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100014

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	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	European Commission
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the commitment made by Lord Hill of Oareford to the European Parliament that he would put the interests of the European Union above those of the City of London.
	tabling member printed	Lord Stoddart of Swindon
	uin	HL2229
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>As Lord Hill made clear during his hearing before the European Parliament, a strong UK financial services sector is in the interests not just of the City of London, and of the UK, but of the EU as a whole.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 03/11/2014 14:52:54 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	950 label Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon

100016

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	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	European Commission
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government under what articles in the Treaties of the European Union the European Parliament has the power to reject the candidatures of European Commissioners nominated by member states.
	tabling member printed	Lord Stoddart of Swindon
	uin	HL2231
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>Article 17 (7) sub-paragraph three of the Treaty on European Union states that the Commission as a body is subject to a vote of consent by the European Parliament, and subsequently appointed by the European Council.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 03/11/2014 14:53:19 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	950 label Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon

100017

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	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	European Parliament
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the amount of subsidy paid to each of the European Parliament’s political groups annually.
	tabling member printed	Lord Stoddart of Swindon
	uin	HL2232
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>The annual accounts for all groups are available on the European Parliament (EP) website. The last year for which figures are available is 2013:</p><p>European People’s Party: €21,680,180</p><p>Progressive Alliance of Socialists &amp; Democrats (S&amp;D): €15,387,789.85</p><p>Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE): €6,718,994.35</p><p>Greens/EFA: €4,365,639.83</p><p>GUE/NGL: €2,657,578.33</p><p>European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR): €4,046,038.85</p><p>Europe of Freedom and Democracy (EFD): €2,614,225.43</p><p>Non -Attached: €1,315,501</p><p>Link to accounts on EP website: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/groups/accounts_en.htm</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 04/11/2014 12:32:15 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	950 label Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon

1000221

	registered interest
	date	02/11/2018
	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	Jeremy Corbyn
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for democracy in the UK of the US imposing sanctions on the official leader of the UK opposition.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	187325
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>As far as we are aware no US sanctions are being considered against the Leader of the Opposition.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 12/11/2018 14:46:40 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1000249

	registered interest
	date	02/11/2018
	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	Jair Bolsonaro
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the safety implications for (a) women, (b) LGBTQ and (c) black and minority ethnic people visiting Brazil of the election of Jair Bolsonaro.
	tabling member constituency	West Ham
	tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
	uin	187329
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>In our assessment, the election of Jair Bolsonaro has not changed the safety of women, LGBTQ, and black and minority ethnic people visiting Brazil. We advise all people planning to visit Brazil to consult FCO travel advice. We keep our travel advice under constant review and make regular updates to ensure it provides an up-to-date assessment of risks and other issues which may affect British Nationals.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 12/11/2018 12:09:31 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

1000250

	registered interest
	date	02/11/2018
	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	Jair Bolsonaro
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of potential risks to (a) democratic institutions, (b) the rule of law, (c) freedom of the press and (d) human rights in Brazil as a result of the election of Jair Bolsonaro as that country’s President.
	tabling member constituency	West Ham
	tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
	uin	187330
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>Brazil is Latin America's largest democracy. It has strong institutions to guarantee the rule of law, freedom of the press and human rights with the clear separation of powers protected by the constitution. This has not been changed by the election of Jair Bolsonaro. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 12/11/2018 12:19:02 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

1000251

	registered interest
	date	02/11/2018
	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	Brazil: Israel
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the plans of the President-Elect of Brazil to move that country's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on the UK foreign policy objective of achieving a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians.
	tabling member constituency	West Ham
	tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
	uin	187331
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>We assess that moving the Brazilian embassy to Jerusalem before a final status agreement would not help peace in the region. Our position on the status of Jerusalem is clear and long-standing: it should be determined in a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and Jerusalem should ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 12/11/2018 15:59:08 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

1000271

	registered interest
	date	02/11/2018
	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	Armed Conflict: Sexual Offences
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much money his Department has allocated to tackle sexual violence in conflict since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	187340
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>The Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) was launched in 2012; we do not hold distinct data on tackling sexual violence in conflict from before that date. From the financial year 2012/13 to the financial year 2017/18, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office spent approximately £42.67 million on preventing sexual violence in conflict. In the current financial year, we have allocated approximately £3.38 million to tackling sexual violence in conflict.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 12/11/2018 09:39:54 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1000272

	registered interest
	date	02/11/2018
	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	Armed Conflict: Sexual Offences
	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 tackle conflict-related sexual violence.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	187341
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>Since launching the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) in 2012, the UK has continued to lead global efforts to end the horror of sexual violence in conflict, and we have committed over £44 million in UK funding across 26 countries. The Ministry of Defence has trained 17,000 000 national and international police and military personnel, including peacekeepers, on sexual and gender-based violence issues, including in Kenya, Nigeria, DRC, Malawi and Iraq. The UK’s PSVI Team of Experts has been deployed over 90 times, to build the capacity of partner governments, the UN and NGOs. We have launched the first and second editions of the International Protocol on the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict, and employed the Protocol to build the capacity of governments, judiciary, police, military and civil society to gather evidence of sexual violence in conflict and strengthen prosecutions. It has also been used by many NGOs and international organisations such as the ICC and UN OHCHR. To help tackle the stigma of sexual violence, we launched the ‘Principles for Global Action: preventing and addressing stigma associated with conflict-related sexual violence’ at the UN General Assembly in September 2017. These principles have been used by organisations including the UN, for example as part of the Stigma Alleviation Program in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The UK will host a PSVI International Conference in November 2019 to galvanise the world into further action, and demonstrate the UK’s continued global leadership on tackling sexual violence in conflict.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 12/11/2018 09:46:00 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1000276

	registered interest
	date	02/11/2018
	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	Antarctic: Marine Protected Areas
	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 securing support for a Marine Protected Area in the Weddell Sea.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	187344
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>The UK remains fully committed to conserving the marine environment around Antarctica, in line with the objectives of the Antarctic Treaty and the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). We have been working hard with our international partners to establish a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and gain agreement for MPAs in East Antarctica, the Weddell Sea and around the Antarctic Peninsula. It is not in our gift to implement the MPA unilaterally. It is subject to an international treaty. At the recent CCAMLR annual meeting, which concluded on 2 November 2018, these proposals were rejected by Russia and China. We remain committed to working with all CCAMLR Members to seek consensus at next year's meeting.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 12/11/2018 12:16:33 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1000280

	registered interest
	date	02/11/2018
	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	Marine Protected Areas
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, (a) how much and (b) what proportion of the UK's maritime estate including the Overseas Territories is planned to be covered by a blue belt of marine protected areas by 2022.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	187346
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>The UK Government is committed to creating a Blue Belt around the UK and its Overseas Territories, subject to local support and environmental need.</p><p>Over 3 million square kilometres of British waters have already been protected. The Blue Belt Programme, which runs from 2016 to 2020, will ensure that that over 4 million square kilometres are designated by 2020. This means that 60% of British waters will be protected and managed by 2020.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 12/11/2018 15:57:00 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1000282

	registered interest
	date	02/11/2018
	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	Foreign and Commonwealth Office: United Arab Emirates
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 1 November to Question 183261 on United Arab Emirates: Official Visits, whether a (a) private secretary and (b) Embassy official was present at any meetings he had with Ministers or officials from overseas governments.
	tabling member constituency	Hemsworth
	tabling member printed	Jon Trickett
	uin	187300
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>When attending the Sir Bani Yas Forum in United Arab Emirates in 2017, I was accompanied by a private secretary.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 12/11/2018 15:57:13 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	410 label Biography information for Jon Trickett

100032

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	Syria
	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 Turkey over the Syrian Kurds currently detained by them at Suruc and who do not wish to be returned to Kobane.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL2238
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text Reports from Kobane continue to be deeply concerning. We have not made representations about these specific allegations, but we maintain a close dialogue with Turkey on the evolving crisis in the region. We applaud Turkey’s generosity in hosting over 170,000 refugees that have fled the fighting in Kobane in recent weeks, in addition to the 1.4 million refugees already in Turkey. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 04/11/2014 17:55:10 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

100040

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	European Union
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that when they wish to repatriate powers from the European Union they can do so without contravening European law.
	tabling member printed	Lord Stoddart of Swindon
	uin	HL2246
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The Government is committed to reforming the EU to the benefit of all Member States, to make it more competitive, democratically accountable and fair for those inside and outside the Eurozone. Political parties have set out their position on the question of the appropriate exercise of competence in the EU. The Government’s policy is clear: we need an EU where decisions are taken at the right level, with issues best left to member states decided at the national level. We have already shown that such reform is possible: cutting the EU budget; ending the UK’s bailout obligations; cutting red tape in line with Business Taskforce recommendations; ensuring our fish stocks are managed regionally rather than centrally, agreeing three major Trade Agreements and launching trade talks with the US.</p><p>Support for EU reform is growing: this summer, the President-elect of the European Commission committed to explore improving the interaction between the Commission and national parliaments, which he recognised have a key role to play in enforcing the principle of subsidiarity; to completing the internal market in products and services; to creating the right regulatory environment and promoting a climate of entrepreneurship and job creation; and to working for a deal that “accepts the specificities of the UK in the EU, while allowing the Eurozone to integrate further.” The European Council also recognised the need for reform. It concluded in June that there was a need to protect the right to free movement from “misuse or fraudulent claims” and that “the concept of ever closer union allows for different paths of integration.”</p><p>The Government’s proposals for EU reform will continue to respect the UK’s obligations under the existing Treaties.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns grouped question UIN HL2247 HL2249 question first answered 03/11/2014 15:07:42 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	950 label Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon

100041

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	European Union
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to repatriate powers from the European Union; and if so, which powers.
	tabling member printed	Lord Stoddart of Swindon
	uin	HL2247
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The Government is committed to reforming the EU to the benefit of all Member States, to make it more competitive, democratically accountable and fair for those inside and outside the Eurozone. Political parties have set out their position on the question of the appropriate exercise of competence in the EU. The Government’s policy is clear: we need an EU where decisions are taken at the right level, with issues best left to member states decided at the national level. We have already shown that such reform is possible: cutting the EU budget; ending the UK’s bailout obligations; cutting red tape in line with Business Taskforce recommendations; ensuring our fish stocks are managed regionally rather than centrally, agreeing three major Trade Agreements and launching trade talks with the US.</p><p>Support for EU reform is growing: this summer, the President-elect of the European Commission committed to explore improving the interaction between the Commission and national parliaments, which he recognised have a key role to play in enforcing the principle of subsidiarity; to completing the internal market in products and services; to creating the right regulatory environment and promoting a climate of entrepreneurship and job creation; and to working for a deal that “accepts the specificities of the UK in the EU, while allowing the Eurozone to integrate further.” The European Council also recognised the need for reform. It concluded in June that there was a need to protect the right to free movement from “misuse or fraudulent claims” and that “the concept of ever closer union allows for different paths of integration.”</p><p>The Government’s proposals for EU reform will continue to respect the UK’s obligations under the existing Treaties.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns grouped question UIN HL2246 HL2249 question first answered 03/11/2014 15:07:43 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	950 label Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon

100043

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	European Union
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of recent comments by Mr José Manuel Barroso, they will publish details of what powers they consider can be repatriated from the European Union to the United Kingdom which would not be illegal under the existing treaties.
	tabling member printed	Lord Stoddart of Swindon
	uin	HL2249
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The Government is committed to reforming the EU to the benefit of all Member States, to make it more competitive, democratically accountable and fair for those inside and outside the Eurozone. Political parties have set out their position on the question of the appropriate exercise of competence in the EU. The Government’s policy is clear: we need an EU where decisions are taken at the right level, with issues best left to member states decided at the national level. We have already shown that such reform is possible: cutting the EU budget; ending the UK’s bailout obligations; cutting red tape in line with Business Taskforce recommendations; ensuring our fish stocks are managed regionally rather than centrally, agreeing three major Trade Agreements and launching trade talks with the US.</p><p>Support for EU reform is growing: this summer, the President-elect of the European Commission committed to explore improving the interaction between the Commission and national parliaments, which he recognised have a key role to play in enforcing the principle of subsidiarity; to completing the internal market in products and services; to creating the right regulatory environment and promoting a climate of entrepreneurship and job creation; and to working for a deal that “accepts the specificities of the UK in the EU, while allowing the Eurozone to integrate further.” The European Council also recognised the need for reform. It concluded in June that there was a need to protect the right to free movement from “misuse or fraudulent claims” and that “the concept of ever closer union allows for different paths of integration.”</p><p>The Government’s proposals for EU reform will continue to respect the UK’s obligations under the existing Treaties.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns grouped question UIN HL2246 HL2247 question first answered 03/11/2014 15:07:43 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	950 label Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon

100050

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	EU Enlargement
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the process of accession of further countries from the former Yugoslavia to the European Union, any steps are being taken to ensure that British citizens are compensated for any deprivation of property during the Tito era.
	tabling member printed	Lord Ashcroft
	uin	HL2256
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The accession process of countries from the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the European Union does not involve steps specifically aimed at ensuring that British citizens are compensated for any deprivation of property during the Tito era. However the criteria for EU accession for candidate countries do include a requirement to implement measures to ensure that the rule of law is firmly embedded within the judicial and political system. This includes respect for private property, and we note that the European Commission has highlighted specifically the need for progress on restitution of property in its most recent annual enlargement Progress Reports on the Western Balkans countries published on 8 October. Furthermore, all Western Balkan countries have ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms, the First Protocol of which enshrines the principle of respect for private property. <br><br>Some Western Balkans countries have, in recent years, made progress on the restitution of private property. Serbia invited applications for restitution and received 75,000 of them. Montenegro and Albania have been slower to implement their legislation on restitution, as highlighted in successive annual country Progress Reports by the European Commission. In 2012, the Commission recognised progress regarding restitution of property in Macedonia seized under the former Yugoslav Communist regime, despite administrative and judicial delays. In May, Albania (which was not part of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) submitted an action plan to the Council of Europe, aiming to create, by June 2015, an effective mechanism to enforce decisions on restitution of, or compensation for, property nationalised during the Communist regime. The Kosovo Property Claims Commission and Kosovo Property Agency continue to resolve outstanding private property disputes resulting from the 1998-99 armed conflict. Over 40,000 claims have been decided. Bosnia and Herzegovina has made no progress on restitution of private property in the last four years. Despite earlier attempts to enact a legal framework, there is none in place.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 03/11/2014 15:09:31 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	2568 label Biography information for Lord Ashcroft

100069

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	Eurasian Economic Union
	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 likely political and economic impact of the Eurasian Economic Union being launched on 1 January 2015.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Suttie
	uin	HL2275
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>The UK and EU continue to engage directly with the individual countries that form the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Not all members have devolved the relevant trade competences to the Union and not all are World Trade Organisation members. This creates incompatibilities in EU-EEU negotiations that can only be addressed with the individual EEU member states.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 04/11/2014 17:17:53 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4298 label Biography information for Baroness Suttie

100077

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2014
	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	Pakistan
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the position of Ms Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of four sentenced to death in Lahore under Pakistan's blasphemy laws; and whether they intend to make representations to the government of Pakistan.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL2283
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text We are concerned to hear that a Pakistan court has upheld the imposition of the death penalty in the case of Asia Bibi. We support the EU's recent statement of concern and hope that the verdict will be overturned on appeal. We regularly raise at the highest levels the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan both against Muslims and against religious minorities. We have consistently pressed the Government of Pakistan on the issue of the death penalty and expressed our principled opposition to it in all cases. We will continue to raise these issues. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 04/11/2014 17:14:45 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

1001941

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2018
	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	Iran: Nuclear Power
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the sustainability of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	187993
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>We believe the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) remains the best way of preventing a nuclear-armed Iran and we are determined to see it maintained for as long as Iran complies with it. The deal is a critical agreement that makes the world a safer place and it is working; Iran remains constrained by the strict nuclear limits in the deal and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) retains unprecedented access to monitor and verify Iran's activities. IAEA reports continue to confirm that Iran is adhering to the nuclear limits in the JCPoA.</p><p>As set out in my Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament on Monday 5 November, we have been clear with the US about our determination to preserve the JCPoA, and the fact that this is driven by our national security interests. The UK is working with France and Germany on a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to enable continued sanctions relief to reach Iran, and to allow for European exporters and importers to trade in compliance with EU and UN sanctions.</p><p>In parallel to our work with partners to maintain the JCPoA, we continue to take steps with our partners against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps destabilising behaviour across the region and to hold Iran to account on human rights, including its treatment of British-Iranians detained in Iran.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 12/11/2018 16:00:39 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1001942

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2018
	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	Nigeria: 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 recent assessment he has made of the security situation in the north of Nigeria; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	187994
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>We are deeply concerned by the ongoing ‎violence across Nigeria and the devastating impact it has had on affected communities. It is essential that both the Federal and State Governments in Nigeria address the drivers of conflict by working to develop solutions that meet the needs of all the communities affected. The UK and Nigeria have a security and defence partnership, signed during the Prime Minister's visit. We support the Nigerian authorities in improving security and in order to enable economic growth. The UK is also providing humanitarian and development aid to Nigeria, investing over £300 million over the next five years.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 12/11/2018 16:01:54 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1001943

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2018
	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	Cuba: USA
	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 discussions he has held with his counterparts in the US Administration on the US trade embargo of Cuba.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	187995
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>The UK position on this matter is long-standing and well-known to the US Administration. We believe it diminishes the prospect for positive change in Cuba and we consider it to be counter-productive and damaging, including to UK interests. It is right that the UK has again voted in support of the Cuban resolution at this year's UN General Assembly on 1 November.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 12/11/2018 12:17:35 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1002061

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2018
	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	USA: Mexico
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his US counterpart on President Trump’s proposed authorisation of the use of live fire against people throwing rocks at military personnel at the US border with Mexico.
	tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
	tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
	uin	188076
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>We have not made representations on this issue. It is the stated position of this Government that all countries have a responsibility to address migration issues in a humane, fair and effective way.</p><p>​</p><p> </p><p>​</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 12/11/2018 12:21:36 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

1002177

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2018
	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	Syria: Islamic State
	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 representatives of (a) the Syrian democratic forces and (b) his counterparts in neighbouring countries to Syria on the re-education and rehabilitation of Daesh indoctrinated children; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
	tabling member printed	Chris Stephens
	uin	188221
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>​I have had no discussions with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) representatives. The Global Coalition against Daesh, of which we are a member, works closely with the SDF in the ongoing fight against Daesh and engages with them on a number of related issues, including the situation of former Daesh fighters and their families, including children. As part of our significant humanitarian programme, the UK is expanding support for non-formal education activities in former Daesh-controlled areas in Northeast Syria, alongside psychosocial support for children affected by trauma. We remain committed to achieving justice for the victims of Daesh in Syria and Iraq.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt grouped question UIN 188222 question first answered 12/11/2018 16:05:38 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4463 label Biography information for Chris Stephens

1002178

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2018
	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	Syria: Islamic State
	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 representatives of the Syrian democratic forces on assistance in managing and rehabilitating former captives of Daesh who originate from countries other than Syria; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
	tabling member printed	Chris Stephens
	uin	188222
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>​I have had no discussions with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) representatives. The Global Coalition against Daesh, of which we are a member, works closely with the SDF in the ongoing fight against Daesh and engages with them on a number of related issues, including the situation of former Daesh fighters and their families, including children. As part of our significant humanitarian programme, the UK is expanding support for non-formal education activities in former Daesh-controlled areas in Northeast Syria, alongside psychosocial support for children affected by trauma. We remain committed to achieving justice for the victims of Daesh in Syria and Iraq.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt grouped question UIN 188221 question first answered 12/11/2018 16:05:38 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4463 label Biography information for Chris Stephens

1002179

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2018
	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	Syria: Military Intervention
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Turkish counterpart on reports of recent heavy weaponry attacks by that country on northern and eastern Syria; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
	tabling member printed	Chris Stephens
	uin	188223
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>​We have made clear our concern to Turkey regarding incidents of cross-border firing into areas of Syria under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces. We continue to engage closely with Turkey and other allies, including the US and EU partners, to achieve an outcome in northern Syria which respects Turkish security concerns while allowing for the successful completion of the counter-Daesh campaign.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 12/11/2018 11:50:42 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	4463 label Biography information for Chris Stephens

1002189

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2018
	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	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, what assessment he has made of the merits of strengthening the consolidated criteria for the sale of arms products by introducing an end use criteria post sale.
	tabling member constituency	Edinburgh South
	tabling member printed	Ian Murray
	uin	188228
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>The UK operates one of the most robust export licensing systems in the world. It considers whether the goods might be used in a way which is inconsistent with the Consolidated EU &amp; National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. We also retain powers to revoke licences, once issued, if circumstances or information available to us change. End user certificates are considered as part of the process already.</p><p>We believe that our existing system is robust and delivers a high level of assurance. The Government is always looking to see how it can improve its export controls and we are in contact with countries who carry out some limited end use checks to see if there is anything we can learn from their experience.</p><p>​</p><p>​</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 12/11/2018 11:54:56 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	3966 label Biography information for Ian Murray

1002700

	registered interest
	date	06/11/2018
	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	Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government’s priorities have been for the 51st session of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation, held in Vienna on 5 to 7 November 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
	tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
	uin	188771
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>The UK has always strongly supported the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO). Our goal is to see this Treaty enter into force and bring an end to nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosion. We used the Preparatory Committee to continue conversations on how to continue to best support the CTBTO. We continue to press for ratification by those countries who will bring the Treaty into force (Annex II countries). We continue to support the CTBTO's verification system, which is a unique and immensely important international asset. We have supported the 2019 Budget Update but have also called on all States Signatories in arrears of their assessed contributions to make payments to reduce their arrears as a matter of urgency. We continue to participate in and support both of the CTBTO's working groups.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 12/11/2018 12:08:29 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

1002746

	registered interest
	date	06/11/2018
	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	Venezuela: 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 representations his Department has made to the Government of Venezuela in respect of the killing of and assaults made against opposition politicians; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Warley
	tabling member printed	John Spellar
	uin	188713
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>As I stated in my Chatham House speech on 25 October, we are extremely concerned at the Venezuelan government's continued attacks on opposition politicians, a number of whom have been imprisoned, exiled or stripped of their political rights. The illegal detention of National Assembly MP Juan Requesens and the death of Fernando Alban whilst detained by the Venezuelan Intelligence Service are both particularly disturbing.</p><p>In October, our Ambassador met the Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Jorge Arreaza, and the Vice-Minister for Europe, Yvan Gil, and expressed our concerns. In London, the Head, Latin America Department, FCO, called in the Venezuelan Ambassador to express our concern about Mr Requessens and to urge the Venezuelan government to release all political prisoners.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 12/11/2018 12:24:35 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
	tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

100375

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2014
	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	Occupied Territories
	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 support proposals in the EU to take action against the Israeli government if it does not rescind the appropriation of 990 acres in Gush Etzion in the West Bank.
	tabling member constituency	Easington
	tabling member printed	Grahame M. Morris
	uin	211443
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2014 answer text <p>We are strongly opposed to any attempts to change the facts on the ground in the West Bank by increasing the number of settlers living there. Such acts raise tensions and undermine prospects for peace. During my visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories between 5-8 October, I discussed my strong concerns about the issue of settlements and land expropriation with the Israeli Justice Minister on 6 October. Discussions are continuing in Brussels on how the EU can best discourage settlement expansion, and the UK is working closely with other Member States to that end.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 17/12/2014 13:58:33 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	3973 label Biography information for Grahame Morris

100392

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2014
	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	Africa
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping efforts in Africa; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Harrow West
	tabling member printed	Mr Gareth Thomas
	uin	211510
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2014 answer text <p>In collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and Department for International Development, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office carries out regular assessments of United Nations peacekeeping missions. These assessments enable us to make recommendations for improvements and influences our negotiating position in the Security Council when drafting or renewing peacekeeping mandates. Nine out of the current sixteen United Nations peacekeeping missions are in Africa. All the missions in Africa face distinctive challenges as a result of the changing nature of the conflicts they are facing, the environment in which they operate or the capacity and capability of their personnel. Peacekeepers are likely to face violence, insurgency, terrorism and the absence of credible state authority. We welcome the announcement in June, by the United Nations Secretary General, of a review of United Nations peacekeeping. The UK will make an active contribution.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 17/12/2014 14:04:29 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	177 label Biography information for Gareth Thomas

100557

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2014
	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	Syria
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to propose to Parliament that the United Kingdom join the United States in air attacks on the Daesh besiegers of Kobani.
	tabling member printed	Lord Avebury
	uin	HL2294
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>Reports from Kobane continue to be deeply concerning and we are monitoring the situation closely. We strongly support the coalition airstrikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria by the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Jordan. As the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), has said, the Government will return to Parliament for a separate decision if we propose to take military action against ISIL in Syria. As the Prime Minister has made clear, if there were a critical British national interest at stake or there were the need to act to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe, we would act immediately and explain to Parliament afterwards.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 05/11/2014 15:45:27 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	1665 label Biography information for Lord Avebury

100570

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2014
	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	Pakistan
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made any assessment of the efforts of the Pakistan security services in clearing the tribal areas of that country of Tehrik-e-Taliban in Pakistan and Al-Qaeda terrorists.
	tabling member printed	Lord Ahmed
	uin	HL2307
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>The Government of Pakistan has been carrying out a counter-terrorism operation in the tribal area of North Waziristan since 15 June. Its stated objective is to remove all militant groups and dismantle terrorist infrastructure.</p><p>It is for the Government of Pakistan to determine how to tackle the prolonged and deadly insurgency they face. The UK supports Pakistan as it tackles terrorism and violent extremism, and we will stand together to tackle terrorism and the extremism that sustains it. We expect all concerned to act in accordance with international law and take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian casualties.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 05/11/2014 15:48:26 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	3470 label Biography information for Lord Ahmed

100574

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2014
	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	EU External Relations
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government by what date it is anticipated that all the stages of ratification of the Association Agreements between each of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia and the European Union and European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States will be completed.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bowness
	uin	HL2311
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The EU Association Agreements with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia must be ratified by all 28 Member States, the EU, the European Atomic Energy Community and Ukraine, Moldova or Georgia, as the case may be, in order to enter fully into force. Ukraine ratified its Association Agreement on 16 September, Moldova on 2 July and Georgia on 18 July 2014. <br><br>At EU level, the ratification procedure involves the European Parliament giving its consent to the conclusion of the Agreements and the Council adopting a decision concluding each Agreement. The European Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Association Agreement with Ukraine by the EU, acting on behalf of its Member States, on 16 September 2014, and is expected to give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreements with Georgia and Moldova by the end of the year. The conclusion of each Agreement by the European Commission, acting on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, was approved on 23 June 2014 in relation to the Ukraine Association Agreement, 16 June in relation to Georgia and 16 June in relation to Moldova. In addition, each Member State must go through its internal procedures for ratification. <br><br>The UK’s procedures leading to ratification are underway. The Ukraine Association Agreement was laid before Parliament under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 on 6 October 2014; the Georgia Association Agreement on 3 October 2014 and the Moldova Association Agreement on 10 October 2014.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 03/11/2014 15:17:54 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	3496 label Biography information for Lord Bowness

100605

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	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	Council of Europe
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will be represented at the forthcoming Council of Europe conference in Baku, Azerbaijan; and what representations they will make regarding the implementation of recent European Court of Human Rights decisions concerning Azerbaijan.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL2336
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The British Government takes all opportunities to raise its concerns about the lack of fundamental freedoms in Azerbaijan, including the implementation of judgments by the European Court of Human Rights, and does so at a range of levels on a regular basis. The UK will be represented at official level at Azerbaijan's forthcoming closing Council of Europe conference in Baku.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 03/11/2014 15:18:50 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

100606

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	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	Azerbaijan
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to send observers to the imminent trials in Azerbaijan of (1) Mr Arif and Ms Leyla Yunus of the Peace and Democracy Institute, (2) Mr Intigam Aliyev, and (3) Mr Rasul Jafarov; and whether they will propose that their trials are fully covered by European Union diplomats.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL2337
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>The British Government has publicly expressed its concern surrounding the arrests of Mr Arif and Ms Leyla Yunus and Mr Rasul Jafarav amongst others, and supports the EU statement of 14 August 2014 regarding the recent deterioration of the human rights situation in Azerbaijan. As has been the case in recent high profile trials, the British Government expects to make representation in coordination with its EU partners.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 05/11/2014 15:49:52 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

100608

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	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	Civil Servants: Languages
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many diplomatic staff and civil servants from each department or government agency have received or are receiving language training at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Language School.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL2339
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>Since the Language Centre opened on 19th September 2013 a total of 45 different languages have been studied there either full or part-time by 813 students. Of those students, 779 are Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff and 34 are from other government departments (OGDs) (including staff from the following departments: Ministry of Defence, Cabinet Office, the Department for Business, Innovation &amp; Skills, Home Office, Ministry of Justice, UK Trade and Investment, the Department for International Development, HM Revenue and Customs, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department of Energy and Climate Change, and the House of Commons). An additional 60 FCO staff have trained at the Institut Francais. Staff across the Civil Service can also access the FCO Language Centre library to continue to develop their own language skills outside formal study and 58 OGD staff have taken advantage of this offer so far. <br><br>It is important to note that when more appropriate, staff from OGDs also receive language training outside of the FCO Language Centre through use of the Civil Service-wide contract with Language Services Direct (the company that run the FCO Language Centre) or at the Institut Francais if French is required. Since September 2014, 113 OGD students have received language training on their own premises via the FCO contract. <br><br>The table below provides a breakdown of the languages that have been taught at the FCO Language Centre :<br><br>Albanian 2 <br>Arabic 186 <br>Azeri 1 <br>Bosnian 1 <br>Bulgarian 3 <br>Burmese 1 <br>Cambodian 1 <br>Czech 1 <br>Danish 2 <br>Dari 5 <br>Dutch 5 <br>Farsi 33 <br>Finnish 1 <br>French 14 <br>Georgian 1 <br>German 40 <br>Greek 4 <br>Hebrew 1 <br>Hindi 20 <br>Indonesian 4 <br>Italian 23 <br>Japanese 33 <br>Korean 8 <br>Macedonian 1 <br>Mandarin 93 <br>Norwegian 1 <br>Pashto 5 <br>Polish 3 <br>Portuguese 47 <br>Romanian 3 <br>Russian 84 <br>Serbian 3 <br>Sinhalese 1 <br>Slovak 1 <br>Slovene 1 <br>Spanish 153 <br>Swedish 3 <br>Tajik 1 <br>Thai 2 <br>Tigrinya 1 <br>Turkish 11 <br>Turkmen 1 <br>Urdu 4 <br>Uzbek 2 <br>Vietnamese 2 <br>Total 813</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 03/11/2014 15:37:02 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

100609

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	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	Civil Servants: Languages
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government which languages have been studied by civil servants and diplomatic staff at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Language School; and how many civil servants and diplomatic staff have studied each language.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL2340
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>Since the Language Centre opened on 19th September 2013 a total of 45 different languages have been studied there either full or part-time by 813 students. Of those students, 779 are Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff and 34 are from other government departments (OGDs) (including staff from the following departments: Ministry of Defence, Cabinet Office, the Department for Business, Innovation &amp; Skills, Home Office, Ministry of Justice, UK Trade and Investment, the Department for International Development, HM Revenue and Customs, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department of Energy and Climate Change, and the House of Commons). An additional 60 FCO staff have trained at the Institut Francais. Staff across the Civil Service can also access the FCO Language Centre library to continue to develop their own language skills outside formal study and 58 OGD staff have taken advantage of this offer so far.</p><p>It is important to note that when more appropriate, staff from OGDs also receive language training outside of the FCO Language Centre through use of the Civil Service-wide contract with Language Services Direct (the company that run the FCO Language Centre) or at the Institut Francais if French is required. Since September 2014, 113 OGD students have received language training on their own premises via the FCO contract.</p><p>The table below provides a breakdown of the languages that have been taught at the FCO Language Centre:</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Albanian</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Arabic</p></td><td><p>186</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Azeri</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bosnian</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bulgarian</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Burmese</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cambodian</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Czech</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Danish</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Dari</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Dutch</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Farsi</p></td><td><p>33</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Finnish</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>French</p></td><td><p>14</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Georgian</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>German</p></td><td><p>40</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Greek</p></td><td><p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Hebrew</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Hindi</p></td><td><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Indonesian</p></td><td><p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Italian</p></td><td><p>23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Japanese</p></td><td><p>33</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Korean</p></td><td><p>8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Macedonian</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Mandarin</p></td><td><p>93</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Norwegian</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Pashto</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Polish</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Portuguese</p></td><td><p>47</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Romanian</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Russian</p></td><td><p>84</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Serbian</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sinhalese</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Slovak</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Slovene</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Spanish</p></td><td><p>153</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Swedish</p></td><td><p>3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Tajik</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Thai</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Tigrinya</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Turkish</p></td><td><p>11</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Turkmen</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Urdu</p></td><td><p>4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Uzbek</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Vietnamese</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>813</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 05/11/2014 15:51:51 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

100610

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	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	Civil Servants: Languages
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they expect to see an increase in the numbers of United Kingdom civil servants capable of fulfilling the language requirements for applications to the European Civil Service; and if so by how many, and by when.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL2341
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>The Government is working to increase the number of applicants to the European Civil Service and to increase civil service language training. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) supports all UK applicants, including civil servants, through the EU recruitment process, including advice on how to pass the recruitment tests in a foreign language. The European Fast Stream programme has been re-structured for 2014 and the training updated. As part of this, the language training provided to participants has been revised and tailored to offer more effective preparation for the Commission’s entry exam known as The Concours. There is also language training offered to civil servants through the FCO language centre. Some Government Departments also offer training in-house in different languages.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 05/11/2014 15:54:59 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

100611

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	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	Civil Servants: Languages
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how civil servants from all departments with the wish or the potential to benefit from a course at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Language School are identified.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL2342
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text Full-time language training is available to all staff on appointment to one of the 674 designated ‘speaker’ roles based across the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)’s network of posts overseas. Appointment is made following an advert, application and selection by interview for a position. All positions (including speaker roles) in the Senior Management Service are also advertised across the Civil Service. A number of positions (including speaker roles) in the delegated grades are also advertised across the Civil Service via ‘Interchange’. All FCO staff (or staff from other governmental departments (OGDs) if on Interchange) and their spouses/partners posted to non-speaker roles in a foreign country also have the option of taking up language training to reach a basic level (Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) – A2 Confidence foreign language proficiency) to help settle into a new posting overseas. FCO staff who wish to develop skills in a foreign language can also attend a rolling programme of part-time lunchtime or evening classes in 12 languages. Where there is space in these classes, OGD staff are offered places based on language learning needs analyses by Departments. Language Services Direct (the company who run the FCO Language Centre) also provide part-time classes to a number of OGDs (the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Cabinet Office, the Department for Energy and Climate Change, the Department for International Development, Members of Parliament, UK Hydrographic Office) on their own premises or at Language Services Direct premises (HM Revenue and Customs). Language Services Direct also run a bespoke training package for staff from both the FCO and across the Civil Service wishing to apply for positions within EU institutions. A number of OGDs also appoint staff, following their own internal appointment processes, to their own ‘speaker’ roles overseas and are able use the Language Centre for training, or receive training at their own premises from Language Services Direct. To-date over 130 OGD staff have been trained either full-time or part-time at the Centre or at their own premises. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 05/11/2014 15:56:28 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

100634

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of freedom of religion or belief in Saudi Arabia and the extent to which discrimination against and restrictions experienced by Shiite Muslims contribute to sectarian unrest and dissent in that country.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Coventry
	uin	HL2365
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/11/2014 answer text <p>The British Government strongly supports the right to freedom of religion or belief, which is severely restricted in Saudi Arabia. We make our views well known through the UN Universal Periodic Review Process, in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Annual Human Rights and Democracy Report, and to the Saudi Arabian authorities. We have made clear the importance of religious tolerance, including for different branches of Islam. There are some long-standing tensions between some Shia communities in the Eastern Province and the Saudi authorities. We continue to monitor developments. We welcome all efforts to increase religious tolerance in Saudi Arabia, including the recent calls by King Abdullah and Saudi religious leaders for greater religious tolerance in the Kingdom.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 06/11/2014 14:25:56 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4266 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry

100635

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of Saudi Arabia’s Specialized Criminal Court; and whether they consider that the proceedings of that Court are compatible with international human rights standards.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Coventry
	uin	HL2366
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/11/2014 answer text <p>The Specialised Criminal Court came into operation in Saudi Arabia in 2008 to try cases related to security and terrorism. We support Saudi Arabia’s judicial reform programme, particularly greater judicial training. However our concerns about the Saudi justice system remain and we continue to raise the importance of adhering to international human rights law with the Saudi authorities.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 06/11/2014 14:25:12 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4266 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry

100636

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	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
	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 Saudi Arabia regarding the decision taken on 15 October by the Specialized Criminal Court to sentence to death Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Coventry
	uin	HL2367
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/11/2014 answer text <p>We understand that Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr has been sentenced to death. It is still possible for him to appeal the decision.</p><p>The death penalty undermines human dignity and its abolition is a human rights priority for the UK. Government Ministers, our Ambassador in Riyadh and officials from our Embassy raise the issue of the death penalty with the Saudi authorities, both bilaterally and through the EU. We recognise that total abolition of the death penalty is unlikely in Saudi Arabia in the near future. Our focus is therefore on the introduction of EU minimum standards for the death penalty as a first step, and on supporting access to justice and rule of law.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 06/11/2014 14:26:42 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4266 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Coventry

100639

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	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	Palestinians
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what further steps they are taking to recognise Palestine as a state after the recent debate in the House of Commons.
	tabling member printed	Lord Ahmed
	uin	HL2370
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The UK’s position on Palestinian recognition has not changed and is clear: we reserve the right to recognise a Palestinian state at a time of our choosing and when it will best help bring about peace. The UK is a longstanding supporter of seeing a sovereign, democratic and viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel, and continues to be one of the largest donors to Palestinian state building efforts to that end.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 03/11/2014 15:37:46 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	3470 label Biography information for Lord Ahmed

100640

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	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	Kashmir
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have received reports about exchanges of fire on the Line of Control in Kashmir and on the working border between India and Pakistan; and whether they have provided any advice to India and Pakistan in order to resolve outstanding matters, including the right of self-determination for the Kashmiri people.
	tabling member printed	Lord Ahmed
	uin	HL2371
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>We are concerned about the incidents which took place in recent weeks on both sides of the Line of Control and the International Border in Kashmir. We hope that both sides can take steps to reduce tensions. The longstanding position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, one which takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or to mediate in finding one.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 05/11/2014 15:58:33 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	3470 label Biography information for Lord Ahmed

100641

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	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	Kashmir
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to encourage the dialogue between Pakistan and India over the disputed region of Kashmir.
	tabling member printed	Lord Ahmed
	uin	HL2372
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p>We have followed developments in the region and officials from our High Commissions in both Delhi and Islamabad discuss the situation in Kashmir with both governments. The long standing position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, one which takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or to mediate in finding one.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 05/11/2014 15:58:54 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	3470 label Biography information for Lord Ahmed

100647

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	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
	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 Iranian authorities regarding Ghoncheh Ghavami.
	tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
	uin	HL2378
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The Government has raised its concern at the detention of Ghoncheh Ghavami with the Iranian authorities on many occasions, including most recently on 23 October. Both the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), discussed her case with President Rouhani and Foreign minister Zarif respectively in September. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office continues to provide consular assistance to Ms Ghavami’s family at this difficult time.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 03/11/2014 15:38:31 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

100649

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	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	Egypt
	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 Egyptian authorities regarding Yara Sallam.
	tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
	uin	HL2380
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>Government representatives from our Embassy in Cairo are closely monitoring cases where prosecutions have been made under the protest law in Egypt. We have called on the Egyptian government to review the Protest Law and have raised specific cases with them, including during the visit by Foreign Minister Shoukry to the UK on 27 October. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), asked that the Egyptian government address the large number of people being held in detention during his meeting with President Al-Sisi at the UN General Assembly in New York on 23 September. The Government believes that freedom of expression, including the right to protest peacefully, is vital in any democracy.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 03/11/2014 15:39:52 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

100650

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	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	India
	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 Indian authorities regarding Soni Sori.
	tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
	uin	HL2381
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/11/2014 answer text We are aware of the case of Ms Soni Sori but have made no representations on it. We continue to monitor the general human rights situation in India. This includes maintaining a dialogue with Indian officials , not least through the EU-India human rights dialogue which most recently took place on 27 November 2013. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 06/11/2014 17:47:58 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark

100651

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	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	Zimbabwe
	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 situation for women in Zimbabwe.
	tabling member printed	Lord Kennedy of Southwark
	uin	HL2382
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text While laws exist to protect the economic rights of women in Zimbabwe, they are frequently undermined by discriminatory practices, customary law and lack of implementation. In politics, it should be noted that there is a relatively high proportion of females in Parliament. However, women and girls are also disproportionately affected by fragile basic service provision and crumbling infrastructure. The Department for International Development’s programme in Zimbabwe continues to support progress on issues affecting women through work on economic and political empowerment, water and sanitation, health and education and skills development. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 03/11/2014 15:43:30 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4153 label Biography information for Lord Kennedy of Southwark