To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which areas alternative livelihood projects have been set up in Afghanistan; and what estimate has been made of the numbers of farmers participating. (127127)

I have been asked to reply.

DFID's Livelihoods programme, worth nearly £150 million from 2006-09, helps support the Government of Afghanistan's National Priority Programmes aimed at developing alternative legal livelihood opportunities. These programmes address the multiple constraints that prevent farmers from moving away from poppy cultivation, including access to credit, markets and productive infrastructure. DFID receives regular progress reports from each of the programmes it funds. The following table shows DFID's contribution to these programmes. It highlights achievements and the number of beneficiaries to date.

DFID has also provided £3 million to support the Research in Alternative Livelihoods Fund (RALF), which performs research into potential agricultural livelihoods options for rural Afghans. In addition, we support the Development of Sustainable Agriculture Livelihoods project in the Eastern Hazarajat (SALEH). This provides new and innovative ways for farmers to make a living in Eastern Hazarajat, for example, through honey-bee keeping and potato farming.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps her Department is taking to meet the Government's commitment to strengthen the work of the UK-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Lashkar Gar in Helmand province as set out in the Enduring Relationship Action Plan 2006-07. (128613)

Through the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Helmand Province, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials are leading a cross-governmental team in which development, governance, stabilisation, and police advisers are already working with the provincial government and local organisations to increase their capacity and to increase the stretch of the central Government. The PRT is now being strengthened by an additional five FCO officers to assist in this work. The Enduring Relationship Declaration and Action Plan highlights the UK's long term commitment to Afghanistan and its people, as they strive to achieve stability, security and prosperity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Chevening Scholarships have been awarded to Afghan students since 2001; and what plans there are to widen access to Chevening Scholarships for Afghan students. (128595)

There has been a total of 84 Chevening Scholarships awarded to Afghan students since 2001.

Additionally, there were nine Chevening Fellowships awarded to Afghan students during this period.

For 2007-08 sufficient funding has been allocated to increase the number of Afghan Chevening students from 10 to 16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance and support is available to British citizens living and working abroad in countries other than EU countries, and who are married to a local citizen, if they are attacked or injured. (130887)

We can provide consular assistance to British nationals overseas, subject to certain exceptions for dual nationals, whether or not they normally live in the UK. The consular assistance we can provide to British nationals who are victims of crime or require medical assistance is set out in “Support for British nationals abroad: A Guide”. This is also available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at www.fco.gov.uk A copy of the Consular Guide has also been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 19 February 2007, Official Report, column 11W, on Burma, whether the UK is advocating a strengthening of the EU Common Position on Burma; and if she will make a statement. (128602)

We believe that the present EU Common Position on Burma is the best achievable, given the views of some of our partners. Any additional measures would need the support of all other EU member states as the Common Position can only be amended by consensus. We do not believe that there would be consensus to amend the Common Position.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will take steps to strengthen the EU Common Position on Burma when it comes up for renewal. (130529)

The EU Common Position on Burma is adopted by consensus. Any amendment or strengthening of the Common Position needs to be agreed unanimously. Our discussions within the EU have indicated there is no consensus to amend the Common Position. Given the views of some of our EU partners, we believe that the current Common Position is currently the best achievable policy. Despite criticisms of it, the Common Position is valuable in uniting 27 nations in an expression of concern about the abuse of human rights and lack of democracy inside Burma.

I raised the appalling human rights situation in Burma at the EU-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers' meeting in Nuremberg on 15 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what reports she has received of the recent military activity by the Burmese Army in Karen state; and if she will make a statement; (130851)

We are aware of reports from the Free Burma Rangers of recent military activity in Mon Township and Papun District and the displacement of up to 1,400 people. Officials from our Embassy in Rangoon do not have access to conflict areas and cannot confirm the number of displaced people. We have repeatedly condemned attacks on civilians and remain concerned about the situation in conflict areas in Burma which has resulted in a significant increase in the number of internally displaced people and refugees on the Thai/Burmese border.

I raised our serious concerns about the Burmese army’s offensive in Karen state when I called in the Burmese Ambassador on 15 June 2006 and wrote to the Burmese Foreign Minister on 5 July 2006.

Most recently, I raised the Burmese regime’s appalling human rights record at the EU-Association of Southeast Asian Nations ministerial meeting in Nuremberg on 15 March in the presence of the Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment she has made of the implications of reports she has received in the treatment of women of ethnic minorities in Burma by the Burmese Army for initiatives to improve the Burmese Government's record in human rights; and if she will make a statement; (131130)

We are aware of the report “Unsafe State” published by the Women’s League of Chinland, documenting the abuses of Chin women at the hands of the Burmese authorities.

On 24 January, I met representatives from the Women’s League of Chinland and the Chin Human Rights Organisation to discuss the many difficulties faced by the Chin community in Burma, including sexual violence.

We condemn the use of all forms of sexual violence and all other human rights violations. I raised the issue of sexual violence directly with the Burmese ambassador on 15 June 2006 and again in my letter to the Burmese Foreign Minister on 5 July 2006. I have raised our concerns about the human rights situation in Burma with the Governments of India, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea.

I raised Burma at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 13 March. Most recently, I raised our concerns about Burma at the EU-Association of Southeast Asian Nations ministerial meeting on 15 March in the presence of the Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister.

We have helped to ensure that resolutions at the UN General Assembly have called for an end to the use of rape and sexual violence by the armed forces in Burma. We shall continue, bilaterally and with international partners, to urge the Burmese regime to pursue laws and practices which will put an end to the Burmese army’s use of sexual violence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what legal steps the Government has taken to enforce the Geneva Convention following the statement in the report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Burma on human rights abuses in conflict areas and humanitarian law. (131421)

We have repeatedly called on the Burmese Government to comply with all international law and applicable humanitarian law and raised our concerns directly with the regime and in international fora most recently when I raised the issue in my intervention at the EU-Association of South East Asian Nations Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Nuremberg on 14 March.

We fully support the work of Professor Pinheiro, the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma, and his reports on the Burmese regime’s serious human rights violations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total cost of the United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg was in 2005-06; and what the budgeted cost for the mission is in 2006-07. (130770)

The local budget spend for financial year 2005-06 was £403,952 and is estimated to be £409,551 in 2006-07. This covers rent, rates, maintenance, furniture and utilities for all property, locally engaged staff pay (including pensions and social security), official travel and official vehicle costs, entertainment and other purchased goods and services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) diplomatic service staff and (b) locally recruited staff are employed at the United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, broken down by pay grade. (130771)

There are five diplomatic staff at Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) pay grades A2, B3, C4, D7 and SMS2 and five locally recruited staff; two at FCO pay grades LEIIIA and one each at grades LEIIIB, LEIV and LEVc, employed at the UK Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the floor area is of rented accommodation occupied by the UK Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg; what the costs associated with that accommodation were in the last year for which figures are available; what the floor area is of accommodation owned by the UK Government in Strasbourg; what the running costs of those buildings were in the last year for which figures are available; and what the latest open market valuation is of those buildings. (130772)

The floor space of rented accommodation occupied by the UK Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg is 940 square metres. This figure was 1,052 square metres in financial year 2005-06 and the rental costs were a total of £89,914.

The floor space of the only property owned by the Government in Strasbourg is 635 square metres.

Current accounting practices provide for a breakdown of running costs (utilities, rates, repairs and refurbishment) between residential and office accommodation, but not between owned and rented accommodation. The running costs for all accommodation in 2005-06 was £79,763, £46,068 for residential accommodation and £33,695 for office accommodation.

The latest valuation of the one owned property is £715,139 based on a 2006 survey.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials from Government Departments and agencies attended meetings at the Council of Europe (a) in Strasbourg and (b) elsewhere in each year between 2003 and 2006; how many visits for that purpose were made in each year; and how many overnight stays were associated with those visits in each year. (130773)

There are approximately 80 Council of Europe committees attended by officials from Government Departments. The Government do not hold central records on all these attendances, the majority of which are independent of the UK Delegation to the Council of Europe based in Strasbourg. Several of the committees themselves have changed in structure and membership over the three-year period and are unlikely to maintain detailed attendance records. The information in the form requested is therefore not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will list the former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 who have since been appointed to public bodies by her Department, broken down by party; and who was responsible for making each appointment. (130137)

I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to her by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Middle East on 19 December 2005, Official Report, column 2491W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people in her Department participated in (a) involuntary and (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 1997-98; and if she will make a statement. (131548)

The number of officers who took early retirement from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on compensatory early retirement terms since 1997 are as follows:

We have not been able to identify the number of officers who departed involuntarily within these figures. To check individual records for this purpose would incur disproportionate cost. It is our policy to do all we can to avoid or minimise compulsory redundancies.

All the officers departed under the provisions of the civil service compensation schemes. As a result of the 2004 spending round we have carried out a restructuring exercise since 2004 to realise efficiency savings. This early retirement programme will enable us to reduce the size of the senior management structure in the FCO by 18 per cent. by 31 March 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people in her Department who participated in (a) involuntary and (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 1997-98 were paid between (i) £0 to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000; and if she will make a statement. (131553)

The following chart sets out the number of officers who have taken early retirement from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for each year since 2002 and the cost to the FCO of their compensation:

We are unable to supply the requested information for the years 1997 to 2002; as this information is not readily available. To check individual records for this purpose, and to identify officers who may have taken involuntary early retirement, would incur disproportionate cost. It is our policy to do all we can to avoid compulsory redundancies.

The terms of the compensation we paid to these officers were those set out in the standard civil service compensation schemes. The amount is determined chiefly by age and pension entitlements.

As a result of the 2004 spending review we have carried out a restructuring exercise since 2004 to realise efficiency savings. This early retirement programme will enable us to reduce the size of the senior management structure in the FCO by 18 per cent. by 31 March 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with EU partners on sharing embassies; and if she will make a statement. (130505)

There have been no recent official ministerial discussions with EU partners on sharing embassies.

However, whenever a move of British Mission premises is under consideration, and where appropriate, officials explore the possibilities for co-location with EU partners and others.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many foreign language speakers were employed in the diplomatic service in each year between 1997 and 2006, broken down by language spoken. (130294)

The following table shows the total number of Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff employed as of March 2007 who have a language qualification in one of the priority languages recorded on the FCO management information system.

FCO staff will have varying degrees of fluency in these priority languages. In order to provide a year on year breakdown of language qualifications we would need to extract both the start and end dates of the qualification. This information was not mandatory on the previous management information system and any breakdown would not provide a true reflection of the total number of staff who have a language qualification.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason the practice by retiring ambassadors of sending valedictory telegrams has ceased. (129829)

[holding answer 29 March 2007]: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is constantly modernising the way we operate. All Heads of Mission overseas are encouraged to provide their frank and confidential advice on policy and management issues at all stages of their posting, not just at the end. Modern communications allow this to be done in a more targeted way than the traditional valedictory telegram.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will place in the Library a copy of the valedictory telegram sent by Ambassador Roberts on the conclusion of his ambassadorship to Italy and his retirement from the diplomatic service. (129850)

[holding answer 29 March 2007]: Sir Ivor Roberts provided advice in his valedictory telegram on a confidential basis. Placing a copy of this telegram in the Library of the House would be likely to inhibit the frank and confidential provision of advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures (a) have taken place and (b) are planned in the UK by the EU Gender Institute; and if she will make a statement. (130662)

I have been asked to reply.

The regulation establishing the Institute entered into force on 19 January 2007.

The Management Board is in the process of being set up.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs following the statement in the Berlin Declaration, whether it is the Government's policy to support a treaty to give effect to the statement that member states are united in the aim of placing the European Union on a renewed common basis before the European Parliament elections in 2009; and whether she agreed to the statement. (131161)

The Declaration, marking the 50th anniversary signing of the Treaties of Rome, is a political statement recalling the historic achievements of the last 50 years, and looking ahead to the challenges that we, the member states of the EU, need to face together. It was right that the UK was part of that celebration.

The Declaration was drafted by the German Presidency although they consulted member states, in the course of that process, on elements they wished to see included.

At present, there is no consensus among EU member states on the future of the Constitutional Treaty. The German Presidency will present a report to the June European Council on the state of discussions on the question. The Government make no presumption on the outcome of these discussions. Their approach was set out in my written ministerial statement of 5 December 2006, Official Report, columns 10-11WS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the UK is taking under the Europe for Citizens programme (EU budget code 15 01 04 66); and if she will make a statement. (130639)

I have been asked to reply.

The UK supports the new Europe for Citizens Programme, which runs until 2013. The Government hope that citizens in the UK will take up opportunities the programme offers. These include co-operation projects such as town twinning, structural support for civil society organisations of general European interest and the preservation of the main sites and archives associated with the deportations and the commemoration of the victims of Nazism and Stalinism. The judging of eligible projects will be carried out by independent assessors from member states co-ordinated in Brussels by the Commission. As with all such EU programmes, bureaucracy is being reduced to make it easier for UK citizens to join with their counterparts in other EU countries in participating.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of Iraqi civilian fatalities since the 2003 invasion. (131113)

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 25 January 2007, Official Report, columns 1950-51W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government’s policy is on disputes which might be considered by international courts or tribunals relating to the ownership and extraction rights of oil in Iraq. (130784)

The Government have no policy on this matter. It is for the Government of Iraq to choose what measures it puts in place to resolve disputes in relation to its hydrocarbon sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what types of oil contracts her Department has considered for recommendation to the Iraqi Government; what representations her Department received from international oil companies on such contracts prior to making recommendations to the Iraqi Government; and what contract preferences were expressed by companies in such representations. (130785)

We have made no recommendations to the Government of Iraq on the types of contract to include in its hydrocarbons legislation. We continue to urge Iraqi Ministers and officials to consider the benefits of a broad range of contract types and not to rule any out prematurely.

We have received no representations from international oil companies recommending particular contract types.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what definition she uses of (a) ‘production-sharing agreements’ for oil extraction and (b) ‘exploration and production contracts’ in the draft Iraqi hydrocarbons legislation. (130786)

There is no mention of the term “production- sharing agreements” in Iraq’s draft hydrocarbons legislation. The term ‘exploration and production contract’ does appear in the draft hydrocarbons legislation. However, interpretation of Iraqi legislation is a matter for the Government of Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the restrictions on political liberty in Kazakhstan imposed by the Kazakh Government through the suspension of the registration of the Kazakh Conservative Party, the intimidation restrictions to freedom of speech and denial of fair access to political competition of party leaders and members; and if she will make a statement. (131383)

We welcome the steps made by the Government of Kazakhstan since the December 2005 presidential election towards political reform and democratisation. These include in April 2006 the removal from the Election Law of the prohibition on the right of freedom of assembly in the period between the end of voting and publication of official results in elections. In February 2007, President Nazarbayev also created a working group to implement the key recommendations of the State Commission on Democratisation including the strengthening of Parliament's powers and increasing the authority of local town councils.

Political pluralism has been affected negatively by recent legislation which restricts freedom of expression, association and assembly. The powers of the Parliament and Government and the independence of the judiciary could be further enhanced to introduce checks and balances into the system of administration.

We welcome the registration on 26 January of one of the main opposition parties, the Social Democratic Party. There is no party officially registered, or seeking to register, as the Kazakh Conservative Party. Two centre-right parties, Alga! (Forward) and Atameken (Fatherland), have outstanding registration applications which have not yet been approved. In conjunction with EU partners and other interested parties, we will continue to encourage democratic progress in Kazakhstan and provide suitable assistance where possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the Government of Nigeria on the recent murder of a school teacher in Gombe City; and if she will make a statement. (130672)

We have not made representations to the Nigerian Government about the tragic killing of the teacher in Gombe. However, our high commission in Abuja has asked a leading Nigerian inter-faith group to make inquiries about the incident and brief them on their findings. It is important that the incident is also properly investigated by the appropriate Nigerian authorities. Through the high commission in Abuja we are sponsoring work by civil society organisations to promote inter-faith dialogue and prevent incidents of this kind.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment she has made of religious freedom in Northern Nigeria; and what steps she has taken to work with the Nigerian Government on minimising the likelihood of religious freedom abuses in the future. (130673)

There are tensions and frequent clashes between Christians and Muslims in northern Nigeria, and regular reports of discrimination, mainly against Christians. Religion is the pretext for most clashes, but many Nigerian religious leaders acknowledge that the root causes often lie in struggles for political power, scarce resources and ethnic dominance at local level.

Through our high commission in Abuja we are actively supporting projects to address religious tensions in northern Nigeria, as part of our efforts to prevent conflict and promote human rights in Nigeria as a whole. This includes the funding of training for police and magistrates in the humane application of Sharia law, and the work of non-governmental organisations to establish local early warning and conflict prevention mechanisms. Federal authorities and Government agencies, such as the Nigerian Police Force, are involved in these activities where appropriate, as are state Governments and senior religious leaders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UK position is on the legality of (a) marketing in the UK and (b) purchasing from the UK property for sale in settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories which are deemed illegal according to international law; and what advice the Government give to British companies and organisations on the legal status of such transactions. (130813)

We regard all settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as illegal under international law and have repeatedly raised our concerns about settlement activity with the Israeli Government. The Government do not advise or encourage companies and organisations to market or sell property in the settlements, however it is not unlawful to do so under UK law.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what the UK position is on the purchasing in the UK of property in settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories which are deemed illegal according to international law; and if she will make a statement; (131286)

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Richard Burden) today (UIN 130813).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations her Department has (a) made to the Government of the Philippines and (b) received on extra-judicial killings of political activists; what discussions she has had with counterparts in the EU on human rights abuses in the Philippines; and if she will make a statement. (130733)

We continue to be concerned about extra-judicial killings in the Philippines. We have urged the Philippine Government to address the problem, including through the appropriate involvement of the international community. In this regard, we welcomed the visit by Philip Alston, the UN special rapporteur on extra-judicial killings, to the Philippines in February and will encourage the Philippine Government to follow Professor Alston’s recommendations. In August 2006, President Arroyo appointed a special commission to investigate the killings. The Melo Commission, headed by ex-Supreme Court Justice Jose Melo, concluded its investigations and produced a report of its findings in February. President Arroyo recently extended the tenure of the Melo Commission until June 2007, after which the Philippine Commission on Human Rights will investigate the issue further. President Arroyo has made a request to the EU to provide technical assistance for the investigation of extra-judicial killings. We will look at this positively. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received letters from members of the public and hon. Members, as well as some parliamentary questions, about extra-judicial killings. On 21 March, the UK raised the issue at a European Council working group meeting for Oceania and Asia affairs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which UK diplomatic missions (a) hosted and (b) did not host parties to celebrate HM The Queen’s birthday in 2006. (131103)

The information the hon. Member has requested can be found in the following table:

Queen’s Birthday Parties (QBP)

Official celebrations in Her Majesty The Queen’s realms and in the UK’s Overseas Territories come under the auspices of the respective governor-general/governor of those countries and territories.

It was agreed (in 2003) with Buckingham Palace that QBPs need not take place every year. The frequency is at the discretion of the Head of Post, but a full reception should be held at least once during their tenure. In other years, smaller events such as a lunch may be held, according to local custom, though the birthday should be marked in some fashion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on the recent Russia-Latvia treaty signed to formalise their mutual border. (131262)

We welcomed the news that Latvia and Russia signed a border treaty on 27 March. We fully aligned ourselves with the EU presidency declaration of 28 March, in which the EU welcomed its signature and looked forward to the swift ratification of the treaty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2007, Official Report, column 2017W, on Somalia, what discussions she has had with her (a) Ethiopian and (b) other African Union counterparts on the recent violence in Somalia; whether she has changed her assessment of the status of the Union of Islamic Courts following these discussions; and if she will make a statement. (130421)

We are in close contact with both the African Union (AU) and the Ethiopian Government about the recent fighting in Somalia, which we utterly condemn. The Government calls on all parties in Somalia to reject violence and commit to peaceful dialogue. We are working with the AU and other members of the international community to try to facilitate the swift and effective deployment of the AU stabilisation mission to Somalia in order to create the conditions for Ethiopia to withdraw, whilst avoiding a security vacuum.

The Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) ceased to exist as an organisation after its collapse in December 2006. The Government have therefore not changed their assessment of the UIC, as given in my answer to the hon. Member on 7 March 2007, Official Report, column 2017W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on the recent violence in Somalia; what assessment she has made of the likely impact of the violence on the further deployment of the African Union Mission in Somalia; and if she will make a statement. (130257)

The recent violence in Mogadishu represents a very real threat to the prospects for stability in Somalia. We condemn the attacks against African Union (AU) and other forces and call on those responsible to desist, and to work alongside the transitional federal institutions and the AU in helping to restore governance to Somalia. We continue to believe that an AU stabilisation force is the most effective way of assisting Somalia to secure the stability and peace its people so badly want.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the humanitarian impact of the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia; what discussions she has had with her (a) United States and (b) Kenyan counterparts on the treatment of Somalian refugees; and if she will make a statement. (130423)

We are very concerned about humanitarian conditions throughout Somalia. Although food security appears to have improved compared to 2006, the current high risk of conflict may generate widespread additional humanitarian needs. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, up to 100,000 more people may have been displaced since early February.

According to UN agencies, humanitarian conditions in the refugee camps are difficult, with ongoing high levels of child malnutrition. The Kenyan authorities have gone to great lengths in offering shelter to the 174,000 Somalis currently believed to be in camps, and they have legitimate security concerns about the influx of large numbers of Somalis. However, we remain concerned that, since the beginning of the year, they have denied entry to the camps to some Somalis genuinely seeking to flee from conflict. Our high commissioner in Nairobi raised the issue of the border closure with the Kenyan Minister of Foreign Affairs in early January. And the UK has supported a similar approach by the EU presidency. The UK participated in a US-hosted senior level donor round table in late January about the humanitarian impact of the closure of the border with Somalia and we have ongoing discussions with the USAID Office for Disaster Assistance and the USAID Office of Food for Peace about remedial action.

The UK was the second largest bilateral humanitarian donor to Somalia in 2006 and committed £16 million towards emergency relief activities through the UN and non-governmental organisation partners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2007, Official Report, column 2017W, on Somalia: official visits, when she expects Ethiopian troops to complete their withdrawal from Somalia; and if she will make a statement. (130258)

We understand Ethiopia has been gradually withdrawing its forces over the past weeks.

At the same time, we recognise that until an effective and appropriate alternative is in place a complete Ethiopian withdrawal could risk a dangerous security vacuum. For this reason, we strongly support the deployment of the Africa Union stabilisation force (AMISOM). The UK-sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 1744, unanimously adopted, explicitly authorises (the establishment of AMISOM and we have offered logistical, planning and financial support to the force to help it deploy as soon as possible. On UK contributions to AMISOM, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe (Mr. Hoon), today (UIN 130261).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2007, Official Report, column 2017W, on Somalia: official visits, what recent discussions she has had with her (a) United States and (b) EU counterparts on the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM); what commitments have been made to support AMISOM as a result of these discussions; and if she will make a statement. (130259)

My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, and officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, have been in frequent contact with US and EU colleagues, both bilaterally and in international fora, including the UN and the International Contact Group for Somalia, regarding the African Union’s (AU) stabilisation mission to Somalia (AMISOM). I have also discussed it with my EU colleagues at recent EU Foreign Ministers’ meetings. We urge a prompt, focused and co-ordinated international response to help Somalis seize this historic opportunity for stability, which is what Somalia needs above all.

AMISOM is a key element in bringing stability to Somalia. For this reason, the UK sponsored United Nations Security Council Resolution 1744, adopted unanimously on 20 February. The Resolution explicitly authorises the deployment of AMISOM, as well as recognising the need for a reconciliation and a political process in Somalia, and permitting support to the Transitional Federal Government and Institutions to develop their own security sector. We commend the AU for taking on this mission and are grateful to those countries that have so far offered to contribute personnel to AMISOM.

On UK contributions to AMISOM, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe, today (UIN 130261).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2007, Official Report, column 2017W, on Somalia: official visits, which African Union countries have pledged troop contributions to the African Union Mission in Somalia; how many troops they have pledged; when she expects those contributing to deploy those troops; and if she will make a statement. (130260)

Uganda has pledged nearly 1,700 troops to Somalia as part of the African Union (AU) stabilisation force (AMISOM), most of which we believe have now deployed. We understand that Ghana, Burundi, Nigeria and Malawi have also pledged troops to AMISOM, which would bring the total numbers to around 4,000, although the timeframe for these deployments remains unclear.

The UK has made clear its strong support for AMISOM and believes that a prompt and effective AMISOM deployment is vital for bringing long-term stability to Somalia. For this reason, we are discussing with several potential troop contributing countries what support we might best provide them. We have also offered direct support to the AU. On UK contributions to AMISOM, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe today (UIN 130261).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to her Answer of 7 March 2007, Official Report, column 2017W, on Somalia: official visits, what financial and logistical support the British Government are contributing to the African Union Mission in Somalia; and if she will make a statement. (130261)

The Government believe it is vital that a successful African Union (AU) Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) deployment ensures lasting stability in Somalia. The UK has offered planning, and logistical support for a Somalia planning cell within the AU’s Peace and Security Operations Division in Addis Ababa. The UK has also offered planning, logistical and financial assistances direct to troop contributing countries.

We strongly support the early disbursement of the EU’s pledge of €15 million to AMISOM.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the extent of the presence of al-Qaeda in Somalia; and if she will make a statement. (130422)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, North (Jeremy Corbyn) on 10 January 2007, Official Report, columns 281-82.

Al-Qaeda seeks to exploit ungoverned space to advance its terrorist agenda. Therefore, we are working with the international community to re-build the Somali State, through the establishment of Transitional Federal Institutions, in order to bring peace and stability to the country. This will make it more difficult for al-Qaeda to operate in Somalia.

In the meantime, we continue to work with the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, and our international allies, in tackling the threat posed by al-Qaeda from Somalia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to raise with the Government of Sri Lanka the disappearance of Pastor Victor Yogarajan and three others in Negombo on 2 March. (131141)

We have made no specific representations to the Sri Lankan Government about the case of the disappearance of Pastor Victor Yogarajan and others in Negombo on 2 March. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke with her counterpart the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister in March about the situation faced by the civilian population as a result of the escalated conflict and raised our concerns about human rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the political situation in Sri Lanka. (130515)

[holding answer 29 March 2007]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answers that I and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave my right hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) on 20 March 2007, Official Report, columns 828-29W and 14 March 2007, Official Report, column 283 respectively. I restate that the UK urges both sides to the conflict to pursue a peaceful solution and to do more to protect the civilian population.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made in the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement. (127162)

Lack of buy-in from a broad range of rebel groups means that there has only been limited progress with the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA), particularly on the wealth sharing and security provisions. But a few of the power-sharing provisions of the DPA have been implemented. Minni Minawi was appointed Special Assistant to the President, and nominations have been made to some positions on the Transitional Darfuri Regional Authority and other bodies, but this remains insufficient.

We have been funding work to help the African Union (AU) explain the benefits of the DPA to the people of Darfur. And we are funding an expert to support the AU in preparing the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation.

A renewed political process, which brings in as broad a range of the Darfur population as possible, is needed.

At the UN high level meeting in Addis Ababa last November, the AU and UN committed to convening a meeting between the signatories (Government of Sudan and Minni Minawi's group) and non-signatories to the DPA. The UN and AU envoys for the political process (Jan Eliasson and Salim Ahmed Salim) visited Sudan together from 23 to 28 March.

We are very concerned at the slow pace of progress on the political track and are in touch with the UN and AU at all levels to urge faster movement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2007, Official Report, column 1202W, on the Syrian Arab Republic: Kamal al-Labwani, what steps UK officials in Damascus are taking to monitor the ongoing detention of Dr Kamal al-Labwani. (131021)

UK officials, together with their EU colleagues, attend the court cases of Dr. Kamal al-Labwani wherever possible. They are also in regular contact with Dr. al-Labwani’s lawyers and members of his family. Officials from our embassy in Damascus and EU colleagues attended Dr. al-Labwani’s latest court appearance on 10 April, at which the judge postponed the trial to 10 May. Dr. al-Labwani was allowed to greet family, friends and diplomats. With EU partners We continue to make our concerns known to the Syrian authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2007, Official Report, column 1202W, on the Syrian Arab Republic: Kamal al-Labwani, what her most recent assessment is of the conditions in which Dr. Kamal al-Labwani is being held; and if she will make a statement. (131332)

Since his last court appearance, Dr. Kamal al-Labwani has been held in solitary confinement at Adra criminal prison. He was released from solitary confinement a few days before his court appearance on 10 April. At this appearance the judge postponed the trial to 10 May. Dr. al-Labwani was also allowed to greet family, friends and diplomats. Officials from our embassy in Damascus and EU colleagues attended the trial on 10 April and will continue to follow the progress of the case closely. With EU partners we continue to make our concerns known to the Syrian authorities about human rights in Syria.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with her Turkish counterpart on the steps Turkey is taking to comply with EU rules to allow it to progress with membership of the EU. (131263)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Turkey on 26-27 March and had a productive meeting with Foreign Minister Gul, which included discussion of Turkey's EU accession process. The UK continues to encourage Turkey to take the steps necessary to meet the requirements of the acquis. Progress is being made with the EU and Turkey agreeing on 29 March formally to open negotiations on enterprise and industrial policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what costs of visits to the US by the Prince of Wales were met from the public purse over the last 12 months, broken down by (a) visit, (b) travel, (c) accommodation, (d) visit participant, (e) gifts and (f) other expenses; what the purpose of each such visit was; where the proposal for each such visit originated; what (i) proportion of and (ii) events within each such visit were organised by, or on behalf of, the Prince's charities or foundations; and if she will make a statement. (129558)

The visit to the United States by his Royal Highness (HRH) the Prince of Wales and Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall from 26-29 January is the only visit over the last 12 months where costs were met from public funds. I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as the accounts for the visit have been finalised, and will place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

The purpose of the visit was to reinforce our relationship with the United States, with a particular focus on youth development, urban regeneration and the environment in support of the Government's best practice agenda. The visit was approved by the Royal Visits Committee as part of our continuing engagement with the United States at the highest level. There were no publicly-funded events organised on behalf of HRH the Prince of Wales' charities or foundations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she plans to make to her European Union counterparts on the extension of existing EU sanctions against Zimbabwe; and if she will make a statement. (129975)

We have proposed to EU partners that the key perpetrators of the violence on 11 March should be added to the list of those subject to a visa ban and assets freeze.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when she last discussed Zimbabwe with her South African counterpart; and what the outcome was of the discussion. (129976)

Margaret Beckett: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade gave to the hon. Member for Peterborough (Mr. Jackson) on 19 March 2007, Official Report, column 600W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been frozen under measures applied in accordance with the EU Common Position on Zimbabwe. (129978)

In the United Kingdom, 42 accounts containing a total of £172,000 are currently frozen under the terms of the EU Common Position.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make representations encouraging the Government of Zimbabwe to provide medical assistance to pro-democracy activists detained following a prayer meeting in Highfield, Harare in March 2007. (131244)

My right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary called for all those who were arrested and beaten following the prayer meeting at Highfield to be given immediate access to proper medical attention. My noble Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, made similar representations directly to the Zimbabwe Ambassador on 13 March. Those arrested on 11 March were eventually released and received medical attention in private hospitals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what the (a) total number of accidents, (b) average daily traffic flow and (c) accident rate per million vehicle kilometres was for the stretch A1307 between the junctions with the A143 in Haverhill and the A11 in Abington in each of the last 10 years; and what the latest figures are for 2007; (130976)

The number of reported personal injury road accidents, the number of resulting casualties, the annual average daily traffic flow and the accident rate per million vehicle kilometres, for the road requested are given in the table for each year from 1996 to 2005. 2005 is the most recent year for which data are available. Data for 2007 will be available in summer 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will visit Higham Ferriers to discuss proposed improvements to the Chown Mills A6/A45 interchange with the hon. Member for Wellingborough and constituents. (131665)

There are no immediate plans by the Secretary of State to visit Higham Ferrers. The A45 is categorised as a regional route. The East Midlands region advised in January 2006 that, within their indicative regional funding allocation, a potential grade-separation scheme was not a priority for funding in the period up to 2015/16. It will be for the region to review the priority for such a scheme in future rounds of the regional funding process.

In the meantime, the Highways Agency will undertake a junction capacity review of Chowns Mill junction in 2007/2008. This review will investigate what interim measures can be introduced, short of a grade separation, to alleviate the current operational problems at the Chowns Mill Interchange.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department has taken to promote alternative fuels in the north-west in the last five years. (130718)

The Government encourage the use of alternative fuels through reduced rates of Vehicle Excise Duty for cars run on certain alternative fuels and registered after 1 March 2001, and through differentials in fuel duty between petrol and diesel and other fuels. There are no specific initiatives for the north-west.

The Government also provide funds to the Energy Saving Trust to run an Infrastructure grant programme. The grants assist the building of refuelling stations for alternative fuels (natural gas/biogas, hydrogen and bio-ethanol).

The Government are also due to introduce a Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation in April 2008 which will ensure a significant and stable market for biofuels in the UK, and is likely to mean that biofuels are available in low blends at the majority of forecourts in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people are employed by the British Railways Board (Residuary); what that body's budget was in 2006-07; and what the functions of the residuary body are. (131059)

BRB (Residuary) Ltd. (BRBR) currently employs 36 full-time equivalent members of staff. The company is forecast to incur net costs of £35.7 million in 2006-07 and generate gross sales proceeds of £71.5 million. These figures are subject to audit.

BRBR was created as a consequence of the privatisation of the railways and discharges a range of legacy responsibilities inherited from the British Railways Board. These responsibilities include the management of industrial injury claims submitted by ex-British Rail employees and the management and disposal of a diverse property portfolio.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many pensioners in Hartlepool constituency (a) are eligible for and (b) have used the free local bus travel scheme. (130900)

(a) The number of residents of Hartlepool aged 60 and over, who, from 1 April 2006, are entitled to free off-peak local bus travel is around 19,200.

(b) Information on take-up of the concession in Hartlepool is not held centrally. Local authorities hold details of their residents who applied for concessionary travel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what joint assessment the Highways Agency has made with the local highways authority of the case for a new eastern bypass around Kettering. (131658)

The Highways Agency has not carried out any joint assessment with Northamptonshire county council of the case for a new eastern bypass around Kettering.

Such a bypass would not be a trunk road proposal as it would cater mainly for local traffic. However, North Northamptonshire Development Company and Northamptonshire county council are considering the need for a new distributor road to the east of Kettering as part of the proposed urban extension. This road is referred to in the draft North Northamptonshire core spatial strategy. Such a scheme would only be promoted by developers and/or the county council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of motor vehicle accidents in England involving drivers without adequate insurance. (131124)

The latest figures available on uninsured accidents reported in the UK to the Motor Insurers' Bureau are as follows:

No separate breakdown is available for England alone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the number of regular drivers without adequate insurance in England. (131125)

I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my Friend the hon. Member for Cannock Chase (Dr. Wright) on Thursday 8 February 2007, Official Report, column 1063W. Separate figures for England are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he has made on the emissions cost assessment initiative announced in December 2006. (131727)

As we announced in the future of air transport progress report last December, we intend to launch a consultation on the development of an emissions cost assessment for the aviation sector in the first half of 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the additional 1,000 train carriages that he proposes to introduce he expects to be used on the First Great Western network. (130864)

It is too early to say where precisely the additional rolling stock will be used. The deployment of new rolling stock will be agreed with the industry following the publication of the High Level Output Specification and the long-term rail strategy this summer, in accordance with the Periodic Review timetable set out in the Office of Rail Regulation's advice to Minister published in February 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2007, Official Report, column 1245W, on HGV drivers, what steps he is taking to ensure that foreign-licensed HGV (or its equivalent) drivers with medical conditions which would make them ineligible for HGV licences in the UK, but not in other countries, are unable to drive in the UK. (130913)

EU licence holders who live in the UK have a legal obligation to notify DVLA of certain existing and worsening medical conditions. Failure to do so is a road traffic offence, carrying a penalty of £1,000. This information is available through a number of channels, including guidance leaflets.

Holders of EC/EEA licences are required to register with the DVLA vocational (LGV/PCV) entitlement to drive, within 12 months of becoming resident here. The registration process aims to ensure that these drivers meet the UK health and conduct standards.

New residents from non-EC/EEA countries may not drive vehicles over 3.5 tonnes until they have passed the relevant British driving test.

Enforcement of road traffic law is a matter for individual chief officers of police.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what consultation his Department has held with (a) the Fire and Rescue Service and (b) the Fire Brigades Union on the part-privatisation of HM Coastguard; (131403)

There are no plans to privatise HM Coastguard.

The Department and the Ministry of Defence have started the procurement process under the private finance initiative for the harmonised provision of search and rescue helicopter services from 2012. This decision provides an opportunity to bring together the current search and rescue helicopter providers into one service under a single contract providing the taxpayer with value for money. The service will continue to be managed jointly by the Ministry of Defence and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to require users of electric wheelchairs and scooters to (a) undertake training before using the equipment and (b) take out insurance cover. (131168)

The Department has published research, a copy of which has been placed in the house Library, into the training and insurance aspects of electric wheelchair and scooter use. The research examines whether existing arrangements balance the needs of mobility vehicle users with the safety of other road and pavement users. The research findings are currently under consideration and will be acted upon shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to reply to the letter of 21 February 2007 from the hon. Member for Billericay, on the concessionary fare scheme. (130724)

A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 29 March 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has undertaken into the enforcement of civil traffic penalties against foreign registered vehicles in the UK. (129294)

The Department has not commissioned research into this subject. The Department is a member of the Shared Parking and Registered Keeper Information Service in which traffic authorities in the UK and other EU member states co-operate to enforce cross-border traffic violations. That service has conducted research into levels of civil traffic violations with particular reference to foreign-registered vehicles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his estimate is of the cost of implementing the final provisions of the second European driving licence directive for motorcycles; and how much of the estimated cost is to be spent on super test sites. (131135)

The total estimated cost of implementing the second European driving licence directive for motorcycles is £60,537,000.

Of this amount, £60,000,000 is for the acquisition, design construction and development of multi-purpose test centres (MPTCs). The remainder of £537,000 has been allocated for equipment, training and site set-up costs.

These MPTCs will satisfy the requirements of the second European driving licence directive for motorcycles, but will also cater for other types of test, including practical motor-car tests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the expected spending in future years is on the non-motorised user crossings programme. (131198)

It is not possible to predict future spending on the non-motorised user crossing programme as most of the schemes are delivered as part of larger improvements. Investigations are scheduled over a number of years and not all will result in schemes being taken forward. In addition, all new highways schemes receive a non-motorised user audit and this may result in further schemes that are not currently identified in the programme. Highways Agency expenditure for the three years from 2008-09 will be determined in the spending review to be concluded later in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 27 March 2007, Official Report, column 1382W, on public transport: Greater London, whether any legislative change is required for the development of London Works. (131205)

There are no legislative changes required for the development of London Works. It will support the management of both the existing regulatory regime for works carried out by undertakers under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA), and the new regulations that reflect changes to NRSWA by the Traffic Management Act 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the timetable is for decisions on rail franchises under consideration; and if he will make a statement. (131705)

The Secretary of State will announce the award of the Intercity East Coast Franchise, the East Midlands Franchise, the West Midlands Franchise and the Cross Country Franchise in summer 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to improve the collection of rubbish off the trackside of the rail network. (131231)

Responsibility for the clearance of rubbish from the trackside is an operational matter for Network Rail, as the owner and operator of the national rail network. Network Rail has its own operational arrangements and policies relating to clearance, consistent with current legislation.

The hon. Member should contact Network Rail's Chief Executive at the following address for a response to his question:

John Armitt

Chief Executive

Network Rail

40 Melton Street

London NW1 2EE.