with Malaysia.</p><p>We have had a high number of inward and outward ministerial visits over the past year, including a visit by the Foreign Secretary in January. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah and the Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah have visited the UK during that period.</p><p>The UK works closely with Malaysia in a number of areas including trade and defence. We have strengthened our defence relationship with the launch of the Ministerial level Defence Strategic Dialogue in 2018. We have a growing collaboration on climate change and our education partnership continues to grow with five British university campuses in Malaysia and 19,000 Malaysian students in the UK. The UK is also supporting the Malaysian government's institutional reform agenda.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 17/07/2019 14:25:07 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1134186

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	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	Pakistan: 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 diplomatic support his Department has provided to the Federal Government of Pakistan to (a) establish a taskforce to develop a strategy to promote religious tolerance and (b) develop a curricula at schools and colleges that promotes a culture of religious and social tolerance.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow East
	tabling member printed	David Linden
	uin	268580
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>The Department for International Development (DFID)'s AAWAZ II Accountability, Inclusion and Reducing Modern Slavery Programme works with communities in Pakistan to promote rights of children, women, youth and religious minorities, protect them from exploitation, prevent discrimination and intolerance. This £39.5m programme, due to run from 2018 to 2024, will build on AAWAZ I. It will also build capacity of targeted government institutions.</p><p>Since 2008, responsibility to develop curriculum and textbooks has been devolved to provinces in Pakistan (with the Federal Government having some oversight but very little role in implementation). DFID has assisted the provincial governments in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to revise specific textbooks to align them with the 2006 national curriculum, which is a substantial improvement in terms of inclusion and tolerance from the previous curriculum. DFID technical assistance provided to both provincial governments is increasing the capability and capacity of the Curriculum and Textbook Boards to review textbooks, including on the systems and standards necessary to identify and remove discriminatory content. We are also supporting education for children from minority communities and funding training for 100,000 teachers on inclusion.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 02/07/2019 14:51:30 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4640 label Biography information for David Linden