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

838603

	registered interest
	date	07/02/2018
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Religious Freedom
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make freedom of religion or belief a strategic priority.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	127423
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2018 answer text <p>The protection of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is a priority of the Government's foreign policy and will continue to be so. In their interactions with foreign governments, and Embassies/High Commissions overseas, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office ministers and officials routinely raise individual cases and highlight practices and laws that discriminate against people on the basis of their religion or belief.</p><p>The United Kingdom also actively promotes FoRB through multilateral forums. At the most recent United Nations Human Rights Council, the UK worked successfully to help maintain consensus on the adoption and implementation of the European Union sponsored Resolution on 'Freedom of Religion or Belief' and the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation sponsored Resolution on 'Combating Religious Intolerance'. The FCO also continues to support a number of projects to promote tolerance through the Magna Carta Fund for Human Rights and Democracy. Current projects include work to promote religious tolerance through secondary school curricula in Iraq, Morocco and Lebanon.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 22/02/2018 17:50:14 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

765261

	registered interest
	date	06/10/2017
	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: Tobacco
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what training or information has been provided to UK diplomatic posts on the revised guidelines for overseas posts on support to the tobacco industry since those guidelines were published in December 2013.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	105760
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2017 answer text <p>The Government has standing instructions to all diplomatic staff to follow the revised December 2013 guidelines on interactions with tobacco companies. We remind staff at diplomatic posts of these guidelines and their implications for our work overseas annually, most recently in May 2017.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 16/10/2017 15:46:43 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

765262

	registered interest
	date	06/10/2017
	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: Tobacco
	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 representations UK diplomatic posts have made to overseas governments on behalf of tobacco companies since the revised guidelines for overseas posts on support to the tobacco industry were published in December 2013; and on what issues and with which Governments those representations were made.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	105761
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2017 answer text <p>The Government has standing instructions to all diplomatic staff to follow the revised December 2013 guidelines on interactions with tobacco companies. In line with this guidance, assistance may be offered to counter discriminatory practices. The Government does not catalogue the representations it makes on behalf of companies.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 16/10/2017 15:48:15 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

765983

	registered interest
	date	06/10/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Bangladesh: British American Tobacco
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government has given assistance to British American Tobacco in its challenge to the claim for unpaid VAT brought against it by the Government of Bangladesh; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	105750
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2017 answer text <p>Her Majesty’s Government continues to engage with the Government of Bangladesh over what is, in our view, discriminatory action against a British company. Guidance was issued in December 2013 to assist compliance with the World Health Organisation’s Frame​work Convention on Tobacco Control and we have observed the guidelines for support to the tobacco industry at all times.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 16/10/2017 15:44:53 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

722106

	registered interest
	date	18/04/2017
	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	USA: Palestinians
	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 US counterpart on the proposed Taylor Force Act and ending that country's provision of economic aid to the (a) Palestinian Authority and (b) families of those who have died while carrying out terrorist attacks against Israel.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	70994
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2017 answer text <p>We have not had any discussions with the US authorities on this issue. We, however, regularly raise the issue of payments to prisoners and their families with senior Palestinian officials. We push them to ensure that such payments are transparent and needs-based.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/04/2017 15:34:00 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

711770

	registered interest
	date	16/03/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Iran: Baha'i Faith
	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 Baha'i-owned shops being sealed by government authorities in the city of Alborz, Iran in November 2016 and remaining closed; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	68221
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2017 answer text <p>The Government regularly raises human rights concerns with the Iranian government, including the continued persecution of religious minorities and the treatment of the Baha'i community. We are aware that the Iranian authorities shut down a number of Baha'i businesses in response to their closure to observe Baha'i holy days in November 2016. This forms part of a worrying trend of persecution of the Baha'i faith in Iran. We call on Iran to cease harassment of all religious minorities and to fulfil its international and domestic obligations to allow freedom of religion to all Iranians.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 27/03/2017 12:01:06 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

711457

	registered interest
	date	15/03/2017
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Iran: Baha'i Faith
	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 reports he has received of the suppression of the economic activity among the Baha'i community in Iran; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	68161
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2017 answer text <p>The treatment of the Baha'i community in Iran is of particular concern. The latest report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran sets out the suppression and harassment that Baha'is are subject to in Iran. This includes restrictions on the types of businesses and jobs Baha'is can have, unequal treatment of Baha'i employees, and seizures of Baha'i businesses and property.</p><p>The UK has consistently pressed Iran to improve its human rights record, both through bilateral engagement and with our international partners. We fully support the Special Rapporteur's recommendation that the Iranian authorities should recognise freedom of religion and belief, and that this entails the freedom to choose a religion or belief free from discriminatory or restrictive measures.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/03/2017 15:47:48 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

710528

	registered interest
	date	13/03/2017
	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	Mahmoud Abbas
	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 28 February 2017 to Question 64413, if he will make representations to President Mahmoud Abbas on his posing with a photograph of Dalal Mughrabi.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	67669
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/03/2017 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Mr Johnson), raised the issue of incitement with President Abbas and Foreign Minister Malki during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 8 March. UK officials will raise this incident as part of their regular dialogue with the Palestinian Authority on the matter. We continue to support the reinstatement of the Tripartite Committee on Incitement as the best channel to deal with any allegations of incitement from either side.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 21/03/2017 15:42:44 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

692535

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2017
	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	Palestinians: Capital Punishment
	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 Palestinian Authority on death sentences imposed on Palestinians for the alleged collaboration with the Israeli Authorities.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	64883
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/03/2017 answer text <p>​We have not raised this issue with the Palestinian Authority (PA), as the PA, at this present time, has no control over the Gaza Strip. The increasing use of the death penalty in Gaza is a worrying trend. The UK maintains a no contact policy with the de facto authority in Gaza, Hamas.</p><p>The local EU Heads of Mission issued a statement on 21 February condemning the use of the death penalty in this case and calling on the de facto authorities in Gaza to refrain from carrying out any executions in line with the PA’s moratorium on executions.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 01/03/2017 14:53:50 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman

691897

	registered interest
	date	20/02/2017
	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	Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department will take steps to work with UK allies to expel the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its proxies from Syria, Iraq and Yemen and to impose sanctions on that organisation.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow East
	tabling member printed	Bob Blackman
	uin	64415
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2017 answer text <p>​The Government remains deeply concerned about Iranian activity in the region, particularly its support for armed militias in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. We continue to encourage Iran to play a transparent and constructive role in regional affairs and, as the Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May) made clear in her speech to the Gulf Cooperation Council in Manama on 7 December, we remain committed to working with our allies to push back against Iran’s aggressive regional actions. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is currently sanctioned in its entirety under the EU’s nuclear listings. In addition, specific individuals within the IRGC are sanctioned in the EU for broader reasons including counter terrorism and human rights.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 28/02/2017 15:07:04 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4005 label Biography information for Bob Blackman