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1015389

registered interest
date	27/11/2018
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	Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Private Education
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 children had their private school fees paid by his Department at (a) schools in the UK and (b) schools overseas in the most recent year for which figures are available.
tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
uin	196150
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>In Financial Year 2016/2017, the FCO funded the private school fees for the following number of children:</p><p>(a) At schools in the UK: <ins class="ministerial">541</ins> <del class="ministerial">393 </del></p><p>(b) At schools overseas: 1074</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 03/12/2018 17:47:04 question first ministerially corrected 18/03/2019 12:42:38 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan previous answer version 89699 answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

1015390

registered interest
date	27/11/2018
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	Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Private Education
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 expenditure his Department allocated to pay the private school fees of the children of Departmental staff at each of (a) Cheltenham Ladies College, (b) Roedean School, (c) Wycombe Abbey, (d) Benenden School, (e) Malvern St James, (f) Wellington College, (g) St Francis College, (h) Sevenoaks School, (i) Malvern College and (j) Hurtwood House in the last year for which figures are available.
tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
uin	196151
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2018 answer text <p>In Financial Year 2016/2017 funding was allocated as below to pay the private school fees of the children of FCO staff at the following schools:</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>2016/17</strong></p></td><td><p>​</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>School</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cheltenham Ladies College</p></td><td><p>£61,693.23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Roedean School</p></td><td><p>£184,744.25</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Wycombe Abbey</p></td><td><p>£91,476</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Benenden School</p></td><td><p>£30,492</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Malvern St. James</p></td><td><p>£30,492</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Wellington College</p></td><td><p>£121,968</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>St. Francis College</p></td><td><p>£0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Seven Oaks School</p></td><td><p>£451,980</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Malvern College</p></td><td><p>£0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Hurtwood House</p></td><td><p>£0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Members of the diplomatic service are expected to be widely deployable throughout their career. It is long-standing practice that the FCO provides clearly defined and limited financial support to staff to help maintain the continuity of their children's education. Many parents prefer to take their children with them abroad, but in some of the 168 countries and territories where the FCO has UK-based staff, we do not permit staff to take their children either for health or security reasons. In others, local schools of an acceptable standard are not available.</p><p>As frequent moves by staff and families between the UK and overseas, and between posts overseas, can be disruptive to the education of the children, the FCO provides Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA). This enables staff who meet certain eligibility criteria to choose to provide an uninterrupted education for their children at a British boarding school in the UK while they continue to take up postings overseas at regular intervals during their career. CEA is a long-standing policy run under successive governments.</p><p>The FCO refunds standard term fees up to a ceiling which is reviewed annually. Where staff opt to send their children to more expensive schools, the difference in cost is met privately. The maximum amount the FCO will pay is determined by an independent survey conducted by Employment Conditions Abroad (ECA) International, which is used by public and private sector employers whose staff work across the world. Various factors, including availability of places (sometimes at short notice) and proximity of other family members, influence which schools staff choose for their children.</p><p>This provision may continue for up to 5 years following an officer's return to the UK, provided the officer will serve overseas again at the end of their home tour (and before the child completes their education), to allow children to complete key stages of their education without multiple disruptions.</p><p>UK-staff based overseas with dependent children living at Post are required to ensure that their children receive a full-time education from the start of the school term beginning after the child's 5th birthday, continuing until they reach school leaving age. At overseas posts where no suitable free English language based schooling is available (currently all countries except Australia, New Zealand and the United States), the FCO will meet the costs of schooling, where available, at an appropriate English language school from a list of pre-identified schools in the city of posting.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 03/12/2018 17:55:01 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

1015406

registered interest
date	27/11/2018
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	Wildlife: Conservation
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 international (a) counterparts and (b) partners on tackling the reduction in the global wildlife population.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Nigel Dodds
uin	196112
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2018 answer text <p>​The UK is at the forefront of international efforts to protect endangered species. I was delighted to co-host the London international Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) Conference on 11-12 October with the Secretaries of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and International Development. We welcomed representatives from over 70 countries including three Presidents (Uganda, Gabon, Botswana), two First Ladies (Kenya, Sierra Leone), two Deputy Prime Ministers (Cambodia, DRC) and US Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Discussions built coalitions between countries and the NGO and business communities to treat the illegal wildlife trade as a serious and organised crime; and to close markets for illegally traded wildlife. We will continue to work with our international colleagues to drive forward action to tackle this abhorrent crime. Most recently, I raised IWT with Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ha Cong Tuan during a visit to Vietnam and encouraged progress on commitments around demand reduction and law enforcement.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 05/12/2018 10:22:34 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

1015411

registered interest
date	27/11/2018
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	Pakistan: Christianity
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 international counterparts on the levels of forced repatriation of Christian asylum seekers to Pakistan.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Nigel Dodds
uin	196113
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2018 answer text <p>The UK has a proud history of providing protection for those in need, in accordance with our international obligations under the Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. We encourage all states to honour in full their international human rights obligations.</p><p>The British Government regularly raises its concerns about the freedom of religion or belief and the treatment of minority religious communities with our international partners, including the Government of Pakistan.</p><p>We have raised our concerns with the Government of Thailand over the detention of foreign nationals, including nationals of Pakistan. The Minister of State for the Commonwealth and UN, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, discussed our concerns in a telephone call with the Thai Ambassador on 2 November. We believe that the recent actions of the Thai authorities are not aimed at any specific group or groups but apply to anyone whom the Thai authorities deem an illegal visa over-stayer. We have urged Thailand to sign the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 05/12/2018 10:31:18 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

1015412

registered interest
date	27/11/2018
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	China: Religious Freedom
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 steps his Department has taken taken to promote (a) religious freedoms and (b) the ability to evangelise in China.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Nigel Dodds
uin	196114
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2018 answer text <p>We remain deeply concerned about the persecution of Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners and others on the grounds of their religion or belief in China. The freedom to practise, change or share ones faith or belief without discrimination or violent opposition is a human right that all people should enjoy. We believe that societies which aim to guarantee freedom of religion or belief are more stable, prosperous and more resilient against violent extremism.</p><p>We raise the full range of our human rights concerns with the Chinese authorities. We recently raised our concerns over restriction of freedom of religion or belief with the Chinese Government in our 27 June 2018 statement at the UN Human Rights Council and during China’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in November 2018.</p><p>We also highlighted our concerns in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy. The report contains details of work the FCO has carried out during the past year to promote human rights, including freedom of religion or belief in China and globally.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 05/12/2018 12:00:07 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

1015414

registered interest
date	27/11/2018
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	Turkey: Islam
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Turkish counterpart on the effect on non-Muslims of the rapid incorporation of Islam into that country's education system.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Nigel Dodds
uin	196115
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2018 answer text <p>Religious education is compulsory in Turkey's education curriculum and generally amounts to around two hours a week. Christian and Jewish children can apply for exemption from these classes. We have discussed freedom of religion issues with the Turkish authorities and are in dialogue with minority religious communities in Turkey.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 05/12/2018 12:01:18 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

1015415

registered interest
date	27/11/2018
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	Philippines: Human Rights and Religious Freedom
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Government of the Philippines on that country's promotion of respect for human rights and religious freedoms.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Nigel Dodds
uin	196116
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2018 answer text <p>​The UK is committed to the promotion of human rights, including freedom of religion and belief. Whilst we have not had specific discussions with the Philippine Government on religious freedoms, we have regular discussions on human rights, including our concerns about the conduct of the &quot;war on drugs&quot; and the situation of human rights defenders. My officials most recently met with their Philippine counterparts at the UK/Philippines High Level talks that took place on 19th November, where these issues were raised. I also raised our human rights concerns with Philippine government figures during my visit to Manila in August.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 05/12/2018 12:03:37 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

1015497

registered interest
date	27/11/2018
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	Mediterranean Sea: Rescue Services
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 tackle the criminalisation of humanitarian assistance to migrants as evidenced by the recent seizure of the migrant rescue vessel Aquarius; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North East
tabling member printed	Fabian Hamilton
uin	196123
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2018 answer text <p>The UK Government is aware<ins class="ministerial"> that, on 20 November 2018, Italian authorities issued a warrant for </ins> <del class="ministerial">of</del> the seizure of the Marine Vessel Aquarius <del class="ministerial">by the Italian authorities</del> on grounds of waste pollution.<ins class="ministerial"> According to the ship's operators, the vessel has been at the French port of Marseille since 4 October 2018 and, in the absence of a Flag State, is unable to leave port. Consequently the warrant has not yet been executed. It</ins> <del class="ministerial">The vessel operated as a Search and Rescue vessel in the central Mediterranean by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) 'SOS Méditerranée' and 'Médicins Sans Frontières' until September 2018. This matter is now subject to Italian legal processes and it</del> is not appropriate for the UK Government to comment<ins class="ministerial"> on the legal process initiated by the Italian authorities</ins>. <del class="ministerial">We recognise the importance of Search and Rescue in the Mediterranean and value the contribution of NGOs in saving lives at sea. We are concerned about the increasing fatality rate that has coincided with the effective cessation of the Search and Rescue operations in the central Mediterranean due to the lack of assurances over safe disembarkation arrangements. We will continue to be involved with efforts to find a solution.</del></p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 05/12/2018 12:05:59 question first ministerially corrected 17/12/2018 11:44:56 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan previous answer version 90092 answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	415 label Biography information for Fabian Hamilton

1015578

registered interest
date	27/11/2018
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	Mediterranean Sea: 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 discussions he has had with his Tunisian counterpart on steps to prevent migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	196202
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2018 answer text <p>The British Government is concerned about the increasing numbers of migrants crossing illegally from Tunisia to Europe.</p><p>We are working closely with the Tunisian Government to help improve their border security, including through the provision of Royal Navy and Royal Marine instructors to assist the Tunisian National Guard Maritime section. More broadly, the British Government actively pursues a 'whole of route' approach to addressing unmanaged migration from Africa to Europe, tackling the drivers of migration that encourage people to undertake the dangerous journey in the first place. We will play an active role in the Intergovernmental Conference to Adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, to be held in Marrakech in December.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 04/12/2018 15:30:40 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1015006

registered interest
date	26/11/2018
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	China: Swine Fever
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 had discussions with his Chinese counterpart on ensuring that swine fever does not spread in mainland China.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	195593
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2018 answer text <p>We are in regular and direct contact with the Chinese authorities through our Embassy in Beijing on all matters of food, hygiene and public health.</p><p>We are aware that in the second half of this year, the Chinese authorities have reported over 70 outbreaks of Africa Swine Fever in domestic pigs. One case of African Swine Fever in wild boar has also been reported.</p><p>We will continue to monitor the situation in China, and engage with the Chinese authorities on this issue.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 04/12/2018 15:45:06 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon