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answering dept id
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49786

registered interest
date	06/05/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, who will represent the Government at the World Economic Forum on Africa in Abuja.
tabling member constituency	Camberwell and Peckham
tabling member printed	Ms Harriet Harman
uin	197777
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2014 answer text <p>No UK Minister was available to attend the World Economic Forum being held in Abuja on 7 – 9 May. We did propose to send senior officials, but the organisers of the World Economic Forum declined this request.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Mark Simmonds question first answered 12/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1393 label Biography information for Mark Simmonds
tabling member	150 label Biography information for Ms Harriet Harman

50300

registered interest
date	08/05/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, who the de facto administering power is in the area of Western Sahara not under Moroccan control; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
tabling member printed	Cathy Jamieson
uin	198207
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2014 answer text <p>The UK does not regard any power as the de facto administrator of that part of the territory of Western Sahara not under Moroccan control.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Hugh Robertson question first answered 13/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1415 label Biography information for Sir Hugh Robertson
tabling member	4011 label Biography information for Cathy Jamieson

47590

registered interest
date	08/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, who Dmitry Firtash met at his Department on 24 February 2014.
tabling member constituency	Bishop Auckland
tabling member printed	Helen Goodman
uin	195690
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials met Dmitry Firtash on 24 February to discuss developments in Ukraine and support for Ukraine from the international community. They did not discuss matters of national security. The meeting was part of a wider approach by the FCO to understand better the situation in Ukraine, by seeking information and views from a wide range of contacts, including senior business figures. The Government does not have plans to publish a note of the meeting at this time. According to our records, Dmitry Firtash has not attended any other meetings with the FCO in London.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington grouped question UIN 195691 195692 195693 195694 question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	1484 label Biography information for Helen Goodman

49999

registered interest
date	06/05/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which nation branding consultancies have been funded or part-funded by his Department to work in overseas states and territories in the last 10 years; and what fees have been paid to each of those consultancies in each year since 2004.
tabling member constituency	Angus
tabling member printed	Mr Mike Weir
uin	197984
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2014 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not directly funded any nation branding consultancies to work in overseas states and territories. Information on any part funded nation branded consultancies working in overseas states and territories is not held centrally and to collate this would incur disproportionate cost.</p><p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has, however, previously paid subscription fees for the years 2009-2012 to Anholt-GfK Roper Nation Brands Index, a US based market and consumer information organisation which provides an analytical ranking to help measure and manage national reputation. The subscription costs were: for 2012: £30,597.44; for 2011: £29,554.50; for 2010: £31,141.41 and for 2009: £33,960.81.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 12/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1384 label Biography information for Mike Weir

47241

registered interest
date	07/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which five companies were used most often to provide temporary workers for his Department in the last financial year; and how much in agency fees was paid to each of them.
tabling member constituency	Nottingham East
tabling member printed	Chris Leslie
uin	195553
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>All contingent labour (provision of temporary workers) procured by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is provided by Hayes Specialist Recruitment. In the last financial year (2013/14) £476,000 was paid to Hays in agency fees.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	422 label Biography information for Mr Chris Leslie

46924

registered interest
date	03/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which Government Minister took the decision that there were no grounds for a futher inquiry into the events in Amritsar in 1984.
tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire South
tabling member printed	Mr Douglas Alexander
uin	195279
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text <p>The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, was asked by the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) to lead a review to establish the facts relating to the UK's involvement in Operation Blue Star at the Golden Temple. The report was submitted to the Prime Minister and as I told Parliament in my statement to the House on 4 February 2014, Official Report, columns 139-142, it clearly showed the limited nature of UK advice on Operation Blue Star, and that there were no grounds for a further inquiry.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Mr William Hague question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 379 label Biography information for Lord Hague of Richmond
tabling member	632 label Biography information for Mr Douglas Alexander

47247

registered interest
date	07/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which 10 consultancy firms were paid the most by his Department in the last financial year; and how much each of those firms was paid.
tabling member constituency	Nottingham East
tabling member printed	Chris Leslie
uin	195575
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2014 answer text For the past financial year (2013-2014) the 10 organisations paid most by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for consultancy and the associated spend figures were as follows: ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION & DEVELOPMENT (OECD) £285,579.00 DLA PIPER UK LLP £148,283.34 CBRE LTD £103,412.14 FIELD FISHER WATERHOUSE £52,940.75 FONNEGRA GERLEIN S.A £50,745.43 SAMSON AND MCGRATH £34,136.41 ACCENTURE (UK) LTD £29,892.00 DTZ CONSULTING AND RESEARCH £28,700.00 HOGAN LOVELLS INTERNATIONAL LLP £26,153.81 HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS £21,061.27 answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 29/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	422 label Biography information for Mr Chris Leslie

50299

registered interest
date	08/05/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the provisions of the EU Deep and Comprehensive Free trade Agreement with Morocco apply outside the sovereign territory of Morocco.
tabling member constituency	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
tabling member printed	Cathy Jamieson
uin	198209
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2014 answer text <p>The terms of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement are currently being negotiated between the EU and the Kingdom of Morocco. The agreement is between the European Communities and their Member States and the Kingdom of Morocco.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Hugh Robertson question first answered 13/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1415 label Biography information for Sir Hugh Robertson
tabling member	4011 label Biography information for Cathy Jamieson

46912

registered interest
date	03/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Cabinet Secretary was tasked with assessing whether there were gounds for a further inquiry into the events surrounding the storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire South
tabling member printed	Mr Douglas Alexander
uin	195280
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text <p>The Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood's investigation looked at why the UK provided advice to the Indian authorities, the nature of the UK assistance and the impact of that assistance in Operation Blue Star at the Golden Temple. As I told Parliament in my statement to the House on 4 February 2014, Official Report, columns 139-142, the report and the documents we published clearly show the limited nature of UK advice on Operation Blue Star, and that there were no grounds for a further inquiry.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Mr William Hague question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 379 label Biography information for Lord Hague of Richmond
tabling member	632 label Biography information for Mr Douglas Alexander

47593

registered interest
date	08/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether matters of national security were discussed with Dmitry Firtash at the meeting at his Department on 24 February 2014.
tabling member constituency	Bishop Auckland
tabling member printed	Helen Goodman
uin	195693
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials met Dmitry Firtash on 24 February to discuss developments in Ukraine and support for Ukraine from the international community. They did not discuss matters of national security. The meeting was part of a wider approach by the FCO to understand better the situation in Ukraine, by seeking information and views from a wide range of contacts, including senior business figures. The Government does not have plans to publish a note of the meeting at this time. According to our records, Dmitry Firtash has not attended any other meetings with the FCO in London.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington grouped question UIN 195690 195691 195692 195694 question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	1484 label Biography information for Helen Goodman

49998

registered interest
date	06/05/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department, its executive agencies or non-departmental public bodies have funded or made contribution towards funding relating to nation branding development in any overseas state or territories in the last 10 years.
tabling member constituency	Angus
tabling member printed	Mr Mike Weir
uin	197983
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2014 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not directly funded any nation branding development in any overseas states or territories, nor have its executive agencies or non departmental public bodies. The British Council does not directly fund nation branding but, through its work building trust for the UK internationally, through cultural and educational exchanges for example, it benefits both the UK's and partner states' national brands on a reciprocal basis. Information on any co-funded nation branding activities carried out overseas is not held centrally and to collate this would incur disproportionate cost. Activities funded or carried out by an Overseas Territory Government to promote its own Territory is a matter of devolved responsibility.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 12/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1384 label Biography information for Mike Weir

47601

registered interest
date	08/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has updated its advice given to UK nationals in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, South Sudan and Gabon or who are considering visiting those countries following the recent outbreak of Ebola in the region.
tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
uin	195864
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2014 answer text <p>We have updated our travel advice for the following countries to notify travellers about the recent outbreak of Ebola virus disease: Guinea, Senegal, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania and Cote d'Ivoire.</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice</a></p><p>We advise people travelling to the affected region to check the health advice issued by the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).</p><p><a href="http://www.nathnac.org/ds/map_world.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.nathnac.org/ds/map_world.aspx</a></p><p>We will continue to monitor the situation in each country to ensure that our travel advice is up to date and accurate.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Mark Simmonds question first answered 28/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1393 label Biography information for Mark Simmonds
tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

47947

registered interest
date	09/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has made any recent representations to the government of Uzbekistan regarding the imprisonment of the journalist, Salidzhon Abdurakhmanov.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
tabling member printed	Ann McKechin
uin	196144
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/04/2014 answer text <p>We, along with our European partners, have raised the case of Mr Abdurakhmanov with the Uzbek authorities at Ministerial and official level on several occasions. The Senior Minister of State, my noble Friend the Rt. Hon. Baroness Warsi, raised this issue with the Uzbek Foreign Minister when he visited London last November. Our Embassy in Tashkent is in contact with the Uzbek human rights organisation, Ezgulik, which visited Mr. Abdurakhmanov in custody in January. Baroness Warsi discussed a range of human rights issues, including freedom of expression, with Ministers and senior officials when she visited Uzbekistan earlier this month.</p><p>Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) reporting has consistently highlighted our concerns about freedom of the press and harassment of journalists in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan remains on the list of Countries of Concern in the FCO's annual Human Rights and Democracy Report, reflecting longstanding concerns about the overall human rights situation in Uzbekistan. Our Embassy in Tashkent regularly raises these issues with the Uzbek authorities and funds projects that support good governance and human rights. We also continue to encourage further progress towards full implementation of Uzbekistan's international human rights commitments.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 30/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	1419 label Biography information for Ann McKechin

48537

registered interest
date	25/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department has any plans to end the employee trade union membership dues check-off system.
tabling member constituency	Livingston
tabling member printed	Graeme Morrice
uin	196766
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2014 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office recently reviewed the check-off arrangements and is considering the findings of that review.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Hugh Robertson question first answered 06/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1415 label Biography information for Sir Hugh Robertson
tabling member	4012 label Biography information for Graeme Morrice

50657

registered interest
date	13/05/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether hehas received the World Society for the Protection of Animals' recent report The Cayman Turtle Farm: A Continued Case for Change.
tabling member constituency	Worthing West
tabling member printed	Sir Peter Bottomley
uin	198482
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2014 answer text <p>I have received a copy of the report and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is analysing it in detail. However, it is the delegated responsibility of the Cayman Islands Government to manage its natural resources effectively and appropriately and for them to consider how best to respond to the report.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Mark Simmonds question first answered 14/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1393 label Biography information for Mark Simmonds
tabling member	117 label Biography information for Sir Peter Bottomley

47958

registered interest
date	09/04/2014
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
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 would refuse to consent to a special mission on (a) human rights grounds and (b) where the person in question has been the subject of a UK judicial arrest warrant, European Arrest Warrant or similar judicial process.
tabling member constituency	Hammersmith
tabling member printed	Mr Andy Slaughter
uin	196032
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2014 answer text <p>I refer to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), to the House on 4 March 2013, Official Report, columns 55-56WS. The Foreign Secretary announced a new process by which we would be informed of visits that may qualify for special mission status. The pilot process has improved the process for communicating and decision-making in respect of visits that may qualify for special mission status. Since the pilot's inception, we have received six such requests. There are no requests outstanding.</p><p>The former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), confirmed to the House on 12 July 2013, Official Report, columns 427W and 429W, that two of the requests which were granted, related to visits by Lieutenant General Benny Gantz of the Israeli Defence Forces and Doron Almog, Prime Minister Netanyahu's Chief of Staff for Bedouin Status improvement. In view of the confidentiality of diplomatic exchanges, we have no plans to publish further details about requests that have been granted or refused. But if those applying for special mission status wish to announce the details of their visit to the UK, they are of course at liberty to do so. <br>All applications for special mission status are considered carefully in view of both obligations incumbent upon the UK under customary international law and our policy of ending impunity for the most serious of international crimes and a commitment to the protection of human rights. Above this, it is for the courts to decide on the legal consequences of any decision to grant special mission status.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Mark Simmonds grouped question UIN 196033 196034 196035 question first answered 28/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1393 label Biography information for Mark Simmonds
tabling member	1516 label Biography information for Andy Slaughter

48215

registered interest
date	10/04/2014
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
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 plans to take steps against Spain other than to appeals to the Government should incursions on the UK border continue.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	196316
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2014 answer text <p>We will continue to uphold British sovereignty by challenging and protesting each and every unlawful incursion into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. We will also continue to lodge formal diplomatic protests about delays at the border.</p><p>In addition to these formal measures, we will continue to make representations to the Spanish government at the highest level, making clear the damage that unlawful incursions and disproportionate measures at the border cause to our bilateral relationship.</p><p>The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) has spoken twice to the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, about delays at the border. As a result of those conversations, the Commission sent a monitoring mission to the border and we now expect the Commission to insist that Spain implements the recommendations it received on improving the flow of people and traffic.</p><p>We do not rule out further measures. However, it is important that we act in ways that do not make life still more difficult for businesses and ordinary citizens in Gibraltar. We are continuing to seek a way forward on the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) proposal for ad hoc talks as the best means of discussing and resolving issues of concern.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 01/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

47060

registered interest
date	04/04/2014
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
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 plans to increase the UK's bilateral financial support for Ukraine in the next six months.
tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire South
tabling member printed	Mr Douglas Alexander
uin	195313
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text <p>The UK has pledged £10m in assistance to Ukraine from the Department for International Development bilateral programme. The Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening) will keep this allocation under review. The UK also provides support to Ukraine through our core contributions to the EU, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Monetary Fund and the UN.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Mr William Hague question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 379 label Biography information for Lord Hague of Richmond
tabling member	632 label Biography information for Mr Douglas Alexander

48820

registered interest
date	28/04/2014
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
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 received advice on the legality of the removal from power of President Yanukovich, pursuant to Article 111 of the Constitution of Ukraine.
tabling member constituency	Gainsborough
tabling member printed	Sir Edward Leigh
uin	196901
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2014 answer text <p>The Government is not in a position to comment on the legal system in Ukraine. On 21 February, agreement was reached between the then opposition leaders and the then President, Viktor Yanukovych to resolve the political crisis afflicting Ukraine by: signing a new law within 48 hours to reinstate the 2004 Constitution; holding pre-term presidential elections in 2014; and conducting a comprehensive constitutional reform. However, later that day Yanukovych fled Kyiv, abandoning his office as Head of State and was therefore not in a position to fulfill the obligation he undertook to sign the law reinstating the 2004 constitution.</p><p>As the Ukrainian Government had already been dissolved by Yanukovych, Parliament was the only legitimate state body remaining. In view of Yanukovych's action to effectively remove himself from office, Parliament approved a bill to remove Yanukovych from power, appoint an acting president and, in line with the constitution, to hold presidential elections within 90 days. The bill was approved by an overwhelming majority, including by representatives of Yanukovych's Party of the Regions which remains the largest faction in the Rada.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 02/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	345 label Biography information for Sir Edward Leigh

49180

registered interest
date	30/04/2014
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
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 made representations to the Israeli government on extending to UK citizens of Palestinian origin visiting Israel similar concessions to those Israel has offered to the US administration in exchange for Israel's entry to the US visa waiver scheme.
tabling member constituency	Oxford East
tabling member printed	Mr Andrew Smith
uin	197379
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2014 answer text <p>We have not made any representations to the Israeli authorities on this issue.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Hugh Robertson question first answered 06/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1415 label Biography information for Sir Hugh Robertson
tabling member	95 label Biography information for Mr Andrew Smith

47251

registered interest
date	07/04/2014
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
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 asked President Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka to resign as Chairperson in Office of the Commonwealth in the light of the decision to investigate potential human rights abuses in Sri Lanka.
tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire South
tabling member printed	Mr Douglas Alexander
uin	195541
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text Any decision on the Chair-in-Office role is for all Commonwealth Heads of Government to take by consensus. answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Mr William Hague question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 379 label Biography information for Lord Hague of Richmond
tabling member	632 label Biography information for Mr Douglas Alexander

47061

registered interest
date	04/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the Minister of State, the hon. Member for East Devon, will next travel to Sri Lanka.
tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire South
tabling member printed	Mr Douglas Alexander
uin	195359
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text <p>There are no current plans for the Minister of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire) to visit Sri Lanka. We continue to engage regularly with the Sri Lankan government at Ministerial and official level on a wide range of issues.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Mr William Hague question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 379 label Biography information for Lord Hague of Richmond
tabling member	632 label Biography information for Mr Douglas Alexander

49216

registered interest
date	30/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when officials of his Department in Harare last met the Zimbabwean government director of pensions to discuss distribution of the funds reserved for payment to overseas pensioners; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Christchurch
tabling member printed	Mr Christopher Chope
uin	197410
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2014 answer text <p>We continue to pursue a resolution to the non-payment of Zimbabwe civil servant pensions and are in regular contact with the interested parties, including the Overseas Service Pensioners Association (OSPA) and the Federal Pensioners Association in Harare.</p><p>UK officials last spoke with the Director of Pensions at the end of January and are still pursuing a response from the Zimbabwean Civil Service Commission to our letter from December 2013. We have also raised the issue since with other interlocutors, including the Zimbabwean Ambassador in London.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Mark Simmonds question first answered 06/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1393 label Biography information for Mark Simmonds
tabling member	242 label Biography information for Sir Christopher Chope

46923

registered interest
date	03/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he or officials of his Department last raised the issue of torture of prisoners in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the government of UAE.
tabling member constituency	North Ayrshire and Arran
tabling member printed	Katy Clark
uin	195299
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2014 answer text <p>The Government unreservedly condemns the use of torture and urges all countries to comply with international law. Our close relationship with the UAE allows us to discuss sensitive issues, including human rights concerns, at every level.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Hugh Robertson question first answered 09/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1415 label Biography information for Sir Hugh Robertson
tabling member	1590 label Biography information for Baroness Clark of Kilwinning

46770

registered interest
date	03/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he next plans to meet the Ukranian Foreign Minister; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Thirsk and Malton
tabling member printed	Miss Anne McIntosh
uin	195088
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2014 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) is in regular contact with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andriy Deshchytsia. He met him most recently on 31 March, in the margins of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Foreign Ministers' meeting. The Government will continue to maintain regular contact with the government of Ukraine at all levels, to support their efforts to deal with the serious economic, political and security challenges that they are facing.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 09/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

49233

registered interest
date	30/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last discussed with his Nigerian counterpart the recent abduction of schoolgirls in that country; and when he next intends to raise this issue.
tabling member constituency	Camberwell and Peckham
tabling member printed	Ms Harriet Harman
uin	197337
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2014 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) spoke to Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs on 18 April about the case. The Foreign Secretary expressed the UK's sympathies about this outrageous crime and offered UK assistance to Nigerian efforts to recover the girls.</p><p>Officials at our High Commission in Abuja have met their Nigerian security and military counterparts regularly since the abductions and have repeated the Foreign Secretary's offer of assistance.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Mark Simmonds question first answered 06/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1393 label Biography information for Mark Simmonds
tabling member	150 label Biography information for Ms Harriet Harman

49414

registered interest
date	01/05/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 25 March 2014 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr M Woronycz.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Sir Gerald Kaufman
uin	197503
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2014 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) responded to the right hon. Member on 1 May 2014.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 08/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	451 label Biography information for Sir Gerald Kaufman

48530

registered interest
date	25/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he expects the next UK-China human rights dialogue to take place.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	196635
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/04/2014 answer text <p>We consider the Human Rights Dialogue to be an important part of our bilateral relationship with China. We are working with the Chinese government to reschedule the dialogue as soon as possible.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 30/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

46768

registered interest
date	03/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when a Minister of his Department last visited Gibraltar.
tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire South
tabling member printed	Mr Douglas Alexander
uin	195105
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text <p>The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington), was the last Minister from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to visit Gibraltar, in April 2011. My right hon. Friend hopes to visit again this year.</p><p>The Minister of State for the Armed Forces, my right hon. Friend the Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mr Francois) visited in December 2013.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Mr William Hague question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 379 label Biography information for Lord Hague of Richmond
tabling member	632 label Biography information for Mr Douglas Alexander

47591

registered interest
date	08/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what was on the agenda for the meeting with Dmitry Firtash at his Department on 24 February 2014.
tabling member constituency	Bishop Auckland
tabling member printed	Helen Goodman
uin	195691
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2014 answer text <p>Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials met Dmitry Firtash on 24 February to discuss developments in Ukraine and support for Ukraine from the international community. They did not discuss matters of national security. The meeting was part of a wider approach by the FCO to understand better the situation in Ukraine, by seeking information and views from a wide range of contacts, including senior business figures. The Government does not have plans to publish a note of the meeting at this time. According to our records, Dmitry Firtash has not attended any other meetings with the FCO in London.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington grouped question UIN 195690 195692 195693 195694 question first answered 25/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	1484 label Biography information for Helen Goodman

47068

registered interest
date	04/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the outcome was of his meeting with his Egyptian counterpart on 2 April 2014; and when the next meeting is planned.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Greg Mulholland
uin	195383
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text <p>During the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond's (Yorks) (Mr Hague) meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy on 2 April, he discussed the political situation in Egypt, including the Presidential elections scheduled for 26-27 May. The Foreign Secretary raised his strong concern over the death sentence imposed on 529 people on 24 March and the case of two British journalists who have been charged in Egypt and are currently being tried in absentia. He asked the Egyptian Government to review these issues as a matter of urgency and to ensure that the individuals' human and legal rights are properly upheld.</p><p>The Foreign Secretary condemned the terrorist attacks of 2 April in Cairo and sent his condolences to the family of the victim and those who had been injured. He reiterated the importance of cooperation against the shared threat from terrorism. He also raised the UK's concerns regarding the security situation in the South Sinai region. He urged the Egyptian Government to do all it could to protect British nationals in Egypt, including those visiting the Red Sea resorts over the holiday season, and to take further measures against the risk of terrorism.</p><p>The two ministers also discussed recent events in the Middle East, including the crisis in Syria and the importance of progress on the Middle East Peace Process.</p><p>There has been no date set for their next meeting.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Hugh Robertson question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1415 label Biography information for Sir Hugh Robertson
tabling member	1540 label Biography information for Greg Mulholland

47248

registered interest
date	07/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the gender balance is of his Department's management board and its sub-committees.
tabling member constituency	Wrexham
tabling member printed	Ian Lucas
uin	195624
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Management Board consists of 8 executive (5 male and 3 female) and 2 non-executive members (1 male and 1 female).</p><p> </p><p>The Management Board is supported by the four Sub-Committees which are each chaired by a member of the Board; they are Audit &amp; Risk Committee, Human Resources (HR) Committee, Operations Committee and Health and Safety Committee.</p><p> </p><p>The gender breakdown of the committees is as follows:</p><p> </p><p>Audit &amp; Risk Committee (ARC): 2 male, 1 female;</p><p> </p><p>HR Committee: 9 male, 10 female; and the 20th position is currently filled by two people (1 male, 1 female) in a job-share;</p><p> </p><p>Operations Committee: 9 male and 8 female; and</p><p> </p><p>FCO Health and Safety Committee: 18 male and 8 female members.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Hugh Robertson question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1415 label Biography information for Sir Hugh Robertson
tabling member	1470 label Biography information for Ian C. Lucas

47957

registered interest
date	09/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the country of origin was of each special mission to the UK that has been refused since 4 March 2013; and what were the grounds for each refusal.
tabling member constituency	Hammersmith
tabling member printed	Mr Andy Slaughter
uin	196034
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2014 answer text <p>I refer to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), to the House on 4 March 2013, Official Report, columns 55-56WS. The Foreign Secretary announced a new process by which we would be informed of visits that may qualify for special mission status. The pilot process has improved the process for communicating and decision-making in respect of visits that may qualify for special mission status. Since the pilot's inception, we have received six such requests. There are no requests outstanding.</p><p>The former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), confirmed to the House on 12 July 2013, Official Report, columns 427W and 429W, that two of the requests which were granted, related to visits by Lieutenant General Benny Gantz of the Israeli Defence Forces and Doron Almog, Prime Minister Netanyahu's Chief of Staff for Bedouin Status improvement. In view of the confidentiality of diplomatic exchanges, we have no plans to publish further details about requests that have been granted or refused. But if those applying for special mission status wish to announce the details of their visit to the UK, they are of course at liberty to do so. <br>All applications for special mission status are considered carefully in view of both obligations incumbent upon the UK under customary international law and our policy of ending impunity for the most serious of international crimes and a commitment to the protection of human rights. Above this, it is for the courts to decide on the legal consequences of any decision to grant special mission status.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Mark Simmonds grouped question UIN 196032 196033 196035 question first answered 28/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1393 label Biography information for Mark Simmonds
tabling member	1516 label Biography information for Andy Slaughter

47959

registered interest
date	09/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the country of origin was of each special mission to the UK since 4 March 2013; and whether any person travelling on a special mission to the UK has been the subject of (a) an arrest warrant or (b) a criminal investigation conducted by SO15 since 4 March 2013.
tabling member constituency	Hammersmith
tabling member printed	Mr Andy Slaughter
uin	196033
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2014 answer text <p>I refer to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), to the House on 4 March 2013, Official Report, columns 55-56WS. The Foreign Secretary announced a new process by which we would be informed of visits that may qualify for special mission status. The pilot process has improved the process for communicating and decision-making in respect of visits that may qualify for special mission status. Since the pilot's inception, we have received six such requests. There are no requests outstanding.</p><p>The former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), confirmed to the House on 12 July 2013, Official Report, columns 427W and 429W, that two of the requests which were granted, related to visits by Lieutenant General Benny Gantz of the Israeli Defence Forces and Doron Almog, Prime Minister Netanyahu's Chief of Staff for Bedouin Status improvement. In view of the confidentiality of diplomatic exchanges, we have no plans to publish further details about requests that have been granted or refused. But if those applying for special mission status wish to announce the details of their visit to the UK, they are of course at liberty to do so. <br>All applications for special mission status are considered carefully in view of both obligations incumbent upon the UK under customary international law and our policy of ending impunity for the most serious of international crimes and a commitment to the protection of human rights. Above this, it is for the courts to decide on the legal consequences of any decision to grant special mission status.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Mark Simmonds grouped question UIN 196032 196034 196035 question first answered 28/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1393 label Biography information for Mark Simmonds
tabling member	1516 label Biography information for Andy Slaughter

48822

registered interest
date	28/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on developing international frameworks and forums to provide refugees from climate-induced displacement with legal protection, including legally-worded definitions for such cases.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	196876
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2014 answer text <p>The Government supports work to establish how existing international institutions and frameworks can be used to address climate change induced migration. Refugee status under existing international and EU legislation is based on the risk of persecution, and it is government policy to avoid developing separate frameworks that could duplicate or contradict this. The Government is also committed to securing an ambitious and legally-binding climate agreement next year at Paris COP 21 to limit the damage caused by anthropogenic climate change.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Mark Simmonds question first answered 02/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1393 label Biography information for Mark Simmonds
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

46774

registered interest
date	03/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's most recent assessment is of the likelihood of President Assad complying with the agreed Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons timetable for the removal and destruction of Syria's stockpile of chemical weapons.
tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire South
tabling member printed	Mr Douglas Alexander
uin	195099
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text <p>Good early progress was made toward putting both Syria's chemical weapons manufacturing facilities and the weapons themselves beyond use. However, the programme has fallen behind schedule and the regime has missed a number of interim deadlines, including the 31 December target for the removal of priority I chemicals, and the 5 February deadline for the removal of priority II material. It is the regime's responsibility to comply with the timetable set out by the UN-Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). <br><br>The UN Secretary General, the OPCW Director General and the coordinator of the OPCW-UN joint mission have assessed that Syria has all the equipment it needs to ensure the expeditious removal of the chemicals concerned. To date, approximately 54 percent of the declared chemical stockpile has been removed from Syria. The regime must significantly accelerate the movement of the chemicals to port to enable their removal if the 30 June deadline for the elimination of the chemicals is to be achieved.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Mr William Hague question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 379 label Biography information for Lord Hague of Richmond
tabling member	632 label Biography information for Mr Douglas Alexander

46775

registered interest
date	03/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's latest assessment is of the security situation in Egypt following the recent suicide bombing outside Cairo University grounds.
tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire South
tabling member printed	Mr Douglas Alexander
uin	195100
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text <p>Our assessment, as published in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice, is that there is a high threat from terrorism in Egypt, including Cairo. We believe that terrorists continue to plan attacks, which could be indiscriminate and occur without prior warning. Attacks have mainly been aimed at the security forces, their facilities and other government buildings. However, attacks targeting foreigners cannot be ruled out. We continue to keep our travel advice under constant review.</p><p>During my meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy on 2 April, I condemned the recent attacks in Cairo and sent condolences to the family of the victim and those who have been injured.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Mr William Hague question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 379 label Biography information for Lord Hague of Richmond
tabling member	632 label Biography information for Mr Douglas Alexander

46769

registered interest
date	03/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support the UK has offered through NATO to its Baltic allies since the Russian military incursion into Crimea.
tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire South
tabling member printed	Mr Douglas Alexander
uin	195103
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text <p>The UK, alongside our NATO Allies, remains committed to the preservation of stability and security in Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia and to the guarantee of collective defence under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. <br><br>The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), announced on the 17 March the UK has offered to contribute 4 Typhoons to the Baltic Air Policing mission. NATO Foreign Ministers agreed on 1 April to consider further measures as necessary to fulfil NATO's collective defence mission.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Mr William Hague question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 379 label Biography information for Lord Hague of Richmond
tabling member	632 label Biography information for Mr Douglas Alexander

46767

registered interest
date	03/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support the UK Government plans to provide through the EU in advance of presidential elections in Ukraine in May 2014.
tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire South
tabling member printed	Mr Douglas Alexander
uin	195104
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text <p>The UK will be sending 90 short term observers, in addition to the 10 long term observers already in Ukraine, to join the observer mission being mounted by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). This will allow for an objective assessment as to whether the required standards are met. We also welcome the announcement by the OSCE/ODIHR that they will be providing advice and training on running elections.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Mr William Hague question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 379 label Biography information for Lord Hague of Richmond
tabling member	632 label Biography information for Mr Douglas Alexander

46922

registered interest
date	03/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support the First Minister of Scotland has received from (a) the British embassy in Washington and (b) consular offices in the US ahead of his upcoming visit to that country.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow East
tabling member printed	Margaret Curran
uin	195256
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2014 answer text <p>The British Embassy in Washington, and the New York Consulate, have provided support for the visit this week of the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, to the US. The Consul General in New York hosted a lunch at his residence on 7 April, in association with Scottish Development International (SDI), for the First Minister and 17 Scottish companies from the First Minister's accompanying trade mission, to which key business figures were invited. The British Embassy in Washington worked with the New York Consulate to organise port courtesies for the First Minister, upon arrival in New York ,to allow the Scottish Affairs Office (based in the British Embassy Washington) to greet the First Minister at the airport and expedite customs and immigration procedures.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 09/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	3982 label Biography information for Margaret Curran

50149

registered interest
date	07/05/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department provides to non-governmental organisations working in Vietnam to combat child trafficking and to help repatriated victims of trafficking.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	197996
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2014 answer text <p>We currently fund a range of projects in Vietnam targeted at raising awareness of and combating modern slavery and human trafficking through victim reintegration programmes. There is a focus on alternative job creation for victims, and potential victims of trafficking.</p><p>In particular, our British Ambassador opened Compassion House in June 2013, a UK funded shelter in Lao Cai on the Chinese border for girls who have been trafficked. It is operated by the local government authorities in conjunction with a local non-govermental organisations, Pacific Links Foundation to provide life skills and vocational training.</p><p>Our Embassy also funds the ‘Capacity Building Activities for Victims of Gender-Based Violence' project which provides support for women and children in Vietnam who have suffered from gender-based violence and the effects of human trafficking.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 12/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

49288

registered interest
date	30/04/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department gives alongside UK non-governmental organisations operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories to assist in obtaining compensation from the Israeli authorities for projects demolished in Area C.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Northfield
tabling member printed	Richard Burden
uin	197319
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2014 answer text <p>We have not provided support to non-governmental organisations operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) to assist in obtaining compensation from the Israeli authorities for projects demolished in Area C. However, we continue to support Palestinians facing demolition or eviction orders in the OPTs through support to the Norwegian Refugee Council legal aid programme, which helps individuals to challenge these in the Israeli legal system.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Hugh Robertson question first answered 06/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1415 label Biography information for Sir Hugh Robertson
tabling member	301 label Biography information for Richard Burden

50105

registered interest
date	07/05/2014
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
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 his Department is taking to help find the 230 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram; and whether the UK will commit military aid to the search effort if required.
tabling member constituency	Tottenham
tabling member printed	Mr David Lammy
uin	198005
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2014 answer text <p>Since the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno State, Nigeria, we have been in regular contact with the Nigerian Government to offer our assistance. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), spoke to the Nigerian Foreign Minister on 18 April immediately after the abductions and offered the UK's assistance. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) spoke to the Nigerian President on 7 May. The Nigerian President accepted our offer of a team of experts led by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and including Ministry of Defence (MOD), Department for International Development (DFID) and Police representatives. The team arrived in Abuja on 9 May and will be talking to the Nigerians to offer advice on how the Nigerians can defeat Boko Haram and bring stability to the north of Nigeria. <br><br>It is too soon to comment on what specific assistance we will give. However, the team will provide expertise in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, military mentoring and training, victim support and economic development. Human rights compliance is, and will remain, an essential element of any UK assistance in Nigeria.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Mark Simmonds question first answered 12/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1393 label Biography information for Mark Simmonds
tabling member	206 label Biography information for Mr David Lammy

47257

registered interest
date	07/04/2014
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
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 plans to take to ensure women's equal and meaningful participation in the Syrian peace process.
tabling member constituency	Wrexham
tabling member printed	Ian Lucas
uin	195638
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2014 answer text <p>It is vital that Syrian women are able to participate fully in decisions about the future of their country. We continue to raise international awareness of this important issue and the Foreign Secretary has written to the UN Secretary General, the Joint Special Envoy, and a number of Foreign Ministers recommending that Syrian women should be able to participate fully in the peace process. We are providing £200,000 of support to the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom to strengthen the capacity of Syrian women's groups to engage in the transition process. The Foreign Secretary was pleased to meet representatives from the Syrian Women's Initiative for Peace and Democracy during Geneva II, and the UK intends to offer further practical support in close coordination with UN Women and donors.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Hugh Robertson question first answered 09/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1415 label Biography information for Sir Hugh Robertson
tabling member	1470 label Biography information for Ian C. Lucas

49286

registered interest
date	30/04/2014
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
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 plans to take in response to the withdrawal of the Israeli government from US-sponsored peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Northfield
tabling member printed	Richard Burden
uin	197316
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2014 answer text <p>We remain fully committed to supporting efforts for peace and I will visit the region to that end in the near future. We urge the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to use the coming weeks to find the common ground and political strength needed to resume the peace negotiations and encourage other countries to maintain support for that objective.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Hugh Robertson question first answered 06/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1415 label Biography information for Sir Hugh Robertson
tabling member	301 label Biography information for Richard Burden

47250

registered interest
date	07/04/2014
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
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 commercialisation of scientific and technical research undertaken by GCHQ.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
uin	195657
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text <p>GCHQ works closely with business to release Intellectual Properties (IP) which are suitable for more general use in the outside world. For example through its information assurance arm, Communications-Electronics Security Group (CESG), it operates a number of schemes which enable individuals and companies to gain CESG endorsement of products and services via technical assessment.</p><p>GCHQ is additionally running a number of pilot cases looking at ways of improving its coordination with SMEs and larger industry partners including on Open Source publishing and licencing to SMEs and larger industry partners. GCHQ is also sponsoring research institutes in Cyber Security and running innovation calls aimed at SMEs. The latter initiative in partnership with organisations such as the Centre for Defence Enterprise and the technology Strategy Board.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Hugh Robertson question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1415 label Biography information for Sir Hugh Robertson
tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

47954

registered interest
date	09/04/2014
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
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 help workers in the oil industry to seek employment in the Falkland Islands.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	195965
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2014 answer text <p>The Honourable Member will understand that employment in the oil industry is primarily a commercial matter for the companies involved. However, the UK Government offers advice and support to those people and companies who wish to avail themselves of the varied economic opportunities in the Falkland Islands.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 28/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

46918

registered interest
date	03/04/2014
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
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 ensure that Russia withdraws all of its forces from the Ukrainian border.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	195238
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2014 answer text <p>We are concerned by Russian troops on the Ukrainian border. We are clear that Russia has no legal basis or justification to enter Ukrainian territory and call on Russia to withdraw. Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) has highlighted these concerns to Foreign Minister Lavrov.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 09/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

48213

registered interest
date	10/04/2014
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
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 ensure UK embassies, high commissions and consulates are promoting trade with the UK.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	196322
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2014 answer text <p>Over the past three years we have put commercial and economic diplomacy at the heart of the FCO's agenda<br>We are committed to supporting British business and boosting UK trade as set out in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) Charter for Business and UKTI's Strategy &quot;Britain Open for Business: the Next Phase&quot;.</p><p>We have opened new missions and reinforced our economic diplomacy staff in many of the fastest growing markets in the world. We have taken steps to strengthen commercial skills at all levels within our Embassies. Ambassadors and their teams across our network are lobbying hard to open markets, promote free trade, support pro-growth policies and counter risks to economic stability. This approach lies at the heart of our G8 agenda on tax, trade and transparency and underpins our on-going work to deliver an ambitious EU-US trade deal.</p><p>With UKTI we are delivering a number of ambitious initiatives across the globe to promote trade and investment and boost jobs and growth. The High Value Opportunities programme aims to assist UK businesses to secure £10billion of business in key emerging markets. The Prime Minister has appointed sixteen Trade Envoys who are working with our Embassies and High Commissions to champion opportunities for British business and lobby to improve the business environment and resolve market access issues.</p><p>Our Posts are also promoting Britain through the &quot;Great&quot; campaign – a visually powerful campaign that is making real strides in promoting the UK as a modern and innovative country in which to invest and with which do business. Ministers have been urged to travel extensively to support this. We are focusing our efforts on both established markets and those emerging markets where there is high potential for growth in the future.</p><p>The FCO and UKTI are also committed to implementing the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee review: Supporting British Exporters Overseas (see Treasury Minute CM 8847 – 37th Report), a key component in the Government's ambition to achieve £1 trillion of exports annually by 2020. We have committed to an economic &quot;roadmap&quot; to the £1 trillion target, closer joint working on our trade and investment strategy and on planning across government, and work to address visa barriers to trade and investment.</p> answering member constituency East Devon answering member printed Mr Hugo Swire question first answered 28/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

46541

registered interest
date	02/04/2014
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
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 encourage his counterparts in other EU member states to support and commit resources to the EUFOR RCA mission in the Central African Republic.
tabling member constituency	Sleaford and North Hykeham
tabling member printed	Stephen Phillips
uin	195019
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2014 answer text <p>I welcome the launch of the EU Force (EUFOR) military operation in the Central African Republic (CAR) on 2 April. EUFOR will help the African-led International Support Mission to CAR (MISCA) and French (Sangaris) forces to provide security in Bangui until a hand-over to MISCA or a possible UN Peacekeeping Operation can take place. I discussed the importance of the mission with Ministerial colleagues in the margins of the EU-Africa Summit in Brussels on 1-2 April. The UK has played a strong role in the planning for EUFOR, and is discussing the possibility of providing airlifts to help EUFOR's deployment. Ongoing reports of violence in CAR demonstrate the importance of this mission.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Mark Simmonds question first answered 09/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1393 label Biography information for Mark Simmonds
tabling member	4054 label Biography information for Stephen Phillips