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79543

registered interest
date	23/07/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Hong Kong
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how often, and with what result, they have raised breaches of Hong Kong's Basic Law with China in the last five years.
tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
uin	HL1441
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/08/2014 answer text <p>We monitor closely the implementation of One Country, Two Systems, as enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law.</p><p>We discuss issues relating to Hong Kong regularly at senior levels with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and with the Chinese authorities. As the former Foreign Secretary noted in the most recent Six Monthly Report to Parliament, Official Record 10 July Col 33WS, Hong Kong’s unique constitutional framework has worked well. We have made clear that it is vital it continues to be respected, and is seen to be respected, by all sides.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Popat question first answered 11/08/2014 11:29:50 answering member 4173 label Biography information for Lord Popat
tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

76630

registered interest
date	09/07/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	North Korea
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what they are doing in relation to the suspected recent firing of short-range missiles by North Korea.
tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
uin	HL972
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2014 answer text <p>The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Strategic Rocket Force put on a SCUD-class short-range ballistic missile demonstration for Kim Jong Un on 29 June 2014. Two missiles were launched from its southeast coastline toward the sea. On 9 July, and again on 13 July, the DPRK launched further SCUD-class short range missiles. Two missiles were launched from the southwest of the country, landing in the sea to the east of the DPRK. No prior notice was given in advance of these launches.</p><p>As a result of these launches the UK has written to the UN Committee responsible for the DPRK sanctions regime and asked it to investigate these breaches of UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) 1718, 1874, 2087 and 2094. We have also joined the US, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Canada, France, Germany and Japan, in a letter to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), expressing concern at the lack of proper prior notification of ballistic missile launches and asking ICAO to remind the DPRK of its responsibilities for international civil aviation. In response, the President of the Council of ICAO said on 14 July 2014 that he has brought the matter to the attention of the DPRK Minister of Land and Marine Transportation, reminding the Minister of previous correspondence, expressing concerns for the safety of international civil aviation and urging him to take the steps required to fulfil the requirements of the Annexes under the Chicago Convention.</p><p>On 17 July, the UK and other UN Security Council Members met to exchange views regarding the DPRK's recent series of ballistic missile launches. Following this meeting, Members of the Security Council condemned the launches as violations of UNSCRs and urged the DPRK to comply fully with the relevant UNSCRs.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 23/07/2014 16:40:59 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

64588

registered interest
date	27/06/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Hong Kong
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 China regarding the Basic Law and democratic elections in Hong Kong.
tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
uin	HL675
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2014 answer text <p>We maintain a good dialogue both with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Chinese authorities, with whom we discuss Hong Kong regularly at senior levels. We did so most recently during the UK-China Summit in June, when the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), and Premier Li discussed prospects for universal suffrage in 2017, alongside a variety of other issues. During his visit to Beijing in May, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), met with Wang Guangya, Director of Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office to discuss the transition to universal suffrage, as well as Hong Kong's continuing prosperity.</p><p>The Six Monthly Reports to Parliament demonstrate our commitment to closely monitor Hong Kong's development. The latest Six Monthly Report is due to be published in mid-July.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 07/07/2014 14:55:46 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

64592

registered interest
date	27/06/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Egypt
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 position of free media in Egypt.
tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
uin	HL679
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2014 answer text <p>The British Government is appalled by the sentences given to Egyptian and international journalists in Cairo on 23 June, including to two British nationals being tried in absentia. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Right Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), made a statement on 23 June expressing his concerns and urging the Egyptian government to demonstrate its commitment to freedom of expression by reviewing this case as a matter of urgency. <br> <br>The Egyptian Ambassador, Ashraf el-Kholy, was summoned to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on 23 June. FCO Political Director, Simon Gass, told the Egyptian Ambassador that the Government was deeply concerned by the verdicts, along with the procedural shortcomings seen during the trials. Our Ambassador to Egypt raised this issue in Cairo with the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 24 June. We will continue to monitor the situation of these journalists very closely, and raise the issue with the Egyptian authorities. The UK believes that a free and robust media is a bedrock of democracy.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 07/07/2014 15:04:09 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

62441

registered interest
date	17/06/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Burma
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made any representations to the government of Burma regarding that country's presidential elections; and if so, what representations.
tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
uin	HL379
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2014 answer text <p>As set out in the public document ‘UK Activities in Burma', published in April 2014 (available on our website at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-activities-in-burma" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-activities-in-burma</a>), the foremost Government priority is to encourage and support Burma to become a more effectively governed and democratic state, holding credible elections in 2015. Ministers and our Ambassador in Rangoon regularly discuss with the Burmese government the prospects for meaningful constitutional change which will enable the 2015 parliamentary elections to reflect the views of the Burmese people, including their choice of president. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised Burma's progress towards democratisation with the Burmese Foreign Minister on 28 April. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), most recently discussed these issues with the Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister on 12 June, and our Ambassador discussed the elections with Minister of the President's Office, U Soe Thane, on 17 June.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 25/06/2014 15:48:14 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

62442

registered interest
date	17/06/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	China
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what outcomes they anticipate from the visit of Premier Li Keqiang of China.
tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
uin	HL380
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2014 answer text <p>Premier Li Keqiang's visit to the UK for the UK-China Summit has brought our two countries closer together in a partnership for growth, reform and innovation. During the visit, £14 billion of trade and investment deals were signed between UK and Chinese firms. London's position as the leading offshore Renminbi (RMB) trading hub was strengthened by the appointment of China Construction Bank as an RMB clearing bank in London. Premier Li's visit has also deepened our cooperation on innovation, as well as on key global issues including through a landmark Joint Statement on Climate Change and through positive discussions with the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), on key foreign policy issues such as Iraq and Ukraine.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 25/06/2014 13:52:20 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

62443

registered interest
date	17/06/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Iran
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what are their principal aims in establishing closer diplomatic ties with Iran.
tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
uin	HL381
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2014 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), announced on 17 June his decision to reopen the British Embassy in Tehran with a small initial presence, as soon as the practical arrangements can be made.</p><p>Iran is an important country in a volatile region, and maintaining embassies around the world, even under difficult circumstances, is a central pillar of the UK's global diplomatic approach. We have no illusions that returning to Iran will be easy - there will continue to be many areas where we strongly disagree. Ultimately, having an Embassy in Tehran will enable us to better understand and respond to those challenges.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 25/06/2014 13:49:40 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

61242

registered interest
date	10/06/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Gibraltar: Spain
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they are making in talks with Spain to prevent excessive delays at its border with Gibraltar.
tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
uin	HL202
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2014 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), suggested ad hoc talks, involving all relevant parties, to address practical issues (including the delays at the border) to the Spanish government in April 2012. We are actively discussing this proposal with the Governments of Gibraltar and Spain and hope it will be possible to hold talks soon.</p><p> </p><p>In the meantime, we are maintaining strong diplomatic pressure on the Spanish government to end disproportionate and unlawful checks at the border. We have also asked the European Commission to continue to monitor the situation and urge Spain to return their checks at the border to proportionate levels.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 18/06/2014 11:37:51 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

58551

registered interest
date	05/06/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	China
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking in relation to suppression of the marking of the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square demonstrations by the government of China.
tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
uin	HL76
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2014 answer text We are concerned at reports of detentions in relation to the 25th anniversary of Tiananmen Square and raised our concerns about this with the Chinese authorities during the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue on 20 May. The Minister of State, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), raised this issue with the Chinese authorities on 19 May and made a statement on this issue on 21 May. We also fully support the EU statement of 28 May calling for the release of all those imprisoned for the peaceful expression of their views. We were pleased to see that on 5 June, the Chinese authorities released a number of those arrested after attending an event to commemorate the Tiananmen Square incident in 1989. answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 17/06/2014 14:53:36 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

47434

registered interest
date	07/04/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to request European Union monitoring at the border between Gibraltar and Spain.
tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
uin	HL6666
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2014 answer text <p>The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), raised the border delays with the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, last August, making clear that the Spanish checks were unjustified, politically motivated and therefore unlawful. This led to the European Commission sending a border monitoring mission to Gibraltar on 25 September. As a result, the Commission made a number of concrete recommendations to both Spain and Gibraltar and requested an update within six months. The Government of Gibraltar has taken action to implement the recommendations made to them and we fully expect Spain to do the same. In December the Prime Minister reminded Mr Barroso of the Commission's commitment to review the situation.</p><p>We remain in frequent contact with the European Commission about the ongoing delays, including on the need for the Spanish authorities to implement the EU's recommendations. Senior Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials discussed border issues with European Commission officials in January and February this year. The Commission has reserved the right to pay another visit to the border in the future if appropriate and we will support them in doing so.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 23/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth