The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gregory Campbell on 2014-06-30.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will provide an estimate of how many people were in receipt of universal credit on 1 June 2014.
Esther McVey
The official Universal Credit statistics covering the period up to 31st May 2014 will be published on 13th August 2014.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2014-06-30.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of how many people are signed off work as a result of depression.
Mike Penning
The Department for Work and Pensions does not hold information on the number of people taking sickness absence from work as a result of depression.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2014-06-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the briefing notes issued by the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights dated 20 June 2014, on the legislative amendment before the Israeli Knesset relating to force-feeding and medical treatment of prisoners on hunger strike, what steps he is taking to ensure that international human rights and international humanitarian law human rights are upheld by all parties.
Hugh Robertson
Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv met with an official from the Israeli Prime Minister’s office on 17 June and expressed our concern over the bill. We are continuing to monitor developments.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2014-06-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his Colombian counterpart concerning the withdrawal on 26 May 2014, of precautionary safety measures recommended by the Inter American Court for Human Rights to protect the human rights activist Juan David Diaz.
Mr Hugo Swire
I met representatives from six human rights organisations, including Oxfam and Christian Aid as well as Colombian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) during my visit to Bogotá last week. I also met two Deputy Ministers for Foreign Affairs, heads of the Colombian Government’s major human rights agencies and representatives of the Attorney-General’s office. I set out HM Government concern about the reported rise in attacks against human rights defenders and a lack of sentences for those responsible.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Williams on 2014-06-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2014, Official Report, column 384W, on Western Sahara, if the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa will meet representatives of POLISARIO, the administering power de facto in the area east of the Berm dividing Western Sahara, to discuss security and terrorism.
Hugh Robertson
Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials regularly meet POLISARIO Front representatives to discuss Western Sahara. Officials also undertake visits to the region, and to the refugee camps at Tindouf. British Ministers do not have direct contact with the POLISARIO Front.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2014-06-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his Colombian counterpart supporting the requests for an investigation into the death of Thomas Rodriguez Cantillo, a SINTRAINAGRO trades union member killed on 9 May 2014.
Mr Hugo Swire
I met representatives from six human rights organisations, including Oxfam and Christian Aid as well as Colombian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) during my visit to Bogotá last week. I also met two Deputy Ministers for Foreign Affairs, heads of the Colombian Government’s major human rights agencies and representatives of the Attorney-General’s office. I set out HM Government concern about the reported rise in attacks against human rights defenders and a lack of sentences for those responsible.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2014-06-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 6 May 2014, Official Report, column 73W, on Israel, how many complaints about differential treatment of British nationals have been made since 2010 by the UK embassy in Tel Aviv to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and on which dates.
Hugh Robertson
Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have formally raised with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) mistreatment of British nationals three times since 2010. They were on 7 January 2012; 19 December 2012 and 18 March 2013. Our officials have to seek permission from the individual concerned before raising with the MFA, and not all individuals are willing to pursue this route.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is unable to interfere in the immigration policies or procedures of another country, but does raise cases of grave concern with the MFA.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kelvin Hopkins on 2014-06-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on sanctions against Israel; and what assessment he has made of the compliance of that policy with international law and relevant UN resolutions.
Hugh Robertson
We have been clear that we oppose sanctions and boycotts on Israel, and do not believe such steps would promote progress towards a two-state solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We are satisfied that this position is consistent with our international obligations.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2014-06-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his Colombian counterpart that Colombia should guarantee the safety of Nubia Acosta, Nevis Niño Rodríguez and the families of El Tamarindo.
Mr Hugo Swire
I met representatives from six human rights organisations, including Oxfam and Christian Aid as well as Colombian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) during my visit to Bogotá last week. I also met two Deputy Ministers for Foreign Affairs, heads of the Colombian Government’s major human rights agencies and representatives of the Attorney-General’s office. I set out HM Government concern about the reported rise in attacks against human rights defenders and a lack of sentences for those responsible.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2014-06-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his Colombian counterpart supporting the requests for an investigation into the murders of four FENSUAGRO trades union members shot dead on 17 May 2014 in Alto Amarradero.
Mr Hugo Swire
I met representatives from six human rights organisations, including Oxfam and Christian Aid as well as Colombian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) during my visit to Bogotá last week. I also met two Deputy Ministers for Foreign Affairs, heads of the Colombian Government’s major human rights agencies and representatives of the Attorney-General’s office. I set out HM Government concern about the reported rise in attacks against human rights defenders and a lack of sentences for those responsible.