Tag: Lord Patten

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Patten on 2016-01-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 9 December 2015 (HL4410), whether any other Commonwealth countries prohibit the public observance of any religion other than Islam; and what discussions they have held with the Commonwealth authorities over freedom of religion.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Further to my previous answer there are no other Commonwealth countries where the public observance of any religion other than Islam is prohibited. We continue to believe that all Commonwealth members should abide by the Commonwealth Charter which emphasises the need to promote tolerance, respect, understanding, moderation and religious freedom as critical steps in promoting peace and prosperity.

At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta in November 2015, Heads reaffirmed the importance of human rights. They recognised that freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and freedom of religion or belief are cornerstones of democratic societies, and important for the enjoyment of all human rights, including the right to development, and are fundamental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. They also emphasised the need to protect individuals from all forms of violence and discrimination.

We will continue to raise individual cases and highlight practices and laws that discriminate against people on the basis of their religion or belief with those countries concerned. We will also continue to encourage Commonwealth partners to embrace the values set out in the Commonwealth Charter, including the freedom of religion or belief. We also look forward to discussing freedom of religion and other issues with the new Commonwealth Secretary General when she takes up office in April.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Patten on 2016-03-22.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the definition of the term Commonwealth values” when used by that organisation.”

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We believe that Commonwealth values are those set out clearly in the Commonwealth Charter which was adopted by Heads of Government on 14 December 2012. These include democracy, human rights, international peace and security, through to gender equality and the role of civil society. We will continue to work with the Commonwealth Secretariat to ensure that commitments in the Charter are upheld, adhered to and kept under review by member governments, parliaments and civil society organisations. Hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2018 will give us the opportunity to build on the excellent progress made in Malta and reinforce the need for all members to observe the values outlined in the Charter.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Patten on 2016-05-04.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many single line tracks there are on passenger lines within a 120 mile radius of all London rail stations; and what they are.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

This is an operational matter for Network Rail and London Underground.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Patten on 2016-09-05.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 19 July (HL1204), whether they will now list the competent courts that can recognise genocide.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We continue to believe that recognition of genocide should be a matter for competent courts, decided by judges after consideration of all the evidence available in the context of a credible judicial process. A recent example was in March 2016, when the Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) convicted Radovan Karadžić of one count of genocide (along with other crimes) and sentenced him to forty years imprisonment. The UK is fully committed to the principle that there must be no impunity for the most serious international crimes.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Patten on 2015-11-30.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made representations either directly or via Commonwealth mechanisms to the government of Malaysia concerning the current prosecution of the cartoonist professionally known as Zunar.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We have repeatedly lobbied for the repeal of this act at the highest levels, including by the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend, the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), when he visited Malaysia in July. Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London and our High Commission in Malaysia have met Zunar a number of times, most recently in October. We continue to follow his case closely.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Patten on 2016-01-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the utility for rail resilience purposes of the Yeovil to Exeter railway line when the Castle Cary/Taunton to Exeter St Davids railway line is blocked.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

As part of the resilience element of its Western Route Study, Network Rail assessed the route requirements which would support the diversion of an hourly Great Western Railway (GWR) service from Exeter to Castle Cary via Taunton to Exeter to Castle Cary via Yeovil in the event that the relevant section of the Great Western Main line is restricted by, for example, engineering works or severe weather.

This assessment concluded that additional infrastructure would be required to accommodate a combination of an additional hourly service between Exeter St Davids and Axminster and an hourly diversionary GWR service.

A copy of the Western Route Study has been placed in the Library.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Patten on 2016-03-22.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Commonwealth countries as trading partners for British exporters.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Shared systems and language mean the cost of trade between Commonwealth countries is estimated at 19 per cent lower than with non-Commonwealth countries. Increasing trade across the Commonwealth is a UK priority. The UK is committed to helping the Commonwealth unlock its vast potential in the area of trade and will use the opportunity of hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2018 to do so.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Patten on 2016-05-04.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 25 April (HL7529), whether badger predation on hedgehogs is increasing or decreasing.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble

There has been no assessment of whether badger predation on hedgehogs is increasing or decreasing. Badgers have, however, been identified as one of a range of factors that could potentially have an impact on hedgehog populations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Patten on 2016-09-05.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the effect on relations between the UK and Turkey of the closure of media outlets in Turkey following the attempted coup of 15 July.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Following the failed coup on 15 July the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Sir Alan Duncan), travelled to Ankara on 20 and 21 July to express the Government’s support for Turkey’s democratically elected government. He also emphasised to senior politicians the need for Turkey to adhere to international human rights obligations in the aftermath of the coup and during the imposition of a state of emergency, including press freedom and the rule of law. The Government continues to follow events there closely.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Patten on 2015-11-30.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to announce plans before 2020 to replace the single track railway lines between Salisbury and Exeter with double track railway lines in order to further promote economic growth in that region.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

In August 2015 Network Rail published the outcome of the Wessex and Western Route Studies undertaken by the rail industry. This includes a review of the future demand on the line between London, Salisbury and Exeter.

The Government expects to set out in July 2017 its investment plan for the railways during 2019 to 2024 and will take account of the industry proposals in developing this plan.