To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on levels of recruitment from Scotland to (a) the Royal Air Force, (b) the Royal Navy, (c) the Army and (d) the Royal Marines. (265723)

The Secretary of State and I are in regular contact with Defence Ministers on a range of issues. Recruitment to the armed forces is a matter for Defence Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland with which banks his Department has or has had contracts for the provision of financial advice, for the financial year 2008-09. (262751)

For the financial year 2008-09, the Scotland Office have held contracts with banks for the provision of banking operational services only, and not for the provision of financial advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 28 January 2009, Official Report, column 501W, on departmental training, which Ministers attended the (a) presentation and public speaking skills course and (b) introduction workshop for new Ministers; and how much those courses cost. (265667)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 March 2009, Official Report, column 1287W.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the Sudanese government’s decision to expel the staff of a number of international aid agencies from Darfur on the humanitarian situation in the region; what representations his Department has made to the Sudanese government following these expulsions; and if he will make a statement. (263516)

I have been asked to reply.

The expulsion of 13 major international (and three national) non-governmental organisations will have a devastating impact on levels of humanitarian assistance in Sudan. UN officials have told the UN Security Council this will disrupt up to 50 per cent. of the current humanitarian effort in Darfur. Consequences will be most severe in Darfur, but will also affect humanitarian, recovery and development assistance throughout north Sudan, particularly in conflict-affected regions of the transitional areas and the east.

Our ambassador has urged government of Sudan to reverse its decision. The EU issued a statement on 10 March 2009 calling upon government of Sudan to urgently reconsider their decision, and ensure that humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable people in Sudan be continuously guaranteed.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Darfur. (263543)

I have been asked to reply.

The expulsion of 13 major international (and three national) non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will have a devastating impact on levels of humanitarian assistance in Sudan. UN officials have told the UN Security Council this will disrupt up to 50 per cent. of the current humanitarian effort in Darfur. Consequences will be most severe in Darfur, but will also affect humanitarian and recovery and development assistance throughout north Sudan particularly in conflict-affected regions of the transitional areas and the east. As well as increased risk of disease, malnutrition and deaths, lack of water, food and shelter could increase insecurity, particularly in large, volatile camps like Kalma (90,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and Gereida (130,000) in south Darfur. Civil disturbances and mass movement of IDPs seeking help could quickly take the situation out of control.

The UK is the second biggest bilateral humanitarian donor after the US, and we have requested that the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs brief the UN Security Council on the current situation on the ground. Together with the UN and NGOs we are keeping the situation under close review and are urgently exploring all options to fill the gap left by this action. Initial reports estimate that this could take months if Sudan does not reverse its decision in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to ensure that aid reaches those who need it in Darfur; and if he will make a statement. (263548)

I have been asked to reply.

The UK is the second biggest bilateral humanitarian donor after the US, and we have requested that the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs brief the UN Security Council on the current situation on the ground. Together with the UN and non-governmental organisations we are keeping the situation under close review and are urgently exploring all options to fill the gap left by this action. Initial reports estimate that this could take months if Sudan does not reverse its decision in the near future.

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made a statement on 4 March 2009 in which he strongly urged all parties in Sudan to avoid escalation, maintain order and protect embassies, international personnel and humanitarian workers, and above all the Sudanese civilians who have already suffered so much.

The statement is available for viewing at:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/newsroom/latest-news/?view=Press S&id:=14479209

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many staff of each grade (a) were employed in the Office of the Clerk of the House before the Tebbit Review of Management and Services of the House was implemented and (b) are employed in the Office of the Chief Executive; and if he will make a statement. (264616)

The Tebbit Review recommended that the scope of the activities of the Office of the Clerk of the House should be expanded to embrace planning and performance management functions, and an increased communication co-ordination role; that its staffing numbers should be increased; and that it be renamed the Office of the Chief Executive to reflect its larger role.

In December 2007, immediately before the departmental restructuring which followed the Tebbit Review, there were 12 staff (11.6 full-time equivalent) in the Office of the Clerk of the House. There are currently 21 staff (20.2 full-time equivalent) in the Office of the Chief Executive. A breakdown by band is given in the following tables. Most of the increase in staff is accounted for by the transfer to the OCE of functions from other Departments (principally internal audit, risk management and internal communications), so there has not been a corresponding increase in the total number of staff in the House Service.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what recent representations the Commission has received on the implementation of the Tebbit Review of Management and Services of the House; and if he will make a statement. (264615)

The House of Commons Commission has received no recent representations about the implementation of the Tebbit Review. It has received six-monthly progress reports from the Management Board on actions agreed in response to the review; the most recent was in December.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what estimate the Commission has made of the effects on expenditure on House administration of implementation of the recommendations of the Tebbit Review of Management and Services of the House; and if he will make a statement. (264617)

It is intended that the implementation of the recommendations of the Tebbit Preview will lead over time to better management of the House Service and to greater efficiency in the delivery of the House administration. The costs of implementing the Tebbit recommendations have been met out of existing budgets, by efficiency savings in existing areas of work.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission when the mail screening contract for Parliament will next be re-tendered. (265447)

The current mail screening contract runs until September 2010. Work to retender the contract will commence in the autumn of 2009.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding his Department provided in (a) 2002-03 and (b) 2007-08 for the concessionary bus fares scheme in the Torbay Unitary Authority area; what the growth in passenger numbers during this period was; what proportion of the cost of the scheme in Torbay Unitary Authority area has been met by (i) the Exchequer and (ii) the local unitary authority since 2002; and what percentage of the population in (A) Torbay Unitary Authority area and (B) England is aged over 60 years and entitled to a concessionary bus fare. (264257)

Before 1 April 2008, funding for the statutory minimum bus concession was provided exclusively through the Formula Grant system, which is administered by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG). The Department for Transport therefore provided no separate funding to Torbay Unitary Authority for concessionary bus travel in 2002-03 or 2007-08.

The Department did however provide Torbay unitary authority with £120,832 in 2007-08 for the cost of producing and issuing the new England-wide bus passes to all those eligible.

In 2008-09 Torbay unitary authority received additional special grant funding from the Department for Transport of £980,000; an increase of 38 per cent. on the authority’s spend on concessionary travel in 2007-08. The total number of bus journeys rose by 14 per cent. in England between 2002-03 and 2007-08. In 2007-08, 968 million concessionary trips were made in England. We do not hold data on the number of concessionary trips made in prior years.

In Torbay, 30 per cent. of the population is over-60, compared to 22 per cent. in the rest of England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department collects on the insurance status of drivers involved in road traffic accidents in each police authority area; and if he will make a statement. (265091)

The Department of Transport does not collect any information on the insurance status of drivers involved in reported personal injury road accidents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many drivers diagnosed with multiple sclerosis hold long-term driving licences. (264196)

Accurate statistics on the total number of long-term licences held by drivers with multiple sclerosis are not available and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) only holds data on those drivers with multiple sclerosis who have notified the agency of their medical condition. Between 2004 and 2007 DVLA issued approximately 8,000 driving licences to Group 1 (car and motorcycle) drivers with multiple sclerosis and these included long-term licences.

The current licensing system places a legal obligation on the applicant/licence holder to notify, at any time, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of the onset or worsening of any medical condition which may affect their fitness to drive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many driving licences which would have expired on the holder’s 70th birthday have been revoked consequent on changes in application of the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to drivers with multiple sclerosis. (265094)

The statistical information required is not available.

Licences are revoked or restricted for a number of reasons which may or may not relate solely to the driver’s condition of multiple sclerosis. In some cases other prescribed or prospective disabilities may also be relevant to the decision. In cases where multiple sclerosis is the sole factor, changes to the validity or duration of a licence are dependent on information received from the driver and, on investigation, from medical opinion of the rate and level of progression of the driver’s condition and any consequent impairment relevant to driving.

In order to obtain the required material information, each case that has been assessed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency would need to be reviewed individually, to establish whether the strengthening of the operational framework in 2006 influenced the decision on the licensing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes have been made in the application of the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988 in respect of the renewal of the driving licences of drivers with multiple sclerosis; and when each change was implemented. (265095)

The provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988 require multiple sclerosis to be considered as a prospective disability. Drivers who notify the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of the condition are assessed against the standards set out in DVLA’s “At a Glance Guide to the Current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive”, in relation to chronic neurological conditions (including multiple sclerosis). Neither the standards, nor the requirement for drivers to notify of such a prospective disability, have changed.

In early 2006, following the publication of new diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis by the American Neurological Association, operational guidance for case management was made more robust to ensure consistency of assessment and outcome.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department has issued to High Speed Two Ltd on the availability of funds. (264259)

High Speed Two is funded directly from the Department for Transport. The funding arrangements are set out in a letter from the permanent secretary to a then director of the company, a copy of which has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make it his policy to direct the Highways Agency to accept requests from hon. Members to accompany them to site meetings in relation to work authorised by the Highways Agency; and if he will make a statement; (265514)

[holding answer 20 March 2009]: The Highways Agency already accepts reasonable requests to meet hon. Members either on site or separately on any schemes for which it is responsible.

Representatives from the Highways Agency accompanied the hon. Member for Walsall, North to a site meeting on 20 March to discuss the details of the Active Traffic Management scheme currently being undertaken on the M6 in his constituency.

Where appropriate, the Highways Agency consults those likely to be affected by schemes being undertaken, and this was the case with the scheme on the M6. The Highways Agency has followed all environmental assessment and statutory procedures, including issuing public notices. It has listened to concerns raised, and has taken residents' concerns about current noise levels into consideration. An exhibition is planned where further issues can be raised. The scheme design has also been reviewed in the light of comments received.

Schemes carried out by the Highways Agency on or near highway land vary in complexity and scale. For schemes planned outside of the highway boundary, such as bypass work, the Highways Agency makes every effort to contact individual households and businesses likely to be affected.

Work carried out within the highway boundary tends to be of a relatively smaller scale, or is carried out as part of a routine maintenance programme. Although there is no statutory requirement for local residents to be contacted ahead of schemes taking place within the highway boundary, and it would be impractical and costly for the Highway's Agency to undertake to contact individual households for each one of these schemes, the Highways Agency seeks to ensure that public involvement takes place in a proportionate manner.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the evidential basis is for his statement of 12 February 2009, Official Report, columns 1531-3W, on new trains (investment) that the award of the contract to Agility Trains and Hitachi and granting preferred bidder status to Bombardier in relation to extra carriages on the Stansted Express will safeguard or create 12,500 jobs. (262929)

These figures are based on information given by Agility Trains to the Department of Transport and we believe Agility's analysis to be sound.

The figure is exclusive of any job benefits arising as a result of the announcement of Bombardier's status as Preferred Bidder for extra carriages on Stansted Express.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many stretch limousines were checked by Vehicle and Operator Services Agency to ensure compliance with construction requirements in 2008; and what percentage were deemed to be compliant. (264936)

[holding answer 20 March 2009]: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has only recently introduced the capacity to record a specific vehicle type as a limousine. Previously vehicles were classed as either cars or Public Service Vehicles (PSV)s.

VOSA's records show that 58 checks were carried out on limousines in 2008. It is not possible to determine levels of compliance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff in his Department have worked on projects relating to high speed rail (a) between April and 29 September 2008 and (b) after 29 September 2008. (262423)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer on 25 November 2008, Official Report, column 1189W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average journey time by train was from London to (a) Newcastle, (b) Cardiff, (c) Birmingham, (d) Manchester and (e) Plymouth in each year since 1997. (265090)

The Department for Transport does not hold the information at the level of detail requested. However, Network Rail is the custodian of timetable and performance data for the rail industry, and will be able to provide this information. The hon. Member should contact Network Rail's Chief Executive at the following address for a response to his question:

Iain Coucher

Chief Executive

Network Rail

40 Melton Street

London, NW1 2EE.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average cost of constructing a mile of (a) motorway and (b) railway was in the latest period for which figures are available. (264689)

The estimated range of construction costs for one mile of three-lane motorway with a continuous hard shoulder is from £21.4 million to £35.0 million. The estimated rates cover the construction costs of a new dual three-lane rural motorway including detailed design costs and statutory undertakers’ diversions, but excluding land costs, VAT and Highways Agency’s Agent and administration costs.

The Channel Tunnel Rail Link between Folkestone and London St. Pancras, which was built over the nine years to 2007, cost £5.8 billion in outturn money of the day costs, for the 68 miles, an average of £85.3 million per mile of railway. These costs include the two new stations on the line, the upgrading and restoration of the Grade 1 listed St. Pancras, extensive tunnelling under London, tunnels under the Thames and North Downs, and the long viaducts at Ashford, across the River Medway and crossing the M25 at Dartford.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers the Highways Agency has to requisition supplies of grit from local authorities; and on what occasions these powers have been used. (263920)

During the severe weather in February, the Secretary of State for Transport had no power to requisition supplies of road salt or grit from local authorities. Informal arrangements have been put into place between both local and strategic highway authorities for the agreed provision of mutual aid to those authorities that require additional salt stocks during the winter season. During the recent severe weather, the Highways Agency agreed to provide 5,294 tonnes of salt to a number of local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the Statement of 12 February 2009, Official Report, columns 1531-3, how many of the 12,500 jobs he expects will be (a) existing jobs safeguarded and (b) new jobs created (i) in the train vehicle manufacturing industry and (ii) for third party suppliers to the industry; and on what assumptions these estimates are based. (261553)

[holding answer 6 March 2009]: Agility Trains anticipates that of the estimated 12,500 total jobs to be created or safeguarded, 2,500 will be directly employed by the Agility Trains consortium. Of these, 1,400 (estimate) jobs will be safeguarded in train maintenance, and 1,100 (estimate) jobs will be created in train and factory construction.

Of the remaining estimated 10,000 jobs Agility Trains anticipate that they are likely to be within train vehicle component suppliers, third party suppliers and the wider economy. Agility Trains advises that it has adopted an industry standard multiplier assumption, used with regard to the automotive industry, that each direct job will create, or secure, circa four jobs within the supply chain and the wider economy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department has had with the promoters of the Whitehill Bordon eco-town on (a) transport costs in the initial years of the development, (b) the (i) viability and (ii) cost of the proposed A325 fast bus link works and (c) levels of car use in the area. (265279)

To date, the Department for Transport has had no discussion with the promoters of the Whitehill Bordon eco-town on the specific issues to which the question refers. The transport strategy for Whitehill Bordon is still in its early stages of development. Department for Transport officials continue to be informed of its progress and, should the town be included in the list of preferred sites to be announced later this year, it is anticipated that further discussions will then take place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department and its agencies have had with the developers of the Ford Airfield eco-town development on (a) a bypass on the A27, (b) a link from the site to the A259 and (c) the development's rail strategy. (265280)

The Highways Agency is holding discussions with the promoters of Ford eco-town and other stakeholders to identify appropriate measures to address the current issues on the A27. This will primarily be based on the provision of sustainable travel initiatives with additional road capacity as a last resort.

Previous proposals for a bypass for Arundel, as recommended in the South Coast Multi-modal Study (2004), were rejected by the then Secretary of State for Transport as being too environmentally damaging. The promoters of the eco-town have been asked to develop proposals on the basis that such a bypass would not be constructed.

Any link from the site to the A259 would be a local road, and therefore an issue for the local highway authority, in this case West Sussex county council. The Highways Agency has therefore not been involved in any such discussion.

There has been no direct engagement between Department for Transport officials and the promoters for Ford eco-town on rail issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions (a) his Department and (b) Network Rail have had with the developers of the St. Austell eco-town development on a rail strategy for the site. (265281)

The Department for Transport has had no discussions with the developers of the St. Austell eco-town development on a rail strategy for the site. Network Rail has received one presentation from the developers on the proposals for the site.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions (a) his Department and (b) the Highways Agency have had with the developers of the St. Austell eco-town development on the proposed improvements to the A391; and if he will make a statement. (265282)

The Department for Transport and Highways Agency have not had direct contact with the developers of the St. Austell eco-town as the main coordination of this large project is being led by Cornwall county council. The department and Highways Agency are in regular discussions with the council and are working collectively to improve the transport proposals associated with the eco-town development.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military engagements there have been between UK armed forces and Taliban insurgents in the last two months. (265311)

The Ministry of Defence is currently collating and validating the data needed to answer this question. I will write to the right hon. and learned Member with the information requested and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether UK armed forces are using unmanned aerial vehicles in Afghanistan. (265312)

The armed forces use Reaper, Hermes 450 and the Desert Hawk 3 unmanned aerial vehicles in Afghanistan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has contributed to the Africa Programme of the Conflict Prevention Pool in each year since 2001. (265123)

From 2001 to 2007, HMG funded its conflict related programme activity through the Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP) and Africa Conflict Prevention Pool (ACPP), owned and managed tri-departmentally by DFID, FCO and MOD. By bringing together the UK Government's development, diplomatic, and defence interests and expertise this ensured a coherent response to conflict prevention. In 2001, all three Departments contributed funds to form these pools (£2.1 million disbursed by the FCO; £14.4 million by DFID and £3.2 million by MOD), but in subsequent years funds have been allocated directly from HMT. The Conflict Prevention Pool (CPP) was set up in April 2008 as a successor to the former Global and Africa Conflict Prevention Pools, focusing activity through regional programmes where the UK can have its biggest impact, and through thematic programmes to deal with cross-cutting conflict prevention issues. The CPP commands a total of £112 million in 2008-09 of which the Africa Conflict Prevention Programme is forecast to spend £68 million. From FY 2001-02 to 2007-08, HMG has spent approximately £341 million through the Africa Conflict Prevention Pool. This is broken down by year as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) with reference to the answer of 26 November 2008, Official Report, column 1520W, on the Air Force: military bases, when he now expects an announcement to be made regarding Programme Belvedere; (264868)

As explained in my written answer of 11 March 2009, Official Report, column 430W, the future of Programme Belvedere is currently under consideration at senior levels within the Department. Once that review has concluded I will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many apprenticeships places there have been in his Department in each of the last three years; in what areas of operations those places have been; and how many people his Department has provided work experience for in each such year. (262393)

The MOD is the largest public sector employer of apprentices in the UK. In the last three reporting year periods the following apprentice place completions have been achieved within the Department:

The largest area of operations for completions is within the engineering sector, with other areas including: agriculture; business administration; construction; health and public services; hospitality; transportation; retailing and customer services.

Work experience is not part of the departmental plan for apprenticeship delivery. Estimates of wider departmental work experience activities could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent steps the Government have taken to assist service widows and widowers. (263456)

[holding answer 16 March 2009]: The Government are committed to supporting bereaved families and we have been working in conjunction with both the Royal British Legion and the War Widows Association to identify areas in which we can enhance the support we provide.

CRUSE Bereavement has recently received funding to enable them to train volunteers to address the specific needs of bereaved service families.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel were deployed in Northern Ireland on the latest date for which figures are available. (265120)

Following the end of Operation BANNER in July 2007 the Joint Declaration provided authority for no more than 5,000 troops resident in Northern Ireland. There are normally around 4,500 troops resident in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average pay is for (a) officers and (b) other ranks at each level in the armed services. (264965)

The information requested is provided in the table.

The figures include all regular officers and other ranks on the main pay scales. Regular officers and other ranks who are on separate bespoke pay spines, e.g. chaplains, medical and dental officers, professional aviators, officers promoted from the ranks, as well as reservists, are excluded. While Army ranks are shown, the figures also incorporate their equivalent ranks in the RN and RAF.

The averages are based on pay rates for 2008-09 and numbers as at January 2009.

Other ranks are allocated to either the higher or lower pay spines in accordance with their trade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the minimum pay (a) range and (b) level is for armed forces personnel serving on the frontline in Iraq or Afghanistan. (264966)

The minimum pay range for a trained service person serving in Iraq or Afghanistan is currently £16,227 to £27,599 depending on service, rank, length of service and trade. Details of this and other pay ranges for all service personnel up to the rank of Brigadier and equivalent are contained in the 37^th- Report—2008 of the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

In addition to basic pay, service personnel deployed on a six month operational tour in Iraq or Afghanistan will receive a tax free operational allowance of £2,380 plus a longer separation allowance worth a minimum of £1,161.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are stationed overseas, broken down by location. (265133)

Figures for the number of service personnel stationed overseas can be found in table 1.1 of Tri-Service Publication (TSP) 10: UK Regular Forces stationed location. TSP 10 is published quarterly. The most recent publication shows figures at 1 October 2008 and can be found at:

http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index .php?page=48&pubType=0&thiscontent=1800&Publish Time=09:30:00 &date=20090223&disText=01%20Oct%202008 &from=listing&top Date =2009-02-23

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department takes to prevent delays in the delivery of equipment affecting the safety of the armed forces in theatre. (264446)

The Government place the highest priority on the safety and security of our servicemen and women while on operations. If the arrival of a new piece of equipment to theatre is delayed, then commanders on the ground will either continue using existing equipment coupled with the appropriate tactics, techniques and procedures until the new capability is available; or, adapt operations to achieve the same aim while avoiding exposing troops to disproportionate risk.

It should be noted that, even once new equipment has been delivered, technology alone cannot guarantee the safety of deployed troops. It is their adherence to the correct tactics, techniques and procedures that provide the greatest assurance of their safety and these are constantly revised in line with experience and any new developments in the enemy’s tactics.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with which banks his Department has or has had contracts for the provision of financial advice, for the financial year 2008-09. (262761)

In the past, the MOD has contracted with banks for financial advice to support private finance and partnering projects and reviews of future models for defence business. But we hold no current contracts of this sort centrally. Information on any other contracts that may have been awarded to banks for financial advice is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many public consultations his Department has conducted in the last 12 months; how long each consultation was open for; how many responses were received in each case; and what the cost of conducting each consultation was. (259699)

There have been four Ministry of Defence public consultations (as listed on the MOD internet site) over the last 12 months. These consultations consist of:

Submarine Enterprise Collaborative Agreement (SECA), 12 February to 6 May, there were 47 responses;

UK Defence Spectrum Management 2008, 30 May to 5 September, there were 32 responses;

The Revised Welsh Language Scheme, 16 July to 10 October, there were 25 responses;

Transfer of Historic Service Personnel Records to the National Archives, July to September, there were 428 responses.

Information about the cost of conducting these consultations is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 23 February 2009, Official Report, column 30W, on departmental recruitment, what estimate he has made of the annual salary cost of new (a) permanent, (b) temporary and (c) agency staff recruited by his Department in each year since 2005-06. (264310)

The annual salary costs for permanent and temporary staff employed by the Department in each year since 2005-06 are published in departmental annual reports and accounts. We are unable to identify the costs of newly recruited staff separately. Salary costs of agency staff are met by their employing agencies and not by the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is on the renewal of the contracts of (a) temporary and (b) agency staff. (264312)

The recruitment of temporary staff is governed by the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code. Agency workers are used as an interim measure for periods of up to 11 months to fill complemented and funded posts that cannot be filled by temporary promotion or internal posting or other recruitment action. In exceptional cases temporary staff may be extended up to a maximum of 24 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 1 January 2009, Official Report, column 1994W, on departmental training, which Ministers attended the pre-deployment training in preparation for visits to Iraq and Afghanistan; and how much that training cost. (265663)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Under-Secretary of State gave on 10 March 2009, Official Report, column 235W, to the hon. Member for St. Albans (Anne Main).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many language translators are employed in each of his Department’s executive agencies; and what the cost of translating services provided by such people was in the latest period for which information is available. (257150)

None of the Department’s Agencies employs language translators and therefore incurred no costs on employing such people. Information on non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) is not held by the Ministry of Defence but by the NDPBs themselves.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the Government’s participation in the permanent structural co-operation framework foreseen in the Lisbon Treaty. (265524)

No such estimate has been made. There have been no decisions on the scope of permanent structured co-operation, nor on possible UK participation, in the event that the Lisbon Treaty is ratified by all 27 EU member states.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has given to the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society Combat Stress in each year since 2005. (265135)

Funds are provided through the War Pensions Scheme’s discretionary power to meet the cost of any necessary expenses in respect of medical, surgical or rehabilitative treatment of ex-members of the armed forces that arise from a disablement due to service before 6 April 2005 where it is not provided for under other UK legislation. This includes the individual costs of war pensioners undergoing “remedial treatment” at homes run by Combat Stress for conditions related to their individual pensioned disablement and of related expenses such as travel costs. The table shows the funding received by Combat Stress under this provision. The funding figure for 2008-09 is not yet available.

Combat Stress receives separate funding from the Scottish Executive for war pensioners’ resident in Scotland who receive treatment at Hollybush House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when HMS Victorious is scheduled to visit the United States for missile tests and missile loading. (264967)

It is our policy not to discuss individual submarine operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the date was of each meeting of each sub-group of each Joint Working Group since 2001; and what the purpose was of each meeting. (265112)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 27 February 2009, Official Report, column 1149W. In the interests of national security I am withholding further information on the nature or extent of work undertaken by these Joint Working Groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many reports his Department has received of the loss of a service will in each year since 2004. (264889)

The information requested is not recorded by the Ministry of Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flying hours were undertaken by each helicopter type in the forward fleet in each year since 2001. (264955)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 July 2008, Official Report, column 173W, to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox).

Figures for the period to April 2009 are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which years since 1990 experiments have been carried out with the United States on US warhead designs and nuclear weapons technology. (265113)

Research, including trials, and experiments, is conducted on a regular basis, by the Atomic Weapons Establishment as part of its responsibility for maintaining the safety, security, and effectiveness of the UK nuclear stockpile in the absence of live testing. Some of this research, is undertaken in collaboration with the United States under the auspices of the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement.

Following publication of the 2006 White Paper, “The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent” (Cmd 6994) and the subsequent exchange of letters between Prime Minister Blair and President George W. Bush in December 2006, additional research is currently being undertaken, some in collaboration with the US, on how we may need to refurbish or replace our current warheads to help inform decisions, likely to be made in the next parliament.

I am withholding the detail of this collaboration in the interests of national security.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of British special forces were deployed outside the UK on the latest date for which figures are available. (265126)

It is the long-standing policy of this Government not to comment on matters relating to operations involving British special forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on the provision of defence training in Sudan in each year since 2003; what training activities were provided; and which (a) provider and (b) recipient organisation participated in each activity. (264326)

All training delivered by the MOD in Sudan is to members of the Joint Integrated Units (JIUs), which are made up of equally sized elements of the armies of North and South Sudan. JIUs were established as a peace-building measure under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended the war between North and South. The CPA mandates members of the international community who supported the peace process, including the UK, to provide training and other support to the JIUs.

The MOD does not, however, directly fund any training in Sudan; instead the UK training programme is financed by the tri-departmental Conflict Prevention Pool. It has included the training of the JIUs' first de-mining Company, delivered by the International Mine Action Training Centre in Kenya, a wide range of individual courses conducted at military establishments in the UK as well as conflict resolution workshops and English language training conducted in Sudan. Specific information for 2003-04 and 2004-05 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost, but is assessed to have been very low as we then had no Defence Section in Sudan. Since then the following training activities have been provided:

Financial year 2006-07—£265,000

International Peace Support Briefing Programme (2 students)

International Collective Training Briefing Programme (2)

International Border Security Management Briefing (2)

Managing Defence in a Democracy (now Managing Defence in a Wider Security Context)—Nairobi (6)

Managing Defence in a Democracy (now Managing Defence in a Wider Security Context)—UK (3)

De-mining training, Nairobi—1 Company (120) of JIUs. British Peace Support Team—East Africa International Mine Action Training Centre

Financial year 2007-08—£248,000

Managing Defence in a Democracy (now Managing Defence in a Wider Security Context)—Nairobi (4)

Managing Defence in a Democracy (now Managing Defence in a Wider Security Context)—UK (2)

Commissioning Course (2)

International Peace Support Briefing Programme (2)

International Collective Training Briefing (2)

International Battle Group Commanders Course (6)

English language training—Sudan (160)

De-mining Training, Nairobi—1 company (120). British Peace Support Team—East Africa International Mine Action Training Centre

Financial year 2008-09—£282,000

Advanced Command and Staff Course (2)

International Peace Support Operations (7)

English language training—Sudan (up to 144)

Train the Trainer (4)

International Logistic Officers Course (1)

In financial year 2008-09 the UK also provided £750,000 through the Africa Conflict Prevention Pool to the UN to provide infrastructural support for the JIUs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the proportion of spending on the replacement for Trident which will go to US companies. (264971)

The work necessary to ensure the maintenance of the UK's nuclear deterrent is still in the concept phase. The investment decision point, Initial Gate, for the new submarine class to replace Vanguard class is not expected until this autumn. As such, it is too soon for such an estimate to be made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy ships were deployed in the Persian Gulf on the latest date for which figures are available. (265143)

The Royal Navy has the following ships deployed to the Persian Gulf as at 18 March:

A permanent Frigate, currently HMS Richmond, is deployed to the North Arabian Gulf patrolling the oil platforms in the Iraqi territorial waters.

A Landing Ship Docking Amphibious, currently RFA Cardigan Bay, also operates around the Iraqi oil platforms providing a training platform for the Iraqi Navy and Marines.

There are four Mine Countermeasures Vessels permanently based at Bahrain, their crews rotating on a four to six monthly basis. The ships: HMS Atherstone, HMS Chiddingfold, HMS Grimsby and HMS Pembrooke.

A Forward Repair Ship, RFA Dilligence also operates in the Gulf and further out into the North Arabian sea providing engineering support, predominately to the Mine Counter Measures Vessels.

In addition two units, the Frigate HMS Portland and the Tanker RFA Wave Knight, permanently operate predominately in the North Arabian sea, Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden, but make routine visits within the Persian Gulf for maintenance, consolidation and crew rest and recuperation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate he has made of the area in hectares and proportion of cultivatable land in Helmand province which is under cultivation for poppies; and if he will make a statement. (263417)

The UN Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Afghanistan Opium Survey for 2008 estimates that 33 per cent. (103,590 hectares) of the land in Helmand with the potential for agriculture was devoted to poppy cultivation in 2008. In their winter survey, UNODC has indicated that there may be a slight decrease in the cultivation of poppy in Helmand in 2009. Final figures for 2009 will be published in the summer when UNODC releases the executive summary of its Afghanistan Opium Survey for 2009.

The UK welcomes the early signs that cultivation of poppy in Helmand may be reducing. We continue to support the government of Afghanistan’s national drug control strategy which aims to reduce poppy cultivation sustainably in Afghanistan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has allocated for the next financial year to fund its commitments under the Government's AIDS strategy in 2009-10. (260210)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is committed to using its overseas network of posts to support ‘Achieving Universal Access’. Posts in are being encouraged to use their existing budgets to support effective national AIDS responses to halt and reverse the spread of HIV, in particular among vulnerable groups. It is therefore not possible to state how much the FCO will allocate to funding for the Government's AIDS strategy in 2009-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Indonesian government on concluding the judicial process of those who masterminded the terrorist attack in Bali 2002. (264109)

There are currently no judicial processes in Indonesia relating to the Bali 2002 terrorist attacks.

We would welcome any further legal processes aimed at bringing to justice those suspected of involvement in the Bali attacks. It is the policy of the Government, that terrorists should always be brought to justice. However, the UK does not support the use of the death penalty. We advocate an end to the death penalty world-wide, regardless of the individual or the crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Belarus. (265589)

The full extent of our human rights concerns in Belarus is detailed in the 2008 Human Rights Report, which will be published on 26 March 2009. We remain concerned about the overall human rights situation in Belarus, but small improvements have been made in the areas of media freedom, freedom of assembly, electoral reform and political imprisonment during the six months from October 2008 to April 2008 that the EU suspended travel restrictions to encourage reform.

To reflect the mixed progress made by Belarus during this time, the EU has taken the decision to extend the suspension period for a further nine months, and renew the common position (the legal basis for the travel restrictions and an asset freeze) for 12 months. We will take this opportunity to continue to encourage Belarus to make further progress on human rights in order to align itself with EU standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of the number of political prisoners in Burma. (265357)

The UN Special Rapporteur on Human rights in Myanmar, Mr. Tomas Quintana, in a statement to the Human Rights Council on 18 March 2009, indicated that there remain over 2,100 prisoners of conscience in Burma. This figure is in line with our own estimates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Burmese Government on the sentencing of Eint Khaing Oo for reporting on Cyclone Nargis. (265877)

We condemn the lack of media freedom in Burma and the arrest and detention of journalists, including Eint Khaing Oo.

Our ambassador in Rangoon frequently raises the need for the release of all political prisoners in Burma with ministers in the military government. We also take every opportunity to underline our concern in our public statements and through the EU, UN Security Council and UN human rights bodies. We support the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human rights in Myanmar, Mr. Tomas Quintana, who, in a statement to the Human Rights Council on 18 March 2009, again called on the Burmese authorities to release all prisoners of conscience.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Burmese authorities on the political situation in Burma. (264125)

[holding answer 19 March 2009]: We continue to do all we can to generate international pressure for a peaceful transition to democracy and respect for human rights in Burma. The Common Position adopted by the EU restricts ministerial contact with the military regime.

In his contacts with the Burmese authorities, our ambassador in Rangoon regularly raises the urgent need for all political prisoners to be released and for all opposition and ethnic groups to be allowed to play their full part in shaping the country's future.

Elections planned for 2010 will have no credibility unless these fundamental issues are addressed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he (a) has had and (b) plans to have with the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief on reported violations of religious freedom in Burma, with particular reference to reported discrimination and persecution of Christians and Muslims. (264919)

We are concerned by reports that the Burmese authorities have closed places of worship for religious minorities and childcare centres run by Christian groups in Rangoon. We condemn the marginalisation or persecution of any community based on their religious beliefs or ethnic background. Although it makes the reported abuses no less serious, we believe that the persecution of religious minority groups by the Burmese authorities is often based on their ethnicity and perceived threat to security rather than their faith. We view the regime’s actions as part of a wider deterioration in the human rights situation in Burma.

The issue of religious freedom is within the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana, which covers human rights and fundamental freedoms.

We hold regular discussions with Mr. Quintana and his team concerning the human rights abuses we believe to be taking place in Burma, and fully support his efforts. Our ambassador in Burma regularly raises the issue of human rights in his meetings with Burmese government officials.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has had contact with the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary General on Myanmar since 1 January 2009. (265475)

Our mission to the UN in New York is in regular contact with the UN Special Adviser, Ibrahim Gambari and his office. This dialogue was particularly frequent before and after Professor Gambari's visit to Burma from 31 January 2009 to 3 February 2009 and after his briefing to the UN Security Council on 20 February 2009.

We continue to give our full support to the UN Secretary General's Good Offices mission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Cambodia on Lor Seiha and others imprisoned on charges arising from their resistence to forced evictions; and if he will make a statement. (264246)

The UK, in our capacity as the local EU presidency, arranged for EU Heads of Mission to meet with non-governmental organisation (NGOs) representatives and Dey Krahom leaders on 29 January 2009 to hear their concerns on forced evictions.

We have raised our concerns over land rights and forced evictions with the Cambodian authorities on a number of occasions, most recently with the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation in a Note Verbale sent on 2 March 2009.

Representatives from EU member states, the local Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and a local NGOs visited a site in Phnom Penh and also visited the Dey Krahom relocation site on 20 February 2009 to meet members of the local communities. They were accompanied by a representative of the Phnom Penh municipal authorities.

EU member states will maintain dialogue on these issues with the Phnom Penh authorities and have made clear to the royal government of Cambodia their support for the OHCHR’s proposal for development of guidelines to regulate evictions and relocations and a moratorium on evictions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of China regarding alleged abuse of those who protest against the one child policy in China since July 2008; and if he will make a statement. (259021)

We are aware of reports of mal-administration of China's one child policy, but have not received reports of protests against it since July 2008.

We remain concerned, however, about the continued imprisonment of human rights lawyer Chen Guangcheng, who highlighted reports of enforced sterilisation and abortion in Linyi City, Shandong Province in late 2005. Chen Guangcheng's case was raised most recently at the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue in November 2008. We continue to monitor Mr. Chen's situation and that of his family.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to paragraph 88 of the Foreign Affairs Committee's Second Report of Session 2008-09, HC 195, on his Department's Annual Report for 2007-08, when he expects to publish details of the cost savings accruing from his Department's co-location programmes; and if he will make a statement. (256990)

Various partners across Government co-locate with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). These partners base their operations within FCO missions overseas and use the support of FCO staff in management and administrative positions.

By not having to set up their own offices these Departments make efficiency savings as well as avoiding additional costs for the Department and tax payer. However we have not been informed of the cost savings made by other Departments in this manner, and cannot therefore publish details of them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which (a) food and (b) drinks suppliers have been used by his Department in each of the last three years; and how much his Department paid to each such supplier in each of those years. (248385)

The two contracted suppliers of food and drink used by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are as follows:

From 1 December 2008 the contract with Mountain Spring has been terminated.

There is a large difference between spend on Mountain Spring during the 2005-06 period and the subsequent years as there were various suppliers used in 2005-06.

Identifying these suppliers and the amounts spent would incur disproportionate cost.

The figures do not include spend by Government Hospitality, individual departmental spend or spend locally by post overseas, as this could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield of 23 February 2009, Official Report, columns 369-73W, on the departmental internet, how many hits each of the websites maintained by his Department received in each of the last 12 months. (262836)

I will write to the hon. Member separately, as the answer is lengthy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2009, Official Report, columns 1523-6W, on departmental public expenditure, in what areas of expenditure the administration budget overspends in relation to (a) Afghanistan, (b) Australia, (c) Brazil, (d) Spain and (e) the United States were incurred in 2007-08. (260246)

The main areas of overspend in administration budgets were:

(a) Afghanistan

Subsistence and allowances

Other purchased goods and services

Telecommunications costs

Freight and courier costs

Other costs, including embassy catering services

Other external/contract services

(b) Australia

Subsistence and allowances

Training costs

IT costs

Agency and casual staff

Other external/contract services

Maintenance and running costs

Locally engaged staff salaries

(c) Brazil

Freight and courier costs

Vehicle costs

Other purchased goods and services

Medical costs

Subsistence and allowances

Locally engaged staff salaries

Agency and casual staff

Maintenance and running costs

(d) Spain

Other purchased goods and services

Other costs

Training costs

Locally engaged staff salaries

Subsistence and allowances

Telecommunications costs

Other external/contract services

Agency and casual staff

(e) US

Consultancy and professional fees

Freight and courier costs

Hire of plant and machinery

IT Costs

Financial charges

Stationery

Agency and casual Staff

Subsistence and allowances

Maintenance and running costs

Telecommunications costs

Other purchased goods and services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 2 March 2009, Official Report, column 1240W, on departmental public expenditure, what the cost to his Department of each UK contribution to peacekeeping operations overseas (a) was in 2007-08 and (b) has been in 2008-09. (261942)

Peacekeeping costs—both assessed costs to international missions and UK discretionary support to international and bilateral missions—have been met through the Peacekeeping Budget which is an annual claim on the Treasury Reserve and has been managed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on behalf of the FCO, Department for International Development and the Ministry of Defence (MOD). In 2007-08 and 2008-09, £374 million was allocated from the Treasury Reserve for Peacekeeping.

Pursuant to the answer of 2 March 2009, Official Report, column 1240W, as a claim on the Treasury Reserve, the Peacekeeping Budget did not benefit from the Overseas Prices Mechanism. However, from the Peacekeeping Budget, assessed contributions to peacekeeping missions paid in foreign currencies by the FCO in 2007-08 were:

At current exchange rates, estimated assessed contributions to peacekeeping missions paid in foreign currencies in 2008-09 are:

The 2008-09 costs will be reduced by a transfer of £29.4 million from the FCO which includes gains from the benefits of the advanced purchase of foreign currency costs, based on estimated costs at the time of spring supplementary. Further assessed costs are attributed to the Peacekeeping Budget by the Treasury or paid in the relevant foreign currency by the MOD.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues in the Treasury and the Department for International Development on alternative sources of funding for election observation in 2009-10. (261958)

The Government's ongoing discussions on conflict-related budgets for 2009-10, which include funding for election observation missions, have been between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Department for International Development and the Ministry of Defence. The Treasury has been consulted fully throughout. Final decisions have not yet been made in this process.

Election observation remains a priority for the FCO. We are reviewing internally spend for the next financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps will be taken to manage his Department's exposure to foreign currency movements when his Department's contract with the Bank of England to buy 80 per cent. of net US dollar and euro exposure ends. (261825)

To date the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has secured several contracts with the Bank of England which provide the full cover allowed for our forecast US dollar and euro net exposure up to February 2010, and partial cover over the intervening months to January 2011. HM Treasury have limited the amount of cover we can purchase to a maximum of 80 per cent. of our net foreign exchange exposure at overseas posts, but up to 100 per cent. for known commitments to international organisations.

Each month a further contract is secured with the Bank of England, to extend full cover and partial cover an additional month. Thus the March 2010 contract will secure full cover for March 2010 and partial cover over the intervening months to February 2011.

Contracts have also been secured for Japanese yen that currently extend to March 2010. Additional contracts will be purchased in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Minister of State’s evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on 4 March 2009, with which members of Hezbollah’s political wing the Government has made contact. (264752)

On 9 January 2009 our ambassador in Beirut accompanied a group of British parliamentarians to a meeting with the Lebanese Foreign Affairs Committee that included the Hezbollah MP, Ali Amaar.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the Government ceased contact with both the political and military wings of Hezbollah in 2005. (264753)

The UK had contacts with some political officials in Hezbollah from 2001 to 2005 but no contacts with Hezbollah's military wing. Although previous discussions had been frank, they became increasingly insubstantial. The political contacts ended in 2005 as we judged that the conditions at the time, specifically the political stalemate of the Lebanese Government, meant that the talks were not productive enough to be worth continuing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of co-operation between the political and military wings of Hezbollah in seeking to commit or support acts of terrorism. (264755)

In July 2008 the decision was made by the Home Office to proscribe the military wing, which we specified as the Jihad Council and all units reporting to it. During this process a thorough assessment of all the components of Hezbollah was carried out to establish this distinction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of reported statements by Hezbollah's leadership that there is no distinction between the organisation's political and military wings. (264756)

In July 2008 the decision was made by the Home Office to proscribe the military wing, which we specified as the Jihad Council and all units reporting to it. During this process a thorough assessment of all the components of Hezbollah was carried out to establish this distinction between those members of Hezbollah who are legitimately involved in Lebanese politics and those who are involved in violence and support terrorism. We will not have contacts with individuals whom we assess to be involved in violence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens were injured during the events in Mumbai on 27 November 2008; what the (a) nature and (b) severity of such injuries was; and if he will make a statement. (265057)

[holding answer 20 March 2009]: Seven British nationals were seriously injured during the terrorist attacks in Mumbai in November 2008. For consular confidentiality and data protection reasons, the nature and severity of those injuries cannot be disclosed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the state of diplomatic relations with Iran. (265711)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has said many times that the UK would like to have a positive and constructive relationship with Iran—a relationship which is based on mutual respect and is not a prisoner of history. We believe that we have important shared interests in Iran's neighbourhood, including stability, security and economic development in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, we and the rest of the international community have significant and legitimate concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions, its activity in the region, and its repression of its own people. Iran must address these if our relationship is to move forward. The Iranian authorities are also responsible for unacceptable harassment of our staff in Tehran, both UK based and Iranian—pressure which has forced the British Council to suspend its operation in Iran, and which obstructs the legitimate activities of our embassy. We have raised this with the Iranian authorities on numerous occasions, and we regret that they have done nothing to address this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Hague) of 5 March 2009, Official Report, column 1747W, on Iran: nuclear power, what further sanctions he has considered pursuing at the United Nations. (265786)

The E3+3 made a generous offer to Iran in June 2008. This offer remains on the table. The offer presents Iran with an opportunity to transform its relationship with the international community and enjoy many significant benefits, if it suspends its enrichment programme and negotiates.

However, in the event of Iran failing to take up this opportunity and continuing to disregard its international obligations to the UN and the International Atomic Energy Agency, we will be forced to consider further measures, including the consideration of further significant sanctions through the UN.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Iraqi government on the reinstatement of the death penalty in Iraq in 2004. (264693)

The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. We continue to make our position on capital punishment clear to the Iraqi government at every opportunity both bilaterally and with the support of our EU partners. As recently as 8 March 2009 the UK joined other EU member states in supporting a démarche, delivered by the current Czech EU presidency to Iraqi vice-President Tareeq al-Hashemi and to the head of the Iraqi prime minister’s office on the proposed resumption of executions in Iraq. We strongly supported the resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2007 (A/Res/62/149) and November 2008 (A/Res/63/168) which called upon all states that maintain the death penalty to establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolition. The resolutions expressed the conviction of the majority of UN members that the use of the death penalty undermines human dignity; recalled that there is no conclusive evidence of its deterrent value; and noted that any miscarriage or failure of justice in the implementation of the death penalty is irreversible and irreparable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received of the Iraqi judicial authorities confirming death sentences against 128 Iraqi prisoners; and what steps his Department is taking on the matter. (264694)

Following reports of an imminent move to carry out the death sentences of 117 individuals on death row at Kadhamiyah-Max Prison in Iraq, the UK joined other EU member states in supporting a démarche against the sentences delivered on 8 March 2009 by the Czech EU presidency to Iraqi vice-president Tareeq al-Hashemi and to the head of the Iraqi Prime Minister’s office. Vice-president al-Hashemi said he had no information about the enforcement of these sentences which had been passed by the courts in full compliance with Iraqi law and the Iraqi Constitution. We will continue to pursue the Iraqi government on this matter, including making clear our position on the death penalty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Iraqi authorities to make public the information they hold pertaining to the 128 people who have recently had their death sentences confirmed by the Iraqi judicial authorities. (265521)

The UK joined other EU member states in supporting a demarche against the death sentences against 117 people which was delivered on 8 March 2009 by the Czech EU presidency to Iraqi Vice President Tareeq al-Hashemi and to the Head of the Iraqi Prime Minister's Office. We are asking the Iraqi Government for further information about these sentences and regularly make clear our opposition to the death penalty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the government of Iraq on women’s rights in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. (263581)

Our officials in Baghdad regularly meet with staff from the office of the Minister for Women’s Affairs and Ministry of Human Rights. We are closely monitoring the work of the acting Minister for Women’s Affairs. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Human Rights in Iraq also raised the situation of women with senior members of the government of Iraq during a visit on 1 March 2009.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 2 March 2009, Official Report, column 1429W, on Middle East: armed conflict, by what methods the risks that arms could be used for internal repression or external aggression are surveyed; and what steps his Department took to gather evidence on the use of arms exports in relation to Gaza. (264704)

All arms export license applications are considered on a case by case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. This includes criteria covering internal repression and external aggression. We assess each application in the light of information received from several sources, including our embassies, non-governmental organisations and international agencies and in accordance with the EU Arms Export Users Guide, which was published in the UK’s 2007 Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the conclusions of the London Conference on the prevention of arms smuggling to Gaza. (265588)

Tackling the smuggling of arms, ammunition and weapons components to armed groups in Gaza—along with opening the crossings to legitimate goods—is an important part of improving the situation there in a sustainable way.

The London conference on 13 March 2009 built on the progress made in Copenhagen on 3-5 February 2009 and agreed a Programme of Action between the nine participating countries (Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, the UK and the US). A copy of this programme is available on the FCO website:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/newsroom/

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the discussions between the Turkish Prime Minister and the Israeli Prime Minister on peace in the Middle East which took place between 1 November and 27 December 2008. (259999)