The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions she has had with her German counterparts on the building of new coal power stations in that country.
Andrea Leadsom
Ministers and officials in the Department regularly discuss a range of energy and climate change issues with their German counterparts.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Philip Davies on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on contingency plans for power cuts; and if she will make a statement.
Andrea Leadsom
My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has met with my rt. hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to discuss contingency plans for disruption of critical services, including power. She has also attended COBR, to take part in discussions that include ensuring an effective strategic response to energy disruptions following recent storms.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with the Chinese government on the sale of wildlife from Zimbabwe.
Rory Stewart
The UK is working in close cooperation with China on the illegal wildlife trade. In the UK-China Joint Statement on Building a Global Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century, issued on 22nd October on the occasion of the State Visit of President Xi Jinping, the UK and China recognised the importance and urgency of combating the illegal wildlife trade, and committed to take active measures to tackle this global challenge. We warmly welcome the recent announcement by China that it intends, in due course, to close its legal domestic market for ivory, and will continue to work with China to encourage this to happen as soon as feasible.
Through our Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, we are also supporting projects which address the rising demand for illegal wildlife trade products in China.
Defra has had no discussions with China over the sale of wildlife from Zimbabwe.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with Ministers of the Northern Ireland Executive on steps to increase exports of food from Northern Ireland to China.
George Eustice
There has been very close collaboration at ministerial and official level to increase food exports to China. On her recent visit the Secretary of State highlighted the Northern Ireland priorities of securing approval for pork plants, finalising access for pig trotters and progressing negotiations for poultry meat. Supporting this extension of access, officials work closely with colleagues from Invest Northern Ireland to ensure complementary export promotional work in China.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Warburton on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress the Government has made on putting in place a blue belt to protect marine habitats and species in the UK’s Overseas Territories.
James Duddridge
The UK Government has announced plans to designate a no-take Marine Protected Area throughout Pitcairn waters, and with the Ascension Island Government has agreed to close 50% of their waters from fishing activities whilst establishing a well-managed fishery in the remaining offshore waters. Work is also underway to identify any gaps in marine conservation across the remaining OTs, which will assist Territories in delivering additional marine protection through a range of marine management tools, where necessary. We will work closely with the Environment Audit Committee in this regard.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angela Smith on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the rural productivity plan published by her Department in August 2015, when she will publish the calls for evidence on reviewing the planning and regulatory constraints facing rural businesses and the measures that can be taken to address them.
Rory Stewart
The Rural Planning Review Call for Evidence will be published jointly by Defra and the Department for Communities and Local Government shortly.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on Russian violations of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The UK is not a signatory of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. The US has briefed the UK on alleged violations of the Treaty by Russia. Together with our NATO Allies, the UK has called on Russia to preserve the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Continuing to uphold the Treaty strengthens the security of all, including Russia.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Thewliss on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will raise with the government of Bulgaria the issue of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community being denied the right to register as a religious organisation in Bulgaria.
Mr David Lidington
We are aware of the concerns of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Bulgaria. The UK supports the right to freedom of religion or belief for every individual. We would expect the Bulgarian Government to meet its international obligations to ensure freedom of religion or belief for all its citizens.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in the Maldives.
Mr Hugo Swire
We are concerned by a number of recent steps taken by the Maldivian government which undermine human rights in the country. These include; signs that the death penalty is to be reintroduced, restrictions on the right to protest and the intimidation of civil society, human rights organisations and members of the media. Other concerns include the arbitrary detention of political figures and the decreasing independence of institutions and the judiciary. I raised all of these issues with the Maldives government during my visit to the Maldives on 17 and 18 January. In particular I reiterated the UK’s principled opposition to the death penalty.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Gethins on 2016-01-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the independence of the legal system in the Maldives.
Mr Hugo Swire
We are concerned about the erosion of judicial independence in the Maldives. A 2013 UN report by the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers raised serious questions about the impartiality of judges, the fact that many interventions by courts were arbitrary and that due process was not being followed. We do not believe that the situation has improved since. I raised the issue of judicial independence when I met key members of the Maldives government, including President Yameen, during my visit to the Maldives on 17 and 18 January.