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1172566

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
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	Kurds: Foreign Relations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what projects are in place under the reform partnership between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the UK; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	6647
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/01/2020 answer text <p>​The UK continues to enjoy a close relationship with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq and to support economic and security reform. I reiterated our commitment to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq when I spoke to KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on 8 January, and these messages were reaffirmed by the British Ambassador to Iraq when he met the political leadership of the Kurdistan Region on 16 January. As part of this support, we have contributed £16 million to a World Bank Trust Fund which can provide technical assistance to both the Government of Iraq and the KRG to deliver economic reforms. We are also supporting reform of the Kurdish Peshmerga reform including through a British Army officer based in Erbil.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison grouped question UIN 6648 question first answered 30/01/2020 11:49:42 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1172567

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
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	Kurds: Foreign Relations
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 effectiveness of the reform partnership between the UK and the Kurdistan Regional Government; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	6648
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/01/2020 answer text <p>​The UK continues to enjoy a close relationship with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq and to support economic and security reform. I reiterated our commitment to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq when I spoke to KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on 8 January, and these messages were reaffirmed by the British Ambassador to Iraq when he met the political leadership of the Kurdistan Region on 16 January. As part of this support, we have contributed £16 million to a World Bank Trust Fund which can provide technical assistance to both the Government of Iraq and the KRG to deliver economic reforms. We are also supporting reform of the Kurdish Peshmerga reform including through a British Army officer based in Erbil.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison grouped question UIN 6647 question first answered 30/01/2020 11:49:42 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1172568

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
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	Iraq: Kurds
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 diplomatic steps his Department has taken to support peace and stability in (a) Iraq and (b) the Kurdistan region; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	6649
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/01/2020 answer text <p>​The UK is working actively to support continued peace, stability and democracy in Iraq following recent events. Since early January Ministers have engaged closely with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), including Iraqi President Salih, Iraqi Prime Minister Abdul-Mehdi, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hakim and KRG Prime Minister Barzani. In his conversation with his Iraqi counterpart on 6 January, the Prime Minister reaffirmed our strong support for Iraq's sovereignty and security. We have also reiterated the continued importance of the Global Coalition's role in supporting the Iraqi security forces including the Kurdish Peshmerga to prevent any resurgence of Daesh. The UK continues its support for the consolidation of democracy in Iraq including the Kurdistan Region. In light of ongoing protests in Iraq, we have encouraged political dialogue and emphasised the need to respect the right to peaceful protest.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 30/01/2020 11:51:52 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1172569

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
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	Iraq: Kurds
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 has taken to support the development of democracy in (a) Iraq and (b) the Kurdistan Region in that country; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	6650
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/01/2020 answer text <p>​The UK is working actively to support continued peace, stability and democracy in Iraq following recent events. Since early January Ministers have engaged closely with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), including Iraqi President Salih, Iraqi Prime Minister Abdul-Mehdi, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hakim and KRG Prime Minister Barzani. In his conversation with his Iraqi counterpart on 6 January, the Prime Minister reaffirmed our strong support for Iraq's sovereignty and security. We have also reiterated the continued importance of the Global Coalition's role in supporting the Iraqi security forces including the Kurdish Peshmerga to prevent any resurgence of Daesh. The UK continues its support for the consolidation of democracy in Iraq including the Kurdistan Region. In light of ongoing protests in Iraq, we have encouraged political dialogue and emphasised the need to respect the right to peaceful protest.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 30/01/2020 11:54:25 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1172570

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Business: Iraq
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what information she holds on the number of UK-based businesses operating in the Kurdistan Region in Iraq; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	6651
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>We do not hold information on UK-based businesses operating in the Kurdistan Region in Iraq. Advice for businesses wishing to do business in Iraq, including the Kurdistan region, is available on Gov.uk.</p> answering member constituency Stratford-on-Avon answering member printed Nadhim Zahawi question first answered 29/01/2020 16:05:38 answering member 4113 label Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1172571

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Kurds: Military Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Peshmerga soldiers were mentored by the UK in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	6652
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>In conjunction with Coalition partners, the UK has delivered training to 2,273 members of Kurdish security forces in 2019, as part of our long-term commitment to the defeat of Daesh.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 29/01/2020 15:01:07 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1172572

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Iraq
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of people from the Kurdistan Region in Iraq were refused an entry visa to the UK in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	6653
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office does not publish the information requested. Available information on entry clearance visa applications can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-year-ending-september-2019" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-year-ending-september-2019</a>.</p><p>Our commercial partner, TLS Contact, operates the User Pay application point in Erbil which operates five days a week (Sundays to Thursdays) between 0900 and 1600 and offers 42 appointment slots each day. The operating frequency of our outsourced operations are dictated by demand.</p><p>The UK keeps its visa system under regular review. Decisions on changes are always taken in the round and reflect key facets of the bilateral relationship with the country concerned. These will vary globally, but often include security, compliance, returns, reciprocal arrangements for UK nationals, logistics and prosperity.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster grouped question UIN 6654 question first answered 03/02/2020 17:42:02 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1172573

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Iraq
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to improve the visa application system in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	6654
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office does not publish the information requested. Available information on entry clearance visa applications can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-year-ending-september-2019" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-year-ending-september-2019</a>.</p><p>Our commercial partner, TLS Contact, operates the User Pay application point in Erbil which operates five days a week (Sundays to Thursdays) between 0900 and 1600 and offers 42 appointment slots each day. The operating frequency of our outsourced operations are dictated by demand.</p><p>The UK keeps its visa system under regular review. Decisions on changes are always taken in the round and reflect key facets of the bilateral relationship with the country concerned. These will vary globally, but often include security, compliance, returns, reciprocal arrangements for UK nationals, logistics and prosperity.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster grouped question UIN 6653 question first answered 03/02/2020 17:42:02 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1172574

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Iraq: Humanitarian Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much and what proportion of UK funding for the Iraq Humanitarian Fund is allocated to projects in the Kurdistan Region; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	6655
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>The UK has committed approximately £94 million to the Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund since 2015. In 2018, the UK contributed £13 million to the Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund. That year, the Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund allocated $3.2 million to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq of a total of $36.6 million (including other donor funding). This equates to roughly 9% of Pooled Fund allocations to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.</p><p>DFID has committed £261m in humanitarian support to Iraq since 2014, providing a vital lifeline to millions with shelter, medical care and clean water.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 29/01/2020 16:16:57 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1172575

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
answering body	Department for International Trade
answering dept id	202
answering dept short name	International Trade
answering dept sort name	International Trade
hansard heading	Trade Promotion: Iraq
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent steps her Department has taken to promote bilateral trade between (a) the UK and Iraq and (b) the UK and the Kurdistan Region; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	6656
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2020 answer text <p>Total trade between the UK and Iraq was £720m for the four quarters ending Q3 2019. This represents a 45% increase (£246m) over the previous year.</p><p> </p><p>Our efforts to increase trade with Iraq are on-going. Recent initiatives include Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner’s participation at the Iraq Britain Business Council Conference, a trade visit to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq by the Department for International Trade’s Iraq Director, our Consul-General in Erbil briefing locally based British businesses and the doubling of UK Export Finance’s market cover from £1bn to £2bn in April 2019.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth West answering member printed Conor Burns question first answered 27/01/2020 12:54:25 answering member 3922 label Biography information for Sir Conor Burns
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon