{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Foreign%20and%20Commonwealth%20Office&_page=0&min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2014-10-29&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-10-28T16:38:09.774546Z&_properties=answer.isMinisterialCorrection,hansardHeading,answer.attachment.title&_sort=-legislature.prefLabel", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Foreign%20and%20Commonwealth%20Office&min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2014-10-29&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-10-28T16:38:09.774546Z&_properties=answer.isMinisterialCorrection,hansardHeading,answer.attachment.title&_sort=-legislature.prefLabel", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Foreign%20and%20Commonwealth%20Office&_page=0&min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2014-10-29&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-10-28T16:38:09.774546Z&_properties=answer.isMinisterialCorrection,hansardHeading,answer.attachment.title&_metadata=all&_sort=-legislature.prefLabel", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Foreign%20and%20Commonwealth%20Office&min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2014-10-29&_page=0&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-10-28T16:38:09.774546Z&_properties=answer.isMinisterialCorrection,hansardHeading,answer.attachment.title&_sort=-legislature.prefLabel", "isPartOf" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Foreign%20and%20Commonwealth%20Office&min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2014-10-29&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-10-28T16:38:09.774546Z&_properties=answer.isMinisterialCorrection,hansardHeading,answer.attachment.title&_sort=-legislature.prefLabel", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Foreign%20and%20Commonwealth%20Office&min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2014-10-29&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-10-28T16:38:09.774546Z&_properties=answer.isMinisterialCorrection,hansardHeading,answer.attachment.title&_sort=-legislature.prefLabel", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Foreign%20and%20Commonwealth%20Office&_page=0&min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2014-10-29&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-10-28T16:38:09.774546Z&_properties=answer.isMinisterialCorrection,hansardHeading,answer.attachment.title&_sort=-legislature.prefLabel", "type" : "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint"} , "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100002", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100002/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

We remain concerned about the violence faced by the Ahmadiyya and other communities in Pakistan and continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to protect and guarantee the fundamental rights of all its citizens as laid down in the Constitution and in accordance with international standards. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office closely monitors the situation in Pakistan as documented in the annual Human Rights report and quarterly updates. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) and the former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised human rights concerns with Prime Minister Sharif during his visit in May 2014.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-29T15:37:50.2719664Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pakistan: Ahmadiyya"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what is their response to the assassination of the Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan, and in particular, the recent assasination of Latif Aalam Butt.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4218", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Berridge"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Berridge"} ], "uin" : "HL2217"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100014", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100014/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

As Lord Hill made clear during his hearing before the European Parliament, a strong UK financial services sector is in the interests not just of the City of London, and of the UK, but of the EU as a whole.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-03T14:52:54.5391728Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "European Commission"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what is their assessment of the commitment made by Lord Hill of Oareford to the European Parliament that he would put the interests of the European Union above those of the City of London.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} ], "uin" : "HL2229"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100016", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100016/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Article 17 (7) sub-paragraph three of the Treaty on European Union states that the Commission as a body is subject to a vote of consent by the European Parliament, and subsequently appointed by the European Council.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-03T14:53:19.7917741Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "European Commission"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government under what articles in the Treaties of the European Union the European Parliament has the power to reject the candidatures of European Commissioners nominated by member states.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} ], "uin" : "HL2231"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100017", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100017/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The annual accounts for all groups are available on the European Parliament (EP) website. The last year for which figures are available is 2013:<\/p>

European People\u2019s Party: \u20ac21,680,180<\/p>

Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats (S&D): \u20ac15,387,789.85<\/p>

Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE): \u20ac6,718,994.35<\/p>

Greens/EFA: \u20ac4,365,639.83<\/p>

GUE/NGL: \u20ac2,657,578.33<\/p>

European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR): \u20ac4,046,038.85<\/p>

Europe of Freedom and Democracy (EFD): \u20ac2,614,225.43<\/p>

Non -Attached: \u20ac1,315,501<\/p>

Link to accounts on EP website: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/groups/accounts_en.htm<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-04T12:32:15.9191147Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "European Parliament"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what is the amount of subsidy paid to each of the European Parliament\u2019s political groups annually.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} ], "uin" : "HL2232"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100032", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100032/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "Reports from Kobane continue to be deeply concerning. We have not made representations about these specific allegations, but we maintain a close dialogue with Turkey on the evolving crisis in the region. We applaud Turkey\u2019s generosity in hosting over 170,000 refugees that have fled the fighting in Kobane in recent weeks, in addition to the 1.4 million refugees already in Turkey."} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-04T17:55:10.6075039Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Syria"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what representations they are making to the government of Turkey over the Syrian Kurds currently detained by them at Suruc and who do not wish to be returned to Kobane.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2018", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hylton"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hylton"} ], "uin" : "HL2238"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100040", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100040/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Government is committed to reforming the EU to the benefit of all Member States, to make it more competitive, democratically accountable and fair for those inside and outside the Eurozone. Political parties have set out their position on the question of the appropriate exercise of competence in the EU. The Government\u2019s policy is clear: we need an EU where decisions are taken at the right level, with issues best left to member states decided at the national level. We have already shown that such reform is possible: cutting the EU budget; ending the UK\u2019s bailout obligations; cutting red tape in line with Business Taskforce recommendations; ensuring our fish stocks are managed regionally rather than centrally, agreeing three major Trade Agreements and launching trade talks with the US.<\/p>

Support for EU reform is growing: this summer, the President-elect of the European Commission committed to explore improving the interaction between the Commission and national parliaments, which he recognised have a key role to play in enforcing the principle of subsidiarity; to completing the internal market in products and services; to creating the right regulatory environment and promoting a climate of entrepreneurship and job creation; and to working for a deal that \u201caccepts the specificities of the UK in the EU, while allowing the Eurozone to integrate further.\u201d The European Council also recognised the need for reform. It concluded in June that there was a need to protect the right to free movement from \u201cmisuse or fraudulent claims\u201d and that \u201cthe concept of ever closer union allows for different paths of integration.\u201d<\/p>

The Government\u2019s proposals for EU reform will continue to respect the UK\u2019s obligations under the existing Treaties.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL2247"} , {"_value" : "HL2249"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-03T15:07:42.7651578Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "European Union"} , "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 ensure that when they wish to repatriate powers from the European Union they can do so without contravening European law.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} ], "uin" : "HL2246"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100041", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100041/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Government is committed to reforming the EU to the benefit of all Member States, to make it more competitive, democratically accountable and fair for those inside and outside the Eurozone. Political parties have set out their position on the question of the appropriate exercise of competence in the EU. The Government\u2019s policy is clear: we need an EU where decisions are taken at the right level, with issues best left to member states decided at the national level. We have already shown that such reform is possible: cutting the EU budget; ending the UK\u2019s bailout obligations; cutting red tape in line with Business Taskforce recommendations; ensuring our fish stocks are managed regionally rather than centrally, agreeing three major Trade Agreements and launching trade talks with the US.<\/p>

Support for EU reform is growing: this summer, the President-elect of the European Commission committed to explore improving the interaction between the Commission and national parliaments, which he recognised have a key role to play in enforcing the principle of subsidiarity; to completing the internal market in products and services; to creating the right regulatory environment and promoting a climate of entrepreneurship and job creation; and to working for a deal that \u201caccepts the specificities of the UK in the EU, while allowing the Eurozone to integrate further.\u201d The European Council also recognised the need for reform. It concluded in June that there was a need to protect the right to free movement from \u201cmisuse or fraudulent claims\u201d and that \u201cthe concept of ever closer union allows for different paths of integration.\u201d<\/p>

The Government\u2019s proposals for EU reform will continue to respect the UK\u2019s obligations under the existing Treaties.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL2246"} , {"_value" : "HL2249"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-03T15:07:43.5838293Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "European Union"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether they plan to repatriate powers from the European Union; and if so, which powers.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} ], "uin" : "HL2247"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100043", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100043/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Government is committed to reforming the EU to the benefit of all Member States, to make it more competitive, democratically accountable and fair for those inside and outside the Eurozone. Political parties have set out their position on the question of the appropriate exercise of competence in the EU. The Government\u2019s policy is clear: we need an EU where decisions are taken at the right level, with issues best left to member states decided at the national level. We have already shown that such reform is possible: cutting the EU budget; ending the UK\u2019s bailout obligations; cutting red tape in line with Business Taskforce recommendations; ensuring our fish stocks are managed regionally rather than centrally, agreeing three major Trade Agreements and launching trade talks with the US.<\/p>

Support for EU reform is growing: this summer, the President-elect of the European Commission committed to explore improving the interaction between the Commission and national parliaments, which he recognised have a key role to play in enforcing the principle of subsidiarity; to completing the internal market in products and services; to creating the right regulatory environment and promoting a climate of entrepreneurship and job creation; and to working for a deal that \u201caccepts the specificities of the UK in the EU, while allowing the Eurozone to integrate further.\u201d The European Council also recognised the need for reform. It concluded in June that there was a need to protect the right to free movement from \u201cmisuse or fraudulent claims\u201d and that \u201cthe concept of ever closer union allows for different paths of integration.\u201d<\/p>

The Government\u2019s proposals for EU reform will continue to respect the UK\u2019s obligations under the existing Treaties.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL2246"} , {"_value" : "HL2247"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-03T15:07:43.6741542Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "European Union"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether, in the light of recent comments by Mr José Manuel Barroso, they will publish details of what powers they consider can be repatriated from the European Union to the United Kingdom which would not be illegal under the existing treaties.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Stoddart of Swindon"} ], "uin" : "HL2249"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100050", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100050/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The accession process of countries from the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the European Union does not involve steps specifically aimed at ensuring that British citizens are compensated for any deprivation of property during the Tito era. However the criteria for EU accession for candidate countries do include a requirement to implement measures to ensure that the rule of law is firmly embedded within the judicial and political system. This includes respect for private property, and we note that the European Commission has highlighted specifically the need for progress on restitution of property in its most recent annual enlargement Progress Reports on the Western Balkans countries published on 8 October. Furthermore, all Western Balkan countries have ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms, the First Protocol of which enshrines the principle of respect for private property.

Some Western Balkans countries have, in recent years, made progress on the restitution of private property. Serbia invited applications for restitution and received 75,000 of them. Montenegro and Albania have been slower to implement their legislation on restitution, as highlighted in successive annual country Progress Reports by the European Commission. In 2012, the Commission recognised progress regarding restitution of property in Macedonia seized under the former Yugoslav Communist regime, despite administrative and judicial delays. In May, Albania (which was not part of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) submitted an action plan to the Council of Europe, aiming to create, by June 2015, an effective mechanism to enforce decisions on restitution of, or compensation for, property nationalised during the Communist regime. The Kosovo Property Claims Commission and Kosovo Property Agency continue to resolve outstanding private property disputes resulting from the 1998-99 armed conflict. Over 40,000 claims have been decided. Bosnia and Herzegovina has made no progress on restitution of private property in the last four years. Despite earlier attempts to enact a legal framework, there is none in place.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-03T15:09:31.4943649Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "EU Enlargement"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether, in the process of accession of further countries from the former Yugoslavia to the European Union, any steps are being taken to ensure that British citizens are compensated for any deprivation of property during the Tito era.", "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" : "HL2256"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100069", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100069/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The UK and EU continue to engage directly with the individual countries that form the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Not all members have devolved the relevant trade competences to the Union and not all are World Trade Organisation members. This creates incompatibilities in EU-EEU negotiations that can only be addressed with the individual EEU member states.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-04T17:17:53.8696311Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Eurasian Economic Union"} , "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 the likely political and economic impact of the Eurasian Economic Union being launched on 1 January 2015.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Suttie"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Suttie"} ], "uin" : "HL2275"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Foreign%20and%20Commonwealth%20Office&min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2014-10-29&_page=1&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-10-28T16:38:09.774546Z&_properties=answer.isMinisterialCorrection,hansardHeading,answer.attachment.title&_sort=-legislature.prefLabel", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 21172, "type" : "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"} }