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1141971

	registered interest
	date	25/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Seas and Oceans: Pollution Control
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps he is taking to tackle marine pollution.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	912200
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2019 answer text <p>Our Resources and Waste Strategy sets out actions we are taking, including a ban on the sale and/or supply of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds by April 2020. We are leading global efforts through the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance, which we support with a package worth up to £70m. We also work with the International Maritime Organisation to tackle litter from ships and are helping shape a new international action plan on shipping litter.</p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 25/07/2019 15:55:53 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1134102

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	answering body	Prime Minister
	answering dept id	23
	answering dept short name	Prime Minister
	answering dept sort name	Prime Minister
	hansard heading	Germany: Foreign Relations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Prime Minister, what meetings she held with the Chancellor of Germany between 1 and 6 July 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	268548
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>I hold meetings with other leaders regularly in order to further the UK’s foreign policy interests. Information about these meetings is in the public domain and can be found on the gov.uk website and in Hansard.</p> answering member constituency Maidenhead answering member printed Mrs Theresa May grouped question UIN 268549 268554 question first answered 27/06/2019 14:57:44 answering member 8 label Biography information for Mrs Theresa May
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1134103

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	answering body	Prime Minister
	answering dept id	23
	answering dept short name	Prime Minister
	answering dept sort name	Prime Minister
	hansard heading	European Union
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Prime Minister, what records were kept of meetings she held with European heads of state in the 12 months to 6 July 2018.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	268549
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>I hold meetings with other leaders regularly in order to further the UK’s foreign policy interests. Information about these meetings is in the public domain and can be found on the gov.uk website and in Hansard.</p> answering member constituency Maidenhead answering member printed Mrs Theresa May grouped question UIN 268548 268554 question first answered 27/06/2019 14:57:44 answering member 8 label Biography information for Mrs Theresa May
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1133745

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Sudan: Humanitarian Situation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the humanitarian effect of the situation in Sudan; and what steps his Department is taking to support those at risk in that country.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	267356
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>The Government continues to monitor the humanitarian situation in Sudan with concern. Close to two million people live as Internally Displaced People inside Sudan, with around 600,000 living precarious lives as refugees beyond its borders. Sudan also hosts close to a million refugees.</p><p>In early 2018 Sudan’s economy entered a phase of widespread crisis resulting in real incomes collapsing and prices of commodities increasing. The United Nations states that 5.7 million people, including all of those displaced, are in need of humanitarian support, although they estimate the number at risk is 8 million people due to the current economic crisis.</p><p>The United Nations has developed a response to meet the needs of 4.4 million people that would cost $1.2bn, and relies on the governing authorities in Sudan to facilitate safe passage of these supplies and aid workers to reach those in need of assistance. The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) in Sudan is prioritising the humanitarian response and has already contributed £30 million this fiscal year. In addition, the UK has raised the humanitarian situation in multilateral fora, including at the European Union on 7 June calling for all to respect International Humanitarian Law and enhance the environment for protection of civilians.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 27/06/2019 16:18:28 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1133746

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Developing Countries: Human Trafficking
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle human trafficking in developing countries.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	267357
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>DFID is at the forefront of the UK’s efforts to tackle modern slavery, one of the biggest human rights challenges of our time. The UK launched the Call to Action to end forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking in 2017 and it has now been endorsed by close to 90 countries. The UK will continue to take a leading role driving change through the multilateral system to help achieve sustainable development goal (SDG) 8.7 and other relevant goals to end modern slavery in all its forms.</p><p> </p><p>Using UK Aid which now totals over £200m, our programmes work to reduce vulnerability to exploitation and address the permissive environments that allow modern slavery and human trafficking to thrive. We are supporting countries’ efforts to tackle the root causes of trafficking by: creating jobs and livelihoods; changing business and recruitment practices to eradicate exploitation in supply chains; helping build law enforcement capacity increase detection and prosecution of perpetrators; and improving services to protect victims.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 27/06/2019 16:19:20 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1133748

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Female Genital Mutilation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to increase education and awareness of female genital mutilation in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	267358
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a crime and it is child abuse. The Government is clear that we will not tolerate a practice that can cause extreme and lifelong suffering to women and girls.</p><p>The Home Office’s FGM unit delivers nationwide outreach on FGM. The Unit is providing outreach support to local areas and working to raise awareness of resources available to professionals, including training, best practice examples and information on legislation and policy. Resources include an e-learning package, various communication materials such as leaflets and posters highlighting the legislation and health impacts of FGM, and an online resource pack for local areas.</p><p>We ran a communications campaign between October 2018 and February 2019 to tackle FGM. The campaign sought to prevent FGM by changing attitudes among affected communities through raising awareness of the negative long-term health consequences of FGM. The campaign also raised awareness that FGM is a crime and encouraged communities to report via the NSPCC’s FGM helpline. The campaign supported the objectives of the cross-government Violence Against Women and Girls strategy.</p><p>Earlier this year, the Home Office trained around 1,300 professionals across the country on FGM and forced marriage protection orders. The events raised awareness of the scope and effectiveness of the orders, along with a practical guide to applying, with the aim of encouraging professionals to always consider them in any safeguarding plans.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 02/07/2019 16:04:46 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1133750

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces: Sexual Offences
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to tackle alleged sexual harassment in the Armed Forces.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	267359
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>No one should have to work in an environment where they are sexually harassed or experience other forms of inappropriate behaviour which are clearly incompatible with the high values and standards we expect of our people. The Armed Forces are committed to addressing this issue through a range of activities, including surveys and climate assessments, awareness campaigns, and training around equality, diversity, inclusion and values. Addressing this type of behaviour is also a leadership issue and covered in leadership training modules. In addition, each unit in the Armed Forces has at least one trained Equality and Diversity Inclusion Adviser, who has a key role in advising the Commanding Officer on Equality Legislation and, where incidents occur, providing advice to those involved on the option of informal resolution of the matter or submission of a Service complaint.</p><p>We recognise the great courage it takes to come forward and report sexual harassment. Personnel who come forward can have full confidence that all allegations are thoroughly investigated.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 27/06/2019 13:26:41 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1133751

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Reoffenders: Domestic Abuse
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners given a custodial sentence for domestic violence have reoffended within a year of their release since 2015.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	267360
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>There is no specific offence of domestic violence. Conduct amounting to domestic violence can be present in a wide range of offences and is not readily identifiable from court sentencing outcomes.</p><p> </p><p>Information on how many prisoners who received a custodial sentence for offences involving domestic violence reoffended within a year of their release since 2015 may be held on court records, but could only be obtained at disproportionate cost as a manual search of court records would be required.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 27/06/2019 17:13:36 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1133754

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Plastics: Waste
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much of the UK's plastic waste has been shipped to other countries since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	267361
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2019 answer text <p>Since 2010 the amount of plastic waste exported to other countries for reprocessing has fallen from 850,000 tonnes a year in 2010 to 600,000 tonnes in 2018. In total over this period around 7 million tonnes have been shipped. This is based on HM Revenue and Customs trade data.</p><p> </p><p>The UK is recycling more than ever, achieving a 46% plastic packaging recycling rate in 2017 and exceeding the EU target of 22.5%.The Government is clear we must export less waste and that any waste we do need to export is properly handled.</p><p> </p><p>The recently published Resources and Waste Strategy is focused on increasing the supply and demand for secondary materials to be recycled in the UK, thereby reducing exports of plastic waste. Any waste that will be managed abroad must be subject to strict controls and the government is committed to strengthening these controls.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 28/06/2019 13:24:05 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1133756

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Deportation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been deported to countries with which the UK holds a Memorandum of Understanding since 2013.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	267362
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office does not separately record returns by the arrangements that support them including Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), with foreign countries and as such the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost</p><p><br>The UK has a range of returns arrangements with receiving countries including bilateral MOU, EU Readmission Agreements, formal readmission agreements and informal operational arrangements which provide the basis for administrative removal and deportation. There are also formal returns arrangements for third-country nationals to other European countries through the Dublin Regulations.</p><p>The latest published statistics for the number of returns to individual countries is available from the GOV.uk website at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/803187/returns5-mar-2019-tables.ods" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/803187/returns5-mar-2019-tables.ods</a></p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 26/06/2019 14:52:08 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1128042

	registered interest
	date	22/05/2019
	answering body	Northern Ireland Office
	answering dept id	21
	answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
	answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
	hansard heading	Sovereignty: Northern Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What recent assessment she has made of the benefits to Northern Ireland of being part of the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	910960
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>This Government has made clear on many occasions that we will never be neutral in expressing our support for the Union.</p><p>Northern Ireland benefits hugely from the Union and my steadfast belief is that Northern Ireland’s future is best served within a stronger United Kingdom.</p> answering member constituency Staffordshire Moorlands answering member printed Karen Bradley grouped question UIN 910961 question first answered 22/05/2019 14:13:03 answering member 4110 label Biography information for Dame Karen Bradley
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1092120

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Dogs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to provide companion dogs with the same protections as assistance dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	234786
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2019 answer text <p>The offence of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control (section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991) applies to attacks on other dogs, livestock and any other animals including companion dogs, as it does to attacks on people and assistance dogs.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This is based on the judgement in the Court of Appeal in R v Gedminintaite [2008] EWCA Crim 814. This case has shown that consideration of a dog being dangerously out of control is not restricted to situations where a person is present.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 26/03/2019 11:20:21 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078570

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Employment and Support Allowance: Self-employed
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to support self-employed people who need to claim employment support allowance.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226720
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/03/2019 answer text <p>We have successfully rolled out Universal Credit in all job centres nationally. Consequently, self-employed people, who have a health condition, can now claim either Universal Credit and/or New Style Employment and Support Allowance.</p><p> </p><p>Claimants who are eligible to claim New Style Employment and Support Allowance can do so by calling the Universal Credit helpline to request a claim form or by downloading and printing the form available on Gov.uk. Full details about how to apply (including information requesting forms in alternative formats such as braille) can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/how-to-claim-new-style-esa" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/how-to-claim-new-style-esa</a></p><p> </p><p>Claimants who are not eligible to claim New Style Employment and Support Allowance can claim Universal Credit online. For those unable to access or use digital services, assistance to make and maintain their claim is available via the Freephone Universal Credit helplines. The Universal Credit Service Centre will establish the best means of support available.</p><p> </p><p>A home visit can be arranged to support a claimant in making their initial claim and completing any other administrative tasks required to ensure their application is completed.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, to help claimants who may struggle making a claim, Universal Support is available, which is advice, assistance or support to help Universal Credit and New Style Employment and Support Allowance claimants with managing their claim or award.</p><p> </p><p>From 1 April 2019 Citizens Advice (England and Wales) and Citizens Advice Scotland will deliver a new “Help to Claim” service to support vulnerable claimants through the process of making a claim.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 07/03/2019 13:53:53 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078601

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	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	Christianity: Oppression
	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 convene an emergency international summit, hosted in London, to co-ordinate a response to the attacks on Christians around the world.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226721
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2019 answer text <p>We British Government Ministers regularly raise our concerns about the persecution of religious minorities, including Christians, where this occurs. The Government works with a large number of NGOs, to help promote and protect freedom of religion or belief. We use information from a wide range of sources to inform our work. The Foreign Secretary has asked the Bishop of Truro to conduct an independent review of the persecution of Christians around the world to help inform this important area of our work to ensure it is targeted and effective. There are no plans to host an emergency international summit on this matter.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 06/03/2019 15:39:10 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078602

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	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	Nigeria: Christianity
	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 hold discussions with his Nigerian counterpart on (a) the rescue of Leah Sharibu and other people kidnapped by Boko Haram and (b) ending the violence against Christians in Nigeria’s middle belt.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226722
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2019 answer text <p>The UK repeatedly calls for the release of all those abducted by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) including Leah Sharibu. We will continue to use our public messaging and extensive engagement with the Government of Nigeria to secure their release. The Government of Nigeria has given assurances that they are making all efforts to secure Leah's release.</p><p>We regularly raise our concerns about intercommunal violence with the Nigerian Government at the highest levels. Our assessment is that religious identity is a factor but the root causes are highly complex, including disputes over land, farming rights, the impact of climate change, grazing routes and access to water. Our High Commission in Abuja is engaging closely with international partners, the Nigerian government, state governments and the National Economic Council to develop measures which address the underlying causes of the conflict, including the recently-announced bi-partisan National Livestock Transformation Plan.</p><p>​</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 06/03/2019 16:26:28 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078603

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	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: Christianity
	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 co-ordinate an international effort to encourage Christians and other religious minorities who have left Iraq and Syria to return to those countries to rebuild their lives.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226723
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2019 answer text <p>The UK supports the right of all Iraqi and Syrian refugees, regardless of religion, to return to their homes safely, voluntarily and in dignity, when conditions allow.</p><p>Syria is not currently an environment for safe, voluntary and dignified refugee return. We are calling for a negotiated political settlement to end the conflict and create the conditions for refugees to return.</p><p>During my visit to Iraq in January I raised the importance of voluntary returns of refugees and internationally displaced persons with representatives from the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government. To help enable these returns, the UK has committed over £47 million to directly improve conditions in areas liberated from Daesh in Iraq, including an additional £6.9 million which I announced during my visit.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 08/03/2019 12:43:49 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078604

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	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	Pakistan: Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department is providing to Christians on death row on charges of blasphemy in Pakistan .
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226724
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2019 answer text <p>It is the British Government's longstanding policy to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances and in all countries. We remain deeply concerned by the misuse of the blasphemy laws and the treatment of minority religious communities, including Christians, in Pakistan.</p><p>We regularly raise our human rights concerns with the Government of Pakistan at a senior level. Most recently my colleague Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, discussed the treatment of minority communities with Pakistan's Federal Minister for Human Rights, Dr Shireen Mazari, during his visit to Pakistan on 18 and 19 February. At the UN Universal Periodic Review of Pakistan in November 2017, the UK pressed Pakistan to strengthen the protection of minorities and to explain the steps being taken to tackle the abuse of the blasphemy laws.</p><p>To ensure the United Kingdom is supporting Christians in the best possible way, the Foreign Secretary has commissioned an independent, global review of the support provided to Christians overseas. The Review will consider what additional practical steps the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can take to support persecuted Christians. It will be led by the Bishop of Truro, Rt Revd. Philip Mounstephen, and will make an initial report around Easter.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 08/03/2019 14:38:23 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078606

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	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	Burma: Christianity
	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 support the rights of Christian minorities in Burma.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226725
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2019 answer text <p>The British Government continues to express out concern at restrictions on freedom of religion and belief in Burma. The Minister for the Commonwealth and the United Nations raised the UK's concerns about persecution faced by Christian and other minorities in Burma in his speech to the Human Rights Council in February 2018. The UK, working with the EU and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, secured a UN Human Rights Council Resolution on 27 September 2018 that called for the amending or repealing of discriminatory provisions of the &quot;protection of race and religion laws&quot; in Burma covering religious conversion, interfaith marriage, monogamy and population control. The British Ambassador met the Burmese Minister for Religious Affairs on 9 August 2018, and underlined the importance of interfaith dialogue.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 06/03/2019 15:43:19 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078607

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	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	Egypt: Christianity
	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 promote religious tolerance and justice for Coptic Christians in Egypt.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226726
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2019 answer text <p>​We condemn the terrorist attacks targeting the Coptic community and continue to stand with Egypt against terrorism. We regularly raise our concerns over issues affecting Christians with the Egyptian Government and welcome President Sisi's consistent calls for peaceful coexistence. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, visited Cairo in November, where he reaffirmed our mutual commitment to freedom of religion or belief and held a roundtable with religious leaders at the Anglican Cathedral.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 08/03/2019 11:59:18 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078611

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	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: Christianity
	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 his Department is taking to help protect the rights of Christian workers in the Middle East.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226727
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2019 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary and the Minister for the Commonwealth and the UN have had a number of recent engagements with religious leaders, interested organisations, partner governments and parliamentarians on the issue of Freedom of Religion or Belief and the protection of human rights of Christians and all religious minorities around the world, including in the Middle East. We are also engaged on issues which impact on the situation of Christians working in the Middle East, including the rights of migrant workers and refugees and the ability of members of religious minorities to access labour markets in relevant countries in the region.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 08/03/2019 12:51:15 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1078612

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Religious Freedom
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to ensure that international NGOs consider religious vulnerability in their definition of need.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	226728
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/03/2019 answer text <p>The UK’s commitment to the poorest and most vulnerable in all settings is unwavering, as is our requirement that all UK-funded humanitarian partners work according to international humanitarian principles, placing protection at the centre of their work. Our partners carry out vulnerability assessments to ensure aid effectively reaches those most in need, including those from religious minorities, as it is recognised that religion may be a factor in causing vulnerability.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 05/03/2019 16:59:18 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1050128

	registered interest
	date	28/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Broadband: Advertising
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Digital and the Creative Industries of 15 November 2018, Official Report column 545, whether it is his policy that the use of the term fibre in the advertising of part-copper broadband represents misleading advertising.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	213437
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2019 answer text <p>The 2017 Digital Strategy set out that Government would work with regulators and industry to ensure that the advertising of broadband reflects the speeds that consumers can expect to receive and accurately describes the technology used.</p><p> </p><p>Since the Digital Strategy was published, the ASA has implemented new guidance, which states that speed claims should be based on the download speeds available to at least 50% of customers at peak time, and no longer on 'up to' speeds available to at least 10% of customers. Ofcom has also updated its Code of Practice on Broadband Speeds.</p><p> </p><p>The ASA also reviewed the use of the term ‘fibre’ to describe part-fibre and full-fibre broadband and concluded in November 2017 that the term 'fibre' is unlikely to mislead consumers as currently used in the advertising of part-fibre broadband services. In June 2018, the Administrative Court granted CityFibre permission to proceed with its Judicial Review (JR) of the ASA's decision. The next stage is for the Administrative Court to make a substantive decision on the JR.</p><p> </p><p>The Government remains committed to working with regulators and industry to ensure that consumers receive clear, concise and accurate information in order to make informed choices about their broadband, particularly as the rollout of new technologies like full fibre broadband increases. As part of this, we will monitor developments in other countries, including Italy’s current trial of a traffic light system for broadband advertising.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will be consulting on its Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, spectrum and post shortly.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stourbridge answering member printed Margot James grouped question UIN 213438 213439 question first answered 05/02/2019 14:09:22 answering member 4115 label Biography information for Margot James
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1050129

	registered interest
	date	28/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Broadband: Advertising
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Digital and the Creative Industries of 15 November 2018, Official Report column 545, what steps he is taking to tackle the misleading advertising of fibre broadband.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	213438
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2019 answer text <p>The 2017 Digital Strategy set out that Government would work with regulators and industry to ensure that the advertising of broadband reflects the speeds that consumers can expect to receive and accurately describes the technology used.</p><p> </p><p>Since the Digital Strategy was published, the ASA has implemented new guidance, which states that speed claims should be based on the download speeds available to at least 50% of customers at peak time, and no longer on 'up to' speeds available to at least 10% of customers. Ofcom has also updated its Code of Practice on Broadband Speeds.</p><p> </p><p>The ASA also reviewed the use of the term ‘fibre’ to describe part-fibre and full-fibre broadband and concluded in November 2017 that the term 'fibre' is unlikely to mislead consumers as currently used in the advertising of part-fibre broadband services. In June 2018, the Administrative Court granted CityFibre permission to proceed with its Judicial Review (JR) of the ASA's decision. The next stage is for the Administrative Court to make a substantive decision on the JR.</p><p> </p><p>The Government remains committed to working with regulators and industry to ensure that consumers receive clear, concise and accurate information in order to make informed choices about their broadband, particularly as the rollout of new technologies like full fibre broadband increases. As part of this, we will monitor developments in other countries, including Italy’s current trial of a traffic light system for broadband advertising.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will be consulting on its Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, spectrum and post shortly.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stourbridge answering member printed Margot James grouped question UIN 213437 213439 question first answered 05/02/2019 14:09:22 answering member 4115 label Biography information for Margot James
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1050130

	registered interest
	date	28/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Broadband: Advertising
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Digital and the Creative Industries of Thursday 15 November 2018, Official Report column 545, whether he plans to include proposals to tackle the misleading advertising of fibre broadband in his forthcoming Statement of Strategic Priorities to Ofcom.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	213439
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2019 answer text <p>The 2017 Digital Strategy set out that Government would work with regulators and industry to ensure that the advertising of broadband reflects the speeds that consumers can expect to receive and accurately describes the technology used.</p><p> </p><p>Since the Digital Strategy was published, the ASA has implemented new guidance, which states that speed claims should be based on the download speeds available to at least 50% of customers at peak time, and no longer on 'up to' speeds available to at least 10% of customers. Ofcom has also updated its Code of Practice on Broadband Speeds.</p><p> </p><p>The ASA also reviewed the use of the term ‘fibre’ to describe part-fibre and full-fibre broadband and concluded in November 2017 that the term 'fibre' is unlikely to mislead consumers as currently used in the advertising of part-fibre broadband services. In June 2018, the Administrative Court granted CityFibre permission to proceed with its Judicial Review (JR) of the ASA's decision. The next stage is for the Administrative Court to make a substantive decision on the JR.</p><p> </p><p>The Government remains committed to working with regulators and industry to ensure that consumers receive clear, concise and accurate information in order to make informed choices about their broadband, particularly as the rollout of new technologies like full fibre broadband increases. As part of this, we will monitor developments in other countries, including Italy’s current trial of a traffic light system for broadband advertising.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will be consulting on its Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, spectrum and post shortly.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stourbridge answering member printed Margot James grouped question UIN 213437 213438 question first answered 05/02/2019 14:09:22 answering member 4115 label Biography information for Margot James
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1042300

	registered interest
	date	16/01/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will commission an independent review of the (a) adequacy, (b) cost effectiveness and (c) effect on the diversity of students of credibility interviews within the student immigration system.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
	tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
	uin	209352
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2019 answer text <p>An internal review of point of application credibility interviews for interna-tional students was conducted in 2018 to ensure that interviews are adding value to the case consideration process and not unnecessarily inconven-iencing customers. Up to date risk information was factored in to this review. Regular engagement with universities and other educational institutions en-sures that feedback is collected in relation to the application process.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 21/01/2019 18:00:05 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson