International Development
Afghanistan: Religious Freedom
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has made to the Government of Afghanistan on the imprisonment of Said Musa. [65161]
Alistair Burt: I have been asked to reply.
We understand Mr Musa was released from custody in February 2011. During his detention we worked with international partners to raise Mr Musa's case with the Afghan Government. The UK Attorney-General also raised this case with the Afghan Attorney-General, when he visited Afghanistan in January.
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will request the Government of Afghanistan to release from prison all those imprisoned for offences related to their conversion from Islam. [65162]
Alistair Burt: I have been asked to reply.
We are not aware of any current cases in Afghanistan of individuals imprisoned for offences relating to conversion from Islam.
We continue to work closely with international partners to monitor the situation of Afghan Christians, and to raise this issue with the Afghan Government when appropriate.
Developing Countries: Agriculture
Craig Whittaker:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will consider investing some of the £1.5 billion retained by his Department for allocation in the later years of the comprehensive
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spending review period in pro-poor agricultural growth through his Department's bilateral programmes for the purposes of mitigating the likelihood of future food security crises in the developing world. [65584]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: At least 16 of the Department for International Development's (DFID) bilateral programmes are currently planning programmes which will deliver improvements in the food security and nutritional status of poor people in the countries concerned. DFID also provides significant support for food security through our investments in agricultural research and our contributions to the work of relevant multilateral institutions such as the World Food Programme. Over the next four years, DFID's support will stop 10 million more children going hungry and ensure anther four million people have enough food throughout the year.
The Department for International Development (DFID) has further allocation decisions to make in the later years of the current spending review period. These decisions will be informed by the need to meet the conditions of DFID's spending review settlement and to ensure that the Department’s business plan objectives are delivered.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is on investing in agricultural growth through bilateral programmes for the purposes of mitigating the likelihood of a future food security crisis in the developing world. [65736]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Currently, at least 10 of the Department for International Development's (DFID) bilateral programmes and our regional programmes in Africa and Asia are planning to provide support for agricultural sector development. In total, at least 16 country programmes are planning programmes which will deliver improvements in the food security and nutritional status of poor people in the countries concerned. DFID also provides significant support for improvement in global food security through our investment in agricultural research and our contributions to the work of relevant multilateral institutions such as the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will allocate a proportion of the £1.5 billion retained for allocation in the later years of the comprehensive spending review period to pro-poor agricultural growth to mitigate the likelihood of future food security crises. [65782]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: At least 16 of the Department for International Development's (DFID) bilateral programmes are currently planning programmes which will deliver improvements in the food security and nutritional status of poor people in the countries concerned. DFID also provides significant support for food security through our investments in agricultural research and our contributions to the work of relevant multilateral institutions such as the World Food Programme. Over the next four years, DFID's support will stop 10 million more children going hungry and ensure anther 4 million people have enough food throughout the year.
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DFID has further allocation decisions to make in the later years of the current spending review period. These decisions will be informed by the need to meet the conditions of DFID's spending review settlement and to ensure that the Department's business plan objectives are delivered.
Developing Countries: Diabetes
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to promote improved diagnosis and treatment of diabetes in developing countries. [65650]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development's (DFID) focus is on improving the health of the poor through support to Governments and other organisations to deliver health services. We believe that by strengthening health services so that they are better able to diagnose and treat all major causes of ill health including diabetes we will improve health outcomes.
Developing Countries: Marriage
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he plans to take to reduce the incidence of early and forced marriage in developing countries. [64151]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Investing in adolescent girls, including delaying the age of marriage and first pregnancy, is a central part of DFID's Strategic Vision for Girls and Women.
In Ethiopia, DFID is taking to scale a successful pilot, supported by the Nike Foundation. The scaled up programme will delay marriage for 220,000 girls in two specific locations, with the vision to expand to the entire Amhara region—which has the highest rate of child marriage in Sub-Saharan Africa.
DFID is also supporting the Population Council's Transitions to Adulthood programme, which is addressing child marriage. The programme works with communities in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Kenya and Nigeria, to foster an environment that is supportive of later marriage. The programme offers families the resources and options they need to defer marriage, while also supporting married girls by addressing the isolation and disempowerment that characterizes their situation.
Developing Countries: Maternity Services
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to meet the commitment in the Framework for Results on improving reproductive, maternal and newborn health to raise the average age at which girls first marry and conceive. [64152]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Framework for Results recognises the risks associated with adolescent pregnancy and highlights the importance of ensuring that adolescents have control over their fertility. Adolescent pregnancy is not only dangerous for the health of the mother and the child but also has other consequences, such as the mother dropping out of school and damaging her future opportunities to participate in the labour market. It can also have an adverse affect on their status as well as on the children and their wider communities.
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The Department for International Development (DFID) is working in a number of countries such as Rwanda, Ethiopia, Bangladesh and Kenya to develop innovative new approaches designed to help girls increase the age of first marriage, delay the age of first birth, reduce their overall fertility rate and ensure that they can manage their reproductive health during adolescence and beyond. DFID is also supporting long-term research on how to improve access to family planning for adolescent girls.
Human Resources for Health Programme
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what methodology his Department used to estimate that 25 per cent. of its health funding supports human resources for health. [65783]
Mr O'Brien: The estimate that 25% of the Department for International Development’s (DFID) health funding supports human resources for health (HRH) was drawn from data analysis undertaken for DFID's 2009 Health Portfolio Review. A desk-based analysis of Overseas Development Assistance in the 2008-09 financial year was used to quantify the volume and percentage of DFID spending on “aid to health” that was committed to HRH spending across all countries. In addition, an in-depth review of HRH programming in four countries and a survey of HRH programming across 12 countries were used to test the assumptions made in the desk-based analysis.
The Health Portfolio Review can be found at:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Media-Room/News-Stories/2010/Health-portfolio-review-2009/
Horn of Africa: Agriculture
Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to increase long-term resilience in the national agricultural systems of the countries of the Horn of Africa for the purposes of reducing the effects of potential future food crises. [65585]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development (DFID) has provided a £10 million grant to the African Union's Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) to boost agricultural productivity and improve resilience to food insecurity in Africa. CAADP is working with the national agricultural systems in Ethiopia and Kenya, among other African countries, to define strategies for halving hunger and achieving increases of 6% in agricultural growth each year through policy reform and better investment. For example latest figures we have from 2009 show that annual agricultural growth rates were 6% in Ethiopia and 3% in Kenya.
DFID also provides resilience through country led programmes in Africa. In Ethiopia we support the Productive Safety Net Programme which provides cash and food transfers to around 8 million vulnerable people, while in Kenya we are supporting more than 60,000 of the most vulnerable households by providing regular cash payments through our Hunger Safety Net Programme.
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Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding for climate change adaption and mitigation finance his Department has provided to smallholder farmers in the Horn of Africa in (a) absolute amounts and (b) as a proportion of overall climate change funding in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12. [65586]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Our central recording systems do not capture such detail for project expenditure. The UK Government have committed to providing £1.5 billion in Fast Start finance over the period 2010-12, to help the developing world carry out the urgent work needed to adapt to climate change, adopt clean technology and reduce emissions from deforestation. 50% of this will help developing countries adapt to climate change, a significant share of which is designed to benefit smallholder farmers.
The Department for International Development (DFID) recognises that smallholder farmers are particularly vulnerable to climate change. For example, DFID funded researchers in Ethiopia are working with farmers to make better decisions in the face of risks from drought. In Kenya DFID supports research on improved early warning so that farmers can adjust their cropping strategies to increase production.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to develop long-term resilience into the national agricultural systems of countries in the Horn of Africa. [65734]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development (DFID) has provided a £10 million grant to the African Union's Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) to boost agricultural productivity and improve resilience to food insecurity in Africa. CAADP is working with the national agricultural systems in Ethiopia and Kenya, among other African countries, to define strategies for halving hunger and achieving increases of 6% in agricultural growth each year through policy reform and better investment. For example latest figures we have from 2009 show that annual agricultural growth rates where 6% in Ethiopia and 3% in Kenya.
DFID also provides resilience through country-led programmes in Africa. In Ethiopia we support the Productive Safety Net Programme which provides cash and food transfers to around eight million vulnerable people, while in Kenya we are supporting more than 60,000 of the most vulnerable households by providing regular cash payments through our Hunger Safety Net Programme.
Horn of Africa: Climate Change
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding for climate change adaptation and mitigation finance his Department has provided to smallholder farmers in the Horn of Africa in each of the last four financial years (a) in cash terms and (b) as a proportion of overall funding provided by his Department for climate change mitigation; and how much funding he plans to allocate for such purposes in each year of the comprehensive spending review period. [65735]
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Mr Andrew Mitchell: Our central recording systems do not capture such detail for project expenditure. The UK Government have committed to providing £1.5 billion in Fast Start finance over the period 2010-12, to help the developing world carry out the urgent work needed to adapt to climate change, adopt clean technology and reduce emissions from deforestation. 50% of this will help developing countries adapt to climate change, a significant share of which is designed to benefit smallholder farmers.
The Department for International Development (DFID) recognises that smallholder farmers are particularly vulnerable to climate change. For example, DFID funded researchers in Ethiopia are working with farmers to make better decisions in the face of risks from drought. In Kenya DFID supports research on improved early warning so that farmers can adjust their cropping strategies to increase production.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much and what proportion of its funding for climate change adaptation and mitigation his Department has provided to small holder farmers in the Horn of Africa in the latest period for which figures are available. [65781]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Our central recording systems do not capture such detail for project expenditure. The UK Government have committed to providing £1.5 billion in Fast Start finance over the period 2010-12, to help the developing world carry out the urgent work needed to adapt to climate change, adopt clean technology and reduce emissions from deforestation. 50% of this will help developing countries adapt to climate change, a significant share of which is designed to benefit smallholder farmers.
The Department for International Development (DFID) recognises that smallholder farmers are particularly vulnerable to climate change. For example, DFID funded researchers in Ethiopia are working with farmers to make better decisions in the face of risks from drought. In Kenya DFID supports research on improved early warning so that farmers can adjust their cropping strategies to increase production.
Horn of Africa: Human Rights
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what consultation he is undertaking on a joint response to the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa. [66221]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The British Government are in regular contact with UK non-government organisation (NGOs) in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia to discuss joint working and co-ordination in response to the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa. I anticipate an official announcement on humanitarian funding in response to the crisis in Somalia over the coming days.
Overseas Aid
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) if he will reconsider his decision to end funding to the Consortium of British Humanitarian Agencies; [66222]
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(2) what pre-qualification mechanism his Department will use when allocating funding to non-governmental organisations during the first 72 hours of a humanitarian crisis; [66223]
(3) what plans his Department has to help the work of (a) UK non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and (b) NGO consortia in responding to humanitarian disasters. [66224]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Consortium of British Humanitarian Agencies (CBHA) funding will finish as planned in April 2012.
As a result of the Humanitarian Emergency Response Review (HERR) the Government have decided to establish two new funding mechanisms for non-governmental organisations (NGOs): a new facility that will enable prequalified NGOs and charities to respond to crises within the first 72 hours; and, a new mechanism to support the strongest performing British NGOs to improve timeliness and quality of responses to humanitarian crises.
For both mechanisms we would welcome applications by NGO consortia.
The prequalification process will involve compliance with a series of eligibility and suitability criteria, and demonstration of past results. Together these will determine if the organisation in question has the correct policy approach and experience to provide the most effective and value for money response. Funding decisions for prequalified NGOs will be based on need and will depend on the nature of the emergency.
We will also increase our policy dialogue with NGOs and other civil society groups, including diaspora groups. Dialogue will focus on United Nations (UN) reform and on improving humanitarian response more generally. We will actively support efforts by NGOs themselves to resolve the problems posed by their multiplicity in humanitarian emergencies, particularly NGO co-ordination and accreditation.
Tuberculosis: Disease Control
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans his Department has to (a) prevent the spread of tuberculosis, (b) prevent deaths from tuberculosis and (c) track tuberculosis patients living (i) with and (ii) without HIV. [65778]
Mr O'Brien: The UK Government highlighted their commitment to supporting global efforts to halve tuberculosis (TB) deaths by 2015 in ‘UK aid: Changing lives delivering results’. The recently launched ‘Towards zero infections; the UK's position paper on HIV in the developing world’ outlines how the UK will contribute to the UNAIDS and Stop TB Partnership goal of reducing HIV-related TB among people living with HIV by 50% by 2015. This will be done through UK multilateral and bilateral support to help deliver the Global Plan to Stop Tuberculosis 2011-15. We work with our partners, particularly UNAIDS, the World Health Organisation and affected countries, to track global progress on HIV and TB.
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Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department monitors the number of tuberculosis deaths among people (a) with and (b) without HIV. [65779]
Mr O'Brien: The UK works with its partners, particularly UNAIDS, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and affected countries, to track global progress on HIV and TB. WHO and UNAIDS have the mandate to monitor global progress on reducing deaths and illness from TB and TB-HIV and WHO reports on global tuberculosis control annually.
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department plans to provide assistance to the UNAIDS and Stop TB partnership's goal of reducing tuberculosis deaths of people with HIV. [65780]
Mr O'Brien: In ‘Towards zero infections: The UK's position paper on HIV in the developing World’ the UK Government stated that the UK will contribute to the UNAIDS and Stop TB Partnership's goal of reducing HIV-related TB among people living with HIV by 50% by 2015. We also made clear that the UK will maintain our funding to UNAIDS and the World Health Organisation and increase our contribution to the Global Fund to Fights AIDS, TB and malaria pending implementation of crucial reforms, as outlined in the multilateral aid review.
The UK Government committed £4.5 million over three years, (2008-11) to the Stop TB Partnership to support the delivery of the Global Plan to Stop TB whose goal is to halve deaths due to tuberculosis by 2015. We are in discussions with the Stop TB Partnership on a new funding cycle.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan: Drugs
Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what expenditure his Department has incurred on the National Drug Control Strategy Programme in Afghanistan in the last 12 months. [66255]
Alistair Burt: The UK supports the implementation of the Government of Afghanistan’s National Drug Control Strategy (NDCS) in a number of areas including support for law enforcement agencies, targeting of poppy eradication, promoting economic development and alternative livelihoods, and building the capacity of central and provincial government departments.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office funding for this support currently comes from two sources: Conflict Pool (tri-departmentally funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development and the Ministry of Defence); and the Strategic Programme Fund.
Total spend on support to the implementation of the NDCS from both these sources for the financial year 2010-11 was £28.1 million.
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Andrew Coulson
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) meetings and (b) other engagements (i) Ministers and (ii) special advisers in his Department attended which were also attended by Mr Andrew Coulson (A) between 12 May 2010 and 21 January 2011 and (B) since 21 January 2011. [66167]
Mr Lidington: As has been the practice of previous Administrations information relating to internal meetings, discussion and advice is not normally disclosed.
I refer the hon. Member to the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 13 July 2011, Official Report, columns 311-338.
Bahrain: Politics and Government
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the statement by the Minister for the Middle East on 22 June 2011, what representations he has made to the Bahraini authorities on the sentencing of the 21 Bahraini civilians. [65384]
Alistair Burt: We have raised our concerns about the arrests of protestors and medical staff, including when my right hon. Friend the the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, met the Crown Prince of Bahrain on 25 May 2011. Our outgoing ambassador to Bahrain has also raised our concerns over the conduct of the trials with the Government of Bahrain, at the highest level. On 29 June 2011, Official Report, columns 957-61, the Secretary of State made a statement to the House of Commons expressing the UK's concerns about the suspension and investigation of political parties, the imprisonment of leading moderate politicians, the alleged mistreatment of detainees and the trial of members of the medical profession before tribunals containing a military judge.
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the statement by the Minister for the Middle East on 22 June 2011, what reports he has received on the sentence given to Abdulhadi Al Khawaja; and if he will make a statement. [65386]
Alistair Burt: I am aware of the sentence received by Mr Al Khawaja, and am deeply concerned by the nature of the charges brought against him and the 20 other political figures. We continue to raise our concerns over the conduct of the trials. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs made a statement to the House of Commons on 29 June 2011, Official Report, columns 957-61, expressing the UK's concerns about the suspension and investigation of political parties, the imprisonment of leading moderate politicians, the alleged mistreatment of detainees and the trial of members of the medical profession before tribunals containing a military judge. The Foreign Secretary also raised our concerns about the arrests of protestors and medical staff when he met the Crown Prince of Bahrain on 25 May 2011. Our outgoing ambassador to Bahrain has also raised our concerns at the highest level with the Government of Bahrain.
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We repeatedly urge the Bahrainis that due process should be carefully and transparently followed in the ongoing trials. In this context, we welcome the Government of Bahrain's decision to hold the remaining trials in civilian courts.
Brahmaputra River: Hydroelectric Power
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Chinese Government on its hydroelectric and diversionary plans for the Brahmaputra river. [64330]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The British embassy in Beijing has discussed this issue with Chinese academics and with the Indian embassy in Beijing. But to date we have not had any direct discussions with the Chinese Government on their hydroelectric and diversionary plans for the Brahmaputra river.
British Nationals Abroad: Homicide
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funds his Department has set aside to support the families of British citizens killed abroad. [64226]
Mr Jeremy Browne: We are finalising arrangements to enhance our relationship with the Victim Support National Homicide Service by providing funding of up to £100,000 per year for financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13 to enable them to commission services on behalf of bereaved families in England and Wales when a British national dies as a result of murder, manslaughter or infanticide abroad.
Ministerial Meetings
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) meetings and (b) other engagements (i) Ministers and (ii) special advisers in his Department attended which were also attended by (A) representatives, (B) journalists and (C) other employees of (1) News International and its subsidiary organisations including newspapers, (2) News Corporation and its subsidiary organisations and (3) BSkyB since 12 May 2010. [66165]
Mr Lidington: As has been the practice of previous Administrations information relating to internal meetings, discussion and advice is not normally disclosed.
I refer the hon. Member to the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 13 July 2011, Official Report, columns 311-338.
Burma: Politics and Government
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage the regime in Burma to (a) cease threats to Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy and (b) guarantee her safe and free movement around the country. [66265]
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Mr Jeremy Browne: In response to veiled threats in the Burmese state media towards the National League for Democracy and Aung San Suu Kyi, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, issued a statement on 30 June. He reminded the Burmese authorities that Aung San Suu Kyi should be able to travel freely without risk to her personal safety and that the authorities' stance was at odds with their message on dialogue and reconciliation. He reminded the Burmese Government that the safety and security of all Burma's people is their responsibility. Foreign and Commonwealth officials raised this issue with the Burmese ambassador on 8 July. Our embassy in Rangoon continues to monitor the situation and remains in close touch with Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy.
Departmental Co-ordination
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to strengthen working relationships between officials in his Department and those in the Department for International Development. [64918]
Mr Hague: Officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and in the Department for International Development (DFID) work closely together, both in London and across our respective networks overseas. The National Security Council process has embedded joint working at ministerial and official level in London. Overseas, the FCO and DFID are co-located in two thirds of those countries where DFID is present. We are promoting shared services, joint working and joint programming, including on joint conflict-related activity in the Peacekeeping and Conflict Pool tri-departmental (FCO-DFID-MOD) funding mechanisms.
Departmental Statistics
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what statistical data his Department has ceased to collect in the 12 months; and what the (a) reasons for and (b) savings arising from each such cessation were. [63667]
Mr Lidington: This information is not held centrally and is available only at disproportionate cost because this is devolved to our missions overseas and to individual directorates and strategic programmes within the UK.
Emergency Disaster Reserve
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Emergency Disaster Reserve system in supporting evacuation operations. [64920]
Mr Hague: The adequacy of the Emergency Disaster Reserve system was considered as part of the Review of Consular Evacuation Procedures that I instructed the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to carry out on 23 February 2011. A copy of the review was placed in the House on 4 July 2011, Official Report, column 74WS. I have given instructions that its recommendations should be implemented in full by 31 December 2011.
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Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has discussed the adequacy of the Emergency Disaster Reserve system with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. [64921]
Mr Hague: I and other Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers regularly discuss our responses to consular crises including the Emergency Disaster Reserve system with Ministers from Her Majesty's Treasury including my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
India: Prisoners
Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he raised the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar during his meeting with his Indian counterpart on 30 June 2011. [65245]
Mr Jeremy Browne: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, did not discuss Mr Bhullar's case with Indian Foreign Minster Krishna when they met on 30 June. I wrote to the Indian high commissioner on 20 June, reiterating the UK Government's strong opposition to the death penalty and urging the Government of India to reconsider Mr Bhullar's sentence. I have also raised our concerns with Indian Foreign Secretary Rao on 28 June, and with Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur on 5 July. We continue to urge the Government of India to establish a formal moratorium as a first step towards the abolition of the death penalty in India.
Indonesia: Minority Groups
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Government of Indonesia on the protection of minority communities such as the Ahmadiyya community in that country. [65487]
Mr Jeremy Browne: We have strong relations with the Government of Indonesia and this includes raising any issues of concern, including freedom of religion, both bilaterally and through the European Union (EU).
Our ambassador raised freedom of religion concerns with the Indonesian Attorney-General on 21 April 2011. On 5 May 2011, the EU in Jakarta held a meeting for EU partners with members of the Ahmadiyya community that were subjected to a violent attack in February 2011.
Tackling discrimination and protecting minority communities was also discussed with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the EU-Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue in Brussels on 9 March 2011.
Along with our EU partners, we continue to call for religious tolerance across Indonesia and to press the authorities to ensure respect for the rights of all religious minorities.
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Iran: Baha'i Faith
Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Iranian government on the (a) recent raids on the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education and (b) detention of 11 of its staff and faculty members. [66249]
Alistair Burt: We are concerned by Iranian action to shut down the Baha'i Institute of Higher Education. We raised this issue with the Iranian Chargé d'Affaires on 25 May 2011 making clear that we wanted persecution of the Baha'is to cease. We will continue to call on Iran to respect the full and equal rights of its people regardless of their faith or ethnicity in line with its international obligations.
Libya: Armed Conflict
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what international structures his Department is participating to undertake post-conflict planning for Libya. [60076]
Mr Hague: Post-conflict stabilisation in Libya must be owned by the Libyan people, with the UN co-ordinating international support. The UN will lead on post-conflict planning and the UK is in close contact with them both in London and through our network of Posts. As a member of the UN Security Council, the EU, NATO and the Libya Contact Group, the UK is helping to shape the international effort in post-conflict Libya.
The International Stabilisation Response Team, which recently visited Benghazi to identify stabilisation challenges facing the Libyan people, will help identify areas where the international community can support Libya during the transition period. The UK participated in this Team, along with Italy, Australia, Denmark, the US and Turkey.
Middle East: Peace Negotiations
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on recognition of a Palestinian state. [66266]
Alistair Burt: The unprecedented changes of the Arab spring make progress on the peace process more urgent than ever. President Obama has called for the parties to return to the table for negotiations based on 1967 borders with agreed swaps and security arrangements that protect Israel and respect Palestinian sovereignty. The UK backs this call.
We urge all parties to seize this moment of opportunity and return as soon as possible to direct negotiations. As I told all sides during my visit to the region on 27 June-1 July, we do not know if there will be a resolution in September, or what it will look like—so we have not made any decisions. Instead we urge both sides to look towards the things that are necessary to get a negotiated settlement and to return to talks as soon as possible.
Gaza
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of levels of (a) access for aid to and (b) legitimate trade with the Gaza Strip. [60225]
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Mr Hague: Our top priorities in Gaza are to ensure that aid reaches those who need it, and, that, homes, schools, hospitals and other essential buildings are rebuilt. All parties to the conflict need to respect international humanitarian law and allow full and unhindered access for humanitarian aid and aid workers.
Israel's decision to move from a list of 120 permitted goods to a list of specific prohibited items was a positive step. However there has been no fundamental change in the crossings regime and economic stagnation and de-development in Gaza remain the norm. We are clear that more needs to be done, particularly to enable exports, accelerate key imports for reconstruction and ensure free movement of people.
The UK continues to press the Israeli Government, bilaterally and by working with others such as the EU, on the issue. We will be working alongside our EU partners with Israel to achieve the real changes on the ground that we are looking for. Without economic growth in Gaza, there is a risk of fostering a more broadly radicalised environment. An improved economy and a resurgence of Gaza's pragmatic business community are not only essential for the people of Gaza, but are also firmly in Israel's security interests.
We are taking practical steps to improve access to Gaza through our support to the UN Access Coordination Unit, our capacity building work with the Palestinian Authority and our work with the Office of the Quartet Representative on confidence building measures to facilitate exports from Gaza.
Yemen and Somalia: Politics and Government
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in (a) Yemen and (b) Somalia. [65686]
Alistair Burt: The UK Government remain extremely concerned about the situation in Yemen. Following the attack on President Saleh's mosque on 3 June the President is currently receiving medical treatment in Saudi Arabia. Since President Saleh left Yemen on 4 June, the capital has experienced a welcome lull in the fierce inter-factional fighting seen in previous months. But the situation elsewhere in Yemen remains tense. The Yemeni cities of Taiz and Aden have seen continuing fierce fighting. The Yemeni Government admit that they have lost security control over five governorates. Yemeni security forces are fighting to contain attempts by Islamic militants and others to control the towns of Zinjibar and Ja'ar in Abyan governorate. Continuing conflict is exacerbating the serious humanitarian crisis that Yemen already faces.
Nonetheless, we continue to work with the Vice President and other key players in the Government and opposition to secure the political change that Yemen so badly needs. We continue to urge Vice President Hadi to engage with all sides to begin a peaceful political transition on the basis of the Gulf Co-operation Council agreement. We encourage all sides to participate in an inclusive dialogue as a way forward and to refrain from further violent clashes.
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Given the unstable security environment we advise against all travel to Yemen at this time and strongly urge all British nationals to leave the country now while commercial carriers are still flying.
There is ongoing serious violence, dangerous levels of criminal activity and general internal insecurity in the southern and central regions of Somalia, and there are regular outbreaks of inter-clan violence and a high threat from terrorism throughout Somalia. We advise against all travel to Somalia, including Somaliland.
However, African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has made good progress in recent months to secure Mogadishu. At present, AMISOM controls roughly 60% of Mogadishu's territory, home to around 80% of its population. I commend the bravery of AMISOM troops, and am encouraging the Transitional Federal Government to ensure that they build on these security gains to promote further stability in Mogadishu. Security and governance is also improving in Somaliland, as demonstrated by its recent successful and peaceful presidential elections.
Piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean continues to be a significant threat, especially for shipping which does not take appropriate precautions or follow agreed shipping industry best practice guidelines.
South Africa: Trials
Kwasi Kwarteng: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to the South African authorities on the trial of Shrien Dewani. [62225]
Mr Jeremy Browne: Shrien Dewani's case is a matter for the judicial authorities in the UK and in South Africa. We have made no representations to the South African authorities on this matter. We do however continue to follow the case closely. We have provided consular assistance to Mr Dewani and his family, and we will provide consular support to Mr Dewani should he return to South Africa.
Sudan: Politics and Government
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with his South African counterpart that country's involvement in the demilitarisation of the Abyei region of Sudan. [62326]
Mr Jeremy Browne: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, and his South African counterpart, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, discussed Sudan, including Abyei, at the recent UK-South Africa bilateral forum. There have also been ongoing discussions between British Ministers and ex-President Thabo Mbeki in his Chair of the African Union Higher Implementation Panel, which is helping to mediate between the two parties to the comprehensive peace agreement.
Syria
Mr Douglas Alexander:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the British embassy in Damascus offered to the hon.
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Member for Braintree during his visit to Syria in June 2011 to meet President Assad of Syria. [64836]
Mr Hague: The Lord Commissioner of Her Majesty's Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for Braintree (Mr Newmark), travelled to Syria and met President Assad in a private capacity, Our embassy in Damascus did not provide any material support for his visit, but did provide him with an oral briefing to make clear the UK position on the unacceptable violence in Syria and the steps we think the Syrian regime should take to stop the violence and begin meaningful political reform.
Syria: Arms Trade
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the (a) extent and (b) nature of the use of Russian-made arms by the Government of Syria in the suppression of protests; and if he will make a statement. [65885]
Alistair Burt: We have received no specific reports on the extent and nature of the use of Russian made military arms by the Government of Syria although Syria's armed forces are primarily supplied with equipment from the former Soviet Union.
The UK strongly supported the adoption of EU restrictive measures on Syria, which included an arms embargo and restrictions on the supply of equipment which could be used for internal repression. In addition, the UK supported an EU wide asset freeze and travel ban against individuals and entities responsible for, and associated with, the unacceptable violence and ongoing repression against the civilian population in Syria.
Syria: Politics and Government
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Syrian Government on arrests and house raids in the city of Hama. [65436]
Alistair Burt: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, said in a statement on 5 July 2011:
“Violent repression in Hama will only further undermine the regime's legitimacy and raise serious questions about whether it is committed to the reforms it has recently announced. No meaningful political dialogue can take place while there is a brutal military crackdown.
The UK has made clear that President Assad must reform or step aside. If the regime continues to choose the path of brutal repression, pressure from the international community will only increase.”
My officials in Damascus regularly raise with the Syrian Government the indiscriminate violence perpetrated against peaceful demonstrators, calling for the regime to show restraint and to respond to the legitimate demands of its people with immediate and genuine reform, not with brutal repression.
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Amnesty International on the political situation in Syria. [65689]
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Alistair Burt: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 12 July 2011, Official Report, column 258W.
Tibet: Politics and Government
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet with the newly-elected leader of the Tibetan Government. [65942]
Mr Jeremy Browne: There are no plans to invite the Kalon Tripa to the UK. Since 1980 the UK has not accorded recognition to governments; we only accord recognition to states. So no question of our recognising the Tibetan Government in exile can arise.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has held with the Chinese government on its future relations with the Tibetan government. [65943]
Mr Jeremy Browne:
While we recognise Tibet as part of the People's Republic of China, we believe long-term stability in Tibet can only be achieved through respect for human rights and genuine autonomy for Tibet within the framework of the Chinese constitution. We have urged the Chinese Government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Dalai Lama's representatives as the best way to make this happen. I raised this with the
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Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Special Representative on Human Rights at the 19
(th)Round of the UK-China human rights dialogue in January.
Yemen
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what objectives he has set for his policy on Yemen. [65687]
Alistair Burt: Our overall objective is securing a more peaceful and stable Yemen, which presents a reduced risk to UK interests at home and in the region. Our work focuses on achieving a peaceful settlement to the current political stalemate; halting the country's decline into state failure; and working with the Yemeni authorities and others to disrupt Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula's activities and operations. This is proving extremely difficult in the current volatile security climate in Yemen. Given our serious concerns about the security situation, we have drawn down our embassy to a small core team. That said, we continue to work with the Vice President and other key players in the Government and opposition to secure the political change that Yemen so badly needs. We continue to urge Vice President Hadi to engage with all sides to begin a peaceful political transition on the basis of the Gulf Co-operation Council agreement. We encourage all sides to participate in an inclusive dialogue as a way forward and to refrain from further violent clashes.