As I said in my answer of 17 June, aside from the two cases of rendition through Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory) in 2002, there have been no other instances in which US intelligence flights have landed in the UK, our Overseas Territories, or the Crown Dependencies, with a detainee on board since 11 September 2001. Though my answer of 2 July referred to this previous answer, it did not specifically repeat the reference to the two cases in 2002, and I want to clarify that for my noble friend.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3839", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Warsi"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Warsi"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-07-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-07-21T14:32:49.1825834Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-07-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Diego Garcia"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 2 July (WA 275), whether it is the case that no flights of any kind with any detainee on board have landed at Diego Garcia since September 2001.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2568", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ashcroft"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Ashcroft"} ], "uin" : "HL849"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65923", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65923/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Turks and Caicos Islands and other British Overseas Territories are small, open and dynamic economies that offer opportunities for investment and trade. UK Ministers and Territory leaders have agreed, through the Joint Ministerial Council last year, an ambitious practical agenda to support our shared vision for the Territories as vibrant and flourishing communities, proudly retaining aspects of British identity and generating opportunities for their people. This agenda includes working together to promote trade and investment opportunities in the Territories, to deliver on the G8 tax and transparency agenda, and to maintain high standards of governance and rule of law. The EU has recently agreed improved market access for Territory services and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) have opened their overseas market introduction service to Territory companies.<\/p>
The Government is committed to continuing to build a strong partnership with the Turks and Caicos Islands government to help them develop their economy. Since 2008, the UK has supported far reaching reform, including strengthening of economic governance and the management of public finances, and provided a loan guarantee worth up to $260 million. Further, the UK agreed to proposals for the redevelopment of passenger facilities at Providenciales International Airport. The redevelopment should increase its capacity and improve the customer experience. It is expected to be completed later this year.<\/p>
The Government is continuing to support reform in the Turks and Caicos Islands, including through a Technical Assistance programme supporting capacity building work across a number of Ministries (budget of £1.5 million in financial year 2014-15).<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3839", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Warsi"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Warsi"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-07-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-07-21T16:15:31.2876667Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-07-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Turks and Caicos Islands"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what steps are being taken to promote economic growth in the Turks and Caicos Islands.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2568", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ashcroft"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Ashcroft"} ], "uin" : "HL850"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65924", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65924/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
There are no proposals for the UK to give debt relief to the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory.<\/p>
The Turks and Caicos Islands are not in receipt of a loan from the British Government. In 2011, the UK provided a loan guarantee worth up to $260 million in response to the Territory\u2019s governance and economic crisis. The British Government expects the Turks and Caicos Islands government to finance its borrowing independently and on an affordable and sustainable basis from the end of 2015/16 without a UK guarantee.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3839", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Warsi"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Warsi"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-07-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-07-21T16:19:20.3842635Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-07-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Turks and Caicos Islands"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether there are any proposals to give debt relief to the Turks and Caicos Islands; and if not, why not.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2568", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ashcroft"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Ashcroft"} ], "uin" : "HL851"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65925", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65925/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK and Turks and Caicos Islands governments have agreed a framework for management of public finances that includes principles of good financial management as well as the debt ceilings. Key requirements are that net debt is less than 110 per cent of revenue by the end of the financial year 2015/16 and less than 80 per cent of revenue by the end of the financial year 2018/19, and that debt service is less than 10 per cent of annual operating revenue and liquid assets at least 25 per cent of annual operating revenue.
The Turks and Caicos Islands government has run a surplus for the last two years and continues to be on track to meet the provisions of the agreed framework document. In accordance with the Turks and Caicos Islands legislation, surpluses are paid into a Sinking Fund. The Sinking Fund may only be used for the purposes of paying down debt. However, how the debt is repaid is ultimately a delegated matter for the Turks and Caicos Islands government.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3839", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Warsi"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Warsi"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-07-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-07-21T13:29:20.2799452Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-07-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Turks and Caicos Islands"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether there are any proposals to use the sinking fund balance under the Turks and Caicos Islands debt obligations to pay down, to pay off or to buy back existing debt to reduce interest charges.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2568", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ashcroft"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Ashcroft"}
], "uin" : "HL852"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65928", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65928/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
During the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict I chaired a roundtable on the role of faith leaders and communities in tackling sexual violence. Participants included two religious leaders from Burma. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), met Deputy Foreign Minister U Thant Kyaw separately during the Global Summit. They discussed a series of bilateral issues and Mr Swire raised a range of human rights concerns. Mr Swire welcomed the Burmese government\u2019s attendance at the Summit and urged them to follow-up quickly with a credible action plan to tackle sexual violence that involved the military. Mr Swire also hosted an event for Burmese civil society, in which he welcomed the attendance of Burmese civil society and religious leaders at the Global Summit.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3839", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Warsi"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Warsi"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-07-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-07-21T14:32:03.583523Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-07-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Burma"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether any discussions were held at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict concerning the situation in Burma.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/738", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Alton of Liverpool"} ], "uin" : "HL855"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65929", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65929/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Our defence engagement with Burma is focussed on the core principles of democratic accountability, international law and human rights. UK provision of defence training to the Burma Army is limited to non-combat related academic courses. This has included a course entitled \u201cManaging Defence in the Wider Security Context\u201d (MDWSC). The MDWSC covers the UK model of democratic accountability, the importance of good governance in defence and the significance of professionalism in a nation\u2019s Armed Forces, including observation of human rights obligations.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3839", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Warsi"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Warsi"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-07-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-07-21T13:25:37.2453299Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-07-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Burma"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what steps are being taken to incorporate discussion of torture, sexual violence and other war crimes and crimes against humanity and other human rights violations in the military training provided to the Burmese army by the United Kingdom.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/738", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Alton of Liverpool"} ], "uin" : "HL856"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65930", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65930/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "We have had a number of discussions with the Burmese government on the importance of Burma ratifying the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). At the request of the Burmese government, our Embassy in Rangoon recently funded an experts\u2019 visit to Burma for the purpose of identifying steps that would need to be taken and issues that would need to be considered in reaching the decision to ratify the ICCPR. We hope this will lay the foundations for further action in the coming months."} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3839", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Warsi"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Warsi"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-07-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-07-21T13:26:19.703739Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-07-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Burma"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what steps they are taking to persuade the government of Burma to sign the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and what is their assessment of Burma\u2019s position in respect of the Covenant.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/738", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Alton of Liverpool"} ], "uin" : "HL857"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65933", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65933/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We monitor the ongoing tensions in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region closely and are aware of the incident reported in Rangamati. We condemn all acts of violence and call on the Bangladeshi authorities to investigate all such incidents promptly, transparently and impartially. At Bangladesh's second Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council on 29 April 2013 the British Government urged the Government of Bangladesh to fulfil its commitment to fully implement the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord which will provide greater security to indigenous populations by establishing political and social rights and providing a mechanism for resolving land disputes.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3839", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Warsi"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Warsi"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-07-10T13:31:40.668293Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-07-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bangladesh"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to ask the government of Bangladesh to investigate reports of an attack on a vehicle carrying members of the International Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission in Rangamati on 6 July.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1665", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Avebury"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Avebury"} ], "uin" : "HL860"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65934", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65934/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We remain deeply concerned by reports of sexual violence and other human rights violations in Burma. While there are signs that incidents of sexual violence have decreased since the Burmese government signed ceasefire agreements with a number of non-state armed groups, it remains a serious problem. The UK remain one of the most vocal and active members of the international community in supporting those calling for the respect of human rights in Burma. We raise our strong concerns with senior members of the Burmese government and military regularly. We have made clear to the Burmese government that allegations of human rights abuses must be dealt with through clear, independent and transparent investigative and prosecutorial processes which meet international standards.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3839", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Warsi"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Warsi"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-07-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-07-21T13:27:37.0028514Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-07-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Burma"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what assessment they have made of reports of sexual violence in conflict in Burma.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3895", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead"} ], "uin" : "HL861"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65935", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/65935/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We are deeply concerned by reports of the use of torture, sexual violence and other human rights violations in Burma. We remain one of the most vocal and active members of the international community in supporting those calling for the respect of human rights in Burma. We raise our strong concerns with senior members of the Burmese government and military regularly. We have made clear to the Burmese government that allegations of human rights abuses must be dealt with through clear, independent and transparent investigative and prosecutorial processes which meets international standards<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3839", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Warsi"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Warsi"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-07-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-07-14T10:37:46.5058326Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-07-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Burma"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address accountability for torture, sexual violence and other human rights violations in Burma.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3895", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead"} ], "uin" : "HL862"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?date=2014-07-07&_page=1&AnsweringBody.=Foreign+and+Commonwealth+Office", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 25, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }