I visited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in April 2018 and discussed electronic voting machines with the Electoral Commission (CENI). At their request, the UK funded a technical analysis of the machines to help identify and mitigate the challenges around their use in DRC\u2019s elections.<\/p>
<\/p>
The UK has repeatedly encouraged CENI to adopt the recommendations from the analysis and address concerns of stakeholders with the electoral process, including most recently through a UN Security Council Statement on 21st November, and a meeting between senior officials and CENI on 11th<\/sup> December.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4107", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Worcestershire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Harriett Baldwin"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-20T16:09:00.13Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Democratic Republic of Congo: Elections"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make representations to the Congolese Government on reported concerns with the adequacy of electronic voting arrangements in the forthcoming elections.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1409", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Londonderry"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Gregory Campbell"}
], "uin" : "202720"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1027422", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1027422/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " \u200bDespite constitutional recognition, the persecution of Christians has been continuous, systemic, and institutionalised. We regularly raise the treatment of Christians in Iran with the Iranian Government, and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor record on all human rights issues.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1201", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alistair Burt"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alistair Burt"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-20T16:10:41.683Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Iran: Christianity"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his Iranian counterpart on the arrest of Christians for sharing their faith.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1409", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Londonderry"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Gregory Campbell"}
], "uin" : "202789"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1024688", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1024688/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The introduction of a mental health strategy in Northern Ireland, as a devolved matter, is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Department of Health.<\/p> <\/p> The Department is developing a five year plan for mental health with the focus on improving the general mental health of people in Northern Ireland. Whilst publication of any plan will be subject to future Ministerial approval, the plan will be fully co-produced with extensive engagement with the sector throughout each stage of the process. This will ensure that any future incoming Minister has an informed plan available for consideration on how mental health services should be developed going forward, in line with current strategic frameworks and policies.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4110", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Karen Bradley"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Staffordshire Moorlands"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Karen Bradley"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-18T10:06:31.263Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Mental Health Services: Northern Ireland"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in the absence of a devolved Administration in Northern Ireland, if she will hold discussions with mental health groups on the urgent introduction of a mental health strategy for Northern Ireland.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1409", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Londonderry"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Gregory Campbell"}
], "uin" : "202039"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1024697", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1024697/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " No.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1544", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Milton Keynes North"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Lancaster"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-18T11:52:13.563Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "EU Defence Policy: Finance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Government plans to contribute any funding from the public purse to the EU Cooperative Financial Mechanism before 29 March 2019.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1409", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Londonderry"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Gregory Campbell"}
], "uin" : "202040"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1024805", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1024805/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government has not set a target for reducing the number of deaths due to smoking related conditions. Last year we published \u2018Towards a smoke-free generation: a Tobacco Control Plan for England\u2019, which committed the Government to achieve a smoke-free generation. Over the course of this Parliament the Government aims to reduce smoking prevalence from:<\/p> - 15.5% to 12% amongst adults;<\/p> - 10.7% to 6% amongst pregnant women; and<\/p> - 8% to 3% amongst 15-year olds who regularly smoke.<\/p> <\/p> The Government also aims to reduce the inequality gap in smoking prevalence between those in routine and manual occupations and the general population.<\/p> <\/p> Death rates due to smoking have been falling since 2006 and evidence suggests that quitting smoking will improve one\u2019s life expectancy, even if quitting happens later in life.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4067", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Brine"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Winchester"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Steve Brine"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-18T17:01:16.923Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Smoking: Death"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has set a target for reducing the number of deaths due to smoking-related conditions in the lifetime of this Parliament.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1409", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Londonderry"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Gregory Campbell"}
], "uin" : "202051"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1024808", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1024808/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Preparations for the introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT in April 2019 are progressing well. MTD will make it easier for businesses to get their tax right, reducing the tax gap caused by avoidable errors and saving businesses time which can be devoted to maximising business opportunities, and helping foster good financial planning.<\/p> <\/p> In October, HMRC opened the pilot to over 500,000 customers who will be required to join the service from April, and they are on track to open up the service to the remainder of mandated customers early in the New Year.<\/p> <\/p> There has also been excellent progress with the software that businesses will use to keep their records and send HMRC their VAT information. A variety of products at different price points are available (including some that are free), and some can be used with a spreadsheet for those who prefer not to make the move to a fuller software product.<\/p> <\/p> Businesses will need to join the new service in time to send HMRC their VAT return information before their first deadline for a return period which starts after 1 April. For the majority who file quarterly that will be by 7 August 2019 at the earliest. HMRC is continuing to send letters to all businesses in scope, raising their awareness and inviting them to join early so that they can test the service before mandation.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3935", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mel Stride"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Devon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mel Stride"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-18T14:45:14.413Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Taxation: Electronic Government"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether all preparations for the introduction of the Making Tax Digital scheme in April 2019 are complete.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1409", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Londonderry"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Gregory Campbell"}
], "uin" : "202086"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1023889", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1023889/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Home Office provides a wide range of funding and support to civil society groups to counter extremism and hate crime. The processes for assessment and delivery include checks on groups and individuals to highlight extremism related risk and inform decision making prior to support being awarded.<\/p> Checks are refreshed on a regular basis for those in receipt of support. In addition, grant agreements include a clause which enables the Home Office to withdraw funding from groups if they are found to be taking part in extremist or hateful activity.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4399", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Victoria Atkins"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Louth and Horncastle"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Victoria Atkins"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-20T17:39:32.86Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Radicalism: Islam"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that funds from the public purse do not inadvertently assist or fund Islamist extremism.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1409", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Londonderry"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Gregory Campbell"}
], "uin" : "201575"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1023905", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Leader of the House"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1023905/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Short Money is a payment made available from the House of Commons to all opposition parties in the House of Commons that secured either two seats, or one seat and more than 150,000 votes, at the previous General Election. Short Money is not available to parties whose Members have not sworn the oath. Therefore a separate scheme, Representative Money, was introduced in 2006 for parties whose Members had not taken the oath.<\/p> The method of calculation is detailed in the comprehensive Library briefing note on the subject. https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/SN01663<\/a><\/p> The amount paid out under representative money in 2017/18 was £149,707.51.<\/p>