To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much the London Borough of Croydon received in total government grant in the last year; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much the London Borough of Croydon received in total government grant in the last year; and if he will make a statement.

Does the Foreign Secretary think that peace will not be forthcoming until Hamas renounces violence and can speak with a single voice? In Israel, we have seen the emergence of a moderate centre ground. Does he think that either condition is going to happen?

Does the Foreign Secretary think that peace will not be forthcoming until Hamas renounces violence and can speak with a single voice? In Israel, we have seen the emergence of a moderate centre ground. Does he think that either condition is going to happen?

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he plans to publish his Department's next six monthly report on Hong Kong.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he plans to publish his Department's next six monthly report on Hong Kong.

Q4

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Sir Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con):

Following the Chancellor’s significant commitment to London last week to create half a million jobs, build 100,000 new homes and invest £10 billion in transport infrastructure, does the Prime Minister agree that this is not just a long-term economic plan for London but, in stark contrast to other parties, which only offer London a mansion tax, is a commitment to make London the greatest capital city on earth?

Q4

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Sir Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con):

Following the Chancellor’s significant commitment to London last week to create half a million jobs, build 100,000 new homes and invest £10 billion in transport infrastructure, does the Prime Minister agree that this is not just a long-term economic plan for London but, in stark contrast to other parties, which only offer London a mansion tax, is a commitment to make London the greatest capital city on earth?

If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 25 February.

If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 25 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representatives of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government met the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office during his visit to that region in January 2015.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representatives of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government met the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office during his visit to that region in January 2015.

I share the Prime Minister’s disappointment over the delay to the Chilcot report, particularly given that the issue in 2009 was whether it would be published in time for the 2010 election, let alone the 2015 election. Does the Prime Minister agree that the invitation of the Foreign Affairs Committee to Sir John Chilcot to give evidence to us, not to point the finger of blame, but to give him a chance to explain the reasons for the delay, should be accepted to ensure that this situation never happens again?

I share the Prime Minister’s disappointment over the delay to the Chilcot report, particularly given that the issue in 2009 was whether it would be published in time for the 2010 election, let alone the 2015 election. Does the Prime Minister agree that the invitation of the Foreign Affairs Committee to Sir John Chilcot to give evidence to us, not to point the finger of blame, but to give him a chance to explain the reasons for the delay, should be accepted to ensure that this situation never happens again?

On the last point, is the Minister aware that Turkey has had more cases referred to the European Court of Human Rights than Putin’s Russia? Also, if Turkey wishes to be taken seriously, it must become a more reliable ally. Will he press Turkey to make its bases available to coalition aircraft and to control its border with Syria much more tightly than it is at the moment?

On the last point, is the Minister aware that Turkey has had more cases referred to the European Court of Human Rights than Putin’s Russia? Also, if Turkey wishes to be taken seriously, it must become a more reliable ally. Will he press Turkey to make its bases available to coalition aircraft and to control its border with Syria much more tightly than it is at the moment?

Given that Russia’s food import problems are due to the financial sanctions imposed on it by the EU because of Russia’s illegal behaviour in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, and given that yesterday the rouble had its worst day since the 1990s, does the Minister agree that financial sanctions will bring Russia to the negotiating table, and will he continue with them?

Given that Russia’s food import problems are due to the financial sanctions imposed on it by the EU because of Russia’s illegal behaviour in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, and given that yesterday the rouble had its worst day since the 1990s, does the Minister agree that financial sanctions will bring Russia to the negotiating table, and will he continue with them?

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the salary was at each payband used in her Department in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the salary was at each payband used in her Department in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014.

The point has just been made that the peshmerga are defending hundreds of miles of frontier with just rifles, and what they desperately need is equipment, equipment and equipment. To what extent is the Foreign Office liaising with our allies to make sure there is not a duplication of equipment and to enable us to supply the very important equipment they need?

The point has just been made that the peshmerga are defending hundreds of miles of frontier with just rifles, and what they desperately need is equipment, equipment and equipment. To what extent is the Foreign Office liaising with our allies to make sure there is not a duplication of equipment and to enable us to supply the very important equipment they need?

The Israeli defence forces have detected 18 Hamas-built tunnels and found 45 others extending from Gaza into Israel. Many of the tunnels in Gaza originate in civilian

areas, beneath homes, greenhouses and mosques. Does my hon. Friend agree that it is quite understandable that Israel seeks to find these tunnels and destroy them to protect its country and its civilians?

The Israeli defence forces have detected 18 Hamas-built tunnels and found 45 others extending from Gaza into Israel. Many of the tunnels in Gaza originate in civilian

areas, beneath homes, greenhouses and mosques. Does my hon. Friend agree that it is quite understandable that Israel seeks to find these tunnels and destroy them to protect its country and its civilians?

In the recent case of Nicklinson, on the question of assisted dying, Lord Neuberger, President of the Supreme Court, said that Parliament now had the opportunity to consider reforming the law in the knowledge that if Parliament does not act, the courts may. That could raise serious constitutional issues. Does the Prime Minister agree

that, whatever one’s views on the subject, the other place is to be commended for having a debate, but what the public really want is a debate in this House?

In the recent case of Nicklinson, on the question of assisted dying, Lord Neuberger, President of the Supreme Court, said that Parliament now had the opportunity to consider reforming the law in the knowledge that if Parliament does not act, the courts may. That could raise serious constitutional issues. Does the Prime Minister agree

that, whatever one’s views on the subject, the other place is to be commended for having a debate, but what the public really want is a debate in this House?

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the nationality and gender of each suspected victim of trafficking referred to the Trafficking Victim Support Scheme operated by the Salvation Army was in June 2014 in which (a) region and (b) county each of the suspected victims was...

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the nationality and gender of each suspected victim of trafficking referred to the Trafficking Victim Support Scheme operated by the Salvation Army was in June 2014 in which (a) region and (b) county each of the suspected victims was...

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the introduction of selective licensing in relevant areas and the level of private-sector rates; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the introduction of selective licensing in relevant areas and the level of private-sector rates; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when his Department plans to publish the conclusions of its review of property conditions in the private rented sector; and whether his Department plans to restrict borough-wide selective licensing schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when his Department plans to publish the conclusions of its review of property conditions in the private rented sector; and whether his Department plans to restrict borough-wide selective licensing schemes.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of increasing tax on businesses on public finances.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of increasing tax on businesses on public finances.

I welcome that answer. There is growing evidence that, in a number of sectors, where we have cut taxation, revenues are starting to rise. Does my right hon. Friend agree that those proposing increases in taxes are doing so for purely ideological reasons and because they are engaging in the politics of envy?

I welcome that answer. There is growing evidence that, in a number of sectors, where we have cut taxation, revenues are starting to rise. Does my right hon. Friend agree that those proposing increases in taxes are doing so for purely ideological reasons and because they are engaging in the politics of envy?

Nigeria is, in effect, two countries with an affluent south and a poor north that is part of a new front line of violent extremism in the western Sahel. Does the Minister agree that we need a robust security response? When the Foreign Affairs Committee looked at regional co-operation in our recent inquiry, we found a lack of clarity about where the responsibilities for the response lay. Could the Minister look at that?

Nigeria is, in effect, two countries with an affluent south and a poor north that is part of a new front line of violent extremism in the western Sahel. Does the Minister agree that we need a robust security response? When the Foreign Affairs Committee looked at regional co-operation in our recent inquiry, we found a lack of clarity about where the responsibilities for the response lay. Could the Minister look at that?

Does the Minister agree that there is a read-across between Ukraine and TTIP, with some seeing TTIP as an economic NATO? Binding the EU and the US together is bound to have political and geostrategic implications, and TTIP can become a symbol of Atlantic solidarity that may well check Russian imperialism.

Does the Minister agree that there is a read-across between Ukraine and TTIP, with some seeing TTIP as an economic NATO? Binding the EU and the US together is bound to have political and geostrategic implications, and TTIP can become a symbol of Atlantic solidarity that may well check Russian imperialism.