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90105

registered interest
date	01/09/2014
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	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether chemical weapons have been used by the Syrian government since August 2013; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	North Down
tabling member printed	Lady Hermon
uin	207800
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2014 answer text <p>There is credible evidence of repeated chemical weapon attacks perpetrated by the Syrian regime since August 2013. The UK was among the first countries to call for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to investigate these allegations. The OPCW Fact Finding Mission was subsequently established in April 2014 and its work is ongoing. Despite the difficulty of investigating these allegations in a conflict environment, the Mission’s May 2014 interim report stated that the available information “lends credence to the view that toxic chemicals, most likely pulmonary irritating agents such as chlorine, have been used in a systematic manner in a number of attacks”.</p><p>The August 2014 UN Commission of Inquiry report further stated that “Reasonable grounds exist to believe that chemical agents, likely chlorine, were used...[and that]... those agents were dropped in barrel bombs from government helicopters flying overhead”. Any use of chemical agents in warfare contravenes the Chemical Weapon Convention, to which Syria acceded in September 2013. We will press for all those who use chemical weapons to be held to account for these war crimes.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 08/09/2014 15:00:39 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1437 label Biography information for Lady Hermon

89776

registered interest
date	29/08/2014
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Syria
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in Syria.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	207135
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/09/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The humanitarian crisis in Syria has reached catastrophic proportions. The UN estimates that 10.8 million people are in dire need of humanitarian aid within Syria. At least 6.5 million people in Syria have been forced to flee their homes to other areas of the country and there are now 3 million refugees in the region. The UN reports that July 2014 was the deadliest month in Syria since the start of the conflict in March 2011, with over 1000 reported civilian deaths.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Putney answering member printed Justine Greening question first answered 04/09/2014 15:31:07 answering member 1555 label Biography information for Justine Greening
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

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

77985

registered interest
date	15/07/2014
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	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what level of assistance his Department has provided to rebels in Syria; what form such support has taken; and what steps he is taking to prevent its misuse.
tabling member constituency	Belfast North
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Dodds
uin	205892
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2014 answer text <p>We have provided more than £20 million this year to support the moderate opposition, including the National Coalition who we recognise as the sole legitimate representatives of the Syrian people. In May this year the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), laid a written ministerial statement before Parliament announcing the lifting of the temporary hold on gifting to the Supreme Military Council and the intention to resume delivery of £1 million of non-lethal equipment as soon as is practical. Recipients of this assistance have been carefully selected to prevent equipment being given to those involved in extremist activities or human rights violations. The UK is not supplying weapons to anybody in Syria. <br><br>The equipment we provide, including to the armed opposition groups, has undergone intense scrutiny to ensure that we are providing the best possible support and that we meet all our national and international obligations. The equipment has been scrutinised to ensure its provision is consistent with export controls under the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria and EU restrictions on the provision of goods to Syria (as agreed by Member States on 27 May 2013). <br><br>We have also supported the opposition’s political umbrella group, the National Coalition, with advisory and practical support. This has included strategic communications advice, and advice on internal governance arrangements. We have also supported the National Coalition’s delivery arm, the Interim Government, as they expand their plans to deliver services in opposition-held areas inside Syria. We have also funded a range of projects in support of civil society and activist groups both inside and outside Syria, which have included those documenting human rights abuses. The then Foreign Secretary announced in May that we would spend £30 million in support to the Syrian opposition and to bolster regional security.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 22/07/2014 12:35:52 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1388 label Biography information for Lord Dodds of Duncairn

77998

registered interest
date	15/07/2014
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	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 newly elected President of the Syrian National Council.
tabling member constituency	Wrexham
tabling member printed	Ian Lucas
uin	205844
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2014 answer text <p>We are in constant contact with the Syrian opposition, including with the newly-elected President of the National Coalition, Hadi al-Bahra. We are increasing our support for them, as they counter the threats from extremists and Assad’s regime. UK Special Representative to Syria, Jon Wilks, met President al-Bahra on 10 and 15 July. In these discussions Mr Wilks stressed the UK’s strong support for the National Coalition’s goal of a transition to peaceful, democratic and inclusive Syria. I look forward to meeting and working with President al-Bahra in due course.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 22/07/2014 11:57:54 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	1470 label Biography information for Ian C. Lucas

77276

registered interest
date	10/07/2014
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
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 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' report <i>Woman Alone</i>: <i>The fight for survival by Syria’s refugee women</i>; and of its assessment of the situation of Syrian refugee families in Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan which are headed by women.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1010
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p>The UK welcomes the publication of this report, which highlights the distressing reality for women and girls affected by the crisis in Syria. Our assessment is that it accurately describes many of the hardships faced by refugee women who have become heads of their households as a result of the conflict, but also their resilience and bravery in the face of such hardships.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 24/07/2014 14:21:57 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

76577

registered interest
date	08/07/2014
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 whether, following the call by UNICEF for the freeing of 140 Kurdish school boys recently abducted in Northern Syria, they intend to take steps to assist their release.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL921
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2014 answer text <p>The UK is deeply concerned by reports of the abduction of Kurdish children by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Such actions are utterly appalling and we call for their immediate release. These actions demonstrate to the world the true nature of this vicious terrorist organisation.</p><p>Tackling extremists in Syria is a priority, and we are stepping up our support for the moderate opposition groups who are fighting them, and helping the neighbouring countries respond to this growing security threat. Finding a political settlement to the crisis is more pressing than ever, so that groups such as ISIL cannot take advantage of the conflict to expand their influence.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 21/07/2014 11:56:53 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

76612

registered interest
date	08/07/2014
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, in the light of President Assad’s re-election by the Syrian people, whether they intend to amend their stance on the Presidency of Syria as described in the answer by Baroness Warsi on 1 July (WA 253); and, if not, why not.
tabling member printed	Lord Stoddart of Swindon
uin	HL956
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2014 answer text <p>The UK remains committed to finding a political settlement to the Syria crisis. President Assad is the greatest obstacle to such a settlement. He refused to engage substantively in the UN Security Council-backed Geneva II peace talks which aimed to establish a transitional government agreed by both sides, and lay the foundations for free and fair elections. Instead, his regime’s brutality continues to fuel the conflict, stoke sectarian tensions, and create conditions conducive to the growth of terrorism. President Assad is not a credible partner for solving this crisis.</p><p>The regime’s recent Presidential “elections” do not change this. They were a parody of democracy, taking place against the backdrop of horrendous violence, and disenfranchising the many millions of Syrians who have been forced to flee their homes. The Arab League, the UN, the US, Turkey and the EU all rejected these so-called elections.</p><p>We continue to call on the Assad regime to make a clear commitment to ending the violence and engaging in substantive talks with the opposition under the Geneva framework. The UK will continue to support a strong and more inclusive opposition and work to increase pressure on the regime in order to create conditions for a political settlement that can end the conflict and address the terrorist threat.</p> answering member printed Baroness Warsi question first answered 22/07/2014 14:39:08 answering member 3839 label Biography information for Baroness Warsi
tabling member	950 label Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon

65920

registered interest
date	07/07/2014
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Syria
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to take action to ensure that essential medical and relief supplies reach people in the autonomous Kurdish cantons of north and east Syria.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL847
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p>In Syria and the region, UK aid is supporting food for up to 535,000 people a month and water for up to 1.5 million people. UK support to WHO will provide vulnerable Syrians with essential access to comprehensive health services. WHO are also supporting trauma systems, delivering essential supplies and augmenting health systems to respond to outbreaks of diseases. Across Syria the UK has already funded over 244,000 medical consultations to critically injured and sick people.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 17/07/2014 14:49:40 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

64608

registered interest
date	30/06/2014
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Syria
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to lead a concerted international effort to help the governments of Jordan and Lebanon and international humanitarian agencies to cope with refugees and displaced people from Syria.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL691
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The UK has committed a total of £600 million for humanitarian assistance in response to the Syria crisis, including £292 million to support refugees in neighbouring countries such as Jordan and Lebanon. The UK helped to launch and mobilise international support for UNICEF's ‘No Lost Generation' Initiative and has allocated £50m to provide protection, trauma care and education for children affected by the crisis.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 09/07/2014 16:39:09 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton