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  • Paul Flynn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Paul Flynn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Flynn on 2014-06-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will raise with the Moroccan Ambassador to the UK the situation of the political prisoners in Saharawi; and what information he has received from HM Ambassador in Morocco on the state of health of Abdalah Boukiod.

    Hugh Robertson

    We regularly emphasise to Morocco the importance of full respect for human rights in Western Sahara. Minister Robertson discussed this issue during his trip to Rabat in March this year. We are aware of reports that Abdalah Boukiod has been on hunger strike since 20 May. We do not have further information on the state of his health.

  • Michael Fabricant – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Michael Fabricant – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michael Fabricant on 2014-06-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what works are currently being undertaken in King Charles Street, Westminster; and when the scaffolding and road and pavement equipment related to the works will be removed.

    Mr David Lidington

    The works currently being undertaken by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in King Charles Street are part of the Department’s UK Estate Reform Project. This involves the consolidation of the FCO’s London HQ presence into a single office building. The project is a major reconfiguration of the King Charles Street building and will release the Old Admiralty Building to the Department for Education. This will allow leased office space to be vacated and overall Government spending on the UK Civil Estate to be reduced.

    The gantry being installed in King Charles Street will be completed by the end of June 2014 and will remain in situ for the duration of the project, which is due to be completed in summer 2015. The scaffold is part of the Planning & Listed Building Consent granted by Westminster Council. When completed, the gantry will extend over the pavement between Clive Steps and the western side of the main entrance to the FCO building. Pedestrians will still be able to walk up King Charles St and the main entrance to the FCO will remain fully accessible.

  • Madeleine Moon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Madeleine Moon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Madeleine Moon on 2014-06-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the government of the United Arab Emirates regarding migrant workers’ rights in that country; and if he will make a statement.

    Hugh Robertson

    We regularly discuss migrant workers’ rights with the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In addition, we made recommendations relating to the living and working conditions of foreign workers during the UAE’s last Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council.

  • Stephen Phillips – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Stephen Phillips – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Phillips on 2014-06-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to work with his international counterparts on ensuring that the Afghanistan government continues to maintain security in sparsely populated areas of that country following the withdrawal of international troops.

    Mr Mark Francois

    The International Security Assistance Force’s (ISAF) combat mission will end this year and the Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) will assume full responsibility for security across Afghanistan. The UK and our international partners have committed to providing long-term support to the Afghan Government, including continued development of the ANSF, as part of the follow-on Resolute Support Mission. This is subject to the necessary legal permissions being in place before the end of this year. The UK is also contributing an additional £70 million per year until 2017 towards ANSF sustainment.

  • Bob Ainsworth – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Bob Ainsworth – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bob Ainsworth on 2014-06-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much funding his Department allocated to the Conflict Pool for South Asia in each of the last three years.

    Mark Simmonds

    The Conflict Pool is part of an HMT settlement which is distinct from departmental budgets. It is tri-departmentally managed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence, and the Department for International Development. In financial year 2013/14, the South Asia allocation was £20m. In the two preceding years, it was £15.5m per annum. The allocation for this financial year will be laid before Parliament shortly in a Written Ministerial Statement.

  • Bob Ainsworth – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Bob Ainsworth – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bob Ainsworth on 2014-06-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the situation in Kashmir; and what recent discussions he has had with his (a) Indian, (b) Pakistani and (c) US counterparts on this matter.

    Mr Hugo Swire

    The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has spoken to each of his Indian, Pakistani and US counterparts in recent months about South Asia regional issues and relations between India and Pakistan. We recognise the importance of finding a lasting solution to the situation in Kashmir, but remain of the view it is not for third parties to prescribe one. We continue to follow developments in the region closely, and officials from our High Commissions in both New Delhi and Islamabad regularly discuss the situation in Kashmir with both governments and travel to the region, security situation permitting.

  • Gareth Johnson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Gareth Johnson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Johnson on 2014-06-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Bahrain.

    Hugh Robertson

    We believe that the only way to promote peace and stability in Bahrain and address the legitimate aspirations of all Bahrainis is through dialogue leading to an inclusive political settlement. With elections in October, we hope that this is an opportunity to reach a deal. We encourage all sides to engage constructively in this process.

  • Greg Knight – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Greg Knight – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Knight on 2014-06-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect of recent changes to safety checks in slaughterhouses on the risk of diseased meat entering the food chain undetected; and if he will make a statement.

    Jane Ellison

    The Food Standards Agency advises that the new procedure for pig meat inspection will better protect consumers from foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella. It reduces the amount of routine carcase handling and incision carried out by officials that contributes to the risk of microbiological contamination on carcases and offal. This is in line with a 2011 scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority.

    Under the new procedures, all pigs will continue to be inspected by an official veterinarian whilst they are alive, and their carcases and offal will be visually inspected by an official meat inspector or veterinarian after slaughter. Any abnormalities that indicate possible animal health, public health or welfare issues will be further investigated and removed before meat can be declared fit for human consumption.

  • Laurence Robertson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    Laurence Robertson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Laurence Robertson on 2014-06-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with food suppliers to encourage them to reduce excess packaging; and if he will make a statement.

    Dan Rogerson

    The Secretary of State has not had recent discussions with food suppliers specifically about packaging. I spoke at the Fresher for Longer conference in February this year, and the Government is working with food manufacturers and retailers to reduce food waste as part of the Courtauld Commitment, which is targeting a further reduction of 1.1 million tonnes of food and packaging waste by 2015. We encourage the use of a minimum level of packaging that protects products from damage and ensures that it maintains its quality during its shelf life.

  • Kerry McCarthy – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Kerry McCarthy – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kerry McCarthy on 2014-06-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the Answer of 30 October 2012, Official Report, column 146W, on food: charitable donations, and 7 March 2013, Official Report, column 1105, what assessment (a) his Department and (b) the Food Standards Agency has made of the compatibility of legislation to remove criminal and civil liability from good faith food donors with EU food safety laws.

    Jane Ellison

    We are advised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that consideration was given to whether an exemption from European Union food safety law was available in respect of donations of food for charitable purposes in 2012. The FSA’s view at that time was that no exemption is available and as the FSA’s advice has not changed it does not consider that any further assessment of the issue is necessary.

    The FSA published guidance on its web site in July 2013 on which charitable and community food provision does not require registration. This can be found at:

    http://multimedia.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/hall-provision.pdf

    Food supply not requiring registration is exempt from the requirements of food hygiene legislation although all such provision is still required to provide food that is safe.