We recognise that there are human rights concerns in both India-administered-Kashmir and Pakistan-administered-Kashmir. We encourage all states to ensure domestic laws are in line with international standards. Any allegation of human rights abuse is deeply concerning and must be investigated thoroughly, promptly and transparently. The continued use of detentions and the continued restrictions on communications are worrying. It is important that individual rights are fully respected and that there is constructive dialogue with affected communities. We have raised our concerns with the Governments of India and Pakistan.

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We have regular contact with the Government of India at all levels. The Foreign Secretary met the Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr Jaishankar on 1 August at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Bangkok. The Foreign Ministers discussed a range of issues including UK-India bilateral relations, regional issues and opportunities for the future. They have spoken on the telephone subsequently.

We have regular contact with the Government of Pakistan at all levels. The most recent high level contact was on 23 September, when the Prime Minister met Prime Minister Imran Khan in the margins of the UN General Assembly. They discussed the strong bilateral relations between the UK and Pakistan, Kashmir, the upcoming visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and regional issues, including tensions with Iran and peace efforts in Afghanistan.​

I refer the honourable member to PQ 293428.

We are following the situation in Kashmir closely and are in regular contact with the Governments of India and Pakistan. The Foreign Secretary has raised his concerns about the situation with the Indian Minister for External Affairs Dr Jaishankar. In addition to this the Prime Minister has spoken to both Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Imran Khan about the situation, underlining the importance of maintaining dialogue. Most recently he discussed the issue with Prime Minister Khan in New York on 23 September. The Minister of State responsible for South Asia has also had regular engagement with the Indian and Pakistani High Commissioners and raised the situation in Kashmir with Minister Naqvi during their meeting in New Delhi on 3 October. Events in Kashmir can have regional and international implications and we continue to urge calm and caution from all.

The hon. Gentleman will be pleased to hear that I can confirm that there will continue to be an A&E at King George Hospital, Ilford. The NHS has concluded that there is need for such provision now and in future.

The BBC is operationally and editorially independent from government and the government cannot intervene in the BBC’s day-to-day operations, including distribution.

We understand that, where BBC channels are made available without the BBC’s permission outside of the UK, it will take appropriate action to close these services down.

The latest date in which an EU citizen can submit a UC1 form to register as an elector in the European Parliament elections is 12 working days before the date of the election. This is based on regulations contained within Representation of the People Act 1983, Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001, Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001, and Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2008.

The rules governing the conduct of European Parliament elections provide for poll cards only to be sent to individuals who are registered to vote in the poll or an individual who has been appointed to vote as proxy for an elector. There is no provision for poll cards to be issued to any other individuals.

Council Directive 93/109/EC requires all Member States to send the details of any EU citizens' declarations to their Home State to ensure an EU citizen does not vote twice, both here and in another EU country. The Council Directive specifies that this has to be done "sufficiently in advance of polling day"

The latest date in which an EU citizen can submit a UC1 form to register as an elector in the European Parliament elections is 12 working days before the date of the election. This is based on regulations contained within Representation of the People Act 1983, Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001, Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001, and Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2008.

The rules governing the conduct of European Parliament elections provide for poll cards only to be sent to individuals who are registered to vote in the poll or an individual who has been appointed to vote as proxy for an elector. There is no provision for poll cards to be issued to any other individuals.

Council Directive 93/109/EC requires all Member States to send the details of any EU citizens' declarations to their Home State to ensure an EU citizen does not vote twice, both here and in another EU country. The Council Directive specifies that this has to be done "sufficiently in advance of polling day.

A list of Executive Agencies is included in Public Bodies 2018-19. This can be found by following this link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-bodies-2018-19-report

Alternatively, a copy is also available in the House Library using the following details: Public Bodies 2018-19: 2019-0385

Under the current Immigration Rules there are two routes available for non-EU nationals. The first, Tier 2 Ministers of Religion, is for those playing a leading role as faith leaders in our religious institutions. The second route, Tier 5 Religious Workers, is for those undertaking non-pastoral roles supporting the activities of these institutions. Our intention is to continue to attract those who bring a range of skills, including those who make valuable contributions to the enjoyment of faith and community across the UK.

Late last year I met Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Glasgow and President of the Bishops’ Conference, and discussed a number of issues with him, including the UK’s forthcoming exit from the European Union. Since then the Government has published its White Paper on the future immigration system, and I fully expect the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland will wish to engage with the Home Office on its particular circumstances and requirements.

The Home Office is the lead Department in relation to these issues. I understand that the Minister of State for Immigration wrote to faith leaders in mid-December, setting out both the detail and rationale for the changes and guidance is currently being prepared.

The recently published White Paper on the future immigration system, sets out our intention to continue to attract those who bring a range of skills, including those who make valuable contributions to the enjoyment of faith and community across the UK.

In the future, there will be a single skills-based system. Under current arrangements, which we will look to build on, there are two routes available for non-EU nationals. The first, Tier 2 Ministers of Religion is for those play-ing a leading role as faith leaders in our religious institutions. The second route, Tier 5 Religious Workers is for those undertaking non-pastoral roles supporting the activities of these institutions. We are embarking on an ex-tensive programme of engagement and will be talking to representatives of a range of faith and community groups, including from the Catholic Church.

Since the Department was created its Trade Policy Group (TPG) has grown to Approximately 470 people at the end of October 2018, bringing together trade policy, country specialists and experts on trade policy issues. A number of DIT staff in offshore posts are also undertaking work on market access trade policy issues.

Typically, a trade negotiation will involve teams of differing sizes, with expertise relevant to the specific chapters or sectors being negotiated as part of that agreement which will differ for each but will be drawn primarily from DIT TPG. The exact make up will depend on the complexity and scope of any agreement and would be staffed by DIT policy officials with the involvement of expertise from other Departments. These officials are not designated negotiators specifically.

In addition other DIT staff will also be involved in supporting the negotiators and for instance, handling relations with Parliament and external stakeholders.

Crossrail Limited, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Transport for London, is currently working on a revised delivery plan. Crossrail Limited has committed to delivering the full Elizabeth line services as quickly as possible once the central tunnels have been completed, to provide a service that will carry up to 200 million passengers a year.

The anticipated final costs of the Crossrail project are yet to be confirmed. It is expected the project will be completed within the funding envelope of £17.6bn. The Department is working with Transport for London, for whom Crossrail Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary.

The Department provides some specific central support in the form of capital loans and public dividend capital. The details of all financial assistance provided by the Department to individual National Health Service trusts and foundation trusts, including capital loans and public dividend capital, under section 40 of the National Health Service Act 2006 are published annually alongside the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts.

The largest centrally allocated capital programme over the period to 2022 is the sustainability and transformation partnerships (STP) capital programme. The following table shows the announced value of capital investment in STP schemes for London NHS trusts. The breakdown of funding in individual years will be determined - once they complete the standard full business case process.

Notes:

¹Further funding is beyond the period to 2022-23 and contributions will also be from other funding sources. Part of the Camden and Islington funding is in the form of a bridging loan in advance of land disposal receipts.

²All funding for this scheme expected to be provided in 2018-19.

In addition, future funding has been allocated for some large capital schemes to specific London providers and as follows:

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

- there remains around £52.6 million available which was allocated specifically for the introduction of proton beam therapy; and

- there remains around £96.9 million available for the ongoing development of the haematology and short stay surgery, and head and neck services.