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170393

registered interest
date	15/12/2014
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	Commonwealth
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Commonwealth Secretary-General about the admittance of new member states with no historic or constitutional link to the UK; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	218607
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2015 answer text <p>I discussed Commonwealth membership with the Secretary-General on 16 December. He is currently considering a number of expressions of interest in membership of the Commonwealth. Commonwealth Heads of Government agreed recommendations on criteria for membership in 2007. Under that agreement, countries aspiring to join the Commonwealth should generally have a constitutional link to an existing member to be considered eligible. However a country without such a connection may exceptionally be admitted.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 05/01/2015 14:53:21 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

169497

registered interest
date	10/12/2014
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	South Sudan
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterpart from South Sudan on that country's membership of the Commonwealth; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	218129
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2014 answer text <p>The Foreign Minister of South Sudan last raised their Commonwealth application with my hon friend the member for Boston and Skegness (Mark Simmonds MP), the former Minister for Africa, in June 2014. South Sudan’s application to join the Commonwealth is being assessed by the Commonwealth Secretariat.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 17/12/2014 13:46:05 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

169502

registered interest
date	10/12/2014
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	Somaliland
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 the reintegration of Somaliland into Somalia; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	218174
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2014 answer text It is for Somalia and Somaliland themselves to determine their future relationship and for neighbouring countries in the region to take the lead in recognising any new arrangements. Following the London Conference in February 2012, which “recognised the need for the international community to support any dialogue that Somaliland and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) or its replacement may agree to establish in order to clarify their future relations”, the TFG and Somaliland met for the first time at Chevening in the UK, in June 2012. They agreed to cooperate on matters of mutual interest. Somalia and Somaliland have held several further rounds of talks in Turkey, at Ministerial level. answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 17/12/2014 15:58:07 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

169510

registered interest
date	10/12/2014
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	The Gambia: Commonwealth
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Commonwealth Secretary-General about Gambia's return to the Commonwealth; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	218001
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/12/2014 answer text The UK has had no discussions with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, about The Gambia’s return to the Commonwealth. The decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth was an executive decision taken solely by Gambian President Jammeh. Although the Commonwealth Secretary-General has publicly stated that The Gambia’s return would be welcomed, President Jammeh has made it clear that he will not reverse his decision. If The Gambia did decide to return to the Commonwealth, it would need to make a formal application to the Secretary-General. answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 15/12/2014 14:08:59 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

168936

registered interest
date	09/12/2014
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	Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
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 increase trade between the UK and APEC economies; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	217838
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/12/2014 answer text <p>The Government is actively supporting British companies to do business in APEC countries. Our posts in the region help UK-based companies to identify and pursue new opportunities and work to promote the conditions in which business can succeed. To raise awareness in the UK of business opportunities, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) has supported relevant business networks, including the UK-ASEAN Business Council and the China Britain Business Council. The Government actively supports the negotiation of an EU Free Trade Agreement with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies. The EU-Korea FTA, signed in July 2011, has seen UK exports of goods to Korea more than double from £2.1bn to £4.6bn, and agreement has been reached on a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Canada and a Free Trade Agreement with Singapore. We expect these to deliver a significant boost to the UK’s trade with these economies and UKTI is working to ensure that UK business is well placed to secure the commercial benefits.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 16/12/2014 15:09:00 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

168937

registered interest
date	09/12/2014
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	Older Workers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many people working in his Department are over 65 years old; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	217829
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/12/2014 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has 40 UK Based staff over 65 years old in its employment. These comprise of 18 permanent staff, 20 Fee Paid staff and 2 Fixed Term Contract staff.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 15/12/2014 16:04:12 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

168939

registered interest
date	09/12/2014
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	Disabled Staff
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many people with a disability work in his Department; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	217908
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/12/2014 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) takes seriously its obligations to collect diversity data as required by the Equality Act 2010. Information about the diversity and makeup of our staff is listed in the FCO's Diversity and Equality Report. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/diversity-and-equality-report-2014</p><p>All staff have been asked to provide personal disability data to be held anonymously. We continue to encourage increased declaration by staff as current declaration rates are below the level necessary to give meaningful statistical information.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 15/12/2014 16:47:02 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

168030

registered interest
date	04/12/2014
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	Moldova
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has assessed the recent Moldovan parliamentary elections as free and fair; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	217162
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2014 answer text <p>The 30 November Moldovan parliamentary elections illustrate Moldova’s commitment to democracy. We support the right of every Moldovan voter to have their say on the future they want for their country without outside interference.</p><p>The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights-led international election mission’s Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions found that the parliamentary elections were &quot;conducted in line with international standards and norms&quot;. And that, although the late exclusion from the election of one political party raised questions about timing and circumstances, there was a wide choice of political alternatives.</p><p>The UK provided two long-term and 18 short-term observers to the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights mission.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 10/12/2014 16:39:25 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

168031

registered interest
date	04/12/2014
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	Indonesia
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 increase bilateral trade with Indonesia; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	217159
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2014 answer text <p>The Government is committed to growing trade between the UK and Indonesia. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) appointed my hon. Friend, the Member for Gloucester (Richard Graham) as Trade Envoy to Indonesia in November 2012. He has visited Indonesia six times since his appointment and has introduced British companies to senior decision makers in the Indonesian government and the private sector, as well as promoting the benefits of doing business in Indonesia at events across the UK. British exports of goods to Indonesia grew by 2.6% in 2012 and 8% in 2013 .</p><p>Indonesia is also part of the Government’s Overseas Business Network Initiative, through which the British Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia provides additional complementary services to British companies seeking to do business in Indonesia. This initiative has enabled a doubling in the assistance offered to British companies.</p><p>The Government announced the establishment of the UK ASEAN Business Council (UKABC) in November 2011. The UKABC’s purpose is to facilitate a step change in trade between the UK and South East Asia by raising awareness of the opportunities in the region and providing practical advice on doing business there. This year the UKABC has organised four events specifically focussed on Indonesia; representatives from the UK Trade and Investment Indonesia team or the British Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia have also participated in the UKABC’s regionally-focussed events.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 11/12/2014 15:16:54 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

168032

registered interest
date	04/12/2014
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	Hong Kong
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations the Government has made to the government of the People's Republic of China on protests and unrest in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	217157
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2014 answer text <p>The situation in Hong Kong has been raised multiple times since the protests began, including between the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) and President Xi, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) and the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Lord Livingston and Hong Kong Financial Secretary John Tsang. I have personally raised this issue with Guo Yezhou, Vice Minister of the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party, and Rimsky Yuen, the Hong Kong Secretary of Justice. In addition, our officials have had regular contact on this issue with representatives from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the government of the People's Republic of China.</p><p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued statements on the situation in Hong Kong on both 29 September and 2 October. I made a statement to Parliament on 13 October and also responded to debates on Hong Kong in Westminster Hall on 22 October and in the House of Commons on 2 December.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 11/12/2014 15:13:46 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby