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93674

registered interest
date	15/10/2014
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Ebola
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the remarks of Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organisation, about the ebola outbreak; and what is their current assessment of the projected number of fatalities in West Africa.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2103
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2014 answer text <p>We share the WHO’s concerns about the potential scale and global threat posed by the Ebola outbreak. According to the latest WHO data, there have been 4493 deaths from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa as of 12 October. The US Centre for Disease Control estimates that the number of cases in West Africa could reach 1.4 million by January 2015. In response to the outbreak, the UK is playing a leading role in the international response, and has committed £125 million to contain, control and ultimately defeat the disease in Sierra Leone.</p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 21/10/2014 16:34:09 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

92763

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
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	Nigeria
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to halt the killing and displacement of people, and the destruction of churches, in the Nigerian states of Borno and Adamawa by Boko Haram; what is their assessment of the amount of territory which has been seized by Boko Haram; and what is their assessment of how many people have been killed or displaced and how many churches destroyed.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1999
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2014 answer text <p>The Government is committed to working closely with Nigeria and the international community to tackle the threat posed by terrorist groups such as Boko Haram. At the London Ministerial meeting on 12 June, the former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend, the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), announced a substantial new package of UK military, intelligence and development support to Nigeria. This package is being delivered in Nigeria and includes tactical training and advice to Nigerian units deployed against Boko Haram. This year, the Department for International Development doubled investment in north east Nigeria conflict resolution programmes to help make communities safer.</p><p>We believe that more than 3,000 people have been killed by Boko Haram this year. The UN assesses that the violence in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states has displaced 1.5 million people. Boko Haram has targeted both Christian and Muslim communities and sites, including churches, but reliable information on how many is not available. The UK welcomes recent reports of gains by the Nigerian Armed Forces as they seek to push back Boko Haram in north east Nigeria.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 21/10/2014 14:47:26 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

92765

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Corruption
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to emulate the United States Justice Department’s "Kleptocracy Initiative" in which assets are seized from corrupt foreign officials and politicians living in the United States.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2001
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2014 answer text <p>The Department for International Development provide funding for UK law enforcement units within the Metropolitan Police and National Crime Agency to investigate illicit financial flows linked to corrupt foreign officials from developing countries in the UK. To date, these units have restrained or confiscated more than £120 million of stolen funds. The Government is reviewing the overall coordination and effectiveness of the UK’s enforcement response to cases of bribery and corruption. This work is ongoing and ministers will consider the findings in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 21/10/2014 16:31:36 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

92767

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
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	Iraq
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 report by Human Rights Watch that Islamic State has removed Yezidi boys and made them convert to Islam and is holding captive civilians from other religious and ethnic minorities, including Christians and Shia Shabaks and Turkmen.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL2003
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2014 answer text <p>The humanitarian reports from Iraq and elsewhere in the region are deeply concerning. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and associated armed groups continue to commit atrocities against Muslims, Christians, Yezidis, Turkmen and other communities throughout the areas under their control. We condemn any and all violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief.</p><p>We are working closely with our international coalition partners to assist and protect civilians. We have been at the forefront of the humanitarian response to the crisis in the region, delivering through a range of channels including air drops. We are also providing military equipment and training to support the Kurdistan Regional Government fighting against ISIL.</p><p>We continue to encourage the new Iraqi government to ensure the protection of all citizens, to promote human rights and reassert the rule of law.</p> answering member printed Baroness Anelay of St Johns question first answered 21/10/2014 14:44:54 answering member 3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

92399

registered interest
date	06/10/2014
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Iraq
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made so far by the International Humanitarian Partnership with establishing the proposed three camps, each to house 15,000 persons, for refugees who have fled from the fighting in Iraq; how that progress compares with the anticipated schedule; how many refugees are believed to be in need of shelter; which ethnic or religious groups are being assisted in those camps by the International Humanitarian Partnership; and what assessment they have made of what is likely to happen to those who are not provided for by those camps.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1961
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>The International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP) is building one camp in Shekhan which will provide shelter for up to 6,000 people. Camp construction is on schedule and should be ready to provide shelter by mid-November. The IHP was initially requested by UNHCR to build three of the sixteen camps that will provide shelter to those who have been displaced by the conflict in Northern Iraq. This proposal has now changed and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has taken charge of building the two other camps.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I) has received 860,000 displaced persons in successive waves. Of these, it is estimated that approximately 390,000 are in need of shelter. Of the £23 million that DFID has provided in response to the crisis, £17.5 million is funding United Nations (UN) agencies and NGO (Non-Government Organisation) partners to provide shelter, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) and protection services. We continue to respond to the crisis on the basis of needs although we recognise that many of those who are receiving assistance belong to religious or ethnic religious groups that have fled persecution.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The UN is working on a revised Strategic Response Plan (SRP) which will provide an assessment of the overall needs of refugees and IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). This SRP will include the shelter requirements for displaced persons up to December 2015. Our Advisors on the ground are working closely with aid agencies, the UN and the KRG to ensure that there is both an accurate assessment of need and an effective plan for meeting it.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 20/10/2014 16:29:51 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

92400

registered interest
date	06/10/2014
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	IVF
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 risks of clinical trials of mitochondrial replacement therapy; and what safeguards will be put in place in such trials.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1962
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>The safety and efficacy of two mitochondrial donation techniques proposed for clinical use, Maternal Spindle Transfer and Pronuclear Transfer, have been the subject of three scientific reviews carried out by an Expert Panel convened by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). The Panel reported in April 2011, March 2013 and June 2014.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Any regulations that would allow mitochondrial donation would also bring into place important safeguards through the HFEA’s licencing procedures. For a licence to be issued to a provider of mitochondrial donation they would first have to demonstrate that they could carry out the procedure safely and effectively.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Earl Howe question first answered 20/10/2014 17:02:15 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

92401

registered interest
date	06/10/2014
answering body	Department of Health
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health
answering dept sort name	Health
hansard heading	IVF
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 role played by mitochondria in the development of an organism; and what they consider to be the implications of that assessment for mitochondrial replacement techniques.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1963
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2014 answer text <p>As the noble Lord is aware, the Government commissioned the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to convene an Expert Panel to review the science related to mitochondrial donation and the proposed donation techniques. The Panel produced reports on this in April 2011, March 2013 and June 2014. A description of the role of mitochondria can be found at paragraph 2.1 of the Expert Panel’s April 2011 scientific report. This can be found on the HFEA’s website at:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>www.hfea.gov.uk/6372.html</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The latest assessment of mitochondrial replacement techniques, carried out earlier this year by the Expert Panel, can be found at:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>www.hfea.gov.uk/8807.html</p><p> </p> answering member printed Earl Howe question first answered 16/10/2014 15:29:13 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

92402

registered interest
date	06/10/2014
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	South Sudan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that the recommendations of the Oxfam Report <i>From Crisis to Catastrophe, food security in South Sudan</i>, published on 6 October, are implemented.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1964
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>We remain deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in South Sudan, and have recently announced a further £25 million of humanitarian assistance, making the UK one of the largest donors to the response with total contributions of £150 million this year.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>UK support has enabled humanitarian agencies to provide essential assistance in both United Nations camps and ‘hard-to-reach’ areas. Our assistance is providing more than 400,000 people with emergency food and/or livelihoods, 170,000 people with clean water, and 180,000 with improved hygiene and sanitation, and will assist thousands more this year. The UK is also ensuring that its development programmes contribute where possible, by maintaining health and education services through local systems; and by building the resilience of households through livelihoods programmes. We have also funded dozens of staff to key positions in the UN to assist with coordination and planning.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This assistance has helped to prevent deterioration of food security to famine levels. It has also helped agencies deal with the recent cholera outbreak, and provided support to survivors of sexual violence. However, we remain concerned about the humanitarian situation moving into 2015, with the risk of famine still real if conflict continues. Security and access remain major constraints to reaching those in need, especially in the hard-to-reach areas. We continue to stress the important need for all parties to respect the cessation of hostilities, and to allow unhampered access for humanitarian assistance.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We will continue to engage on the recommendations in the report in our role as member of the Security Council and in discussions with UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Governments of the region, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD).</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover grouped question UIN HL1965 question first answered 20/10/2014 16:35:16 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

92403

registered interest
date	06/10/2014
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	South Sudan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the Oxfam Report <i>From Crisis to Catastrophe, food security in South Sudan</i>; and, in particular, how they will (1) assist the humanitarian efforts to create better conditions in United Nations camps, (2) improve co-ordination and delivery of aid to where people are, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, (3) ensure that diverse and sustainable interventions are made, building on local systems, and (4) improve management and planning to prevent future delays.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1965
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>We remain deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in South Sudan, and have recently announced a further £25 million of humanitarian assistance, making the UK one of the largest donors to the response with total contributions of £150 million this year.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>UK support has enabled humanitarian agencies to provide essential assistance in both United Nations camps and ‘hard-to-reach’ areas. Our assistance is providing more than 400,000 people with emergency food and/or livelihoods, 170,000 people with clean water, and 180,000 with improved hygiene and sanitation, and will assist thousands more this year. The UK is also ensuring that its development programmes contribute where possible, by maintaining health and education services through local systems; and by building the resilience of households through livelihoods programmes. We have also funded dozens of staff to key positions in the UN to assist with coordination and planning.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This assistance has helped to prevent deterioration of food security to famine levels. It has also helped agencies deal with the recent cholera outbreak, and provided support to survivors of sexual violence. However, we remain concerned about the humanitarian situation moving into 2015, with the risk of famine still real if conflict continues. Security and access remain major constraints to reaching those in need, especially in the hard-to-reach areas. We continue to stress the important need for all parties to respect the cessation of hostilities, and to allow unhampered access for humanitarian assistance.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We will continue to engage on the recommendations in the report in our role as member of the Security Council and in discussions with UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Governments of the region, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD).</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover grouped question UIN HL1964 question first answered 20/10/2014 16:35:17 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

92404

registered interest
date	06/10/2014
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	South Sudan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress is being made in South Sudan to ensure that all parties to the conflict and all armed groups (1) end violence and respect all agreements signed to date, including the Cessation of Hostilities and humanitarian agreements; (2) stop attacks against civilians, their homes and livelihoods, and end the forced recruitment of children; (3) guarantee protection of and respect for humanitarian staff; and (4) guarantee safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL1966
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>The intensity of the conflict in South Sudan has reduced substantially during the rainy season, but low level fighting and restrictions on humanitarian access in violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) continue. Steps towards a wider ceasefire were agreed in principle by the main warring parties in August, but an implementation matrix has not yet come into effect.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>A further round of peace talks convened by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) was held from 22 September to 5 October, with the mediators reporting some progress around the formation of a Transitional Government of National Unity to lead the country out of conflict. We expect talks to resume again after regional consultations, and the UK government continues to offer its full support to this process.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has stepped up patrols and continues to focus on protection of civilians and creating the conditions for the delivery of humanitarian assistance, in line with its renewed mandate agreed on 27 May 2014. Additional UN troops from regional forces have also been deployed in support of teams monitoring CoHA implementation. UK support has enabled humanitarian agencies to provide essential assistance in both UN Protection of Civilian (PoC) camps and in ‘hard to reach’ area. However, security and lack of access remain major constraints to reaching those in need and we continue to stress the important need for all parties to respect the CoH, and to allow for unhampered access for humanitarian assistance.<br></p><p> </p><p>On 25 September, South Sudan’s Foreign Minister recommitted to his country’s 2012 Action Plan on Children and Armed Conflict at an event hosted by the Minister for Africa in New York. However, we continue to receive credible reports of the use of child soldiers in some areas.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Northover question first answered 20/10/2014 16:36:19 answering member 2539 label Biography information for Baroness Northover
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool