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1194781

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Veterans: Health
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What assessment he has made of the effect on veteran welfare of closing the Veterans UK Helpline.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	902481
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2020 answer text <p>The Veterans UK helpline has not been closed.</p><p> </p><p>The COVID-19 situation has necessitated the delivery of services differently and veterans can still submit written enquiries in the normal manner via email. Call backs and referral to the Veterans Welfare Service are provided where urgent or vulnerable callers are identified.</p> answering member constituency Plymouth, Moor View answering member printed Johnny Mercer question first answered 12/05/2020 13:43:35 answering member 4485 label Biography information for Johnny Mercer
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1192786

registered interest
date	04/05/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Foster Care
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many individuals in foster care are in contact with their birth family.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	42975
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/05/2020 answer text <p>The information requested on the number of children in foster care who are in contact with their birth family is not held centrally.</p><p>We expect that contact between children in care and their birth relatives will continue during the COVID-19 outbreak. It is essential for children and families to remain in touch at this difficult time.</p><p>Operational guidance published by the department sets out the expectation that contact arrangements are assessed on a case by case basis taking into account a range of factors including the government’s social distancing guidance and the needs of the child. It may not be possible, or appropriate, for the usual face-to-face contact to happen at this time and keeping in touch may need to take place virtually. We expect the spirit of any contact orders made in relation to children in care to be maintained and will look to social workers to determine how best to support those valuable family interactions based on the circumstances of each case.</p><p>The operational guidance is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-childrens-social-care-services/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-local-authorities-on-childrens-social-care" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-childrens-social-care-services/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-local-authorities-on-childrens-social-care</a>.</p><p>Social distancing guidance is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford grouped question UIN 42976 question first answered 11/05/2020 16:10:34 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1192787

registered interest
date	04/05/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Adoption and Foster Care
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps he has taken to ensure that contact arrangements between (a) foster children and (b) adopted children and their birth families are maintained.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	42976
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/05/2020 answer text <p>The information requested on the number of children in foster care who are in contact with their birth family is not held centrally.</p><p>We expect that contact between children in care and their birth relatives will continue during the COVID-19 outbreak. It is essential for children and families to remain in touch at this difficult time.</p><p>Operational guidance published by the department sets out the expectation that contact arrangements are assessed on a case by case basis taking into account a range of factors including the government’s social distancing guidance and the needs of the child. It may not be possible, or appropriate, for the usual face-to-face contact to happen at this time and keeping in touch may need to take place virtually. We expect the spirit of any contact orders made in relation to children in care to be maintained and will look to social workers to determine how best to support those valuable family interactions based on the circumstances of each case.</p><p>The operational guidance is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-childrens-social-care-services/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-local-authorities-on-childrens-social-care" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-childrens-social-care-services/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-local-authorities-on-childrens-social-care</a>.</p><p>Social distancing guidance is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford grouped question UIN 42975 question first answered 11/05/2020 16:10:34 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1186987

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Nurseries: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to support private nurseries that are facing a loss of revenue as a result of restrictions implemented during the covid-19 outbreak to maintain places.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	33477
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/04/2020 answer text <p>The government has set out specific measures to support childcare providers, including:</p><ul><li>Funding for the government’s early years entitlements will continue being paid to local authorities</li><li>Nurseries being among the businesses eligible for a business rates holiday for one year from 1 April</li></ul><p> </p><p>Childcare providers will also benefit from the wider measures the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced to support the people and businesses of the UK:</p><ul><li>A three-point plan announced in the Budget providing £12 billion of support for public services, individuals and businesses whose finances are affected by the outbreak</li><li>A package to provide additional support for businesses and individuals totalling £350 billion</li><li>The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms continue to keep people in employment. This means that businesses can put workers on temporary leave and the government will pay them cash grants of 80% of their wages up to a cap of £2,500, providing they keep the worker employed</li><li>The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme to enable those eligible to receive a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years.</li></ul><p> </p><p>More details on the support available are included in the latest guidance for early years settings, which can be found here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures</a></p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care</a>.</p><p>We continue to work closely with the early years sector and remain committed to doing all we can to support childcare providers through this uncertain period. We will publish further guidance where appropriate.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 21/04/2020 16:04:21 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1187009

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
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	Libya: Arms Trade
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the transport of aviation fuel into Libya by Gulf Petroleum to forces allied to Khalifa Hiftar, what plans the Government has to (a) take legal action and (b) impose sanctions against companies found in violation of the arms embargo in Libya.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	33478
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2020 answer text <p>The UK is aware of allegations that aviation fuel was illicitly imported into Libya. The UK takes very seriously any reports of breaches of the UN Arms Embargo, which include imports of products such as aviation fuel destined for military use. These will be considered by the UN Sanctions Committee, which can decide to designate individuals or entities who undermine Libya's peace and security. The UK takes action against all individuals and entities so designated.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 31/03/2020 14:36:33 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1187010

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
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	United Arab Emirates: World Expo
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 his overseas counterparts on removing host status of the 2020 Expo from the United Arab Emirates following that country's continued violation of the arms embargo to Libya.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	33479
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2020 answer text <p>We have been clear that external involvement in the Libya conflict is undermining UN efforts to end the fighting and bring the parties back to the negotiating table. We take very seriously all reports of violations of the UN arms embargo. The UK and the United Arab Emirates were amongst the participants in the 19 January Berlin conference on Libya, the conclusions of which were endorsed in UN Security Council Resolution 2510. This demanded that all UN Member States do not to intervene in the conflict, and fully comply with the UN arms embargo. We continue to make clear to all of the participants in the Berlin Conference that we expect them to live up to the commitments and support the UN political process.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 31/03/2020 14:41:41 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1187011

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
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	Libya: Oil
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 ensure Khalifa Hiftar, commander of the Libyan National Army, is unable to illegally sell oil to international markets.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	33480
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2020 answer text <p>The Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation is the sole Libyan oil company with the authority to export Libyan oil. The UK condemns any attempts illicitly to export oil from Libya. In February, the UK led work to agree Security Council Resolution 2509 which extended the authorisations and measures imposed by Resolution 2146 relating to illicit oil exports. The resolutions enable the Sanctions Committee to designate vessels undertaking illicit oil exports and member states to interdict vessels so designated.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 31/03/2020 14:35:13 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1187012

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
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	Libya: 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 steps the Government is taking to ensure continued support for the internationally recognised Government of National Accord in Libya.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	33481
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2020 answer text <p>The UK continues to support the Government of National Accord as the UN-endorsed government in Libya, and remains active in efforts to end the current fighting and to support a return to UN-led political talks. This month, I met separately with Libyan Prime Minister Serraj and with Interior Minister Bashaga. Ministers are also in regular contact on Libya with their European partners. The Prime Minister represented the UK at the Berlin Conference on Libya on 19 January, alongside other European and international leaders, and urged those present to respect the UN Arms Embargo and support a ceasefire. The conclusions of the Berlin Conference were endorsed by UK-drafted UN Security Council resolution 2510 (2020). In February, I attended the first meeting of the International Follow Up Committee to the Berlin Conference, in Munich.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly grouped question UIN 33482 question first answered 31/03/2020 14:38:59 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1187013

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
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	Libya: 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 discussions he has had with his European counterparts on continued support for the internationally recognised Government of National Accord in Libya.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	33482
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2020 answer text <p>The UK continues to support the Government of National Accord as the UN-endorsed government in Libya, and remains active in efforts to end the current fighting and to support a return to UN-led political talks. This month, I met separately with Libyan Prime Minister Serraj and with Interior Minister Bashaga. Ministers are also in regular contact on Libya with their European partners. The Prime Minister represented the UK at the Berlin Conference on Libya on 19 January, alongside other European and international leaders, and urged those present to respect the UN Arms Embargo and support a ceasefire. The conclusions of the Berlin Conference were endorsed by UK-drafted UN Security Council resolution 2510 (2020). In February, I attended the first meeting of the International Follow Up Committee to the Berlin Conference, in Munich.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly grouped question UIN 33481 question first answered 31/03/2020 14:38:59 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1187014

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
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	Saudi Arabia: Arrests
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 his Saudi Arabian counterpart on the recent arrests of (a) over 300 Government officials, (b) Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and (c) Prince Mohammed bin Nayef.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	33483
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2020 answer text <p>We will continue to monitor the cases of those detained in Saudi Arabia. We raise concerns about individual cases regularly, using a range of Ministerial and diplomatic channels, including our Embassy in Riyadh.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 31/03/2020 14:40:09 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma