Companies: Ownership

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how often the beneficial ownership register will be updated; and how the information on that register will be verified; [181142]

(2) what level of detail and what identifiable information will be required for the beneficial ownership register; [181146]

(3) what the penalties will be for companies that do not comply with the beneficial ownership register; [181147]

(4) in what format the information on the beneficial ownership register will be available. [181148]

Jenny Willott: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills published the “Transparency and Trust” discussion paper in July 2013. In it, we sought views on a range of questions relating to implementation of the central registry of company beneficial ownership information, including the information to be provided

6 Jan 2014 : Column 168W

to the registry and how often it should be updated. In line with other information held by Companies House, it is our intention that beneficial ownership information in the registry will be made available digitally, in machine-readable format. We will also ensure that we put in place robust statutory measures to tackle companies and individuals that break the rules. We are carefully considering the responses received to the discussion paper and will respond fully in early 2014.

Consumers: Protection

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what new steps he is taking to improve consumer protection. [181816]

Jenny Willott: The Government have undertaken major reform to improve consumer protection. Their reforms to the consumer landscape are designed to support growth, improve consumer protection and give greater clarity about where consumers can turn for help and advice. The Government are also better equipping trading standards to enhance consumer law enforcement.

In June the Government published the draft Consumer Rights Bill. The Bill will streamline key consumer rights covering business to consumer contracts for goods, services, digital content and the law relating to unfair terms in consumer contracts into one place. These reforms are designed to enhance consumer rights and reduce costs for business by making it clearer what should happen when problems arise. The Bill is also proposing to give public enforcers such as Trading Standards greater flexibility to get the best outcome for consumers when they have been the victims of a breach of consumer legislation, including redress when they have suffered loss.

Employment Agencies: Corby

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what enforcement action has been taken following the visit by HM Revenue and Customs and officers from his Department to employment agencies in the Corby area between 28 and 30 May 2013; how many fines have been issued; whether any legal proceedings are completed or pending; how much money has been recovered and returned; how many follow up visits have taken place; and if he will publish a report of the joint task force of his Department and HM Revenue and Customs. [179571]

Mr Gauke: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Treasury.

The Government take the enforcement of NMW very seriously. In addition to reviewing every complaint that is referred to them by the Pay and Work Rights Helpline, HMRC carries out targeted enforcement where it identifies a high risk of non-payment of NMW.

HMRC national minimum wage officers, working alongside Employment Agency Standards colleagues, visited 34 employment agencies trading within Corby and its surrounding area between 28 and 30 May 2013.

Initial investigations by HMRC identified 12 agencies where there was potential underpayment of the national minimum wage. HMRC is bound by a duty of confidentiality to taxpayers and I cannot therefore make any comment on any ongoing, planned or anticipated legal proceedings.

6 Jan 2014 : Column 169W

To date, two of the 12 investigations have been concluded resulting in arrears of wages totalling £3,154 owed to 291 workers. The employers received automatic penalty charges totalling £1,532 as opposed to fines. Investigations at a further five agencies are ongoing, with early indications suggesting potential arrears of wages totalling £120,000 payable to over 3,500 workers that would give rise to the employers being charged penalties totalling £15,000. HMRC contacts every employer whom they find has paid workers below the national minimum wage to confirm that they have paid the identified arrears to the workers. In addition, where it has found arrears for five or fewer workers it will contact all the workers to confirm payment by the employer. In cases involving arrears for more than five workers it will contact a minimum sample of five workers to confirm payment by the employer.

Energy: Industry

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to secure state aid approval from the European Commission so that compensation can be provided to domestic energy-intensive industries threatened by the introduction of the carbon floor price. [181009]

Michael Fallon: We have had extensive engagement with the European Commission on the state aid case and are awaiting a response from the Commission on our recent submission. Dependent on their response, we expect to submit our formal notification early in 2014.

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the timeline is for securing state aid approval from the European Commission for compensation for energy-intensive industries affected by the carbon floor price; and whether compensation will be backdated to April 2013 when the carbon floor price entered into force. [181010]

Michael Fallon: The UK Government pre-notified the European Commission of their intention to compensate energy-intensive industries for the indirect costs of the carbon price floor in September 2012. We received comments earlier this year and are awaiting a response from the Commission on our recent submission. Dependent on their response we expect to submit our formal notification early in the new year. While it is not possible to absolutely determine the outcome, from discussions at senior and commissioner level it is hoped that we will receive approval by the end of the financial year. Given the impact the Commission's delay is having on business, we are pursuing the issue of backdating with the Commission. We want the Decision, when it comes, to enable EIIs to claim back-payment of the compensation to April 2013 when the CFP scheme came into force, but the final decision on this rests with the European Commission.

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make it his policy to provide energy-intensive industries with greater long-term certainty by confirming that compensation for costs associated with the carbon floor price will be provided for the duration of the policy and will increase commensurately as costs increase. [181011]

6 Jan 2014 : Column 170W

Michael Fallon: The package of support we are putting in place is intended to provide support to energy-intensive industries as we make the transition to a greener economy. We announced at Budget 2013 that compensation for the carbon price floor will continue in 2015-16. Government will make further decisions at future spending reviews, examining the need for on-going support and taking into account affordability and value for money, and the impacts of EMR which will be implemented by 2017.

Financial Institutions

Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he plans to establish an independent inquiry to look at practices of other financial institutions in response to the Tomlinson report on the lending practices of banks. [180864]

Matthew Hancock: The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced on 29 October 2013 that an independent skilled person will be appointed under section 166 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to review allegations about RBS's treatment of customers in financial distress. This followed the FCA's consideration of reports published by Sir Andrew Large into lending practices at the Royal Bank of Scotland and, separately, by Lawrence Tomlinson. It announced at the same time that it was writing to the other banks seeking confirmation that they are satisfied they do not engage in any of the poor practices that have been alleged in the reports, and setting out an expectation that any poor practices identified will be addressed. The FCA intends to discuss the findings and the basis for them with each of the banks.

Post Offices

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 11 December 2013, Official Report, column 245W, on the post office, whether any Crown post offices not proposed for closure or sale have a cost generator ratio greater than £1.61. [180858]

Jenny Willott: In the financial year ending 31 March 2013, the 373 ‘Crown' branches that are directly operated by Post Office Ltd collectively made a loss of £37 million. These are the largest town and city branches, and no business, including the Post Office, can continue with a situation where some of its high street branches cost substantially more to run than they bring in.

This is not a sustainable position, and in return for public funding to maintain a wider Post Office network of at least 11,500 branches that continues to meet the strict Government-set access criteria and deliver a vitally important social role, Post Office Ltd has committed to eliminate these Crown losses by March 2015.

As my hon. Friend the Member for East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson) explained on 11 December 2013, Post Office Ltd has identified 70 Crown branches where it sees no prospect of eliminating the branch losses—including Rhyl. In these locations, Post Office Ltd is seeking a suitable franchise partner within the community to provide continued access to services, and there will be no loss of Post Office services within the community.

6 Jan 2014 : Column 171W

In deciding which branches to seek franchise partners for, there are a number of factors that will have informed Post Office Ltd's decision. This decision process is both operational and a commercially sensitive matter for the company, and the Government play no role.

Mr Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his Department is doing to ensure that small business customers and third sector organisations do not suffer as a result of Post Office bank branch closures; and if he will make a statement. [181285]

Jenny Willott: There will be no Post Office closure programme under this Government, who are committing £1.975 billion over the period 2011-18 to maintain a Post Office network of at least 11,500 branches, and to provide for its modernisation.

Nearly all small and medium-sized enterprises use their Post Office at least once a year, and a third visit on a weekly basis. The Post Office offers secure, over-the-counter access to business banking services on behalf of a number of banks. Further details are available via the Post Office website:

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-business-banking

Skills Funding Agency

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many voluntary sector organisations were registered providers with the Skills Funding Agency in each of the last five years. [181005]

Matthew Hancock: The chief executive of the Skills Funding Agency is responsible for all matters concerning the operations of the Skills Funding Agency. I have therefore asked Barbara Spicer, the interim chief executive, to reply to the right hon. Member direct and a copy of her letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Trading Standards

Mark Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what recent representations he has received in respect of Trading Standards and Car Hire UK; [181254]

(2) what measures are in place to ensure customer redress in circumstances where Trading Standards has failed; [181255]

(3) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the powers that Trading Standards has to protect consumers; [181289]

(4) what mechanisms are in place to resolve consumer conflicts in circumstances when Trading Standards is not effective; [181290]

(5) what he is doing to improve the competence of Trading Standards; [181292]

(6) how many complaints he has received on the performance of Trading Standards. [181274]

Jenny Willott: This Department is not aware of any representations in respect of Trading Standards and Car Hire UK. This Department is, however, aware that East Sussex Trading Standards have secured an undertaking from car-hire-UK.com (the trading name of the company)

6 Jan 2014 : Column 172W

under the Enterprise Act 2002 to ensure the company and its Directors comply with the law in the future. The undertaking contains a penal notice so that any future breach could result in committal proceedings to prison. Trading Standards are monitoring complaints in order to take action should there be a breach of the undertaking.

Trading Standards enforce a wide range of consumer protection legislation, such as measures to tackle unfair trading; breaches of which can attract a fine and/or imprisonment. Following a review in 2011 of the consumer landscape, changes were made to the enforcement regime to give Trading Standards greater responsibility for tackling cross-boundary threats and cases of national significance, coordinated through the National Trading Standards Board (NTSB). This position was clarified further through the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013.

In March 2012, the Government consulted on further proposals to introduce a generic set of investigatory powers for consumer law enforcers in the draft Consumer Rights Bill. We are also using this Bill to clarify the law to enable Trading Standards to tackle rogue traders who operate across local authority boundaries and help support the NTSB's coordination role.

The Trading Standards Institute, as the professional body for Trading Standards Officers, has a comprehensive approach to professional training and on-going professional development which local authorities can use as a benchmark. We know that businesses value well trained and competent Trading Standards Officers who are able to provide them with high quality regulatory advice and to be able tackle rogue traders. However, Government agree with the Local Government Association which said that

“councils are best placed to determine the competency of their officers.”

Also regulators such as Trading Standards will be required to have regard to the Government's recently published statutory Regulators' Code, which is subject to parliamentary approval. This code requires regulators to ensure their officers have the necessary knowledge and skills to support those they regulate to enable enforcers to choose proportionate and effective approaches.

The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), does not deal with complaints about trading standards. Local authorities are responsible for the delivery and performance of local Trading Standards Services. Complainants about the activities of a Trading Standards Service are, therefore, directed to the chief executive of the local authority in line with their own published complaints procedures. If the complainant remains dissatisfied they can then refer the matter to the local government ombudsman.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Afghanistan

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative is implemented in Afghanistan. [180751]

6 Jan 2014 : Column 173W

Hugh Robertson: We were pleased that Afghanistan is one of the 138 countries that have so far endorsed the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict launched by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), at the UN in September. We will encourage them to attend the June 2014 summit and work with them in advance to identify how they can implement the commitments the Declaration contains.

Through the FCO Human Rights and Democracy Programme Fund, we are supporting a one-year project to address the psychological needs of victims of sexual harassment and violence, support state institutions to improve their response to victims, and raise awareness of the threats women face in Afghanistan. The UK has committed to providing £7 million to support women's political participation. A new £3 million programme has also been agreed to address the root causes of violence against women and girls. The programme will work to strengthen the justice sectors for women victims of violence, as well as outreach work and support to male religious leaders, educators and Afghan women working to raise awareness of women's issues.

Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions he has had with the Afghan Government on recent incidents of violence against female politicians in Afghanistan; [180999]

(2) what discussions he has had with the Afghan Government on recent incidents of violence against female professionals in Afghanistan as they participate in everyday working life. [181000]

Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterparts in member states on women’s rights in Afghanistan; and what such discussions he has had on recent incidents of violence against women on the grounds of their professions as politicians, teachers and doctors. [181002]

Hugh Robertson: At the Tokyo Development conference last year, the Afghan Government made a pledge to ensure that the human rights of all Afghan people, including women, are protected and promoted, as enshrined in article 22 of their constitution. We, along with our international partners, regularly discuss progress against commitments made at the Tokyo conference, including on the full implementation of the elimination of violence against women law, with the Afghan Government and will continue to do so with the new Government following elections next year.

We regularly raise the protection and promotion of women’s rights and the security of women in all aspects of society, including those in public life, with the Afghan Government and wider Afghan authorities. During her visit to Afghanistan early last month, the Senior Minister of State, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Warsi discussed these, and many other issues, with female politicians and civil society representatives. She also underlined the importance of upholding historic gains on human rights with the Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr Ershad Ahmadi. We work closely with the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, the UN, Afghan

6 Jan 2014 : Column 174W

civil society and international partners to support women’s issues and human rights defenders. We discussed support to human rights defenders at the EU Human Rights and Gender Working Group meetings in November and December, and will continue to do so this year.

Ultimately, it is for the Afghan state to provide security for all its citizens. In June, the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), supported by the international community, took the lead responsibility for the security of all Afghan citizens. The UK will contribute £70 million per year from 2015 to help sustain the ANSF. The UK Government are in continuous discussion with the Afghan Government and International Security Assistance Force counterparts, including the US, at all levels on the security situation in Afghanistan to support close co-operation on this vital issue.

Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress his Department has made in ensuring that women in Afghanistan are protected as they participate in their everyday professional working life. [181001]

Hugh Robertson: Afghan women are increasingly playing an important role in public life in Afghanistan. There are now nine female members of the High Peace Council, more than a quarter of seats in Parliament are held by women, there are reserved seats for women in Provincial Councils, and there is an ever-growing network of women’s NGOs and advocacy groups across Afghanistan. In November, during a visit to Afghanistan, the Senior Minister of State, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Warsi underlined the importance of upholding this progress with the Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr Ershad Ahmadi.

The UK is working to educate women in Afghanistan and has contributed £45 million to the Global Girls Education Challenge Fund. This is helping to educate marginalised girls in Afghanistan. There are now 2 million who can now grow up and join the work force. It is vital to educate Afghan society about women’s rights, as a greater awareness will help reduce violence against women at home and in the workplace. UK funded organisations like the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) are working to institutionalise an understanding of human rights in educational centres so that children grow up valuing human rights, helping to combat deeply-embedded traditional conservative values. The Department for International Development funds organisations and projects focused on women to raise awareness of women’s rights and provide legal support. Women progressively feel more able to speak out when threatened with or subject to violence and are supporting the mechanisms in place to deal with their complaints.

In our work with Afghan ministries and institutions, we continue to mainstream gender issues. We are increasing the awareness and accountability of Afghan police on the protection of women’s rights so they are better protected during everyday life. We are ensuring that women are included in the security forces by providing training for female officer recruits at Afghanistan’s National Army Officer Academy. We remain committed to improving female political participation and representation in public life. My hon. colleague the Minister of State for International Development recently announced a

6 Jan 2014 : Column 175W

£7.5 million programme to political institutions and process that will build the capacity of women and provincial councillors once elected into office. This is in addition to support for the 2014 and 2015 elections in which we will provide assistance to the Independent Election Commission’s gender unit and improving voter education among women and other marginalized groups.

The position of women in Afghan society has improved over the past 10 years, but this progress is fragile. We must not lose the momentum in the months and years beyond the security and political transition of 2014 and we will continue to push for progress for women in Afghanistan.

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Afghan counterpart about the impeachment of Ministers by the Afghan Parliament. [181140]

Hugh Robertson: The use of the power to impeach Ministers, as set out in the Afghan constitution, is a matter for the Afghan Parliament to decide. It is not an issue that the UK has raised with the Afghan Government.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to protect female human rights defenders in Afghanistan; and what consideration he has given to a country-specific plan for Afghanistan in line with the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders in Afghanistan. [181188]

Hugh Robertson: International support to human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders, is most effective when coordinated through multilateral institutions such as the EU and in particular the UN. These bodies have the expertise and resources to fulfil this important role in the country. The UK's approach is to work with and through these institutions to support national efforts. We therefore believe that a UK action plan in isolation would risk duplicating established mechanisms and strategies, and would add little additional value to our existing work to support human rights defenders in Afghanistan.

We are providing £500,000 this year to support the work of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission to help it act to protect human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders. We also work closely with the UN, Afghan civil society and international partners to support human rights defenders. In line with the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, we monitor threats and build up an understanding of the risks, with a particular focus on the challenges faced by women and those working on women's issues. We discussed support to human rights defenders at the EU Human Rights and Gender Working Group meetings in November and December, and will continue to do so next year.

Azerbaijan

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he raised the issue of human rights in Azerbaijan during his trip to Baku; and if he will make a statement following his trip to that country. [180951]

6 Jan 2014 : Column 176W

Mr Lidington: The human rights situation in Azerbaijan continues to be an area of concern for the UK, particularly around elections and democratic governance, freedom of expression and wider civil and political rights. During his visit to Baku on 17 December, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised the issue of human rights and political reform in meetings with President Aliyev and Foreign Minister Mammadyarov. The Foreign Secretary also raised with Foreign Minister Mammadyarov the individual cases of Ilgar Mammadov, the Chairman of the REAL political movement; the NiDA youth activists; and Anar Mammadli, the Head of the Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Centre, who was detained on 16 December. As part of his visit, the Foreign Secretary met with civil society and human rights activists. He also raised human rights during the press conference he gave.

Ministers and officials will continue to take an active interest in the human rights situation in Azerbaijan and take opportunities to raise our concerns.

Bahrain

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise with his Bahraini counterparts access for Mr Abdulwahab Hussain to appropriate medical treatment while he is in prison. [181865]

Hugh Robertson: We are aware of the case of Mr Abdulwahab Hussain and are concerned about the allegations that he has been denied medical treatment. We understand that a request by the National Institute of Human Rights to see Mr Abdulwahab Hussain was authorised by the Bahraini Attorney-General, but Mr Hussain refused the visit. We expect the Government of Bahrain to meet all of their human rights obligations and ensure all defendants have access to the medical care they require. We regularly raise human rights concerns with the Government of Bahrain and will continue to pursue a policy of frank and direct engagement.

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the treatment of Hasan Mashaima and Abduljalil Al-Singace and of their access to their families. [181872]

Hugh Robertson: We are aware of the cases of Hasan Mashaima and Abdujalil Al-Singace. We understand that both have had their visits suspended, in accordance with Bahraini law, as they are refusing to wear the prison uniform. We have previously raised the issue of access to medical treatment in the case of Hasan Mashaima and understand that both prisoners were taken to hospital three weeks ago for check-ups. We expect civil liberties to be protected and for the Government of Bahrain to adhere to their international human rights obligations. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), discussed human rights reform with the Bahraini Crown Prince in December.

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings officials in his Department have held with the Government and civil society organisations in Bahrain concerning human rights; and if he will make a statement. [182037]

6 Jan 2014 : Column 177W

Hugh Robertson: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials in Bahrain and in the UK frequently meet members of the Bahraini Government, opposition parties and civil society organisations to discuss the situation in Bahrain including human rights. Our engagement is constructive and focussed on supporting human rights and political reform, including the National Consensus Dialogue.

British Council

Sir Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in respect of which projects the British Council has collaborated with (a) BAU Bahcesehir University and (b) the BAU Trust in (i) Turkey and (ii) other countries. [181804]

Mr Swire: The British Council works with BAU Bahcesehir University primarily through its offices in Ankara and Istanbul. Bahcesehir University has hosted British Council events and programmes, including open days for UK universities promoting the UK as a destination for international students and some of the Council's English language teaching and examinations work.

The British Council's work with the BAU Trust has been more limited. The Council's team in Turkey has an established relationship with Enver Yucel, the Chairman of the Bahcesehir Education Trust, but this is primarily in his capacity as the chairman of the Education Commission at the Turkish Industry and Business Association. The Council has worked with TUSIAD to promote research collaborations and the sharing of academic expertise between UK and Turkish higher education institutions.

Diplomatic Service

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the headcount of the Diplomatic Service was on the latest date for which figures are available. [181275]

Hugh Robertson: The headcount of diplomatic service staff working for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on 30 November 2013 was 3,292. In addition to this figure, the FCO also employs staff who are part of the home civil service, staff on inward interchange from other civil service Departments and contractors.

EU Common Foreign and Security Policy

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) the European Commission and (b) his European counterparts about updating the European Security Strategy; and if he will make a statement. [181023]

Mr Lidington: I have had no discussions with the European Commission about updating the European Security Strategy. I had discussed the issue with a number of EU partners, as part of wider discussions on European defence, ahead of the 19-20 December European Council. We did not reach agreement on updating the European Security Strategy. Instead, Council conclusions invited:

6 Jan 2014 : Column 178W

“the High Representative, in close cooperation with the Commission, to assess the impact of changes in the global environment, and to report to the Council in the course of 2015 on the challenges and opportunities arising for the Union, following consultations with the Member States.”

Exports: Bahrain

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy is on the sale of crowd control equipment to Bahrain; and if he will make a statement. [182038]

Hugh Robertson: Following the unrest in 2011, the Government reviewed export licences to Bahrain. We revoked 30 licences for which we assessed there was a clear risk that the export might be used for internal repression.

We continue to monitor the situation in Bahrain very closely and assess all export licence applications, including for any equipment which could be used for crowd control, on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. We also assess applications in light of the prevailing circumstances, the capability of the equipment, the proposed end use and the record of the end user. A licence will not be issued if there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression.

Gibraltar: Spain

Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many reports there have been of illegal incursions of Spanish vessels in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters in 2013. [181835]

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many incursions by Guardia Civil vessels there have been into Gibraltar's territorial waters in each of the last 12 months for which data are available; and if he will make a statement. [182035]

Mr Lidington: There have been a total of 509 unlawful incursions into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters by Spanish State vessels, including Guardia Civil vessels, in the period from December 2012 to November 2013. The monthly breakdown is as follows:

The Royal Navy upholds British sovereignty by challenging all unlawful incursions by vessels of the Spanish State, through radio warnings and the close

6 Jan 2014 : Column 179W

monitoring of all such vessels, until they leave British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. We also make formal diplomatic protests to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about all such incursions. Although unlawful— incursions are a violation of British sovereignty—they are not a threat to it. They do not change international law or the fact of UK and Gibraltar jurisdiction. They do not weaken or undermine the legal basis for British Sovereignty over Gibraltar Territorial Waters.

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the European Commission about border delays at the Spanish border with Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement. [182034]

Mr Lidington: We are in frequent contact with the European Commission about delays at the Spanish border with Gibraltar, including on the need for the Spanish authorities to implement the recommendations from the European Commission. The UK, in partnership with the Government of Gibraltar, is continuing to gather data on the daily border delays in order to demonstrate their illegitimate, disproportionate and unlawful nature, as well as the impact they are having on local people, including Spanish nationals. We will continue to provide that evidence to the Commission. The Prime Minister also raised this matter with the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, on 20 December.

India

Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Indian Government about legislation in that country which may discriminate against or criminalise individuals on the grounds of their sexuality or the expression of that sexuality. [180642]

Mr Swire: We are following developments on the Indian Supreme Court decision closely and I discussed this issue with the new Indian high commissioner at our first meeting on 6 January. It is important that India's democratic institutions work through this issue. The UK's global policy is that human rights are universal and should apply equally to all people, as enshrined in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and that to render consenting same-sex relations illegal is incompatible with international human rights laws, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Israel

Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Israel on the Prawer Plan for the demolition of Bedouin homes without formal land title. [180938]

Hugh Robertson: I refer the right hon. Member to my answer of 3 December 2013, Official Report, column 594W.

6 Jan 2014 : Column 180W

Libya

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Libyan Government to hold a full inquiry into the events that led to BOAC flight 045 to Khartoum on 22 July 1971 being forced to land at Benina airport, Libya; and if he will make a statement. [181700]

Hugh Robertson: The UK does not intend to make representations to the Libyan Government to hold a full inquiry. However, we have made formal appeals to both the present and previous Libyan Governments for any information they have on this case. We will continue to encourage the Libyan authorities to engage on this and other legacy issues arising from the actions of the Gaddafi regime.

Occupied Territories

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Israeli Government on the finding of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs that the weekly average of structures demolished and persons displaced in the Occupied Palestinian territory has remained unaffected by the recent resumption of peace talks. [181099]

Hugh Robertson: Officials from our embassy in Tel Aviv have made representations to the Israeli Government about the continued demolitions of Palestinian property despite the resumption of talks and have urged a halt of demolitions.

In the 16 December 2013 Foreign Affairs Council conclusions, EU Foreign Ministers expressed “grave concern” regarding demolitions and warned against “actions that undermine the negotiations”. The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah issued a local statement on 19 December expressing serious concern that since the beginning of the year, more than 600 Palestinian-owned structures had been demolished in Area C of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, displacing around 1,000 Palestinians.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps he has taken to urge the Israeli government to halt demolitions in occupied Palestinian territories for the duration of peace talks. [181100]

Hugh Robertson: Officials from our embassy in Tel Aviv have made representations to the Israeli Government about the continued demolitions of Palestinian property despite the resumption of talks and have urged a halt of demolitions.

In the 16 December 2013 Foreign Affairs Council conclusions, EU Foreign Ministers expressed “grave concern” regarding demolitions and warned against “actions that undermine the negotiations”. The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah issued a local

6 Jan 2014 : Column 181W

statement on 19 December expressing serious concern that since the beginning of the year, more than 600 Palestinian-owned structures had been demolished in Area C of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, displacing around 1,000 Palestinians.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with his counterparts in the EU what steps the EU might take to urge the Israeli government to halt demolitions in occupied Palestinian territories for the duration of peace talks. [181101]

Hugh Robertson: Officials from our embassy in Tel Aviv have made representations to the Israeli Government about the continued demolitions of Palestinian property despite the resumption of talks and have urged a halt of demolitions.

In the 16 December 2013 Foreign Affairs Council conclusions, EU Foreign Ministers expressed “grave concern” regarding demolitions and warned against “actions that undermine the negotiations”. The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah issued a local statement on 19 December expressing serious concern that since the beginning of the year, more than 600 Palestinian-owned structures had been demolished in Area C of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, displacing around 1,000 Palestinians.

Palestinians

Mr Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the effect of Israeli blockades of raw materials on the Gaza economy; and what representations the Government have made to the Government of Israel regarding that country's blockade of Gaza. [181892]

Hugh Robertson: We consistently call for relaxation of the Israeli movement and access restrictions that have been estimated as costing the Palestinian economy up to 85% of its Gross Domestic Product every year. As part of this, we are urging Israel to ease its restrictions on Gaza on the import of commercial construction materials.

Officials from our embassy in Tel Aviv made representations on this issue with the Israeli Defence Minister on 19 December and with the Israeli Office for the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) on 15 December.

Mr Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the availability of electricity to Palestinians following the recent flooding in Gaza. [181893]

Hugh Robertson: Heavy rain and snow in Gaza have led to widespread flooding and power cuts. Electricity feeder lines from Egypt and Israel were damaged on 12 December and, although they have been mostly repaired, subsequent bad weather has continued to damage the domestic network and electricity supply.

6 Jan 2014 : Column 182W

On 16 December, following a Qatari donation to the Palestinian Authority to fund the purchase of fuel for Gaza, the Gaza power plant restarted partial operations for the first time since 1 November. We continue to encourage the Palestinian Authority, Israel and other interested parties to find both an immediate and a long-term solution to Gaza's energy crisis.

Russia

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has advised any lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people that they should not visit Russia on the grounds of their sexual orientation or because they are transgender in the last 12 months. [181955]

Mr Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's comprehensive travel advice for Russia does not advise against travel to Russia for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. It does contain information on Russian perceptions of homosexuality, noting that although homosexuality is legal, there is still a degree of intolerance among some sections of the population. It also notes that a law preventing the promotion of “non traditional” sexual relations among minors was passed in June. As the Prime Minister has said, this law has the potential to prevent LGBT people from fully enjoying the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Russia and Ukraine

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterparts from Russia and Ukraine in relation to their bail-out plans. [181971]

Mr Lidington: The UK is still assessing the details of the agreement between Russia and Ukraine which was announced on 17 December. While I have had no direct contact with my counterparts in the respective nations on this issue, we will continue to monitor developments closely.

The UK, along with its international partners, has regularly called upon Russia to respect Ukraine's sovereign right to determine its own future and relationship with the EU. Most recently, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), along with EU partners at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, made clear to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov that the economic and political pressure Russia had placed on Ukraine was unacceptable.

We continue to believe that the Association Agreement, which the EU remains ready to sign, is the best way to build the modern, democratic and prosperous Ukraine that its people want.

Ukraine also has the option of funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). I hope the Ukrainian authorities can reach agreement with the IMF on a new Stand-By Arrangement. We do not support any loosening of the conditionally this would involve, but we hope the fund can show some flexibility in its dealings with Ukraine, such as a staged increase of gas tariffs rather than an immediate one-off hike.

6 Jan 2014 : Column 183W

Saudi Arabia

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what reports he has received on the imprisonment by the Saudi Arabian authorities of two Ahmadi Muslims on grounds of faith since May 2012; and if he will make a statement; [181150]

(2) what discussions he has had with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia regarding the imprisonment of Ahmadi Muslims held in custody in that country since May 2012 on grounds of faith. [181151]

Hugh Robertson: We are aware of the case of two Ahmadi Muslims who have been detained in Saudi Arabia since 2012, on grounds of apostasy. We are in contact with their family members and members of the Ahmadi community both in London and in Riyadh. We continue to monitor their case.

We raise our concerns about freedom of religion or belief with the Government of Saudi Arabia. Most recently the UK's statement and recommendations made during Saudi Arabia's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in October 2013 highlighted our concerns about freedom of religion and particularly through the application of the law against apostasy. They are available on the website of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights:

www.ohchr.org

Syria

Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what estimate his Department has made of the quantity of British-supplied non-lethal military support that has been captured by (a) Syrian Government forces and (b) groups not affiliated to the Free Syrian Army; [181121]

(2) what estimate his Department has made of the quantity of British-supplied non-lethal military support intended for the Free Syrian Army (FSA) that is no longer in the possession of the FSA. [181122]

Mr Hague: We are not aware of the Syrian Government forces having captured any UK supplied non-lethal military support. Nor are we aware that any UK supplied equipment was seized by the Islamic Front. We keep such matters under continuous review.

Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what

6 Jan 2014 : Column 184W

assessment he has made of the potential for seizure of non-lethal military equipment by groups not affiliated to the Free Syrian Army; and what steps he is taking to prevent such seizures. [181123]

Mr Hague: The UK continues to monitor the risk of the diversion of equipment intended for the Supreme Military Council of the Free Syrian Army. Following the takeover of the Supreme Military Council (SMC) Headquarters at Bab al-Hawa deliveries of non-lethal equipment to the SMC in Syria have been temporarily put on hold as a precautionary measure. Recipients of UK assistance are carefully selected to ensure that assistance is not given to any persons involved in extremist activities or human rights violations. Equipment undergoes scrutiny to ensure that we meet all our national and international obligations, including export controls under the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria and EU restrictions on the provision of goods to Syria (as agreed by member states on 27 May 2013).

Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what items of non-lethal military support will now not be sent to the Free Syrian Army following the capture of the Bab al-Hawa border crossing. [181124]

Mr Hague: A package of up to £1 million of non-lethal support for the Supreme Military Council announced on 19 November 2013 is currently on hold. This equipment was to include commercially available communications, medical and logistics equipment.

Western Sahara

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will (a) discuss with the Moroccan ambassador to the UK and (b) instruct the British ambassador in Rabat to make reports on the large number of injuries reportedly caused by police and security forces when breaking up demonstrations against the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement in El Aaiún, Western Sahara. [181756]

Hugh Robertson: We are aware of reports of recent protests in Western Sahara, linked to the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) and our ambassador in Morocco raised human rights issues in Western Sahara with the Moroccan Foreign Minister during his visit to the UK in November 2013. Our ambassador in Morocco will continue to raise the important issue of human rights with the Moroccan Government.