2018-06-26T14:58:02.67Z Cities of London and Westminster Mark Field false 2018-06-26 Biography information for Mark Field We remain concerned about reports of persecution of Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners and others on the grounds of their religion or belief in China. The freedom to practise, change or share one’s faith or belief without discrimination or violent opposition is a fundamental human right that all people should enjoy. We believe that societies which aim to guarantee freedom of religion or belief are more stable, prosperous and more resilient against violent extremism. The UK last raised these issues with China at the UK/China Human Rights Dialogue in June 2017. 155879 16 2018-06-20 Biography information for Kate Osamor Kate Osamor 1 Foreign and Commonwealth Office China: Religious Freedom Edmonton Foreign and Commonwealth Office false House of Commons To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on the (a) right to freedom of religion and belief in China and (b) the effect of revised regulations on religious affairs in China on that right. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Nicaragua: Human Rights false What recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Nicaragua. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Foreign and Commonwealth Office 906056 Diana Johnson 1 2018-06-26 Kingston upon Hull North Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson Foreign and Commonwealth Office 2018-06-26T15:06:59.317Z Rutland and Melton Sir Alan Duncan false 2018-06-26 Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan The Government remains deeply concerned by the reported human rights abuses and excessive use of force by security services. We condemn violence against peaceful protesters, particularly the use of live ammunition. The Nicaraguan Government must respect human rights and take responsibility for ending the violence. 16 Foreign and Commonwealth Office Biography information for Kate Hollern 2018-06-26T16:47:19.927Z Rutland and Melton Sir Alan Duncan false 2018-06-26 <p>​As the Prime Minister said on 20 June, the reports and pictures we have seen in the past couple of days are deeply disturbing and wrong. We do not apply similar measures here and will never do so. Later on 20 June, President Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at ending the separation policy.</p> Kate Hollern USA: Undocumented Migrants 16 Foreign and Commonwealth Office 1 false Blackburn 156439 To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the US administration on reuniting families separated as a result of that administration's policies on immigration. 2018-06-21 Foreign and Commonwealth Office 1 Brighton, Pavilion Caroline Lucas 16 Laith Abu Zeyad Foreign and Commonwealth Office 154673 false Foreign and Commonwealth Office 2018-06-26T17:01:57.82Z North East Bedfordshire Alistair Burt false 2018-06-26 Biography information for Alistair Burt <p>Whilst we have not raised the case of Laith Abu Zeyad, our Consul General in Jerusalem raised our concerns over the actions of the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces and police during the demonstration held in Ramallah on 13 June. He stressed the need for an investigation to understand what happened, to learn the lessons and to enable appropriate action to be taken.</p> Biography information for Caroline Lucas To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has made representations to his Palestinian counterparts on the case of Amnesty International staff member, Laith Abu Zeyad; and if he will make a statement. Foreign and Commonwealth Office 2018-06-18 false Home Office Entry Clearances: Overseas Students 1 2018-06-21 Biography information for Martyn Day 2018-06-26T16:43:46.727Z Romsey and Southampton North Caroline Nokes false 2018-06-26 Biography information for Caroline Nokes <p>We welcome Indian students who want to come to the UK to study at our world-leading educational institutions and there remains no limit on the number of genuine international students who can come to study in the UK.</p><p>We issue more visas to students from India than any other country, except China and the USA.</p><p>In the year ending March 2018, the number of Indian student visas granted increased by 30% to 15,171 from the previous year.</p><p>Over 90% of Indian students who apply for a UK visa get one. This is up from 86% in 2014 and 83% the year before that. In addition, the proportion of Indian students coming to study in the UK at a university has increased from around 50% in 2010 to 93% in 2017.</p> 1 To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment his Department has made of the change in the number of student visas issued to applicants from India between 2010 and 2018. Martyn Day Home Office Home Office 156473 Linlithgow and East Falkirk Belfast North 2018-06-21 Nigel Dodds Environment, Food and Rural Affairs To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has had any discussions with counterparts in the devolved administrations on the outcome of the Bovine TB consultation on proposals to introduce licensed badger control in the Low Risk Area (England). Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1 Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2018-06-26T11:28:59.553Z Camborne and Redruth George Eustice false 2018-06-26 Biography information for George Eustice <p>We regularly meet and engage with Devolved Administrations to discuss bovine TB. The outcome of the bovine TB consultation on proposals to introduce licensed badger control in the Low Risk Area of England has been discussed with Devolved Administrations and with Devolved Administration Chief Veterinary Officers.</p> false Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control 13 156366 Liz Saville Roberts 14 false Dwyfor Meirionnydd 154785 Treasury 2018-06-26T09:13:03.173Z Central Devon Mel Stride false 2018-06-26 Biography information for Mel Stride <p>We recognise that provision of defibrillators could help those who have a cardiac arrest outside a hospital setting. The government maintains several VAT reliefs to aid purchases of defibrillators, including purchases made by local authorities and those made through voluntary contributions which are donated to eligible charities or the NHS.</p><p> </p><p>The current framework of European law limits further VAT reliefs being applied to defibrillators. Our future relationship with the EU, including on VAT, is subject to negotiation. Any future decisions on VAT will continue to be taken in line with the normal Budget process.</p> 1 Medical Equipment: VAT To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has plans to review the policy of charging VAT on (a) defibrillators and (b) other medical equipment. Treasury Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts 2018-06-18 Treasury 2018-06-18 Home Office 2018-06-26T11:29:46.587Z Louth and Horncastle Victoria Atkins false 2018-06-26 Biography information for Victoria Atkins <p>We have not yet announced a date for the alignment of subsistence rates and we will set this out in due course, when we have finalised the specific details around the implementation. We are working closely with stakeholders to ensure that this happens as smoothly as possible. The overall amount of money available for supporting victims of modern slavery will not fall, but by making these changes more money is being made available to treble the period of “move on” support, which will happen at the same time, and will help people leaving victim support with their transition to other arrangements.</p><p>When considering the level of these rates, the essential needs of potential victims were assessed to be comparable to the needs of asylum seekers. This is why the tested and established methodology that has been developed to measure the level of subsistence for asylum seekers will be adopted to measure the level of subsistence for potential victims of modern slavery. The rate is reassessed annually, and in 2018 was increased to £37.75. Where it has been identified that victims of slavery have needs above those of asylum seekers or have additional entitlements under the Council of Europe Convention Against Trafficking in Human Beings, these needs are met within the existing Adult Victims of Modern Slavery Care Contract. The methodology includes an allowance for individuals to purchase their food, and this will be taken into consideration when considering the level of subsistence for potential victims who live in catered accommodation, to ensure consistency throughout support. <br> <br>Victims will continue to receive dedicated and expert support, which is tailored to their unique needs as victims of modern slavery. This includes access to legal aid, counselling, NHS medical and dental services. This will ensure there is a consistent approach for all individuals receiving similar government support. It is also essential that we target support to confirmed victims, at the point they need it most.</p><p>We are working closely with the Salvation Army and the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner to ensure that the implementation of this change is as smooth as possible.</p> 154593 1 Gedling Biography information for Lord Coaker Vernon Coaker Home Office Slavery 1 Home Office To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 10 May 2018 to Question 140986, when the alignment of subsistence rates for victims of trafficking with asylum seekers is planed to take place; and what the new subsistence rates are to be set at for victims of modern slavery supported by the National Referral Mechanism living in (a) accommodation in a safe house with food provided and (b) a safe house where they purchase their own food who (i) have applied for asylum and (ii) are receiving outreach support. true 155371 false 1 Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Radio: Licensing Ceredigion Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Ben Lake To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what representations the Welsh Government has made to his Department on the criteria Ofcom uses when deciding on the award of local commercial radio licences. 10 Digital, Culture, Media and Sport 2018-06-19 Biography information for Ben Lake 2018-06-26T14:58:40.413Z Stourbridge Margot James false 2018-06-26 Biography information for Margot James <p>We have not received any representations from the Welsh government on the criteria that Ofcom uses when making decisions on awarding local commercial radio licences, nor have there been any discussions between the department and the Welsh Language Commissioner on Ofcom’s compliance with Welsh Language Standards. Ofcom meets with the Commissioner regularly to discuss compliance.</p> 155372 Ceredigion 2018-06-19 false Ofcom: Welsh Language 155372 To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the Welsh Language Commissioner on Ofcom’s compliance with the Welsh Language Standards. Ben Lake Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Digital, Culture, Media and Sport 2018-06-26T14:58:40.473Z Stourbridge Margot James false 2018-06-26 <p>We have not received any representations from the Welsh government on the criteria that Ofcom uses when making decisions on awarding local commercial radio licences, nor have there been any discussions between the department and the Welsh Language Commissioner on Ofcom’s compliance with Welsh Language Standards. Ofcom meets with the Commissioner regularly to discuss compliance.</p> 155371 10 1 Digital, Culture, Media and Sport 10 319 0 1