To ask Her Majesty's Government whether ministerial approval was given before Home
Office officials met with the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) to discuss the possibility
of Home Office re-engagement; if so, which minister approved that meeting; and what
were the names of the MCB members whom officials met.
<p>Through its work to tackle and challenge extremism and prevent people from becoming
radicalised, the Government meets with a wide range of organisations in order to safeguard
individuals, families and communities from the harmful impacts of extremism and radicalisation.
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 performance of the DPP is reviewed on a regular basis and the Attorney General
has regular meetings with the DPP about the work of the Crown Prosecution Service.
The Crown Prosecution Service is also regularly inspected by HM Crown Prosecution
Service Inspectorate which includes looking at performance within each area and on
a national level for thematic reports.</p>
To ask Her Majesty's Government, in determining the amount of aid for Pakistan in
2018–19 of £345 million, what consideration, if any, was given to (1) the reported
assistance given to the Afghan Taliban by that country's Inter-Services Intelligence
Agency, (2) the amount spent on nuclear weapons per annum by that country, (3) the
amount per annum spent on defence, (4) Pakistan's rating by Transparency International,
(5) the use of the death penalty there, and the number of prisoners awaiting execution,
(6) the number of juveniles sentenced to death, (7) recent death sentences for blasphemy,
(8) the practice and legal status of female genital mutilation, (9) the intimidation
of journalists who criticise Pakistan's military, and (10) the 2016 Amnesty International
report listing Pakistan in the top ten worst countries in the world for human rights
abuses.
<p>Helping to ensure a prosperous and stable Pakistan is critical for the future of
millions of poor Pakistanis, and the stability and security of both the region and
the UK. The UK is helping Pakistan improve its basic services, reduce poverty, and
promote equality. Our funding helps strengthen institutions, develop markets and build
systems for a self-sufficient and better governed country. DFID’s work supports wider
UK objectives by helping to reduce threats to the UK which may emanate from Pakistan
linked to extremism, illegal migration and foreign national offenders in the UK of
Pakistan origin.</p><p> </p><p>Our aid relationship with any government is based on
an assessment of commitment to our Partnership Principles, including to promote and
safeguard human rights. We no longer provide General Budget Support to Pakistan. Instead,
where it is effective and efficient to work through government systems, we direct
our support towards specific areas such as health and education sectors. UK aid programmes
which provide funding through the Government only proceed when the Government of Pakistan
provides most of the funds itself, commits to increase its own spending, and delivers
results; and when we know UK aid is protected from corruption. DFID and the FCO continue
to raise the issue of human rights of minorities at the highest levels of Government.
No UK aid funds nuclear programmes in Pakistan, either directly or indirectly. It
is the long-standing policy of the Government not to comment on matters relating to
intelligence or national security and we are not aware of any reliable data that is
available on Pakistan’s nuclear programme expenditure.</p>
