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641827

registered interest
date	22/11/2016
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	Zimbabwe: Police
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on (1) freedom of the press, and (2) the impact on freedom of expression, of proposals to empower police to intercept communications and seize electronic equipment in Zimbabwe.
tabling member printed	Baroness Deech
uin	HL3398
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2016 answer text <p>We are concerned about the proposed Social Media Bill in Zimbabwe. The British Ambassador raised this with the Minister for Information, Media and Broadcasting on 19 September highlighting the importance of protecting freedom of media and expression, as guaranteed by Zimbabwe’s 2013 constitution. The Ambassador also emphasised the importance of urgent implementation in law of the provisions of the constitution.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 01/12/2016 14:08:44 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	3756 label Biography information for Baroness Deech

641830

registered interest
date	22/11/2016
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	Bahrain: Human Rights
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the Amnesty International report concerning Bahrain<i> Window-dressing or Pioneers of Change</i>, published in November, in the light of the UK's connection with, and aid to, Bahrain; and what assessment they have made of the report's recommendations to the Bahrain authorities including the Ombudsman of the Ministry of the Interior and the Special Investigation Unit.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL3401
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2016 answer text <p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) received a copy of the report from Amnesty International on Monday 21 November. We note that they have made a series of recommendations to the UK Government which we will look at closely.</p><p>The FCO undertakes a number of projects to assist our Bahraini partners including with the Ministry of Interior's Ombudsman and the Special Investigations Unit. We believe that the UK support to Bahrain's reform programme is the most constructive way to achieve long lasting and sustainable reform in Bahrain. While it will take time to see the full results, UK support is having a direct, positive impact on areas of concern.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 02/12/2016 12:35:06 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

641831

registered interest
date	22/11/2016
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	Israel: West Bank
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 15 November (HL2872), and in view of the continued house demolitions in the West Bank, especially Area C and East Jerusalem, what further action they plan to take to raise the issue with the government of Israel.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL3402
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/12/2016 answer text <p>We continue to raise our concerns about demolitions with the government of Israel and in international forums. On 15 October, Matthew Rycroft, the UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations, called on the Israeli Government to stop the demolitions and provide a transparent, effective and legal route to construction in Area C and East Jerusalem.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 06/12/2016 15:04:28 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

641833

registered interest
date	22/11/2016
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	Syria: Military Intervention
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ascertain how much land is currently occupied by the Turkish Army in al-Rai and Azaz near Jarabulus in Syria; what attacks the Turkish Army have made on Afrin Canton; and whether the local Turkmen population has rejected protection by Turkey.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL3404
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2016 answer text <p>We are unable to verify the information requested given the opaque and fast-moving situation in Northern Syria. We welcome the Free Syrian Army's success in clearing Daesh from the border with Turkey, which it achieved with active Turkish military support. We also recognise that the Syrian Democratic Forces continue to make an important contribution to counter Daesh efforts. We call on all parties to work constructively alongside the Global Coalition to achieve our shared objective of defeating Daesh and avoid civilian casualties.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 01/12/2016 14:09:53 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

641863

registered interest
date	22/11/2016
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	Climate Change
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what priority the Foreign and Commonwealth Office places on climate change; how many of its civil servants work or worked on climate change in a full and part-time capacity (1) currently, (2) in 2015, (3) in 2014, and (4) in 2013.
tabling member printed	Baroness Northover
uin	HL3432
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2016 answer text <p>Climate change is one of the important global issues that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) works on through diplomacy. In doing so, we work closely with other government departments including the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.</p><p>The FCO has staff working on climate diplomacy both in London and overseas.</p><p>Overseas, staff numbers include UK-based and locally engaged staff. We have identified activity allocated towards 'Climate Change/Low Carbon Economy/Energy Security' on our financial systems. These figures rely on individual staff member's recording of their activities, and show numbers of FCO staff Full Time Equivalent (FTE) who spend some time in this policy area. The resource is allocated as part of broader geographical activity so exact numbers can change. Hence we are able to provide a snapshot of the number of staff at a point in time. In January 2016, 149 FTE members of staff were working on climate change and energy issues across our network of embassies, high commissions and other overseas posts, of which 72 staff worked on these issues full-time. In January 2015, 158 FTE members of staff worked on climate change and energy issues, of which 79 were devoted to these issues full-time. In January 2014, 177 FTE staff undertook this work, of which 86 were devoted full-time. And in March 2013, 177 FTE staff members worked on these issues, of which 72 were devoted full-time. Our next set of updated figures will be available in the New Year.</p><p>In London, the following figures reflect our best estimates of staff working specifically on climate change as part of units primarily focused on climate and energy. Currently there are 8 FTE members of staff working on climate change. In September 2015, 16 FTE members of staff were working on this issue. In September 2014, 20 FTE members of staff were working on it. And in July 2013, an estimated 26 FTE members of staff were working on climate change.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 01/12/2016 14:12:35 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover

641864

registered interest
date	22/11/2016
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	Saudi Arabia: Capital Punishment
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 21 November (HL3058) concerning the selling of arms to Saudi Arabia, and in the light of reports of torture to extract confessions from those who have been given a death sentence in Saudi Arabia, what specific action they will take.
tabling member printed	Lord Scriven
uin	HL3433
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2016 answer text <p>The UK Government is firmly opposed to the death penalty.</p><p>Saudi Arabia remains a Foreign &amp; Commonwealth Office human rights priority country, particularly because of the use of the death penalty, limited access to justice, women's rights issues and restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion or belief.</p><p>We have raised our concerns with the Saudi authorities and our Ambassador in Riyadh continues to make representations on the UK Government's behalf.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 02/12/2016 12:35:49 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	4333 label Biography information for Lord Scriven

641869

registered interest
date	22/11/2016
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	Ilois: Resettlement
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had or plan to have with the government of Mauritius following their decision to deny the right of return to the Chagos people.
tabling member printed	Lord Steel of Aikwood
uin	HL3438
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2016 answer text <p>We have continually sought the views of the Mauritian Government in regards to the Chagossian resettlement review. The British High Commissioner to Mauritius met representatives of the Mauritian Government on 16 November to explain our decision against resettlement and the support package of approximately £40 million for Chagossians, including those living in Mauritius. The Government will continue to make efforts to work closely with Mauritius to develop cost-effective programmes which will make the biggest improvement in the life chances of those Chagossians who need it most.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 01/12/2016 14:13:12 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	949 label Biography information for Lord Steel of Aikwood

641872

registered interest
date	22/11/2016
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	Zimbabwe: Human Rights
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the treatment of Zimbabwean citizens by the government of Zimbabwe.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL3440
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2016 answer text <p>In recent weeks we have noted with increasing concern the heavy-handed response of the authorities to peaceful and lawful demonstrators, and violence against opposition parties and social activists. We regularly call upon the Zimbabwean Government to end human rights abuses and restore internationally accepted standards. On 18 November our Ambassador and EU Heads of Mission in Harare issued a statement expressing concern at the increase in incidents, in violation of the fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in Chapter 4 of the Constitution.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 02/12/2016 14:39:46 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

642259

registered interest
date	22/11/2016
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	Somalia: Refugees
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 support the Kenyan government to ensure that Somali refugees in the Dadaab camp are being repatriated in a humane, safe and dignified manner.
tabling member constituency	Heywood and Middleton
tabling member printed	Liz McInnes
uin	54402
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/11/2016 answer text <p>​We are working closely with the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees and the governments of Kenya and Somalia to ensure that refugee returns from Dadaab to Somalia are voluntary, and sustainable and in line with international refugee law.</p><p>On 16 November, Kenya's Interior Minister announced that Kenya was postponing the closure deadline for Dadaab by six months. We welcomed this announcement.</p><p>The UK recently announced we are providing an additional £20 million to support accelerated safe voluntary returns of refugees to Somalia from Kenya, by helping to ensure that refugees who want to return have the support and possibility of livelihoods necessary for their safe and long-term resettlement in Somalia.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 25/11/2016 12:29:58 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4342 label Biography information for Liz McInnes

642260

registered interest
date	22/11/2016
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	Democratic Republic of Congo: Elections
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo on the postponement of their presidential elections to April 2018.
tabling member constituency	Heywood and Middleton
tabling member printed	Liz McInnes
uin	54403
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/11/2016 answer text <p>The UK has raised the postponement of presidential elections with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on a number of occasions. Mr Wharton, the Department for International Development Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, visited the DRC in November, and I visited in August. We met government officials including the current Prime Minister, the Vice-PM for Interior/Security and the Minister for Justice. Mr Wharton and I pressed the DRC government to make more progress towards holding timely elections in 2017, as proposed by technical experts, and to respect the human rights of protesters. Furthermore, we emphasised the importance of elections to the DRC’s continuing development.</p><p>Additionally, our Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region, Danae Dholakia, attended International Conference of the Great Lakes Region in Luanda in October where she lobbied the DRC government on similar lines. Our Embassy in Kinshasa maintains a constant dialogue with the government on resolving the current political crisis peacefully.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 25/11/2016 12:36:03 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4342 label Biography information for Liz McInnes