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China

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the next UK-China human rights dialogue will take place; what its agenda will be; and if he will raise concerns about the human rights of the Tibetan people at this dialogue. [R] [166650]

Mr Swire: We are working with the Chinese to agree dates for the next Human Rights Dialogue in 2014. An agenda has not yet been finalised, but we would expect Tibet to form a key part of any such discussions, alongside other concerns we have about the broader human rights situation in China. Tibet was discussed at the last UK-China Human Rights Dialogue in January

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to his Chinese counterpart on that country upholding its constitutional commitments to allow freedom of assembly and religious belief; and if he will request an investigation into the actions of the security forces who opened fire on unarmed Tibetans celebrating the birthday of their spiritual leader. [R] [166652]

Mr Swire: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office regularly raises our concerns about the human rights situation in Tibet with the Chinese authorities. We outlined our concerns in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Annual Human Rights Report, which was published on 15 April 2013 and can be found at:

www.hrdreport.fco.gov.uk

and in the update to it, published on 19 July 2013. We also expect to discuss Tibet at the next UK-China Human Rights Dialogue.

We raised our concerns at official level on 23 July about the incident in Dawu on the Dalai Lama's Birthday.

Commonwealth

Mr Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the policy of his Department is on encouraging other Commonwealth member states that criminalise consensual, private same-sex sexual conduct to repeal the applicable legislation; and if he will make a statement. [166233]

Mr Lidington: The protection and promotion of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people is an integral part of the Government's wider international human rights agenda.

LGBT rights remain a difficult and controversial issue in the Commonwealth. Indeed, in addition to some Commonwealth member states having existing legislation criminalising homosexuality, we have been concerned by recent attempts in several other Commonwealth states to introduce punitive laws to address homosexuality.

We regularly raise LGBT issues at meetings with Commonwealth counterparts and non-government organisations. The UK supported the Commonwealth Charter which opposes all forms of discrimination on all grounds. We continue to press other member states to live up to this commitment.

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The UK continues to work through our high commissions to promote tolerance and non-discrimination against LGBT people and to address discriminatory laws, in particular those that criminalise homosexuality.

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

Mr Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government plan to make at the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in relation to discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people; and if he will make a statement. [166236]

Mr Lidington: UK Ministers took every opportunity at the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth to raise human rights issues, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), told the Commonwealth Peoples Forum the UK “would like to see the Commonwealth do more to promote the rights of its LGBT citizens”.

Plans for this year's CHOGM in Sri Lanka have not yet been finalised, but the Prime Minister and Secretary of State will use their visit to highlight human rights issues and press for progress on human rights both in Sri Lanka and in the wider Commonwealth.

Environment Protection: British Overseas Territories

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the total Exclusive Economic Zone covered by marine protected areas designated for biodiversity conservation is in (a) the three uninhabited British Overseas Territories, (b) the four British Overseas Territories to which the Convention on Biological Diversity has been extended and (c) the other seven British Overseas Territories. [166429]

Mark Simmonds: Responsibility for the designation of marine protected areas (MPAs) is devolved to Territory Governments. We do not therefore hold a central record of what proportion of the total exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of the inhabited Territories are covered by MPAs.

In the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) the UK in right of the BIOT did not establish a full EEZ. Instead we have claimed a 200 nautical miles zone in which it exercises sovereign rights and jurisdiction under international law concerning fisheries and living resources (the FCMZ) and protection and preservation of the marine environment (the EPPZ). The area of the FCMZ/EPPZ has been designated as an MPA, excluding only the island of Diego Garcia and its waters out to 3 nautical miles. The MPA covers an area of 640,000sq km.

The MPA around South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands covers its entire Maritime Zone (equivalent to an EEZ) north of 60 degrees south. This covers an area of 1.07 million sq km.

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British Antarctic Territory has no exclusive economic zone. However, in 2009 the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources agreed a marine protected area of 94,000 km sq on the southern shelf of the South Orkney Islands.

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department initiated to foster (a) terrestrial and (b) protected area networks in each of the British Overseas Territories. [166430]

Mark Simmonds: Territory Governments are constitutionally responsible for the protection and conservation of their natural environments, including the designation of any marine or terrestrial protected areas. The UK Government works in partnership to provide Territory Governments with the technical advice and support they need to fulfil their environmental commitments.

In the uninhabited Territories and those directly governed by the UK Government, the principles of environmental protection and sustainable ecosystem management are enshrined in our activities. This can, if there is sufficient evidence to warrant it involve the designation of marine and terrestrial protected areas.

Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made as to whether exemplary environmental management with regard to biodiversity conservation is being achieved in the three uninhabited British Overseas Territories. [166467]

Mark Simmonds: The principles of environmental protection and sustainable ecosystem management are enshrined in our activities in the uninhabited territories.

The British Antarctic Territory (BAT) is covered by the Antarctic Treaty System, whose signatories meet annually to ensure continued effective environmental management of Antarctica as a whole. In addition, the Government of BAT have developed an ambitious rolling five to year strategy which has environmental protection at its core.

The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands commission a detailed report every few years that measures the biodiversity on and around the islands. It also makes recommendations for future policy, and reports on the effectiveness that previous measures have had.

In the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) we are committed to working with our American partners to ensure the on going protection of this unique environment. The BIOT Administration have developed a legislative framework which underpins the protection of sites and species of particular importance, and have also designated special reserves.

EU Institutions: Civil Servants

David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether British civil servants seconded to the EU or to EU bodies pay tax at the same level as other British citizens. [166896]

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Mr Lidington: Yes. Secondees from member state Governments to the EU institutions pay tax on their salary as per domestic arrangements. British civil servants seconded to the EU will therefore pay tax on their salary at the same level of other British citizens. Some secondees will be paid living allowances which fall under the EU institutions' tax arrangements.

European Parliament Members

David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the income tax arrangements are for UK Members of the European Parliament. [166844]

Mr Lidington: UK tax rules and rates apply to any salary, allowances and pension received as a UK MEP. Since 2009, the salary of most MEPs has also been subject to an EU-level Community tax, which UK MEPs are entitled to offset against their overall UK tax liability.

Ilois: Resettlement

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the written statement of 8 July 2013, Official Report, columns 3-4WS, if he will ensure that the feasibility study is concluded by the summer of 2014 so that the Government can make decisions and take forward resettlement before the next election. [166668]

Mark Simmonds: While there is no fixed timetable for the conclusion of the exercise, we will aim to complete the exercise as quickly as possible. It is important that any feasibility study is thorough. The previous study, which was carried out 10 years ago, took 18 months to complete.

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the scope of the Chagossian feasibility study is restricted to resettlement on the outer islands. [166669]

Mark Simmonds: The scope of the feasibility study has not yet been determined but will be agreed by Ministers in due course.

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure that the Chagossian feasibility study is conducted by independent and objective consultants with the necessary scientific, economic and social science background. [166670]

Mark Simmonds: The Terms of Reference for the feasibility study have not yet been written. Our objective is for an open and transparent process that commissions the most suitable consultants to carry out the study.

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to seek funding from non-UK Government sources so that the cost of Chagossian resettlement is not a heavy ongoing contingent liability for the UK taxpayer. [166671]

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Mark Simmonds: We will not seek to pre-empt the conclusions of the feasibility study, though the funding of any resettlement is clearly an important issue that will need to be considered as part of the process.

Iran

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received on Iran's nuclear programme in the last year. [167060]

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received 33 inquiries about the state of Iran's nuclear programme during the last year, in addition to the frequent discussions of Iran's nuclear programme that take place in the course of regular diplomatic engagement. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), set out the UK's assessment of Iran's nuclear programme in his evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on 16 July 2013.

Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the European Union-wide regulation requiring any agreement or contract signed by an EU country with Israel to include a clause stating that the settlements are not part of the state of Israel and therefore are not part of the agreement; what steps he will take to implement this regulation in any bilateral agreements with Israel; and if he will make a statement. [166496]

Alistair Burt: On 19 July 2013 the EU published guidelines on the eligibility of Israeli entities and their activities in the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967 for grants, prizes and financial instruments funded by the EU from 2014 onwards. These guidelines were prepared to implement the commitment made by EU Foreign Ministers in December 2012 to make a distinction in relevant EU agreements and funding programmes between the state of Israel and Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The guidelines reiterate the long-held EU position that bilateral agreements with Israel do not cover the territory that came under Israel's administration in June 1967. They are intended to clarify the EU's position in advance of negotiations of agreements with Israel during the forthcoming financial perspective commencing in 2014. The specific provisions of the guidelines will not be implemented before 1 January 2014.

A copy of the guidelines can be found at:

http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/israel/documents/news/20130719_guidelines_on_eligibility_of_israeli_entities_en.pdf

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the role of G4S in the Israeli prison system. [166685]

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not receive reports on G4S’s role in the Israeli prison system.

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However, the Government have made clear our concerns about Israel’s treatment of Palestinian detainees and our position on the illegality of Israeli settlements to G4S, including at meetings with representatives from G4S in July 2013 and in October 2012.

Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the UK's trade policy with respect to the EU's directive that member states should not sign deals with Israel unless a settlement exclusion clause is included. [166825]

Alistair Burt: We have not made any recent assessment of the UK trade policy with respect to the EU guidelines. The guidelines themselves apply to EU, rather than UK, programmes. They would apply to a programme implemented by the UK only if that programme received financial contributions from the EU budget.

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the Answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield of 12 June 2013, Official Report, column 355W, on Occupied Territories, whether UK companies operating in Israel and the Occupied Territories will be consulted during the development of a UK strategy on business and human rights. [166827]

Alistair Burt: A number of British companies were invited to a series of consultation workshops between 2012 and 2013 to help inform the drafting of the UK action plan on business and human rights. The various companies, of differing size, were selected to provide a mixed representation from across the business sectors, and were not selected according to the overseas geographical area in which they operate.

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield of 12 June 2013, Official Report, column 355W, on Occupied Territories, when his Department will publish the UK strategy on business and human rights. [166828]

Mr Lidington: The UK action plan on business and human rights will be launched on 4 September 2013 at an event hosted by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable).

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received calling for a boycott of Israeli goods and services in the last year. [167059]

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received a number of parliamentary questions from Members of the House of Commons and the other place, letters from Members of Parliament on behalf of their constituents and letters and emails from members of the public calling for boycotts and sanctions to be imposed on Israel.

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We have been clear that we oppose sanctions and boycotts on Israel and do not believe such steps would promote the urgent progress towards a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that we want to see.

Libya

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to his Libyan counterpart on co-operation with the International Criminal Court on the trials of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi and other members of the former Gaddafi regime; [166399]

(2) what recent reports he has received on the recent announcement by al-Seddick al-Sur, a member of Libya's Office of the Public Prosecutor, who stated in a press conference on 17 June 2013 that the trials of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi are to start in the first half of August within Libya's national borders alongside the trials of other members of the former Gaddafi regime. [166400]

Alistair Burt: The UK remains a steadfast supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and we continue to urge Libya's full co-operation with the court. During my recent visit to Tripoli in June this year, I raised the importance of continued co-operation between Libya and the ICC with Libyan Ministers. Furthermore, our ambassador in Tripoli has repeatedly encouraged the Libyan Government to continue to co-operate with the ICC. He raised the issue again as recently as 3 August 2013 with the Libyan Minister of Justice.

On 18 July 2013 the ICC Appeals Chamber ruled against Libya's request, submitted on 7 June 2013, to suspend the transfer of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi to the court. Libya is under an obligation to hand Saif al-Islam Gaddafi over to the court. A significant factor preventing Libya from complying with its ruling to transfer Saif al-Islam Gaddafi to The Hague is that he is not in state detention.

We support the ICC Prosecutor's efforts to address these crimes, including in Libya. The UK is also committed to encouraging states to pursue domestic prosecution of crimes of sexual violence committed in conflict and supports all efforts undertaken to combat this issue.

The UK is providing significant support for the political transition in Libya and plans to increase technical assistance for the justice sector as part of a new three-year programme to help strengthen the capability, accountability and responsiveness of Libya's security, justice and defence sectors.

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will encourage the Libyan Government to implement the decision of Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) of 1 March 2013 on the treatment of materials seized during a visit by ICC staff to Saif al-Islam Gaddafi in 2012; [166475]

(2) if he will sponsor an urgent resolution at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) affirming Libya's right to hold national trials under the principle of complementarity but demanding the Libyan Government co-operate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) over cases which are pursued by the ICC's Office of the Prosecutor under the jurisdication of UNSC Resolution 1970 and are found to be admissible under Article 19 of the ICC's Rome Statute. [166476]

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Alistair Burt: The UK remains a steadfast supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and we are fully committed to the principle that there should be no impunity for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. We continue to urge Libya's full co-operation with all decisions of the Court in the Saif al-Islam Gaddafi case. UN Security Council Resolution 1970, which referred the situation in Libya to the ICC Prosecutor, decided that the Libyan authorities should co-operate fully with, and provide any necessary assistance to, the Court and the Prosecutor. We have no plans to propose a new UN Security Council resolution at this stage. We support the right of Libya to hold national trials for crimes committed within its jurisdiction; any action taken must be in line with the decisions of the ICC.

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will issue a statement of support for the new Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, in bringing cases relevant to Libya addressing allegations of rape and sexual violence against other members of the former Gaddafi regime and allegations of crimes committed by rebels or revolutionary forces. [166493]

Alistair Burt: The UK remains a steadfast supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and we continue to urge Libya's full co-operation with the court.

We support the ICC Prosecutor's efforts to address these crimes, including in Libya. The UK is also committed to encouraging states to pursue domestic prosecution of crimes of sexual violence committed in conflict and supports all efforts undertaken to combat this issue.

The UK is providing significant support for the political transition in Libya and plans to increase technical assistance for the justice sector as part of a new three-year programme to help strengthen the capability, accountability and responsiveness of Libya's security, justice and defence sectors.

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he plans to offer Libya technical assistance other than that of a single detention advisor for that country's prison reform project; and what plans he has to engage personally on the issue of pursuing fairly national trials of members of the former Gaddafi regime with the support of international partners whilst transferring effectively to The Hague all individuals ordered to appear by Pre-Trial Chamber I in front of the International Criminal Court. [166494]

Alistair Burt: The UK remains a steadfast supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and we continue to urge Libya's full co-operation with the court. During my recent visit to Tripoli in June this year, I raised the importance of continued co-operation between Libya and the ICC with Libyan Ministers. Furthermore, our ambassador in Tripoli has repeatedly encouraged the Libyan Government to continue to co-operate with the ICC. He raised the issue again as recently as 3 August 2013 with the Libyan Minister of Justice.

On 18 July 2013 the ICC Appeals Chamber ruled against Libya's request, submitted on 7 June 2013, to suspend the transfer of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi to the

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court. Libya is under an obligation to hand Saif al-Islam Gaddafi over to the court. A significant factor preventing Libya from complying with its ruling to transfer Saif al-Islam Gaddafi to The Hague is that he is not in state detention.

We support the ICC Prosecutor's efforts to address these crimes, including in Libya.

The UK is providing significant support for the political transition in Libya and plans to increase technical assistance for the justice sector as part of a new three-year programme to help strengthen the capability, accountability and responsiveness of Libya's security, justice and defence sectors.

Malaysia

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions officials based at the British high commission in Kuala Lumpur met Malaysian police between 1995 and 1997; and whether the police investigation into the killings at Batang Kali in December 1948 were discussed on any such occasions. [166891]

Mr Swire: We have no records on how many occasions officials at our high commission in Kuala Lumpur met Malaysian police during the period 1995-97 and whether the Batang Kali case was discussed during meetings.

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what purpose officials based at the British high commission in Kuala Lumpur monitored the 1993-96 Malaysian police investigation into the killings at Batang Kali, Malaya in December 1948. [166893]

Mr Swire: Officials at our high commission in Kuala Lumpur monitored the Malaysian police investigation in order to keep the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London informed of developments and to help the Metropolitan police make contact with the Royal Malaysian police when the need arose.

Maldives

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest assessment is of the situation in the Maldives. [167063]

Alistair Burt: The Maldives continue to prepare appropriately for the first round of presidential elections on 7 September.

As outlined in my statement of 30 July, the British Government welcomed the confirmation that the chosen candidates of all political parties are able to stand in elections. Political campaigning in the country is now well under way, and EU election experts are currently in place in Malé. An official Commonwealth Observation Mission will also monitor the elections. Following presidential elections, we call on all parties to work together, and to respect the result of the election. We will continue to encourage all political parties to engage in political dialogue to keep improving this young democracy.

Our high commission, together with international partners, monitors the situation in the Maldives closely and will continue to engage with all political parties.

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Middle East

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart on reports of Israeli incitement against Palestinians. [166066]

Alistair Burt: Recent reports have concluded that both parties to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict need to do more to promote a positive portrayal of each other, reflecting the principles of co-existence, tolerance, justice and human dignity. The UK regularly condemns incitement and registers our concerns with both sides.

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the length of the current appointment of the Special Envoy to the Middle East of the Quartet and the arrangements for reappointments and new appointments. [166393]

Alistair Burt: No discussions have taken place within the EU on the length of appointment of the current Representative of the Middle East Quartet, or arrangements for reappointments or new appointments. The current Quartet Representative's role was agreed by the Quartet in 2007 and is open ended.

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what accountability arrangements the EU agreed for the Special Envoy to the Middle East of the Quartet. [166394]

Alistair Burt: The Quartet appointed Mr Blair as its Representative in 2007 to facilitate achieving the Quartet's objectives. His mandate is to mobilise international assistance to the Palestinians; help identify and secure the international support needed in order to address the institutional governance needs of the Palestinian Authority; and develop plans to promote Palestinian economic development. Within the framework of this mandate, the Quartet Representative reports back to the Quartet Principals, including the EU High Representative, Baroness Ashton.

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department holds on the remuneration of the Special Envoy to the Middle East of the Quartet. [166395]

Alistair Burt: We do not hold information on remuneration of the Special Envoy to the Middle East Quartet.

The hon. Lady may wish to contact the Office of the Quartet Representative directly.

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the EU has been consulted on the extension of the terms of reference of the Special Envoy to the Middle East of the Quartet to cover the political situation in Egypt. [166396]

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Alistair Burt: The mandate of the Quartet Representative does not extend to covering the political situation in Egypt. Any comments made by the Quartet Representative on this subject are made in a personal capacity.

Nepal

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the effect of funding allocated under the EU's Nepal Peace Trust Fund. [166874]

Mr Swire: The Nepal Peace Trust Fund (NPTF) is a joint Government-donor initiative to support the peace process in Nepal, which is owned and managed by the Government of Nepal. The UK is one of eight funding partners to the NPTF (others being Denmark, the European Union, Finland, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, and the US).

As a multi-donor initiative, regular monitoring of the impact is carried out jointly by the contributing partners, including Department for International Development (DFID) staff, through regular field visits and reports updating on the progress made. Financial and progress reports, and annual certified audit statements, are also provided to the donor group. DFID also carries out its own Annual Reviews.

Finally, independent external reviews are carried out every two years. The reports can be found on the NPTF website.

Since it was set up in 2007, the NPTF has played a significant role in supporting the peace process in Nepal. There have been a number of notable results, including support for: peaceful 2008 Constitutional Assembly elections; the integration of former Maoist combatants into the Nepal army; the construction of police units and police training; the clearance of mine fields; and the implementation of Nepal's National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to assist with addressing the problem of impunity in Nepal. [166876]

Mr Swire: The UK has been at the forefront of international efforts to ensure that any transitional justice mechanisms in Nepal are in line with international standards. The UK’s lobbying of the Government of Nepal and other decision-makers in the political parties includes efforts to ensure that Nepal’s proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) complies with Nepal’s obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law. Our embassy in Kathmandu continues to press Nepal to sign up to the Optional Protocol of the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT), as well as pressing Nepal to implement and enforce measures agreed during its Universal Periodic Review in 2011-12.

Furthermore, the UK has funded a number of projects in recent years which have focused on the issue of impunity and transitional justice in Nepal. Projects in this area include support for: strengthening the right to remedy and reparation for human rights abuse victims; efforts to ensure that Nepal’s proposed TRC genuinely

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exposes the truth around alleged conflict-era abuses; transitional justice training for political parties at Essex university; strengthening the criminal justice system in Nepal; and human rights training for the Nepalese army.

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps the Government have taken to (a) support human rights defenders, (b) support those working to end impunity and (c) implement the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders in Nepal. [166902]

Mr Swire: Our embassy in Kathmandu, in conjunction with other EU member states, regularly raises the importance of protection for Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) with the Nepalese Government.

We have been clear on the need to protect those in civil society—including human rights defenders and journalists—who play a crucial role in holding Governments accountable to this obligation. We also raised this issue at the Human Rights Council in March this year.

We continue to play a leading role in the EU Working Group on HRDs in Nepal, which regularly considers the situation of HRDs.

Feedback from HRDs and advocacy groups suggests that they appreciate our embassy's active role. We will continue to raise the issue with the Nepalese Government at appropriate opportunities.

Occupied Territories

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received in opposition to Israeli settlement activity. [167075]

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received numerous parliamentary questions from Members of the House of Commons and the other place, letters from Members of Parliament on behalf of their constituents and letters and emails direct from members of the public on this issue.

Representatives of President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority have raised concerns about settlement activity with us on a regular basis. The issue is also raised regularly in contacts with our European, Arab and other international partners.

Palestinians

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Palestinian Authority about fulfilling its Road Map commitment to end incitement against Israel. [166641]

Alistair Burt: Recent reports have concluded that both parties to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict need to do more to promote a positive portrayal of each other, reflecting the principles of co-existence, tolerance, justice and human dignity. The UK regularly condemns incitement and registers our concerns with both sides.

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Regulation

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the title is of each regulation his Department (a) introduced and (b) revoked in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and (iv) 2013 to date; and if he will make a statement. [165912]

Mr Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has introduced no new regulations since May 2010. One set of regulations was amended in 2013. The Consular Fees (Amendment) Regulations 2013 amended the schedule of fees prescribed under the Consular Fees Act 1980 to allow consular fees to be paid in sterling in addition to the currency in circulation at the place of payment. Consular fees are levied so that the costs of providing consular services can be recovered from the customers that use them. The regulations had no impact on business. This amendment will also result in a reduction in the costs to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of converting funds from foreign currency into sterling.

Republic of Ireland

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether holders of UK travel documents who are not UK citizens require a visa to visit the Republic of Ireland. [166875]

Mr Lidington: Whether someone needs a visa to enter a country is determined by their nationality, not by what travel documents they hold. UK and European Economic Area nationals do not need a visa to enter the Republic of Ireland, but citizens of many other countries do.

Detailed questions on immigration arrangements for the Republic of Ireland are a matter for the Government of the Republic of Ireland.

Tibet

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to his Chinese counterparts on the whereabouts and wellbeing of the 10 Tibetans who were shot and injured whilst taking part in a peaceful community picnic to celebrate the birthday of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. [R] [166651]

Mr Swire: The FCO made representations at official level on 23 July regarding this issue. We regularly raise our concerns about the human rights situation in Tibet with the Chinese Government and will continue to raise our concerns with the Chinese embassy in London and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing.

Welsh Language

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has a current Welsh language scheme; when that scheme was adopted; and whether it has been reviewed since May 2011. [166088]

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Mr Lidington: This Government are fully committed to the Welsh language and to providing Government services in the Welsh language where there is demand for them. It is important that, in the non-devolved areas, sufficient support should be given to the Welsh language, and the Government are committed to ensuring this is done.

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The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, along with other Government Departments, is not considered a “public body” under the provisions of the Welsh Language Act (section 21), meaning that it is not required to prepare Welsh language schemes. No such scheme has therefore been published.