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1142358

registered interest
date	25/07/2019
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
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 his Department has made of the adequacy of the process for accrediting ambassadors to the UK.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	282230
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2019 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office follows a process of reviewing each State's proposed appointee as Head of Mission to the United Kingdom in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR) 1961. The process is sufficiently robust and no recent appraisal of its adequacy has therefore been required.</p><p>The appointment of Heads of Mission, both Ambassadors and High Commissioners, to the Court of St. James's is governed in international law by Article 4(1) of the VCDR. The Article requires that the sending State must ensure that agrément for the person it proposes to accredit as Head of Mission has been granted by the receiving State, before that person may be permitted to undertake the role.</p><p>On the recommendation of the Secretary of State, Her Majesty The Queen gives formal approval of Head of Mission appointments.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 03/09/2019 10:32:57 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin

1142367

registered interest
date	25/07/2019
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: 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 plans he has to ensure that ambassadors to the UK prioritise human rights issues.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	282231
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2019 answer text <p>We respect the right of Foreign and Commonwealth Heads of Mission serving in the UK to pursue their own State's priorities in the same way that we expect British Heads of Mission overseas to be able to pursue the UK's priorities.</p><p>Promoting and defending human rights is a fundamental part of the UK's foreign policy. Working with other countries, whether overseas or in the UK, is an essential element in meeting our human rights goals. Where the UK has concerns, we will engage both through our network of posts and with their representatives in the UK.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 03/09/2019 10:35:22 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin

1105330

registered interest
date	26/03/2019
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	Chemical Weapons
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made in implementing an EU sanctions regime on the use of chemical weapons.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	237098
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2019 answer text <p>​The UK played a key role in EU efforts to establish a new Chemical Weapons sanctions regime, which was adopted on 15 October 2018. This regime enables an asset freeze and travel ban to be imposed on those involved in the use and proliferation of chemical weapons, regardless of their nationality or location. On 21 January 2019, the EU added 9 individuals and 1 entity to the regime, which included those involved in the proliferation and use of chemical weapons in Syria, and members of the Main Intelligence Directorate responsible for the use of a Novichok nerve agent in Salisbury in March 2018. This strong collective action sends a clear message that the use of these barbaric weapons will not be tolerated under any circumstances.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 03/04/2019 15:17:24 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin

1105340

registered interest
date	26/03/2019
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	Christianity: Oppression
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 the Government is taking to help tackle the persecution of Christians overseas.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	237101
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2019 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is committed to using our influence to defend Freedom of Religion or Belief as a universal human right which should be enjoyed by everyone. That is why the Prime Minister appointed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon as her Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Lord Ahmad regularly raises this topic with international counterparts and through the Human Rights Council. In recent years we have seen reports of a particular rise in the persecution of Christians. The Foreign Secretary launched the independent review of FCO support for persecuted Christians on 30 January. The Review will be led by the Bishop of Truro, and will map levels of persecution and discrimination against Christians around the world, and provide robust recommendations on how the FCO can respond. A final report will be presented to the Foreign Secretary this summer.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 02/04/2019 15:22:57 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin

1041698

registered interest
date	15/01/2019
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: Peace Negotiations
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 support a peace process in Yemen.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	208784
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2019 answer text <p>The UK is playing a leading role in seeking a political solution to end the conflict and incalculable suffering in Yemen. On 16 January, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to back the UK-led resolution which bolsters the UN Yemen peace process. It will establish a six month UN mission to monitor the Hodeidah ceasefire. The ceasefire is an important step towards peace but by no means guaranteed. It is therefore vital that all parties act in good faith and take urgent steps to implement these agreements.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 22/01/2019 15:30:34 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin

1041703

registered interest
date	15/01/2019
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: Dogs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Chinese Government on banning the Yulin dog meat festival.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	208786
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2019 answer text <p>The Government is committed to raising standards of animal welfare at home and abroad. The sale and consumption of dog meat remains legal in parts of many countries, including China. However, there are no international norms, laws or agreements governing this trade. We believe that it is necessary to work with governments around the world to gain agreement to animal welfare standards. We have raised our concerns on specific animal welfare issues with the Chinese authorities and will continue to do so.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 22/01/2019 15:02:44 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin

1041704

registered interest
date	15/01/2019
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	Iran: Prisoners
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 to secure the release of UK-Iranian nationals imprisoned in Iran.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	208787
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2019 answer text <p>The treatment of all British-Iranians detained in Iran, including Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is a priority for the Government. We raise these cases with the Iranian Government at every opportunity. On 14 January, the Foreign Secretary summoned the Iranian Ambassador to the UK. The Foreign Secretary called for Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe immediately to be given the healthcare she requires and for her and other British-Iranian dual nationals to be released. The Iranian authorities have since confirmed that access to external medical treatment will be permitted. We will continue to raise Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's case, as well as our other consular cases, with the Iranian Government at every opportunity, including requesting consular access, and will continue to take action in line with what we believe will produce the best outcomes in their cases.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 22/01/2019 15:33:14 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin

1041706

registered interest
date	15/01/2019
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	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 he is taking to protect the rights and freedoms of journalists throughout the world.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	208788
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2019 answer text <p>The UK is committed to the promotion of media freedom and the protection of journalists worldwide. A free and independent media is the lifeblood of democracy. My RHF the Foreign Secretary has announced the launch an international campaign throughout 2019 to end the climate of impunity and mobilise a consensus behind the protection of journalists. In the coming year and beyond, we are going to increase the global spotlight on media freedom as an important issue and raise the costs to Governments, and Others, that abuse media freedom. Later this year we plan to host an international conference on media freedom with the aim of bringing the issue to the attention of opinion-formers across the globe, promoting the value and benefits of a free media to a wide audience, and mobilising an international consensus behind the protection of journalists.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 22/01/2019 15:05:17 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin

746717

registered interest
date	29/06/2017
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	Department for International Development and Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Departmental Responsibilities
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what changes in departmental structure the Government has made to promote closer working between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	1990
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2017 answer text <p>Following the General Election the Prime Minister appointed two Ministers of State, Alistair Burt and Rory Stewart, to serve across the FCO and DFID. The Ministers will develop their working practice to serve the interests of both departments and shape their priorities based on events and issues as they arise.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 05/07/2017 16:49:49 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin

722494

registered interest
date	19/04/2017
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	Embassies: Cider
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 UK embassies serve cider at functions.
tabling member constituency	North Herefordshire
tabling member printed	Bill Wiggin
uin	71283
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2017 answer text <p>A number of our High Commissions and Embassies serve cider at functions. We do not centrally hold details of the occasions and the cider that is served. The Foreign &amp; Commonwealth Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs work closely with partners across Government and the private sector, including the National Association of Cider Makers, to promote Britain's world class offer in this area, including through the GREAT campaign. Our High Commissions and Embassies are uniquely positioned to showcase British food and drink across the world.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 26/04/2017 08:51:00 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	1428 label Biography information for Sir Bill Wiggin