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  • Calum Kerr – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Calum Kerr – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Calum Kerr on 2016-05-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether the Government plans to become a founding donor of the Education Cannot Wait fund for education in emergencies when it is launched at the World Humanitarian Summit 2016.

    Mr Nick Hurd

    The UK has played a leading role in the development of Education Cannot Wait – a fund for Education in Emergencies, which will be launched at the World Humanitarian Summit on 23rd May at a special event co-hosted by the UK. Education in emergencies and crises is a priority for the UK and the International Development Secretary will be speaking at the World Humanitarian Summit on the UK’s role on this critical issue.

  • Wes Streeting – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Wes Streeting – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Wes Streeting on 2016-05-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent representations her Department has made to the Israeli government on the demolition of Palestinian homes and property funded by the UK.

    Mr Desmond Swayne

    The UK remains extremely concerned at the large increase in demolitions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories since the start of 2016, compared to the monthly average in 2015, and continues to raise this with the Israeli authorities. Demolitions and the evictions of Palestinians from their homes cause unnecessary suffering, are harmful to the peace process, and in all but the most exceptional of cases are contrary to international humanitarian law. The UK supports the Norwegian Refugee Council to provide legal aid to Palestinian communities that are at risk of displacement.

  • Chris Heaton-Harris – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Chris Heaton-Harris – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Heaton-Harris on 2016-05-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will take steps to ensure that the Education Cannot Wait fund for education in emergencies is monitored to ensure that (a) the funds are used for the purposes for which they are allocated and (b) those funds achieve the expected outcomes.

    Mr Nick Hurd

    The UK has played a leading role in the development of Education Cannot Wait – a fund for education in emergencies, with the International Development Secretary announcing a £30million commitment to the fund as a founding donor at its launch at the World Humanitarian Summit on 23 May. The UK will continue to engage closely during Education Cannot Wait’s inception phase to ensure that the final design and results framework are underpinned by a transparent monitoring and evaluation system and robust financial reporting arrangements, to ensure that the UK and other donors have strong oversight of how funds are utilised and results achieved.

  • John Glen – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    John Glen – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Glen on 2016-05-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 15 April 2016 to Question 32928, what issues of prisoner payments were raised with the Palestinian Authority Finance Minister Bishara in September 2015; which prisoners were discussed with that Minister; and what representations she has received on reported payments made to Kifah and Ibrahim Ghanimat.

    Mr Desmond Swayne

    No UK aid is used for payments to Palestinian prisoners, or their families. UK direct financial assistance to the PA is used to pay the salaries of civil servant and pensioners. I discussed with Minister Bishara a broad range of issues regarding prisoner payments including their administration by the Palestinian Liberation Organisation. The UK continues to lobby for the payments to be more transparent, affordable and needs-based.

  • Mark Durkan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Mark Durkan – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Durkan on 2016-05-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if the Government will make a multi-year commitment which increases in real terms funding for education in humanitarian situations.

    Mr Nick Hurd

    The UK is committed to providing long-term support for education in emergencies and crises, and will continue to put contributions through the most effective channels based on their ability to deliver results. For example, following an initial £115million contribution to the No Lost Generation in Syria initiative, the UK has added a further £240million for education in Jordan and Lebanon over the next four years.

    The UK has played a leading role in the development of the Education Cannot Wait fund, which is designed to attract multi-year additional funding for education in emergencies and protracted crises. The UK has recently announced a multi-year commitment of £30million to the Education Cannot Wait fund at the World Humanitarian Summit on 23 May, as a founding donor to this important initiative.

  • Gavin Shuker – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Gavin Shuker – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gavin Shuker on 2016-05-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what programmes her Department provides to counter the use of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war and subjugation.

    Mr Desmond Swayne

    DFID is committed to addressing all forms of violence against women and girls in emergencies. This includes rape and sexual violence used within armed conflict as a weapon of war. We know that in conflict settings specifically, rape, or sexual violence by combatants is sadly only one component of a wide range of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Other forms of SGBV are often more prevalent.

    DFID’s response to counter the use of rape and sexual violence is primarily through our commitments under the Call to Action to Protect Women and Girls in Emergencies. Through a combination of humanitarian operations and longer term development programmes we address both the immediate needs of survivors of sexual violence and tackle the underlying root causes of violence, such as gender inequality, discrimination and lack of women’s political and economic participation.

  • David Mackintosh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    David Mackintosh – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Mackintosh on 2016-05-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans her Department has to encourage the promotion of LGBT rights through its work with recipients of UK aid.

    Mr Desmond Swayne

    ‘DFID’s approach to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights’ was published in February 2016 on the UK Government website. It outlines how DFID will focus on building clarity and narrative around non-discrimination in development and identifying and engaging with the Southern voices.

  • David Winnick – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the House of Commons Commission

    David Winnick – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the House of Commons Commission

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Winnick on 2016-05-18.

    To ask the Rt. hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington representing the House of Commons Commission, when the Commission plans to reopen the main doors at St Stephen’s Entrance; and if he will make a statement.

    Tom Brake

    There are no plans to reopen the main doors at St Stephen’s Entrance. Police and security staff are available to facilitate access by Members and other passholders, particularly during divisions.

  • Michael Fabricant – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the House of Commons Commission

    Michael Fabricant – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the House of Commons Commission

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michael Fabricant on 2016-05-18.

    To ask the Rt. hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will take steps to ensure that the Union flag is regularly flown from the existing flag pole on the premises at 14 Tothill Street.

    Tom Brake

    Parliament flies three union flags on a permanent basis, on the Victoria Tower, and at 1 Parliament Street and Portcullis House. There are currently no plans to fly a flag at 14 Tothill Street.

  • Susan Elan Jones – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Susan Elan Jones – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Susan Elan Jones on 2016-05-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether all children in Calais with valid family reunion claims and the first 300 of those children identified as most at risk will be re-located to the UK in time for the start of the new school year in September 2016.

    James Brokenshire

    Both Governments are clear that migrants in Calais in need of protection should claim asylum in France. The UK will consider requests to take responsibility of an asylum application made in France, where an asylum claim is lodged by a minor with close family connections in the UK and both governments are committed to ensuring such cases are prioritised. To assist the handling of these cases the UK and France have established a senior level standing committee, agreed single points of contact within respective Dublin Units and the UK seconded an asylum expert to the French administration to facilitate the improvement of all stages of the process of identifying, protecting and transferring relevant cases to the UK. Since February 2016 the UK has accepted over 30 requests from France under the Dublin Regulation to take charge of asylum seeking children on family grounds of which more than 20 have already been transferred to the UK.