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79543

registered interest
date	23/07/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Hong Kong
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how often, and with what result, they have raised breaches of Hong Kong's Basic Law with China in the last five years.
tabling member printed	Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
uin	HL1441
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/08/2014 answer text <p>We monitor closely the implementation of One Country, Two Systems, as enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law.</p><p>We discuss issues relating to Hong Kong regularly at senior levels with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and with the Chinese authorities. As the former Foreign Secretary noted in the most recent Six Monthly Report to Parliament, Official Record 10 July Col 33WS, Hong Kong’s unique constitutional framework has worked well. We have made clear that it is vital it continues to be respected, and is seen to be respected, by all sides.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Popat question first answered 11/08/2014 11:29:50 answering member 4173 label Biography information for Lord Popat
tabling member	4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

79555

registered interest
date	23/07/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Muslim Brotherhood
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions have taken place with other European Union governments concerning the Muslim Brotherhood and its alleged links to political and research organisations in Europe.
tabling member printed	Lord Empey
uin	HL1453
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2014 answer text <p>As part of the internal review into the activities and influence of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Government has drawn on a range of input from independent experts and governments. The review is comprehensive and is looking at the Muslim Brotherhood’s origins, philosophy, activities, record in and out of government; and its organisation and activities in the UK and abroad. This has included seeking views and evidence from our allies and partner governments in Europe, as well as the Middle East and North Africa.</p><p>The findings of the review will be published once they have been considered by the Government.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 30/07/2014 12:07:27 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	4216 label Biography information for Lord Empey

79568

registered interest
date	23/07/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Middle East
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel in respect of the current conflict in Gaza about (1) access for medical supplies and materials for the United Nations Relief and<i></i>Works Agency water and sewage project, (2) verification of any ceasefires, (3) the use of the Dutch scanner at Kerem Shalom crossing-point, and (4) negotiations for the release of Palestinians arrested since mid-June.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL1466
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2014 answer text <p>Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have discussed the issue of access for medical supplies and materials for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) with the Israeli authorities. They also have discussed with the Israeli authorities the release of prisoners, released as part of the Galid Shalit deal but then recently re-arrested during Operation Brother's Keeper, as part of ceasefire negotiations. They have not discussed the use of the Dutch scanner at Kerem Shalom crossing-point.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 30/07/2014 11:40:54 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

79569

registered interest
date	23/07/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Syria
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 security of the mainly Kurdish cantons of north and east Syria, and in particular of the risk of attacks by Islamic extremists.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL1467
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2014 answer text <p>The Kurdish Democratic Party (PYD) in Syria and associated armed groupings have effectively been in control of most of the Kurdish areas in North-East Syria since they unilaterally declared autonomy in November 2013.</p><p>We are aware of reports of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) (also known as ISIS – the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) attacks on Kurdish forces in Kobane and other areas in Northern and Eastern Syria. Reports suggest that the attacks in Kobane began on 7 July, and that ISIL has employed heavy weapons seized from Iraqi Security Forces. ISIL is a serious threat in Syria and Iraq. We remain concerned that their access to more sophisticated weaponry, a swelling of their ranks and improved morale will now place them in a stronger position to threaten all those in Syria, regardless of their affiliation. Primary responsibility for this situation lies with the Assad regime whose actions have fuelled extremism in Syria.</p><p>The UK remains committed to supporting the moderate opposition in Syria to bolster them against the regime and against the extremists, and to help bring about a political solution, which remains the only way to achieve a sustainable resolution to the crisis.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 30/07/2014 11:41:54 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

79573

registered interest
date	23/07/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	EU Action: Parliamentary Scrutiny
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, for each government department, from July to December 2013, (1) on how many occasions the scrutiny reserve resolution in the House of Lords was overridden, (2) on how many occasions the scrutiny reserve resolution in the House of Commons was overridden, and (3) in respect of how many documents an override occurred in (a) both Houses or (b) either House.
tabling member printed	Lord Boswell of Aynho
uin	HL1471
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/08/2014 answer text <p>The Government seeks to avoid breaching the Scrutiny Reserve Resolutions, continuing to account for overrides in writing to the Committees. The last EU Committee report recognises that engagement between the Committee’s Secretariat and Departments helped the number of overrides fall, the largest category of override being on sensitive, fast-moving Common Foreign and Security Policy matters (16 of the 20 overrides across the two Houses) which cannot be publicised beforehand, making overrides difficult to avoid. During this period, 568 Explanatory Memoranda were submitted, the 20 overrides representing the lowest number since 2010.</p><p>The figures requested are in the attached Table 1.</p><p><strong>Overrides July-December 2013</strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Department</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>(1). House of Lords Override</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>(2). House of Commons override</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>(a). No. of overrides in both Houses</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>(b). Total no. of overrides</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Department for Business, Innovation and Skills</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Foreign and Commonwealth Office</p></td><td><p>15</p></td><td><p>17</p></td><td><p>15</p></td><td><p>17</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>TOTALS (with reference to questions)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>18 (Q 1)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>19 (Q 2)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>17 (Q a)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>20 (Q b)</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 04/08/2014 10:48:22 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	352 label Biography information for Lord Boswell of Aynho

79578

registered interest
date	23/07/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Russia
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what criteria they are using to assess the impact and effectiveness of current European Union sanctions on Russia.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL1476
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/08/2014 answer text We judge the impact and effectiveness of sanctions based on a range of economic and political factors. Sanctions are designed to impose a cost for Russia’s actions in Ukraine, deter further escalation of this crisis, and support the wider diplomatic effort. EU measures already announced have exacerbated negative trends in Russia’s economy; capital flight in the first half of 2014 was greater than for the whole of 2013; and we have seen a significant reduction in expected growth. Russian access to western financial markets will be severely constrained as lenders consider the risks of Russian exposure in the current climate. The strengthening of sanctions should signal clearly to the Russian leadership that their policy of trying to destabilise Ukraine will have a cost for the Russian economy. The EU’s measures have in-built review mechanisms. The sanctions implemented on 31 July are in force for one year, with a review of implementation after three months. answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 11/08/2014 10:28:37 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

79579

registered interest
date	23/07/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Iran
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government to what extent the E3/EU+3 talks with Iran have been affected by the situations in (1) Iraq, and (2) Ukraine.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL1477
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2014 answer text <p>E3+3 negotiations with Iran on a comprehensive solution to the nuclear issue have not been affected by either Iraq or Ukraine. These negotiations focus purely on the nuclear issue: regional and other issues are not discussed. The E3+3 remain united in their objectives and approach to the negotiations. All of the E3+3 agreed on 19 July to extend the Joint Plan of Action until 24 November. We will continue to work constructively with our E3+3 partners to reach our goal by 24 November.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 30/07/2014 11:42:34 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

79581

registered interest
date	23/07/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Sahel
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the present terrorist threat in the Sahel and surrounding regions; and to what extent they consider it a threat to British interests in the region.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL1479
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2014 answer text <p>Terrorist groups operating in the Sahel and surrounding regions can pose a threat to British nationals and interests in the region. Groups active in the region, including Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Al Murabitun, aspire to establish Islamic law in the region and to attack Western interests. Al Murabitun claimed responsibility for killing a French soldier in Mali on 14 July, while terrorists affiliated to AQIM are believed to be responsible for killing 14 members of the Tunisian Security Forces on 16 July. We are committed to working with our partners to strengthen the capacity of the affected nations to counter this threat.</p><p>Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice gives our most accurate assessment of the situation and the risks to British nationals in the countries across the Sahel. Travel Advice on the Sahel is included in the page for each country in the region and is available on our website at: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We encourage all individuals and organisations to take that advice into account when travelling.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 30/07/2014 11:47:37 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

79582

registered interest
date	23/07/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Diplomatic Relations
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what new initiatives they are taking to maximise the use of soft power in their international diplomacy.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL1480
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/08/2014 answer text <p>The Government has taken a number of recent initiatives to maximise Britain’s soft power, as detailed in our response to the House of Lords Select Committee on Soft Power and the UK's Influence Report of session 2013-14 (Command Paper Cm 8879 of June 2014).</p><p>We have increased the 2015-16 budget for the Chevening Scholarship Programme from £18.24m to £45m and trebled the number of places for applicants in developing countries. We are supporting the development of the Chevening Alumni Alliance, and my Rt Hon Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire) held an event at Chevening on 9 July to celebrate the programme’s thirtieth anniversary, with some of its best known alumni.</p><p>We have increased our funding for the GREAT Britain campaign for 2014-15 from £30m to £46.5m, with the aim of generating a further £1 billion of economic benefits for the UK. Already the GREAT Britain campaign has delivered an audited economic return of £580m to date.</p><p>We hosted the first Girl Summit with UNICEF on 22 July, aimed at mobilising domestic and international efforts to end female genital mutilation and child, early and forced marriage. This involved 650 participants from 50 countries. The former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), also co-chaired the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in June, involving 1,700 delegates and 129 country delegations.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Popat question first answered 11/08/2014 11:28:43 answering member 4173 label Biography information for Lord Popat
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

79583

registered interest
date	23/07/2014
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Afghanistan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the current security situation in Afghanistan; and what is their assessment of Taliban intentions.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL1481
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/08/2014 answer text <p>The security situation in Afghanistan is still challenging, however violence levels remain lower than at the same stage last year, with the exceptions of anticipated spikes in violence on both election polling days. Despite this, the Taleban appear committed to their military campaign and the prospects for an Afghan-led peace process remain difficult in the short-term. We continue to call for the Taleban to enter a peaceful political process with the Afghan government.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 04/08/2014 10:46:17 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian