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1143229

registered interest
date	02/09/2019
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	India: Human Rights
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic steps his Department is taking to help tackle alleged human rights violations of Dalits and tribal people in India.
tabling member constituency	Bury North
tabling member printed	James Frith
uin	284711
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2019 answer text <p>We engage with India on the full range of human rights matters, working with Union and State Governments and with non-governmental organisations to build capacity and share expertise to promote human rights for all. The British High Commission recently met the Vice Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities in July to discuss minority rights.</p><p><del class="ministerial">We also support local NGOs to deliver projects to promote minority rights. In 2015, we funded a project that trained 500 tribal men and women on women’s rights and access to justice. During 2016-2018, we provided legal training for 2,000 Dalit women to combat violence against them, and helped create a network of Dalit Women Human Rights Defenders in four states. This year, we have launched a network of legal experts to empower Dalit communities in Andhra Pradesh and a helpline for victims of persecution to seek support.</del></p><p>​</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 05/09/2019 14:46:50 question first ministerially corrected 09/09/2019 09:35:11 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler previous answer version 133169 answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	4637 label Biography information for James Frith

1139706

registered interest
date	17/07/2019
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	Mongolia: Embassies
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Steppe Inn at the British Embassy in Ulaanbaatar to promote UK soft power.
tabling member constituency	Keighley
tabling member printed	John Grogan
uin	278359
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2019 answer text <p>The Steppe Inne is a well-known institution at the British Embassy in Ulaanbaatar and has hosted Embassy contacts, Mongolian and British alike, for more than 30 years. With the forthcoming move to new Embassy premises, the Steppe Inne will close but plans are being developed to arrange Steppe Inne nights at an alternative venue in Ulaanbaatar. The Steppe Inne has played a role in UK soft power but is part of a much wider Embassy effort to promote British interests in Mongolia.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 30/07/2019 13:25:58 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	382 label Biography information for John Grogan

1140570

registered interest
date	19/07/2019
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: Police
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what (a) training, (b) capacity building and (c) assistance (i) the UK Government and (ii) Scotland Yard provides to the Hong Kong Police Force.
tabling member constituency	Orkney and Shetland
tabling member printed	Mr Alistair Carmichael
uin	279392
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/08/2019 answer text <p>In recent years, UK law enforcement agencies have provided training and assistance to the Hong Kong Police Force in a number of areas, including illicit finance and traffic policing. UK law enforcement agencies maintain regular engagement with the Hong Kong Police Force in the course of information exchange and joint investigations of serious and organised crime – as they do with counterparts throughout the world. All cooperation with overseas partners – including those in Hong Kong – is conducted under the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) risk management system, which is used across Government to assess human rights risks.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 09/08/2019 13:47:54 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler previous answer version 132240 answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	1442 label Biography information for Mr Alistair Carmichael

1140889

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
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	Afghanistan: Peace Negotiations
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 assessment he has made of the prospects for a peace deal in Afghanistan.
tabling member constituency	Heywood and Middleton
tabling member printed	Liz McInnes
uin	280275
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/08/2019 answer text <p>​Despite continuing challenges, there is the real prospect of a credible peace process for Afghanistan. Concerted Afghan and international efforts continue, with positive signs including US-Taliban talks; the recent intra-Afghan dialogue co-convened by Germany and Qatar; and the consultative Loya Jirga in Kabul. Intra-Afghan negotiations are now needed to find a sustainable settlement which will assure the country's future peace and stability. It is crucial that the democratically elected National Unity Government plays a central role, and that peace efforts are inclusive, including women and minorities. The people of Afghanistan deserve peace after decades of conflict and insecurity. We strongly believe that a political settlement is the only way to achieve lasting peace and stability.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 09/08/2019 13:51:17 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	4342 label Biography information for Liz McInnes

1140890

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
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	Afghanistan: Peace Negotiations
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 support the (a) involvement of civil society in the talks between the US and the Taliban in Afghanistan and (b) rights of women in any agreement that might be reached in those talks.
tabling member constituency	Heywood and Middleton
tabling member printed	Liz McInnes
uin	280276
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/08/2019 answer text <p>Talks between the US Government and the Taliban are a positive step towards an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process. Resolution of the conflict will require negotiations between Afghans, including the National Unity Government and the Taliban. We continue to make clear the importance of the involvement of civil society and of women and minorities in the process to shape Afghanistan's future.</p><p>Afghanistan is a focus country in the UK's National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security and a priority country in our efforts to promote women's meaningful inclusion in peace processes. We encourage the Afghanistan Government to bring women into discussions on peace and to ensure the participation of Afghan women in all levels of decision-making, from the local level to the negotiation table. The UK funds programmes in support of this, including a pilot on local approaches to peace, with an emphasis on women, across four districts and two provinces. We also support the &quot;Open Jirga&quot; television programme which provides a platform for women's representation in politics, including on the critical issue of peace.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 09/08/2019 13:53:13 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	4342 label Biography information for Liz McInnes

1141069

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
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: Police
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the integrity of the Hong Kong police service.
tabling member constituency	West Ham
tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
uin	280212
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2019 answer text <p>We have made no such assessment. UK law enforcement agencies maintain regular engagement with the Hong Kong Police Force in the course of information exchange and joint investigations of serious and organised crime – as they do with counterparts throughout the world. All cooperation with overseas partners – including those in Hong Kong – is conducted under the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) risk management system.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 30/07/2019 13:33:20 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

1141072

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
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: Demonstrations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his counterpart in Hong Kong on potential collaboration between Hong Kong police and organised crime groups in response to recent protests.
tabling member constituency	West Ham
tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
uin	280319
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2019 answer text <p>The violence we have seen in Hong Kong is unacceptable. We should not speculate on the identity of violent groups until a thorough investigation has taken place. We welcome Carrie Lam’s statement on 22 July saying she has asked the Commissioner of Police to investigate the incident at Yuen Long MTR station fully and pursue the lawbreakers.</p><p>We also note the announcement of a special inquiry by the Independent Police Complaints Council into recent events in Hong Kong. We look forward to the publication of further details about the scope and composition of the investigation.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 30/07/2019 13:35:49 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

1141339

registered interest
date	23/07/2019
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	Bangladesh: Rohingya
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 Bangladeshi counterpart on the safety of Bhasan Char for Rohingya refugees.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
uin	280905
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2019 answer text <p>The former Minister for Asia and the Pacific stressed to the Government of Bangladesh, most recently during his visit to Bangladesh in April 2019, that any relocation of refugees to Bhasan Char Island must be safe, dignified and in accordance with international humanitarian principles and standards.</p><p>The UK fully supports the UN's position that full and detailed technical and protection assessments should be conducted of Bhasan Char before any relocation of Rohingya refugees are considered. We welcome the Government of Bangladesh's commitment to ensure any relocation is voluntary and are conducted in coordination with UN agencies.</p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 03/09/2019 10:09:59 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1141359

registered interest
date	23/07/2019
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	Great Britain-China Centre: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much funding the Government has allocated to the Great Britain China Centre; and what the (a) terms and (b) objectives were for that funding.
tabling member constituency	East Worthing and Shoreham
tabling member printed	Tim Loughton
uin	280896
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2019 answer text <p>The Great Britian China Centre (GBCC) receives FCO grant-in-aid annually which covers the delivery of related projects. Most recently it delivered the 8<sup>th</sup> UK-China Young Leaders Roundtable in London in September 2018, with broad representation from young UK MPs, and the 5<sup>th</sup> UK-China Judicial Roundtable in Shanghai in October 2018. The GBCC continues to be a key partner for HMG in delivering rule of law reform in China. In 2018/19 it undertook project activity that will inform HMG's 'Rule of Law for Prosperity' programme in China, including the 3<sup>rd</sup> UK/China Rule of Law Roundtable in Hainan, China in November 2018. FCO funding also contributes to GBCC running costs (including salaries for 9 staff, rent of their office and other administration expenses).</p><p>The FCO is represented on GBCC's Board, and through attendance at board meetings scrutinises GBCC's activities and receives regular updates on the impact and value for money of each year's grant. The GBCC produces Annual Reports and Accounts, which are signed off by the National Audit Office, and laid before Parliament. The GBCC is also required to be reviewed on a periodic basis, in accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines. The last Tailored Review concluded in April 2019 and found that the GBCC was well-run, represents good value-for-money for HMG, and makes a positive contribution to UK priorities in China.</p><p>The amount of grant money given in the past five calendar years can be found in the table below.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Funding</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2019-2020</p></td><td><p>£500,000</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018-2019</p></td><td><p>£500,000</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017-2018</p></td><td><p>£470,000</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-2017</p></td><td><p>£500,000</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015-2016</p></td><td><p>£250,000</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 03/09/2019 10:02:23 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	114 label Biography information for Tim Loughton

1141360

registered interest
date	23/07/2019
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	Great Britain-China Centre
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 (a) discussions and (b) meetings there have been between Ministers of his Department and representatives of the Great Britain China Centre in the last five years.
tabling member constituency	East Worthing and Shoreham
tabling member printed	Tim Loughton
uin	280897
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2019 answer text <p>We publish transparency returns which include details of all meetings between Foreign and Commonwealth Office ministers and the Great Britain China Centre on <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/minister-data" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/minister-data</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Derbyshire answering member printed Mrs Heather Wheeler question first answered 03/09/2019 10:04:30 answering member 4053 label Biography information for Mrs Heather Wheeler
tabling member	114 label Biography information for Tim Loughton