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1061016

registered interest
date	14/02/2019
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	Armed Conflict: Children
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 assess the merits of the conclusions and recommendations of the report entitled, No Choice: It takes a world to end the use of child soldiers, published by World Vision International in February 2019; and what steps his Department is taking to protect children at risk of recruitment by armed forces and his groups.
tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
tabling member printed	John Lamont
uin	221786
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2019 answer text <p>​The UK government actively engages with civil society organisations, recognising that collaborative engagement can strengthen the protection of children in armed conflict. On 12 February 2019, the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon met four youth participants from World Vision UK's newly launched campaign entitled '<em>It takes a World...To End Violence Against Children'</em>, to discuss their views and recommendations for government action regarding the use of children in armed forces and groups. The UK government recognises the importance of amplifying young people's voices and the powerful impact this can have in raising the profile of the Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) Agenda. The UK government therefore continues to engage with World Vision on this agenda. An invitation has been extended to World Vision to present at the newly established cross-government Working Group on CAAC.</p><p> </p><p>The UK is an active member of the United Nations Working Group on CAAC, which leads the international response to the issue of child soldiers and child protection. This includes pressing those parties to conflict listed in the UN Secretary-General's annual report on CAAC to enter into concrete action plans with the UN to verify and release any child soldiers associated with armed groups and forces and to prevent re-recruitment. The UK is the largest single financial contributor to the office of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for CAAC, contributing £800,000 in the last five years. We have shown our support for the SRSG's recently launched Global Coalition for Reintegration (GCR) by joining the 'Friends of Reintegration' group, a forum to generate new ideas for supporting reintegration programmes and prevention of re-recruitment for children formerly associated with armed groups. The UK has confirmed it will be increasing its funding to the office of the SRSG for CAAC to £450,000 for the FY19/20 to continue assisting the SRSG with her current mandate and will be giving an additional £50,000 to fund extended activities pertaining to the GCR.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 20/02/2019 16:39:47 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1061033

registered interest
date	14/02/2019
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	Priyanka Fernando
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what role of his Department played in the departure of Brigadier Priyanka Fernando from the UK.
tabling member constituency	Portsmouth South
tabling member printed	Stephen Morgan
uin	221791
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>We were deeply concerned by the incident involving the Sri Lankan Defence Attaché last year and made immediate representations to the Sri Lankan Government. I called Foreign Minister Marapana on 8 February 2018 about the matter to raise his concerns. The Defence Attaché was recalled by his Government soon after.</p><p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), which is not a party to the legal proceedings referred to, was contacted by Westminster Magistrate's Court seeking clarification of the Brigadier's diplomatic status in the UK at the time of the incident. The FCO has provided documentation to assist the court.</p><p>The UK is committed to upholding the rule of law including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.</p><p>The British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka met the Permanent Secretary of the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 24 January, at the Permanent Secretary's request. At this meeting the Permanent Secretary communicated his government's view that the Brigadier enjoyed diplomatic immunity at the time of the incident. The Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK met the Head of South Asia Department, FCO, on 1 February to discuss a range of bilateral issues. He confirmed that the FCO was not party to the legal proceedings, but had offered clarification of the Brigadier's diplomatic status at the request of the court.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field grouped question UIN 221792 question first answered 19/02/2019 16:47:51 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4653 label Biography information for Stephen Morgan

1061034

registered interest
date	14/02/2019
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	Priyanka Fernando
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 his Department has had with the Sri Lankan High Commission on the conduct of Brigadier Priyanka Fernando since 21 January 2019.
tabling member constituency	Portsmouth South
tabling member printed	Stephen Morgan
uin	221792
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>We were deeply concerned by the incident involving the Sri Lankan Defence Attaché last year and made immediate representations to the Sri Lankan Government. I called Foreign Minister Marapana on 8 February 2018 about the matter to raise his concerns. The Defence Attaché was recalled by his Government soon after.</p><p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), which is not a party to the legal proceedings referred to, was contacted by Westminster Magistrate's Court seeking clarification of the Brigadier's diplomatic status in the UK at the time of the incident. The FCO has provided documentation to assist the court.</p><p>The UK is committed to upholding the rule of law including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.</p><p>The British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka met the Permanent Secretary of the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 24 January, at the Permanent Secretary's request. At this meeting the Permanent Secretary communicated his government's view that the Brigadier enjoyed diplomatic immunity at the time of the incident. The Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK met the Head of South Asia Department, FCO, on 1 February to discuss a range of bilateral issues. He confirmed that the FCO was not party to the legal proceedings, but had offered clarification of the Brigadier's diplomatic status at the request of the court.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field grouped question UIN 221791 question first answered 19/02/2019 16:47:51 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4653 label Biography information for Stephen Morgan

1061117

registered interest
date	14/02/2019
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: 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 recent assessment he has made of the current levels of political stability in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
uin	221577
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>The UK remains concerned over persistent attempts by Russia to undermine political stability in Ukraine. Russia's malign intent is evident in their support for separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, the detention and mistreatment of civilians in Crimea, the recent firing on Ukrainian vessels in the Black Sea and their growing economic stranglehold on the Ukrainian ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk. This is reinforced by Russian disinformation campaigns and cyber-attacks designed to create a false narrative of Ukraine as a failing state.</p><p>The reality is that Ukraine has made enormous progress towards realising its potential as a fully democratic, modern and prosperous state. The UK is providing substantial assistance to strengthen Ukraine's democracy and institutions as part of its reform programme. This includes specific support to help Ukraine counter potential outside interference in presidential and parliamentary elections in 2019. The best answer to malign Russian activity remains a well-functioning, democratic and stable Ukraine.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 19/02/2019 16:56:59 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1061132

registered interest
date	14/02/2019
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	Italy: Asylum
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 held with his (a) Italian counterpart and (b) EU counterparts on the Italian government's asylum policy.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
uin	221579
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>As part of our bilateral relationship with Italy we regularly discuss asylum policy at Ministerial and official level. The UK Government continues to discuss the issue of asylum with the EU.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 19/02/2019 17:00:30 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1061212

registered interest
date	14/02/2019
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	Cuba: 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 advice his Department has given to HRH the Prince of Wales on raising human rights abuses in Cuba with representatives of the Cuban Government on his forthcoming visit to that country.
tabling member constituency	Hyndburn
tabling member printed	Graham P Jones
uin	221720
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>The UK government regularly raises human rights issues as part of our dialogue with the Cuban government. We believe the best way to encourage progress on human rights in Cuba is through dialogue and practical diplomacy, which is best enabled through engagement. This is reflected in our policy of engagement with Cuba, in which TRHs' trip will play an important role.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 19/02/2019 16:51:53 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	3999 label Biography information for Graham P Jones

1060656

registered interest
date	13/02/2019
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	USA: INF Treaty
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 counterpart in the US administration on the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty since the US has suspended its obligations to that treaty.
tabling member constituency	Kensington
tabling member printed	Emma Dent Coad
uin	221032
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2019 answer text <p>We have been discussing the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with the US for a number of years as part of our continuous dialogue on security issues. The US also initiated a series of meetings on INF with close Allies in 2017 and 2018, during which we discussed the US approach and exchanged detailed information on the Russian violation and how we might best achieve our shared policy objectives.</p><p>We support the US decision to suspend its participation in the INF Treaty and start the treaty's formal withdrawal process. A situation whereby the US was fully abiding by the INF Treaty and Russia was not, was not sustainable. Following the US announcement, NATO issued a statement declaring full support for US action and urging Russia to use the six month withdrawal period to return to full and verifiable compliance to preserve the INF Treaty.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 20/02/2019 16:34:34 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	4683 label Biography information for Emma Dent Coad

1060658

registered interest
date	13/02/2019
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	Europe: Press 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 his Department is taking to promote press freedom in Central and Eastern Europe.
tabling member constituency	Lanark and Hamilton East
tabling member printed	Angela Crawley
uin	220961
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2019 answer text <p>​We believe that media freedom is the lifeblood of democracy, and that it is vital to protect the ability of journalists and other media workers to hold the powerful to account. We are concerned by the increase in the number of journalists being targeted because of their work. For this reason we are placing the resources of the Foreign &amp; Commonwealth Office behind a campaign to shine a spotlight on this issue and to galvanise a consensus behind the protection of journalists.</p><p>We regularly raise media and press freedom in visits to Central and Eastern European countries as well as in multilateral fora, including the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. We work with media organisations and civil society across the region to deliver projects to protect and support journalists.</p><p>Additionally, the UK continues to be vocal in calling for an end to attacks on journalists, including in the case of the horrific murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée in Slovakia in February last year.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 20/02/2019 16:12:07 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4469 label Biography information for Angela Crawley

1060659

registered interest
date	13/02/2019
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: INF Treaty
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 counterpart in the Russian Government on the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty since the US suspended its obligations to that treaty.
tabling member constituency	Kensington
tabling member printed	Emma Dent Coad
uin	221033
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2019 answer text <p>NATO Allies first expressed concerns about Russian non-compliance with its INF Treaty obligations in 2014. In the last two years, there has been an intensification of Allied activity to encourage Russia to return to compliance.</p><p>We have not discussed INF directly with Russia since the US, and subsequently Russia, suspended their participation in the Treaty. However, we and our Allies stated our shared concerns during the NATO-Russia Council in late January.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 20/02/2019 16:35:48 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	4683 label Biography information for Emma Dent Coad

1060681

registered interest
date	13/02/2019
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	EU Common Foreign and Security Policy
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 plans to seek continued UK participation in the Common Foreign and Security Policy after the UK leaves the EU.
tabling member constituency	Exeter
tabling member printed	Mr Ben Bradshaw
uin	220748
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2019 answer text <p>The UK’s departure from the EU will enable us to achieve a fully independent foreign policy, not constrained by the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. The Political Declaration sets out our intentions – not to participate in the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy - but to develop an ambitious future partnership that will enable the UK, the EU and our European allies to cooperate closely on foreign and security policy issues, where in our mutual interest.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 20/02/2019 16:25:45 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	230 label Biography information for Mr Ben Bradshaw