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1719804

registered interest
date	21/05/2024
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Mozambique: Armed Conflict
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what assessment he has made of the potential (a) implications for his policies of the recent insurgent attacks around (i) Macomia, (ii) Missufine and (iii) Cajerene in Mozambique and (b) impact of those attacks on the (A) displacement and (B) casualties of civilians.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	27486
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2024 answer text <p>The UK continues to pay close attention to developments in Mozambique, including the recent attacks, and is monitoring with partners the impact of these attacks on the civilian population and on the delivery of UK priorities. UK funding is supporting humanitarian assistance for those displaced from Macomia and across the north, alongside longer-term support. In May 2023, the Deputy Foreign Secretary met President Nyusi and discussed UK support for the Government of Mozambique's response to the insurgency, including new programmes on peacebuilding and resilience to violent extremism, increased humanitarian support and military capacity-building. MOD will begin a next round of training of Mozambique's Armed Forces in June, with over 200 members already trained in human rights.</p> answering member constituency Sutton Coldfield answering member printed Mr Andrew Mitchell question first answered 24/05/2024 08:16:42 answering member 1211 label Biography information for Mr Andrew Mitchell
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1719230

registered interest
date	20/05/2024
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Toomaj Salehi
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the imprisonment of Toomaj Salehi.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	27118
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>The UK condemns the death sentence of prominent and fearless artist Toomaj Salehi. On May 8, the UK Human Rights Ambassador to the UN in Geneva signed a joint statement calling for Salehi's immediate release and repeating our principled opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances. We have sanctioned 94 Iranian individuals or entities for human rights violations since September 2022, including the Prosecutor General and Deputy Prosecutor General responsible for Iran's application of the death penalty. We continue to call for Mr Salehi's release, and the release of all those who are unjustly detained by the Iranian regime.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 23/05/2024 16:44:29 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1719231

registered interest
date	20/05/2024
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	China: Religious Freedom
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what recent steps his Department has taken to help protect freedom of religious belief for (a) Christians and (b) other religious minorities in China.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	27119
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>The UK Government continues to monitor the persecution of religious groups in China, including Christians. The freedom to practice, change or share one's faith or belief without discrimination is a human right that all people should enjoy.</p><p>The space for religious freedom in China continues to deteriorate, for Christians and other religious minorities. For example, recent new Measures on the Administration of Religious Activity Venues legislation includes widespread restrictions on religious practice such as requirements for priests to conduct sermons promoting core socialist values and Xi Jinping Thought.</p><p>The British government works with international organisations and networks to promote and protect freedom of religion or belief for all where it is threatened. This includes work through the UN, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council of Europe, and the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 23/05/2024 15:37:55 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1719232

registered interest
date	20/05/2024
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Iran: Religious Freedom
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what steps his Department has taken to help promote freedom of religious belief for (a) Christians and (b) other religious minorities in Iran.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	27120
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>The UK condemns the continued repression of Christians and other religious minorities in Iran. At the 55th Human Rights Council, we issued a statement highlighting the discrimination faced by Christians on a daily basis, whether in accessing education, jobs, or places of worship. We co-sponsored the Iran Human Rights Resolution at UNGA 78, calling for Iran to eliminate, in law and in practice, all forms of discrimination on the basis of religion or belief. We continue to promote the rights of religious minorities in Iran, including through the Special Envoy on FoRB Fiona Bruce MP.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 23/05/2024 16:46:12 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1719233

registered interest
date	20/05/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Treasury: Opposition
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many hours have been spent by his Department's staff on costing the policies of HM Opposition since 1 January 2024.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	27121
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>The Treasury does not record information relating to the allocation of staff time to specific tasks such as opposition costings. However, all work undertaken by HM Treasury staff (or officials from other departments) on opposition costings was completed in line with the guidance on ‘Costing the policies of Opposition parties’ set out in the Directory of Civil Service Guidance. Final versions of the costing documents produced by Civil Servants have also been published online at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/opposition-policy-costings-2024.</p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Gareth Davies question first answered 23/05/2024 16:53:36 answering member 4850 label Biography information for Gareth Davies
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1719234

registered interest
date	20/05/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Treasury: Opposition
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many staff in his Department have been involved with costing the policies of HM Opposition.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	27122
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>The Treasury does not routinely record information relating to the allocation of individual members of staff to specific tasks such as opposition costings. However, all work undertaken by HM Treasury officials (or officials from other departments) on opposition costings was completed in line with the guidance on ‘Costing the policies of Opposition parties’ set out in the <em>Directory of Civil Service Guidanc</em>e. Final versions of the costing documents produced by Civil Servants have been published online at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/opposition-policy-costings-2024" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/opposition-policy-costings-2024</a>.</p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Gareth Davies question first answered 23/05/2024 16:52:08 answering member 4850 label Biography information for Gareth Davies
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1718537

registered interest
date	15/05/2024
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Myanmar: Development Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what his Department’s overseas development aid spend on Myanmar (a) was in the financial year 2023-24 and (b) is predicted to be in the financial year 2024-25.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	26548
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2024 answer text <p>The UK provided more than £42 million in Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) in Myanmar in the financial year 2023/24. A finalised allocation will be published here: [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/statistics-on-international-development#upcoming-statistical-releases]. The UK's increased ODA allocation for Myanmar for the financial year 2024/2025 will be announced shortly. The UK's ODA in Myanmar includes life-saving humanitarian assistance, emergency healthcare and education support, and work to support civil society and local communities.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 22/05/2024 16:46:27 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1716871

registered interest
date	09/05/2024
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Water: Sri Lanka
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what recent steps his Department has taken to help support Sri Lankan authorities to manage local water supplies near the Chunnakam power plant.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	25529
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2024 answer text <p>We are aware of the challenges Sri Lanka faces around water management and quality, particularly by communities in the Northern Province. A number of public bodies in Sri Lanka, including the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, have conducted tests into water quality in Chunnakam, after concerns were raised by local communities. The British High Commission Colombo regularly meets a range of stakeholders in the Northern Province to hear from them on their concerns and experiences. The UK supports the International Water Management Institute to improve water management and quality in Sri Lanka. We will continue to engage with the authorities in support of clean water provision.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 15/05/2024 16:42:13 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1716872

registered interest
date	09/05/2024
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Water: Sri Lanka
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what recent steps his Department has taken to help support the Sri Lankan authorities to meet UN sustainable development goal six on clean water and sanitation.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	25530
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2024 answer text <p>The UK Government supports programmes to improve water management and quality in Sri Lanka in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal six and the International Development White Paper's commitment to water, sanitation and hygiene services that are reliable, resilient, and inclusive. Through our work with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), an international water management research organisation, the UK funds programmes to provide solutions to increasing water scarcity in Puttalam and Kilinochchi as well as implement community wetlands management systems that improve water management and quality across Sri Lanka.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 15/05/2024 16:40:14 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1697468

registered interest
date	20/03/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Telecommunications: Infrastructure
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 31 January 2024 to Question 11162 on Telecommunications: Infrastructure, how many notices her Department has received from Ofcom of instances of operators not complying with their statutory duties in the last 12 months.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	19660
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2024 answer text <p>Ofcom is an independent regulator and, as such, does not discuss open cases with the Department. Where there are issues of non-compliance with statutory duties, Ofcom will deal with these cases directly with the operator. If Ofcom were to find, following an investigation, that any operator had failed to comply with its regulatory obligations it would publish that information on its <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ofcom.org.uk%2Fabout-ofcom%2Fbulletins%2Fenforcement-bulletin&amp;data=05%7C02%7CLisa.Price%40dsit.gov.uk%7C6cf1af03974449d9643008dc4a5b1a0a%7Ccbac700502c143ebb497e6492d1b2dd8%7C0%7C0%7C638467002383626425%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=lLcvwFawuDJf1G57NTmj1IVZa0MXr2%2BSI5bzHPPVZTY%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Enforcement Bulletin</a>.</p><p> </p><p>I would, however, reiterate that I am aware of ongoing concerns about operator compliance with their duties under the Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) Regulations 2003 (“the 2003 Regulations”) and particularly about new pole installations.</p><p>I recently met Melanie Dawes, CEO of Ofcom, to discuss this, and to explore ways DSIT and Ofcom can work together to raise awareness of statutory roles and responsibilities and ensure better compliance. This work is being taken forward by officials and I will be monitoring progress.</p><p>I also wrote to all fixed line operators on 14 March, setting out the government’s concerns and emphasising the importance of infrastructure sharing. Specifically, I have asked them to do everything possible to share existing telegraph poles before installing new ones. You can find a copy of the letter <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/use-of-telegraph-poles-letter-from-dsit-minister-to-telecom-operators" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>The government has already taken steps to support this through measures in the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 making it easier for operators to upgrade and share the use of existing infrastructure.</p><p>Separately, DSIT will be meeting with operators in the near future to discuss revisions to <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-siting-and-pole-siting-code-of-practice-issue-2-2016" target="_blank"><strong>the Cabinet Siting and Pole Siting Code of Practice</strong></a> and how these can be delivered to promote better working practices.</p><p> </p><p>I also met with interested MPs on Monday 25 March 2024. I remain keen to hear and understand the concerns shared by MPs and their constituents, to inform our ongoing work, as well as to keep you informed of the progress that is being made and the next steps we have planned.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 28/03/2024 09:37:14 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill