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100000

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Central African Republic
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current commitment, bilaterally and multilaterally, to the United Nations Level 3 Emergency Situation in Central African Republic.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2215
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>In December 2013 the UN declared a Level 3 crisis in CAR which is in effect until December 2014. The UK welcomed the UN declaration which more accurately reflected the severity of the situation on the ground and brought much needed attention and resources from across the UN system to respond to the crisis.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The UK has been closely monitoring the situation and has committed a total of £18 million in humanitarian funding to CAR in 2014 to help hundreds of thousands of people, along with £7 million in Cameroon and Chad to assist CAR refugees. The funds are going towards the protection of civilians, urgent medical assistance, and to food security and livelihoods assistance through UN agencies, the Red Cross and NGOs. In 2014, the UK is the third largest bilateral humanitarian donor to CAR after the USA (£87 million) and the EU (£39 million). The UK’s combined bilateral and multilateral contributions (through the EU and the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund) to the CAR crisis total £27 million in 2014.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 03/11/2014 11:56:42 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

100001

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Central African Republic
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will review the level of humanitarian aid given bilaterally to the Central African Republic.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2216
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>The UK has been closely monitoring the situation in CAR and has committed a total of £18 million in humanitarian funding to CAR in 2014 to help hundreds of thousands of people, along with £7 million in Cameroon and Chad to assist CAR refugees. In 2014, the UK is the third largest bilateral humanitarian donor to CAR after the USA (£87 million) and the EU (£39 million). DFID officials conduct quarterly visits to CAR in order to meet with partners and review the response.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 03/11/2014 11:58:34 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

100002

	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	Pakistan: Ahmadiyya
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the assassination of the Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan, and in particular, the recent assasination of Latif Aalam Butt.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2217
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p>We remain concerned about the violence faced by the Ahmadiyya and other communities in Pakistan and continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to protect and guarantee the fundamental rights of all its citizens as laid down in the Constitution and in accordance with international standards. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office closely monitors the situation in Pakistan as documented in the annual Human Rights report and quarterly updates. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) and the former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised human rights concerns with Prime Minister Sharif during his visit in May 2014.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 29/10/2014 15:37:50 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

100003

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Pakistan
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what projects they fund within the educational services in Pakistan that promote religious tolerance.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2218
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2014 answer text <p>DFID’s provincial education programmes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces support the implementation of Pakistan’s 2006 reformed curriculum which includes teaching on religious tolerance and respect for diversity. In 2014 DFID support will benefit some 6.3 million children in school in Pakistan.<br></p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 03/11/2014 11:55:38 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

100004

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	hansard heading	Unpaid Work
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the recent proposal by the Child Poverty and Social Justice Commission that unpaid internships should be illegal.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2219
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p>This Government is absolutely clear: exploitation of interns is unacceptable and we don’t hesitate to act where we find that employment law has been broken and someone who is entitled to the minimum wage hasn’t been paid it.</p><p> </p><p>Complaints from interns about non-payment of the minimum wage are prioritised by HMRC for investigation and HMRC will investigate every complaint made to the Pay and Work Rights Helpline.</p><p> </p><p>Research shows that internships and work experience programmes can be valuable opportunities for young people taking their first steps in the labour market. Our work on interns and the National Minimum Wage aims to achieve the right balance between ensuring that opportunities for young people are not cut off and minimising the risk of exploitation.</p><p> </p><p>Our concern, if we were to prohibit unpaid internships, is that this may lead to employers recruiting interns through informal and privileged networks with adverse effects on social mobility or have adverse consequences on the number of available opportunities.</p><p> </p><p>There is no definition of an internship in minimum wage legislation and interns are considered in the same way as everyone else with regards to whether the minimum wage is due. The key issue is whether or not they are workers as defined by minimum wage legislation. If they are, then they are eligible for the minimum wage unless a specific exemption applies. Volunteers are not workers and are not eligible for the minimum wage.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Neville-Rolfe question first answered 29/10/2014 16:15:22 answering member 4284 label Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

1014634

	registered interest
	date	26/11/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Forced Marriage
	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 case for enacting legislation to provide financial relief under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 to victims of forced marriages whose religious marriages are not binding under UK law as outlined in section 121(4) of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL11773
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/12/2018 answer text <p>The Government is clear that forced marriage is a terrible form of abuse and that we will not allow political or cultural sensitivities to get in the way of tackling it.</p><p> </p><p>However, the purpose of Part II of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 is to set out how the Court orders financial provision on the legal ending of marriage.</p><p> </p><p>Since forced marriage was made a criminal offence in England and Wales in 2014, the Government has continued to introduce measures to protect victims, including lifelong anonymity in 2017. Last month, the Home Secretary launched a consultation to seek views on whether it is necessary to introduce a new legal mandatory reporting duty relating to cases of forced marriage. That consultation also seeks views on how the current guidance on forced marriage could be improved and strengthened.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed to keeping this area of family justice under review.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 06/12/2018 15:49:07 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

1046303

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2019
	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	China: Genetic Engineering
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations, if any, they have made to the government of China about reports that babies have been born in China with edited genes.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL13012
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2019 answer text <p>There are conflicting media reports on claims of genetic modification in China. We shall continue to monitor the situation. We have had no discussion with the Chinese Government regarding the ethical issues and risks associated with the gene-edited babies born in China. The procedure alleged to have been carried out by Prof He Jiankui in China would be illegal in the UK. It would be an offence under the 1990 Human Fertilisation &amp; Embryology Act (1990 Act), punishable, on conviction, by a prison term of up to 10 years, a fine or both.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/02/2019 17:09:43 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

1046304

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2019
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	China: Genetic Engineering
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the World Health Organisation about the ethical issues and potential long-term risks associated with gene-edited babies born in China.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL13013
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/01/2019 answer text <p>There are conflicting media reports on claims of genetic modification in China. We will continue to monitor the situation. We have had no discussion with the Chinese Government or World Health Organization regarding the ethical issues and risks associated with the gene-edited babies born in China. The procedure alleged to have been carried out by Prof He Jiankui in China would be illegal in the United Kingdom. It would be an offence under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, punishable, on conviction, by a prison term of up to 10 years, a fine or both.</p> answering member printed Baroness Manzoor question first answered 30/01/2019 17:45:44 answering member 4289 label Biography information for Baroness Manzoor
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

1108825

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Middle East: British Nationals Abroad
	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 humanitarian conditions for British children living in refugee camps in Syria or in territory that was formerly part of the sovereign states of Syria or Iraq.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL14932
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2019 answer text <p>The UK remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation throughout the region, including for vulnerable groups such as women and children. We are aware of a significant number of minors residing in refugee and internally displaced persons camps in former Daesh held areas.</p><p>Limited access and harsh winter conditions continue to exacerbate humanitarian need. Access to food, sanitation, healthcare, shelter and education remain core concerns in the international response. In 2018/19, we provided over £40 million to address basic-life saving needs in North East Syria. Since 2014, DFID has committed over £250 million in humanitarian support to Iraq, providing a vital lifeline of emergency food, shelter, medical care and clean water.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 16/04/2019 14:02:01 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

1108826

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2019
	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	Middle East: British Nationals Abroad
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British children are living in refugee camps in Syria or in territory that was formerly part of the sovereign states of Syria or Iraq.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL14933
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2019 answer text <p>We are aware that some British nationals including children are living in displaced persons camps in Syria but due to the circumstances on the ground, we are not in a position to make an accurate estimate of the number. The UK has no consular presence within Syria and has advised against all travel to Syria since 2012 because of the dangers associated with the conflict there. We have not been made aware of any British children living in refugee camps in Iraq or elsewhere in the region.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 10/04/2019 14:49:18 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

1108827

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	British Nationals Abroad: Middle East
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British children have been repatriated from Syria or from territory that was formerly part of the sovereign states of Syria or Iraq in the last 12 months.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL14934
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2019 answer text <p>We can confirm that in the last 12 months there have been a small number of British children who have left Syria and returned to the UK via third countries.</p><p>The Government does not have a consular presence within Syria from which to provide consular assistance. FCO Travel Advice advises against all travel to Syria, and that British Nationals should leave by any practical means. We will not put British officials’ lives at risk to assist those who have left the UK to join a proscribed terrorist organisation.</p><p>If a British child who has been in Syria is able to seek consular assistance outside of Syria, then we would work with local and UK authorities to facilitate their return if requested. <br></p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 09/04/2019 16:14:57 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

1121561

	registered interest
	date	11/04/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Syria: British Nationals Abroad
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what attempts they have made directly, or through, the UN or relief agencies, to assess the conditions in which British children are living in internally displaced persons’ camps in Syria.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL15212
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2019 answer text <p>The UK remains deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation throughout Syria, which is why DFID is working closely with the UN and our INGO partners to maintain an up to date picture of conditions and humanitarian needs, including within Syria’s Internally displaced persons’ (IDP) camps. These assessments help us to better understand the conditions inside these camps and support the people in most desperate need. Our aid inside Syria helps people regardless of their country of origin and is driven by these assessments by the UN and INGO partners, to make sure food, medical care and shelter reaches the people who need it most.</p><p> </p><p>IDP camps in Syria are overseen by the organisation which governs the area where a camp is located. Across Syria this includes, but is not limited to, the Assad Regime and Kurdish authorities.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg grouped question UIN HL15213 question first answered 25/04/2019 15:38:10 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

1121562

	registered interest
	date	11/04/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Syria: British Nationals Abroad
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the internally displaced persons' camps in Syria in which British children reside are under the control of the government of Syria or the Kurdish authorities.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL15213
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2019 answer text <p>The UK remains deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation throughout Syria, which is why DFID is working closely with the UN and our INGO partners to maintain an up to date picture of conditions and humanitarian needs, including within Syria’s Internally displaced persons’ (IDP) camps. These assessments help us to better understand the conditions inside these camps and support the people in most desperate need. Our aid inside Syria helps people regardless of their country of origin and is driven by these assessments by the UN and INGO partners, to make sure food, medical care and shelter reaches the people who need it most.</p><p> </p><p>IDP camps in Syria are overseen by the organisation which governs the area where a camp is located. Across Syria this includes, but is not limited to, the Assad Regime and Kurdish authorities.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg grouped question UIN HL15212 question first answered 25/04/2019 15:38:10 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

1121563

	registered interest
	date	11/04/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	British Nationality
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the “best interests of the children test” pursuant to section 55 of the Borders, Citizens and Immigration Act 2009 was applied in the cases where those having their citizenship revoked had British children in their care.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL15214
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2019 answer text <p>The duty in Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 to have regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are in the United Kingdom, applies to all immigration and nationality decisions.</p><p>This includes decisions taken to deprive an individual of British citizenship where it is conducive to the public good. Where a child is outside of the UK, the Home Secretary applies the spirit of the Act and therefore still takes into account the best interests of the child when making decisions which affect them.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 29/04/2019 15:41:29 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

147368

	registered interest
	date	10/11/2014
	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 is their assessment of the refusal by the government of Iran to admit Members of Parliament wishing to visit Iran for inter-parliamentary discussions on human rights.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2772
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2014 answer text The Iranian government has not raised this issue with us. However, previous bilateral discussions over the last year have indicated that Iran views an expansion of UK/Iranian parliamentary dialogue as contingent on further progress in the broader UK/Iran bilateral relationship. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 17/11/2014 17:05:06 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

147369

	registered interest
	date	10/11/2014
	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 government of Iran regarding Rasoul Abdollahi, imprisoned in Iran because of his religious beliefs.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2773
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2014 answer text We remain deeply concerned by the detention and ill treatment of all prisoners of conscience in Iran, and the ongoing discrimination against Christians and other minority religious groups. We have not raised this individual case with the Iranian government. However, we have called for the Iranian government to end the persecution of individuals on the basis of their faith, most recently at Iran’s Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights at the UN on 31 October. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 17/11/2014 16:30:40 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

147370

	registered interest
	date	10/11/2014
	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 government of Iran regarding Mojtaba Seyyed Alaedin Hossein, imprisoned in Iran because of his religious beliefs.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2774
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2014 answer text <p>We remain deeply concerned by the detention and ill treatment of all prisoners of conscience in Iran, and the ongoing discrimination against Christians and other minority religious groups. We have not raised this individual case with the Iranian Government. However, we have called for the Iranian government to end the persecution of individuals on the basis of their faith, most recently at Iran’s Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights at the UN on 31 October.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 17/11/2014 17:06:13 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

147371

	registered interest
	date	10/11/2014
	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	Iraq
	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 number, and current location, of Yezidis displaced by IS.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2775
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2014 answer text <p>The impact the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) atrocities have had on the Yezidi community and other civilians is devastating. The British Government strongly condemns the persecution of communities on the basis of their religion, belief or ethnicity. <br><br>The UN estimates that 1.9 million people in Iraq have been displaced by the humanitarian emergency in total. All UK funded aid is distributed on the basis of need to ensure civilians are not discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion or ethnicity. We have therefore not carried out an assessment of the total number of Yezidis that have been displaced by ISIL and their current location, but will continue to work with the UN and the international community to ensure peoples’ basic needs are met.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 17/11/2014 16:35:10 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

147372

	registered interest
	date	10/11/2014
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Iraq
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much United Kingdom financial aid has been distributed to meet the needs of displaced Iraqis, broken down by ethnicity of beneficiary.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2776
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/11/2014 answer text <p>The UN estimates that 1.9 million people in Iraq have been displaced by the humanitarian emergency in total. DFID has allocated £23 million to the crisis since June and we continue to monitor the evolving humanitarian situation. All UK funded aid is distributed on the basis of need to ensure civilians are not discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion or ethnicity.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 24/11/2014 16:06:43 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

170940

	registered interest
	date	17/12/2014
	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 is their assessment of the reports of an attack on 13 December by Hindu radicals on a Christian pastor and his church members singing Christmas carols in Hyderabad.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL3847
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/12/2014 answer text <p>India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion. The Indian government has a range of policies and programmes to support religious minorities. However, incidents of discrimination against minority communities in India do still occur. We are aware of the recent attack on a pastor in Hyderabad. The Chief Minister of Telangana Sri K Chandrashekar Rao made clear publicly that such attacks would not be tolerated.</p><p>The British High Commissioner Sir James Bevan met India’s new Minister of Minority Affairs, Dr Najma Heptulla, on 16 June to discuss a range of minority issues. Our High Commission in New Delhi discusses minority issues, including religious tolerance of Christians, with the Indian National Commission for Minorities and with other relevant State level authorities. Minority rights were also discussed at the EU-India human rights dialogue on 27 November 2013. We will continue to maintain a dialogue with the new Indian government about minority rights issues.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 31/12/2014 11:19:38 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

170941

	registered interest
	date	17/12/2014
	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, or discussions they have had with, the government of India regarding freedom of religion or belief in that country since the election of Prime Minister Modi.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL3848
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/12/2014 answer text <p>The British High Commissioner Sir James Bevan met India’s new Minister of Minority Affairs, Dr Najma Heptulla, on 16 June to discuss a range of minority issues. Our High Commission in New Delhi discusses minority issues, including religious tolerance of Christians, with the Indian National Commission for Minorities and with other relevant State level authorities. Minority rights were also discussed at the EU-India human rights dialogue on 27 November 2013. We will continue to maintain a dialogue with the new Indian government about minority rights issues. <br><br>We also support religious and other minorities in India through the Department for International Development’s programme in India which helps to promote equal treatment and access to services for the most disadvantaged communities.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 31/12/2014 11:27:37 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

178371

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2015
	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 is their assessment of the refusal of a visa by the government of India to Archbishop Roche.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL4759
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/02/2015 answer text We are aware that Archbishop Roche was refused a visa to travel to India. Decisions on issuing visas are a matter for the Indian government. The British Government is unable to intervene in another country’s visa procedure. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 13/02/2015 15:29:28 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

178372

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2015
	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 is their assessment of whether coercion is being exercised on Indian citizens to reconvert to Hinduism.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL4760
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2015 answer text <p>We are aware that incidents of discrimination against minority communities in India do still occur. India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion. The Indian government has a range of policies and programmes to support religious minorities.</p><p>We discuss minority issues with the Indian authorities and support minority groups through the Department for International Development’s programme in India which helps to promote equal treatment and access to services for the most disadvantaged communities.</p><p>I refer the noble Baroness to my previous answers of 31 December 2014 (HL3847 and HL3848).</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 20/02/2015 13:47:29 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

224226

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2015
	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	The Gambia: Ahmadiyya
	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 of Ahmadi Muslims in The Gambia, particularly in the light of the statement made by the Gambian Supreme Islamic Council claiming them to be non-Muslims.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL5279
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2015 answer text <p>The British Government is concerned about the statement issued by the Gambian Supreme Islamic Council in January claiming that the Ahmadiyya community are not Muslims. The UK position on human rights is clear: they are universal and must apply equally to all people. This includes freedom of religion, and divergent views or interpretations should be allowed to co-exist. Our Embassy will be speaking to the Government of The Gambia about these statements and will continue to monitor developments closely.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 06/03/2015 12:17:03 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge

423711

	registered interest
	date	26/10/2015
	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	Central African Republic: Politics and Government
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their latest assessment of the security situation in the Central African Republic.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Berridge
	uin	HL2975
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2015 answer text <p>The security situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) is grave. Outside the capital Bangui, violence, looting, road-blocks, hostage-taking and human rights abuses continue to occur with relative impunity.</p><br /><p>The security situation in Bangui is more stable than the rest of the country, having improved following the surge in violence in late September, but tensions still run high and we continue to advise against all travel to CAR.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 05/11/2015 16:05:31 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
	tabling member	4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge