The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2015-12-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with business and tourism representatives in Northern Ireland on the Davies Commission and increased airport capacity in the south east of England.
Mr Robert Goodwill
There have been no discussions with business and tourism representatives in Northern Ireland on the Davies Commission and increased airport capacity in the south east of England.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2016-06-08.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions she has had with the devolved administrations on her Department’s priorities.
Sir Desmond Swayne
DFID Ministers have met Scottish Government Ministers on two occasions in the past year. DFID officials have met officials of the devolved administrations to discuss respective priorities on a number of occasions.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2016-07-07.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the Joint Agency Task Force; and if she will make a statement.
Mrs Theresa Villiers
I attended a Security Interface meeting on 4 July 2016 with Clare Sugden MLA, Minister of Justice for Northern Ireland, representatives of PSNI and senior representatives of the Department of Justice. We received an update on the work of the Joint Agency Task Force. The Task Force has presented its first report to the meeting of Justice Ministers in the framework of the Intergovernmental Agreement on co-operation on criminal justice matters, with an update on operational activity undertaken to date.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2016-09-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of training of assessors for asylum applications where religious persecution is the reason for the application.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The Home Office carefully considers all asylum claims on their individual merits, including claims based on religious persecution. We grant protection to those who genuinely need it in accordance with our international obligations under the Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights.
Published guidance on the interviewing and consideration of asylum claims is regularly reviewed and takes into consideration the views of stakeholders, including religious groups. The current training and support available for asylum caseworkers includes a the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees endorsed Foundation Training Programme. This, and follow-on courses, covers all aspects of the asylum interview and decision making process, including the assessment of credibility and country information in religious based claims. Real-life case studies and role-play are used throughout the training programme to reinforce knowledge and understanding of the issues.
We are carefully considering the report and recommendations of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief published in June 2016 and will provide a response in due course.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2014-07-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to prevent the use and development of nuclear weapons by North Korea; and what assessment he has made of the recent missile tests in the Gongwan Province.
Mr Hugo Swire
We remain extremely concerned by the continued development of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) nuclear and ballistic missile programme, and by its refusal to abide by UN Security Council resolutions. We continue to work closely with partners to press for implementation of the UN’s sanctions regime, to control the DPRK’s access to proliferation sensitive material and to prevent them from exporting arms and technology.
In the last few weeks the DPRK has undertaken a series of launches of short-range ballistic missiles, mainly of the SCUD class. No prior notice was given in advance of any of these launches. While it is likely that the DPRK is conducting these launches for training and development purposes, it is without doubt also using them to demonstrate its capability, and timing them to maximise political effect. We strongly condemn these, and we urge the DPRK to comply with all of its obligations under relevant UNSCRs and to refrain from any further provocations that cannot help but destabilise the peninsula and the wider region.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2014-07-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of recent changes in Japan’s constitution and its defence doctrine.
Mr Hugo Swire
The UK welcomes a more active role for Japan on international peace and security. These reforms, based on a reinterpretation of Japan’s constitution, will allow it to make a greater contribution to international peace and security, including through exercising its right under the UN Charter to collective self-defence. We have worked well with Japan in difficult security environments overseas and we welcome the prospect of greater practical cooperation in these areas.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2014-07-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to ensure that UK assistance to the Democratic Republic of Congo is not misused or misappropriated.
Justine Greening
DFID takes seriously tackling the misuse or misappropriation of UK Aid, and has a range of robust controls and measures in place to safeguard the UK taxpayers’ money.
In the DRC this includes regular rigorous risk assessments of the fiduciary environment to determine the way in which UK Aid is provided. Currently this means DFID funds in DRC are channelled through United Nations agencies and NGOs, rather than provided directly to the government. All partners selected are subject to pre-funding due diligence checks and regular scrutiny during implementation.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2014-07-15.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the success of steps taken to encourage and facilitate first time buyers and young people to get onto the property ladder.
Andrea Leadsom
The Help to Buy scheme is helping hardworking people realise their home-owning aspirations across the UK. Over 27,000 households have bought a new home through Help to Buy so far, and 85 per cent of these have been first-time buyers. Between 2011/12 and 2013/14 11,000 first time buyers were helped through the FirstBuy scheme
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2014-07-15.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his objectives are in negotiations with the Kenyan government on a memorandum of understanding for continued use of the Nanyuki training facility.
Mr Mark Francois
The current Memorandum of Understanding concerning UK and Kenyan military co-operation includes UK use of training facilities in Kenya. This covers all activities until April 2015, when a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is due to be signed. Constructive dialogue on the MOU continues, and we anticipate a successful outcome which will reflect the positions and requirements of the Kenyan and UK Governments, and permit continued military training in Kenya.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nigel Dodds on 2015-01-14.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic, humanitarian or consular assistance his Department has provided to Ms Maud Kells, the missionary from County Tyrone who was shot and wounded in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mr David Lidington
I was very concerned to hear the reports of a British national hospitalised after this shooting. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials in London and the Democratic Republic of Congo are providing consular assistance through direct contact with her, the charity she works for and the local doctors to ensure that she is being provided with medical treatment and support. We understand that the matter is being investigated by the local authorities. Background Ms Maude Kells a 75 year old Christian charity worker (WEC International) was shot in the shoulder on Sunday 4 January currently being treated in Nyunkunde Hospital, DRC. Post are in contact with Ms Kells, doctors and WEC International. The hospital has reported that Ms Kells is recovering well considering her injuries and she may be discharged in a few days time. Post confirm local authorities investigating. Press lines -“We can confirm the hospitalisation of a British national in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We are providing consular assistance.”