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448681

	registered interest
	date	28/01/2016
	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	Zika Virus: Disease Control
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterparts (a) in South America and (b) elsewhere on steps to prevent the spread of the Zika virus.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	24714
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2016 answer text <p>British officials across the region have been working closely with their counterparts on steps to understand and prevent the spread of the Zika Virus. We have focused particularly on Brazil, which has seen the highest number of cases in the region. On 26 January, the UK announced a new Zika research project between Glasgow University and Fiocruz, a leading biomedical research centre in Brazil. The following day, a scientist from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine arrived in Recife to support Zika research led by the Pan American Health Organisation. Discussions are also ongoing between Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials and the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency with regards to combating this virus. On 1 February, I discussed Zika with Ambassadors from the Group of Latin America Countries (GRULAC), highlighting UK assistance to date on this issue and stressing the importance of providing information to those planning their travel now, not least to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 04/02/2016 16:14:26 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

57690

	registered interest
	date	04/06/2014
	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	Tibet
	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 representations he has made to his Chinese counterpart on human rights abuses in Tibet.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	198551
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/06/2014 answer text <p>Our concerns are highlighted in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy (<a href="http://www.hrdreport.fco.gov.uk/" target="_blank">www.hrdreport.fco.gov.uk</a>), the latest edition of which was published on 10 April. We last raised Tibet at the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue on 20 May, where we covered concerns about ethnic minority rights, as well as the criminalisation of self immolation.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 10/06/2014 12:42:28 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

57691

	registered interest
	date	04/06/2014
	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	Tibet
	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 representations he has received from (a) the Tibetan government in exile and (b) human rights charities on human rights abuses in that country.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	198552
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/06/2014 answer text <p>Officials regularly meet with human rights non govermental-organistions (NGOs) to discuss the situation in Tibet. They last did so in May, following the UK-China Human Rights dialogue. I will be meeting with representatives from a number of Tibet NGOs later this month.</p><p>We also receive occasional updates from the Central Tibetan Administration, also known as the Tibetan government in exile. We believe that meaningful dialogue is the best way to address and resolve the underlying grievances of the Tibetan communities and we continue to urge all sides to restart talks.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 10/06/2014 12:48:16 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

57692

	registered interest
	date	04/06/2014
	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	Tibet
	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 he is taking to reduce human rights abuses in Tibet and to offer support for victims of such abuses.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	198554
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/06/2014 answer text <p>We remain concerned about the situation in Tibet.</p><p>We regularly discuss our concerns on Tibet with the Chinese authorities, most recently through the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue on 19-20 May 2014 where we covered concerns about ethnic minority rights, as well as the criminalisation of self immolation. Our concerns are also highlighted in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy, the latest edition of which was published on 10 April.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 10/06/2014 12:55:54 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

57694

	registered interest
	date	04/06/2014
	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	Tibet
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on Tibetan independence.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	198590
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/06/2014 answer text <p>Our position on Tibet is clear and unchanged. As the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney <br>(Mr Cameron) outlined in Parliament on 8 May 2013, we regard Tibet as part of the People's Republic of China. We believe that long-term stability in Tibet will best be achieved through respect for universal human rights and genuine autonomy for Tibet within the framework of the Chinese constitution.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 10/06/2014 12:58:12 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

61704

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2014
	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	Tibet
	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 had with his counterparts and other senior figures in the United Nations and the EU on human rights abuses in Tibet.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	200500
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2014 answer text <p>We remain concerned about the situation in Tibet. Ministers regularly raise their concerns with Chinese counterparts, and we highlight our concerns in the Foreign and Commonwealth Offices Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy.</p><p>We regularly work with international partners on these issues, including the EU and the UN Human Rights Council. We believe that long term stability in Tibet will be best achieved through respect for the universal human rights and genuine autonomy for Tibet within the framework of the Chinese constitution.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 19/06/2014 15:34:48 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

470455

	registered interest
	date	14/03/2016
	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	Sino-British Joint Declaration
	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 he is taking to ensure that China maintains its commitment to the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	30963
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2016 answer text <p>During his meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on 5 January and in London on 4 February, the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), stressed the importance of respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of all residents of Hong Kong. He also made clear our expectations that the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law for Hong Kong should be respected. During those meetings, China reaffirmed its commitment to the implementation of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ and Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy.</p><p>During the visit to London by Hong Kong Chief Executive C Y Leung on 15 and 16 October 2015, the Foreign Secretary and I also discussed with him the importance of Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and the need to preserve the rights and freedoms which are enshrined in the Joint Declaration.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary’s most recent six-monthly report to the House, published on 11 February (covering the period 1 July–31 December 2015), urged “the Chinese and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region governments to reassure the people of Hong Kong that the fundamental rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents will continue to be fully protected, and respected by all, in accordance with the Joint Declaration and Basic Law.” The report also stated that “while we assess that during the reporting period ‘One Country, Two Systems’ has, in very many areas, continued to function well, there have been some areas which have given grounds for concern. These revolve principally around the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Joint Declaration, including academic freedom and the freedom of the press.” We will continue to raise such issues with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities.</p><p>We aim to provide consular assistance to all British citizens, and to dual nationals in their country of other nationality in exceptional circumstances, in line with our consular guidance. We acknowledge that some countries do not accept dual nationality.</p><p>In the case of British citizen Mr Lee Po, the Government continues to call at the highest level on the Chinese Government for his <br>immediate return to Hong Kong. Despite formal requests which we continue to make, we have not been granted consular access to Mr Lee. We also stand ready to provide consular assistance to Mr Lee’s family.</p><p>The Government will continue to monitor rights and freedoms in Hong Kong through the Foreign Secretary’s six-monthly reports.</p><p>The full report can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/six-monthly-report-on-hong-kong-july-to-december-2015" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/six-monthly-report-on-hong-kong-july-to-december-2015</a></p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire grouped question UIN 30964 30965 30966 30967 question first answered 22/03/2016 16:10:23 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

470456

	registered interest
	date	14/03/2016
	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	Sino-British Joint Declaration
	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 China's record in observing the agreements made in the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	30964
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2016 answer text <p>During his meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on 5 January and in London on 4 February, the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), stressed the importance of respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of all residents of Hong Kong. He also made clear our expectations that the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law for Hong Kong should be respected. During those meetings, China reaffirmed its commitment to the implementation of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ and Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy.</p><p>During the visit to London by Hong Kong Chief Executive C Y Leung on 15 and 16 October 2015, the Foreign Secretary and I also discussed with him the importance of Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and the need to preserve the rights and freedoms which are enshrined in the Joint Declaration.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary’s most recent six-monthly report to the House, published on 11 February (covering the period 1 July–31 December 2015), urged “the Chinese and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region governments to reassure the people of Hong Kong that the fundamental rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents will continue to be fully protected, and respected by all, in accordance with the Joint Declaration and Basic Law.” The report also stated that “while we assess that during the reporting period ‘One Country, Two Systems’ has, in very many areas, continued to function well, there have been some areas which have given grounds for concern. These revolve principally around the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Joint Declaration, including academic freedom and the freedom of the press.” We will continue to raise such issues with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities.</p><p>We aim to provide consular assistance to all British citizens, and to dual nationals in their country of other nationality in exceptional circumstances, in line with our consular guidance. We acknowledge that some countries do not accept dual nationality.</p><p>In the case of British citizen Mr Lee Po, the Government continues to call at the highest level on the Chinese Government for his <br>immediate return to Hong Kong. Despite formal requests which we continue to make, we have not been granted consular access to Mr Lee. We also stand ready to provide consular assistance to Mr Lee’s family.</p><p>The Government will continue to monitor rights and freedoms in Hong Kong through the Foreign Secretary’s six-monthly reports.</p><p>The full report can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/six-monthly-report-on-hong-kong-july-to-december-2015" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/six-monthly-report-on-hong-kong-july-to-december-2015</a></p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire grouped question UIN 30963 30965 30966 30967 question first answered 22/03/2016 16:10:24 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

447752

	registered interest
	date	26/01/2016
	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	Human Trafficking: Zika Virus
	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 had with the UN, the EU and South American countries on the trafficking of women in countries affected by the Zika virus.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	24164
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2016 answer text We have not held specific discussions with the UN, EU and South American countries linking the trafficking of women and the Zika virus. However, this Government has a track record of leadership on the trafficking of women. Last spring, the UK became the first country in Europe and one of the first in the world to enact Modern Slavery legislation. In June, my Right Honourable Friend, the member for Witney, the Prime Minister (Mr. Cameron) agreed an action plan with the Heads of Government of Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen cooperation on human trafficking. We were also strong proponents of the inclusion of a commitment to end modern slavery at the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 03/02/2016 16:26:40 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

470452

	registered interest
	date	14/03/2016
	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	Hong Kong: Freedom of Expression
	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 extent to which there is a threat to freedom of speech in Hong Kong.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	30965
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2016 answer text <p>During his meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on 5 January and in London on 4 February, the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), stressed the importance of respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of all residents of Hong Kong. He also made clear our expectations that the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law for Hong Kong should be respected. During those meetings, China reaffirmed its commitment to the implementation of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ and Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy.</p><p>During the visit to London by Hong Kong Chief Executive C Y Leung on 15 and 16 October 2015, the Foreign Secretary and I also discussed with him the importance of Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and the need to preserve the rights and freedoms which are enshrined in the Joint Declaration.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary’s most recent six-monthly report to the House, published on 11 February (covering the period 1 July–31 December 2015), urged “the Chinese and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region governments to reassure the people of Hong Kong that the fundamental rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents will continue to be fully protected, and respected by all, in accordance with the Joint Declaration and Basic Law.” The report also stated that “while we assess that during the reporting period ‘One Country, Two Systems’ has, in very many areas, continued to function well, there have been some areas which have given grounds for concern. These revolve principally around the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Joint Declaration, including academic freedom and the freedom of the press.” We will continue to raise such issues with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities.</p><p>We aim to provide consular assistance to all British citizens, and to dual nationals in their country of other nationality in exceptional circumstances, in line with our consular guidance. We acknowledge that some countries do not accept dual nationality.</p><p>In the case of British citizen Mr Lee Po, the Government continues to call at the highest level on the Chinese Government for his <br>immediate return to Hong Kong. Despite formal requests which we continue to make, we have not been granted consular access to Mr Lee. We also stand ready to provide consular assistance to Mr Lee’s family.</p><p>The Government will continue to monitor rights and freedoms in Hong Kong through the Foreign Secretary’s six-monthly reports.</p><p>The full report can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/six-monthly-report-on-hong-kong-july-to-december-2015" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/six-monthly-report-on-hong-kong-july-to-december-2015</a></p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire grouped question UIN 30963 30964 30966 30967 question first answered 22/03/2016 16:10:24 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman