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855413

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	HIV Infection: Discrimination
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they propose to include HIV in UK disability laws, in line with the view of UN AIDs that the inclusion of HIV has been an effective means of addressing discrimination based on HIV status and AIDs.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Gould of Potternewton
	uin	HL6019
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2018 answer text <p>Under the Equality Act 2010, HIV infection is already a qualifying condition for disability from the point of diagnosis. People diagnosed with HIV are, therefore, eligible for the protections in the Act available to those with disabilities.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 19/03/2018 15:55:14 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	3573 label Biography information for Baroness Gould of Potternewton

855412

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Gender: Equality
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have in respect of (1) business, and (2) the public sector, to increase visibility and activity to promote gender equality.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Goudie
	uin	HL6018
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2018 answer text <p>In 2017 the Government introduced ground-breaking regulations requiring large employers, in both the public and private sector, to publish annually the differences between what they pay their male and female staff in average salaries and bonuses. They must do this by the deadlines of March 30th for public sector organisations, and April 4th for private and voluntary organisations</p><p>The transparency generated by these regulations will motivate employers to identify barriers to women’s progression in the workplace, and to take action to address them. It will also drive employers to increase awareness of the work they are already undertaking to achieve gender equality.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 19/03/2018 16:08:40 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	3575 label Biography information for Baroness Goudie

855411

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Females: Directors
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how they plan (1) to monitor performance of the Hampton-Alexander review voluntary target for Women on Boards, and (2) to minimise pressure for quotas.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Goudie
	uin	HL6017
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2018 answer text <p>Information on the number of women on FTSE 350 boards is available at:</p><p>https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/658126/Hampton_Alexander_Review_report_FINAL_8.11.17.pdf</p><p>To monitor progress, Government collects and analyses data on women on boards on a monthly basis, which enables the Review to report annually on the performance of FTSE 350 companies against the target.</p><p>Each country has a unique business environment, and we believe that the independent, business-led approach of the Hampton-Alexander Review is the right one for UK business. By continuing to recognise the importance of gender diversity at board level, we believe that UK businesses can achieve the 33% target for women on boards by 2020 without the need for a quota.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 19/03/2018 16:25:16 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford attachment 1 file name Improving gender balance in FTSE leadership.pdf title Hampton Alexander Review
	tabling member	3575 label Biography information for Baroness Goudie

855410

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Females: Directors
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the recommendations of the Hampton-Alexander review on FTSE women leaders to ensure that the target of there being at least 33 per cent women on FTSE 350 boards and FTSE leadership teams by the end of 2020 is met.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Goudie
	uin	HL6016
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2018 answer text <p>Information on the number of women on boards and in senior leadership in the FTSE 350 available at:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/658126/Hampton_Alexander_Review_report_FINAL_8.11.17.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/658126/Hampton_Alexander_Review_report_FINAL_8.11.17.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>There is more to do, which is why the Hampton-Alexander Review has now extended the executive pipeline target of 33% women from the FTSE 100 to the wider FTSE 350. We will continue to support the Review to work collaboratively with business to ensure engagement with these targets across the FTSE and draw attention to the importance of diversity in board and executive roles.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 19/03/2018 16:23:39 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford attachment 1 file name Improving gender balance in FTSE leadership.pdf title Hampton Alexander Review Report
	tabling member	3575 label Biography information for Baroness Goudie

855396

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Transgender People
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of individuals who self-identify as transsexual; and how many individuals have received a Gender Recognition Certificate since the Gender Recognition Act 2004 was passed.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL6002
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2018 answer text <p>The Government does not have an estimate of the number of individuals in the UK who identify as transgender. <br>The total transgender population is difficult to estimate for a number of reasons. For example, there is no standardised approach to collecting data on gender identity and some individuals are unwilling to disclose that they are transgender due to privacy concerns. <br>The Ministry of Justice publish statistics on the Gender Recognition Act process every quarter. The latest statistics can be found at:</p><p>https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tribunals-and-gender-recognition-certificate-statistics-quarterly-october-to-december-2017</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 19/03/2018 16:06:57 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

855460

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Small Businesses: Taxation
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to make it easier for small businesses to navigate complex and expensive tax procedures; and how they plan to increase awareness of tax relief schemes amongst small businesses.
	tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
	uin	HL6066
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2018 answer text <p>The government is committed to having a tax system that is simple to understand and easy to comply with. Autumn Budget 2017 took a number of practical steps to simplify the tax rules for small businesses including:</p><p> </p><ul><li><p>Extending the option of using mileage rates to property businesses; and</p></li><li><p>Ending receipt checking on subsistence costs when employees are reimbursed using benchmark scale rates.</p><p>These measures build on action taken since 2010 including:</p></li><li><p>Establishing the Office of Tax Simplification and then putting it on a permanent, statutory basis so that it can provide independent advice on simplifying the tax system; and</p></li><li><p>Implementing over 200 of the OTS’s recommendations since 2010. This includes simplifying employee benefits and expenses saving employers an estimated £25 million per annum.</p><p> </p><p>The government also takes action where appropriate to raise awareness of reliefs which support small businesses. For example, at Autumn Budget 2017 the Government announced an R&amp;D tax credits awareness campaign directed primarily towards Small and Medium Enterprises.</p></li></ul> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 19/03/2018 14:50:24 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

855439

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Absent Voting: Northern Ireland
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 3 July 2017 (HL3), 15 September 2017 (HL1448), and 13 October 2017 (HL1671), whether the Chief Electoral Officer (Northern Ireland) has completed her enquiry into the increase in proxy voting by over 500 per cent between 2010 and 2017; whether she initiated any further investigation; if so, whether that investigation involves the Police Service of Northern Ireland; when any further investigation was initiated and commenced; and when a definitive outcome is expected to be published.
	tabling member printed	Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
	uin	HL6045
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/03/2018 answer text <p>The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has completed her post-election review into absent voting and has written to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regarding the findings of this review. A copy of this letter has been placed in the Libraries of the House.</p><p> </p><p>These are operational matters for the CEO. However, I am aware that a very small number of cases were referred to the PSNI for investigation last year. The Electoral Office for Northern Ireland pass all cases of possible fraud to the PSNI however, the CEO’s review did not reveal any additional cases that warranted investigation.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 16/03/2018 11:44:19 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	648 label Biography information for Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

855415

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Reparation by Offenders
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to promote the practice of restorative justice for all levels of crime, with a view to reducing custodial sentences and re-offending.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL6021
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2018 answer text <p>I refer the honourable member to the answer given to PQ HL5791 on 8 March 2018.</p><p><em> </em></p><p>The Ministry of Justice supports the provision of good quality, victim-focused restorative justice as one of a range of measures to help victims cope and recover from crime. The Ministry of Justice also supports the availability of restorative justice to offenders because of its potential to reduce the frequency of reoffending and so contribute to their rehabilitation.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to work with prison and probation services and Police and Crime Commissioners to provide a supportive environment to deliver restorative justice to achieve these ends.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 19/03/2018 16:22:02 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

855463

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	EU Grants and Loans
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to replace EU structural funds after Brexit; and, if so, how.
	tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
	uin	HL6069
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/03/2018 answer text <p>As announced in the government manifesto, we will create the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which will boost productivity and reduce inequalities between communities across all four nations. We will consult widely on the design of the UKSPF later this year.</p> answering member printed Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth question first answered 13/03/2018 17:53:26 answering member 4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
	tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

855462

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Brexit
	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 extent to which local authorities are satisfied with the level of support and engagement that they are receiving from HM Government in regard to Brexit.
	tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
	uin	HL6068
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2018 answer text <p>I am working to support a smooth and orderly Exit which delivers an outcome that works for local authorities across the country. The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government's engagement with local authorities on EU exit has included hosting EU Exit roundtables alongside colleagues from the Department for Exiting the European Union in Cornwall and Great Yarmouth. My officials attend regional engagement events facilitated by the Local Government Association. I would encourage local authorities to continue their positive engagement with the Communities and Local Government Select Committee Inquiry ‘Brexit and Local Government’ to complement our own engagement with the sector.</p> answering member printed Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth question first answered 19/03/2018 15:56:43 answering member 4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
	tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

855453

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Fracking: Planning Permission
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce delays in the planning process for shale gas development.
	tabling member printed	Lord Risby
	uin	HL6059
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2018 answer text <p>Through the 2017 manifesto we have put forward proposals to treat non-fracking drilling as permitted development. These proposals aim to establish expert planning functions to support local councils, and, when necessary, for major shale planning decisions to be made the responsibility of the National Planning Regime. We will continue to consider any further measures needed to help speed up the planning process.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth question first answered 19/03/2018 16:01:31 answering member 4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
	tabling member	139 label Biography information for Lord Risby

855450

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Fracking: Planning Permission
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the average time taken between the first planning application for a shale gas well being received and final consent being granted for drilling.
	tabling member printed	Lord Risby
	uin	HL6056
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2018 answer text <p>Mineral Planning Authority decisions to grant or refuse planning permission for exploratory wells have taken between 17 and 83 weeks from date of validation to the date the decision was issued.</p> answering member printed Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth question first answered 19/03/2018 16:04:10 answering member 4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
	tabling member	139 label Biography information for Lord Risby

855457

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	HMS Ocean
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what contingency plans they have to fulfil the functions formerly performed by HMS Ocean.
	tabling member printed	Lord Stevens of Ludgate
	uin	HL6063
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/03/2018 answer text <p>The Government can call on the Royal Navy's existing amphibious ships and the Bay Class ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.</p> answering member printed Earl Howe question first answered 13/03/2018 16:14:36 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
	tabling member	2227 label Biography information for Lord Stevens of Ludgate

855456

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: LGBT+ People
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, in respect of those individuals being held in detention who are claiming asylum and have made reference to a reason being their sexual orientation or gender identity, what is the longest time in days that any such individual has been held.
	tabling member printed	Lord Scriven
	uin	HL6062
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2018 answer text <p>The Department does not hold pre-July 2015 data in a reportable format however experimental data on asylum claims lodged on the basis of sexual orientation, including the number of claimants who were granted asylum, between 1 July 2015 and 31 March 2017 is available at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/asylum-claims-on-the-basis-of-sexual-orientation" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/asylum-claims-on-the-basis-of-sexual-orientation</a></p><p>Unfortunately specific information on the length of time, that those who have claimed asylum on the basis of their sexual orientation, have spent in detention, is not currently published and could only be obtained by a manual check of each record.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford grouped question UIN HL6061 question first answered 09/03/2018 14:34:36 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford attachment 1 file name asylum-claims-basis-sexual-orientation.pdf title Asylum Claims - Sexual Orientation
	tabling member	4333 label Biography information for Lord Scriven

855455

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: LGBT+ People
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people who are claiming asylum, and have made reference to a reason being their sexual orientation or gender identity, have been held in detention in the last three years for more than (1) six months, (2) 12 months, (3) 18 months, and (4) 24 months.
	tabling member printed	Lord Scriven
	uin	HL6061
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2018 answer text <p>The Department does not hold pre-July 2015 data in a reportable format however experimental data on asylum claims lodged on the basis of sexual orientation, including the number of claimants who were granted asylum, between 1 July 2015 and 31 March 2017 is available at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/asylum-claims-on-the-basis-of-sexual-orientation" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/asylum-claims-on-the-basis-of-sexual-orientation</a></p><p>Unfortunately specific information on the length of time, that those who have claimed asylum on the basis of their sexual orientation, have spent in detention, is not currently published and could only be obtained by a manual check of each record.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford grouped question UIN HL6062 question first answered 09/03/2018 14:34:36 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford attachment 1 file name asylum-claims-basis-sexual-orientation.pdf title Asylum Claims - Sexual Orientation
	tabling member	4333 label Biography information for Lord Scriven

855454

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: LGBT+ People
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they intend to take to protect LGBTI asylum seekers facing discrimination and violence in asylum accommodation managed by private companies on behalf of the Home Office.
	tabling member printed	Lord Scriven
	uin	HL6060
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2018 answer text <p>Housing providers are contractually required to take account of any particular circumstances and vulnerabilities of those that they accommodate, including sexual orientation or gender identity. The Home Office and our accommodation providers take complaints extremely seriously and have robust procedures in place to inspect, investigate and resolve any complaints raised, where specific information is provided.</p><p>We urgently investigate any complaints we receive where standards have fallen short of what we would expect. When there is clear evidence of this we work with our providers to ensure issues are quickly addressed and when they are not, we can and do impose sanctions.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 12/03/2018 11:58:20 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4333 label Biography information for Lord Scriven

855395

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Muslim Council of Britain
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 9 February (HL5196), what were the names of those members of the Muslim Council of Britain who met most recently with Home Office officials; whether that meeting was approved by a minister in advance; and if so, by which minister.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL6001
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2018 answer text <p>The Government has been clear through its work to tackle extremism and prevent people from becoming radicalised, the Government meets with a wide range of organisations. These organisations must be prepared to show leadership, point to solutions and challenge and confront extremist and terrorist ideologies and narratives whatever form they take.</p><p>The Government will not provide a running commentary on the private meetings it holds.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 12/03/2018 17:52:05 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

855471

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	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	Salah Hamouri
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Israel in regard to the extended detention without trial of the Palestinian–French lawyer Salah Hamouri.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL6077
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/03/2018 answer text <p>While we have not discussed this specific issue with the Israeli authorities, we remain concerned about Israel’s extensive use of administrative detention. According to international law, administrative detention should be used only when absolutely necessary for security purposes rather than as routine practice, and as a preventive rather than a punitive measure. We continue to call on the Israeli authorities to comply with their obligations under international law and to either charge or release detainees.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 15/03/2018 17:51:52 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

855470

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	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	Yassin al-Saradih
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations, if any, they have made to the government of Israel in regard to reports that Yassin a-Saradih was shot and subsequently beaten before dying in Jericho.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
	uin	HL6076
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2018 answer text <p>While we have not raised this specific case with the Israeli authorities, we are closely following developments. The Israeli Military Police have launched an investigation and we encourage full transparency into the incident concerned.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 19/03/2018 18:02:02 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

855445

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	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	Diplomatic Service: Ethnic Groups
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in the Diplomatic Service of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in employing black and minority ethnic (BAME) persons, since the adoption in 1998 of the diversity and equality strategy, Bridges into the Future; how many BAME officers are employed in the Diplomatic Service in each grade from DS6 to SC3; and what is the total staff from all backgrounds in each of those grades.
	tabling member printed	Lord Ouseley
	uin	HL6051
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2018 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has made good progress on the representation of staff from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds (BAME) and is on track to achieve our target of 13% BAME staff FCO-wide in 2020. The FCO's recruitment initiatives are designed to attract the widest possible range of talented staff from diverse backgrounds, including people from BAME.</p><p>The figures below include all FCO civil servants based in the UK and overseas but they do not include staff from FCO Services or locally engaged staff employed overseas. UK-Based staff are asked to provide information about their ethnicity, but supplying this data is voluntary. Although the FCO encourages staff to supply it, this is not mandatory and reporting rates vary by grade.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Total</p></td><td><p>BAME</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Band A</p></td><td><p>455</p></td><td><p>121 (87% reporting rate</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Band B</p></td><td><p>610</p></td><td><p>117%(80.3% reporting rate</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Band C</p></td><td><p>1778</p></td><td><p>189% (82.1% reporting rate)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Band D</p></td><td><p>1302</p></td><td><p>73 (85.3% reprting rate)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>SMS</p></td><td><p>417</p></td><td><p>22 (93.8% reporting rate)</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 19/03/2018 17:40:36 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	2170 label Biography information for Lord Ouseley

855438

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	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	Cyprus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the extent to which Russian oligarchs have been able to acquire Republic of Cyprus nationality, (2) the extent to which such acquisitions enable those individuals to obtain visa-free access to the European Union, (3) whether EU arrangements highlight any inequity with which the EU treats the Turkish Cypriots on the island of Cyprus, and (4) whether Brexit will enable the UK to change its policies towards the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
	tabling member printed	Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
	uin	HL6044
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2018 answer text <p>The grant of nationality is exclusively a matter for individual states to decide in line with their law and procedures. Under EU law, any Cypriot holding a Republic of Cyprus passport enjoys equal rights of free movement in the EU, whether they are Greek or Turkish Cypriot origin. In line with the wider international community (except Turkey), the UK does not recognise the self-declared “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” as an independent state. Several UN Security Council Resolutions and other multilateral agreements also limit links between UK and the north. Our departure from the European Union does not alter our obligations in respect of such agreements. We continue to believe that a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus is the best means of resolving the difficulties caused by partition of the island.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 19/03/2018 17:55:13 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	648 label Biography information for Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

855425

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	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	Natalia Estemirova
	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 Russia about the need to ensure that those responsible for the death of human rights defender, Natalia Estemirova, are held to account.
	tabling member printed	Lord Judd
	uin	HL6031
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2018 answer text <p>Impunity for attacks on journalists in Russia remains deeply concerning. We continue to urge the Russian authorities to fully investigate these cases, including the unsolved murder of Natalia Estemirova, and ensure the safety of all activists and journalists. I expressed my condolences to Lana Estemirova, Natalia's daughter, when I met her on 21 February and made clear that the British Government will continue to support Russian civil society and the brave work of human rights defenders</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 19/03/2018 17:57:09 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd

855424

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	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	Oyub Titiev
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to pursue the issue of the detention and prosecution of Oyub Titiev, Director of the Memorial Human Rights Centre, in Chechnya; and whether they intend to call for his immediate release.
	tabling member printed	Lord Judd
	uin	HL6030
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2018 answer text <p>​We remain concerned by the continued detention of Oyub Titiev. The Foreign Secretary expressed our concerns on 11 January, and the Minister for Europe and the Americas issued a statement on 18 January calling for the authorities to ensure Mr Titiev's safety and his right to a fair trial. Together with our partners, we will continue to reiterate this message to the Russian authorities. I made this assurance to representatives from the Russian non-governmental organisation Memorial when I met them on 21 February.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 19/03/2018 14:53:09 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd

855423

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	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	Chechnya: Human Rights
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they have taken to support organisations working to provide access to justice for victims of human rights violations in Chechnya.
	tabling member printed	Lord Judd
	uin	HL6029
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2018 answer text <p>​We are providing financial and moral support to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society across Russia at a time when they are facing growing pressure. We currently provide funding to a number of NGOs working to counter violent extremism and promote human rights and the rule of law in the North Caucasus.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 19/03/2018 14:52:28 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd

855422

	registered interest
	date	05/03/2018
	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	Chechnya: Human Rights
	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 governments of (1) Russia, and (2) Chechnya, about the use of the collective punishment in response to crimes allegedly committed by individuals.
	tabling member printed	Lord Judd
	uin	HL6028
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2018 answer text <p>We continue to have significant concerns about the use of collective punishment in Chechnya, including the burning down of houses of the relatives of suspected militants. We encourage Russia to implement European Court of Human Rights judgments relating to the North Caucasus – a vital step to ending the climate of impunity in the region. The UK will continue to call for action on individual cases in multilateral fora, such as the Council of Europe.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 19/03/2018 15:03:49 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd