Written Answers to Questions
Monday 23 March 2009
Scotland
Armed Forces: Recruitment
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.
Departmental Bank Services
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.
Departmental Training
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 March 2009, Official Report, column 1287W.
International Development
Sudan: Overseas Aid
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.
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.
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
House of Commons Commission
Clerk of the House
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.
Band Number of staff (full-time equivalent) SCSI 1 Al 1 A2 4.6 B2 3 C 1 D2 1 Total 11.6
Band Number of staff (full-time equivalent) SCS1A 1 SCSI 1 A1 1 A2 7.2 B1 3 B2 5 C 2 Total 20.2
Management and Services of the House of Commons Review
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.
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.
Postal Services
The current mail screening contract runs until September 2010. Work to retender the contract will commence in the autumn of 2009.
Transport
Bus Services: Concessions
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.
Driving: Insurance
The Department of Transport does not collect any information on the insurance status of drivers involved in reported personal injury road accidents.
Driving: Multiple Sclerosis
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.
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.
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.
High Speed Two: Finance
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.
Highways Agency: Members
(2) for what reasons the Highways Agency decided that no member of staff would accompany the hon. Member for Walsall North to a site meeting in his constituency on 20 March in relation to work being undertaken under the authorisation of the Highways Agency;
(3) what mechanisms are used by the Highways Agency for public consultation on work it plans to undertake which is likely to affect households near the site of such work;
(4) if he will make it his policy to direct the Highways Agency to notify each household in an area in which work authorised by the Highways Agency is to be carried out; and if he will make a statement.
[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.
Intercity Express Programme
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.
Motor Vehicles: Safety
[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.
Railways
I refer the hon. Member to the answer on 25 November 2008, Official Report, column 1189W.
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.
Roads and Railways
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.
Roads: Snow and Ice
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.
Rolling Stock: Procurement
[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.
Transport: Eco-Towns
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.
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.
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.
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.
Defence
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
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.
The armed forces use Reaper, Hermes 450 and the Desert Hawk 3 unmanned aerial vehicles in Afghanistan.
Africa: Conflict Prevention
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:
£ million 2001-02 19.7 2002-03 45.3 2003-04 47.2 2004-05 63.7 2005-06 48.2 2006-07 57 2007-08 60
Air Force: Military Bases
(2) when he expects to receive a recommendation on the preferred option for Programme Belvedere.
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.
Apprentices
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:
Number 2005-06 8,147 2006-07 7,446 2007-08 8,758
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.
Armed Forces: Families
[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.
Armed Forces: Northern Ireland
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.
Armed Forces: Pay
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.
Rank Average pay (£) Officers Chief of the Defence Staff 231,342.48 General 164,280.65 Lieutenant General 122,404.37 Major General 101,444.98 Brigadier 94,466.91 Colonel 80,381.43 Lieutenant Colonel 68,230.61 Major 50,487.64 Captain 39,433.73 Lieutenant/2nd Lieutenant 26,987.44 Other ranks—higher pay spine Warrant Officer 1 42,882.83 Warrant Officer 2 and Staff Sergeant 39,175.30 Sergeant 33,609.32 Corporal 29,836.48 Lance Corporal and Private 25,335.81 Other ranks—lower pay spine Warrant Officer 1 40,576.11 Warrant Officer 2 and Staff Sergeant 35,723.78 Sergeant 31,086.91 Corporal 27,421.40 Lance Corporal and Private 18,652.27 Other ranks—personnel under training New Entrant 13,012.80
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 37th- 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.
Armed Forces: Deployment
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
Defence Equipment
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.
Departmental Bank Services
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.
Departmental Public Consultation
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.
Departmental Recruitment
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.
Departmental Temporary Employment
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.
Departmental Training
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).
Departmental Translation Services
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.
EU Battlegroups
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.
Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society
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.
£ million 2005-06 2.3 2006-07 2.5 2007-08 3.2
Combat Stress receives separate funding from the Scottish Executive for war pensioners’ resident in Scotland who receive treatment at Hollybush House.
HMS Victorious
It is our policy not to discuss individual submarine operations.
Joint Working Groups
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.
Loss of Service Will
The information requested is not recorded by the Ministry of Defence.
Military Aircraft: Helicopters
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.
Nuclear Weapons
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.
Special Forces
It is the long-standing policy of this Government not to comment on matters relating to operations involving British special forces.
Sudan: Military Aid
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.
Trident
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.
Warships: Persian Gulf
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.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan: Drugs
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.
AIDS
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.
Bali: Terrorism
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.
Belarus: Human Rights
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.
Burma: Political Prisoners
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.
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.
Burma: Politics and Government
[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.
Burma: Religious Freedom
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.
Burma: United Nations
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.
Cambodia: Human Rights
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.
China: Family Planning
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.
Departmental Accountancy
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.
Departmental Catering
The two contracted suppliers of food and drink used by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are as follows:
Directors Table Mountain Spring 2005-06 305,520.99 1740.15 2006-07 451,191.79 16,204.39 2007-08 353,761.09 21,659.26
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.
Departmental Internet
I will write to the hon. Member separately, as the answer is lengthy.
Departmental Public Expenditure
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.
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:
£ UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB) 366,011 UN Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) 5,771,218 UN_Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) 15,184,311 UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) 39,728,447 UN_Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) 3,135,316 UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) 25,403,196 UN African Union—United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) 37,228,728 UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) 28,920,533 UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) 960,793 UN Integrated Mission in East Timor(UNMIT) 4,727,871 UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) 1,140,559 UN Disengagement Observer Force Zone (UNDOF) 1,393,431 UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) 19,062,884 UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) 7,816,007 UN Interim Force in Lebanon(UNIFIL) 25,003,407 UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) 1,557,670 UN International Criminal Court 6,429,102 UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda 4,813,809 UN International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia 6,252,619 Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe field missions 8,377,220 Total 243,273,132
At current exchange rates, estimated assessed contributions to peacekeeping missions paid in foreign currencies in 2008-09 are:
£ UN Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) 18,297,738 UN_Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) 19,968,022 UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) 49,272,772 UN_Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) 1,334,652 UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) 25,323,581 UN African Union—United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) 64,197,346 UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) 30,070,770 UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus 1,392,357 UN Integrated Mission in East Timor(UNMIT) 6,008,093 UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) 1,462,365 UN Disengagement Observer Force Zone (UNDOF) 1,834,559 UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) 24,201,172 UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) 7,480,504 UN Interim Force in Lebanon(UNIFIL) 28,307,578 UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) 1,764,832 UN International Criminal Court 5,463,876 UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda 5,403,725 UN International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia 7,145,468 UN/AU UN Logistical Support to African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) 1,960,880 Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe field missions 9,633,681 Total 310,523,971
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.
Elections: Monitoring
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.
Exchange Rates
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.
Hezbollah
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.
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.
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.
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.
India: Terrorism
[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.
Iran
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.
Iran: Nuclear Power
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.
Iraq: Capital Punishment
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.
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.
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.
Iraq: Females
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.
Middle East: Armed Conflict
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.
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/
Middle East: Peace Negotiations
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last met Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Turkey on 22 December 2008. The details of that meeting, and any other private conversations which may have taken place, are a matter for the governments concerned.
While we have not made a formal assessment, we judge that the Quartet representative and his office have made a valuable contribution to improving the situation on the ground.
Morocco: Fisheries
[holding answer 17 March 2009]: The Government maintain the position that the Government of Morocco—as the de facto administering power of Western Sahara—are obliged under international law to ensure that economic activities under administration, including the extraction and exportation of phosphates, do not adversely affect the interests of the people of Western Sahara.
Our officials in Rabat discuss a range of issues relating to the Western Sahara with their Moroccan counterparts, including when appropriate the issue of fishing revenues.
There are currently only two UK vessels operating in the waters off Western Sahara under the EU—Morocco Fisheries Agreement. All the fish caught are landed in Dakhla, Western Sahara and sold through the local markets or processed in a local factory.
Morocco: Mining
[holding answer 20 March 2009]: The UK maintains its position that Morocco, as the de facto administering power of Western Sahara, is obliged under international law to ensure that economic activities under administration—including the extraction and exportation of phosphates—do not adversely affect the interests of the people in Western Sahara. The UK has not recently raised this issue with the Moroccan authorities.
However, the Government firmly support the principles of transparency and good governance with regards to the extractive industries generally. In November 2008, the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) held a roundtable meeting in Tunis, which included Morocco. Participants discussed the opportunities and challenges which implementing the EITI can bring for the north African region and for further enhancing resource management and economic growth.
Nepal: Human Rights
While there have been improvements in the human rights situation in Nepal since the end of the conflict in 2006, significant challenges remain to the promotion and protection of human rights caused by the absence of rule of law. Despite the government of Nepal making repeated commitments to promoting respect for human rights, they have made limited progress. It has taken steps towards the proportional inclusion of minorities in all organs and at all levels of the state. It has also increased the budget for the national human rights commission, and has discussed the introduction of a bill to establish a truth and reconciliation commission.
The continuing impunity for past and current human rights abuses remains a key concern. It has encouraged a lack of respect for the law which encourages people to turn to violence to resolving disputes. Poor public security, particularly in the Terai (plains), where there is a proliferation of armed groups, is a major obstacle to improving human rights in Nepal. We are also concerned at the increase in intimidation and violence against journalists which is leading to self-censorship by journalists. Political interference in police investigations is commonplace and we continue to receive reports of torture in police custody.
Our embassy in Kathmandu closely monitors the human rights situation. During the past year we have raised our concerns, including at ministerial level, about attacks on the media, freedom of expression and movement, excessive use of force by the security forces, and the need to discharge minors from the Maoist People’s Liberation Army. We will continue to engage with the government of Nepal both bilaterally and in conjunction with the EU, other international partners, and the Office of the High Commissioner on human rights to urge it to meet the commitments they have made to uphold and promote human rights. Our Embassy is also supporting the efforts of civil society to combat impunity, through advocacy, training and work on legislative reform.
North Korea: Capital Punishment
We are concerned about the use of the death penalty in North Korea, including the reports of public executions. There are, however, no reliable figures available for the numbers of executions in North Korea. Different non-governmental organisations produce various figures based on the observations of defectors, but these are difficult to verify and often out of date.
North Korea: Political Prisoners
While there is no doubt that North Korea imprisons large numbers of people for their political and religious beliefs, there are no reliable figures available for the number of political prisoners in North Korea. Different non-governmental organisations produce various figures based on the observations of defectors, but these are difficult to verify, and often out of date. That is why we have consistently pressed North Korea to allow the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea access to their country.
Palestinians: Fisheries
Gazan fishermen are prevented by the Israeli navy from entering international waters. The Israeli navy also severely limits their access to Gaza’s own territorial waters. We believe that the current limit is enforced at around three miles from the shore.
Many Gazan fishing boats were also destroyed or damaged during Operation Cast Lead. The Israeli authorities say that they are enforcing these limits to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza.
Palestinians: Postal Services
There are no restrictions specific to mail or gifts originating in the UK. Incoming mail destined for the Occupied Palestinian Territories must be routed via Israel. It will be subject to security checks. Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff, living in Gaza and the West Bank report that it will take small envelopes several weeks to arrive from an international address. Some of this period of time may also be accounted for by the inefficiency of the Palestinian Authority’s own mail service.
For parcels sent to the West Bank, the security checking process can last up to two months and many West Bankers now arrange for larger mail items to be sent to addresses in east Jerusalem and then delivered on by friends or relatives. Parcels destined for Gaza can be held up for several months and few individuals or organisations inside Gaza would now use this as a means to send items into the Gaza strip.
Philippines: Politics and Government
We are aware that on 15 January 2009 three members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), including two foreign nationals, were kidnapped on the island of Sulu in the southern Philippines. The terrorist group Abu Sayyaf claims to be holding them captive. Our embassy in Manila has been following the case closely. We welcome reports by the ICRC that one of the hostages has been released and we hope the two remaining members will be freed unharmed.
We are concerned about on-going terrorist and insurgent activity in the southern Philippines. Our ambassador in Manila regularly discusses the conflict in the southern Philippines, including wider political implications, with the Philippines Government. The UK has been sharing its experience from the Northern Ireland Peace Process with the Philippines Government to help the Government in its efforts towards achieving peace in Mindanao.
Ron Arad
Our ambassador in Tehran has not had any discussions with the Iranian Government regarding the missing Israeli pilot, Ron Arad. However, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Mr. Arad's disappearance in January 2000 with the Iranian Foreign Minister. The Iranian Minister assured him that although he had no information concerning Mr. Arad, he would pass on any information he might obtain. Officials in our embassies in Beirut and Damascus have also sought information on Mr. Arad's case; most recently with the Lebanese Government in February 2004.
Seoul
There were two visits to Seoul by Government Ministers in financial year 2007-08. These visits were by the then Minister of State for Higher Education, Further Education, and Lifelong Learning, at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (Bill Rammell), in May 2007, and the then Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (Mr. Hutton) in November 2007.
Sri Lanka: Human Rights
The UK has recently made clear our concerns about the deteriorating human right situation in Sri Lanka during the ongoing UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva. The continuing reports of abductions, disappearances, violence and intimidation against the media are of particular concern. Violations must be investigated thoroughly and independently and those responsible must be brought to justice.
On 23 February 2009, the EU released a statement calling on the Sri Lankan authorities to take decisive action to tackle human rights abuses, to guarantee press freedom and to disarm paramilitary groups in government controlled areas. We continue to raise human rights concerns with the Sri Lankan authorities whenever possible.
Sri Lanka: Politics and Government
[holding answer 19 March 2009]: I refer my hon. Friend to my response of 5 March 2009, Official Report, column 1750W.
We are in regular contact with the Government of Sri Lanka. Most recently my noble friend Lord Malloch-Brown, the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, spoke to the Sri Lankan Minister for Foreign Affairs on 16 March 2009 about the political and humanitarian situation. We remain of the view that a political solution that addresses the legitimate concerns of all communities in Sri Lanka is the only way to bring a sustainable end to the conflict.
Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations
We currently assess that a no-fly zone would restrict essential humanitarian operations and be a major logistical challenge due to the size of Darfur and the lack of available air assets. The African Union-UN Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is mandated to monitor military activity, including flights prohibited by UN Security Council Resolution 1591. To this end, we continue to press all parties for rapid, full deployment of UNAMID, and work with the UN and any potential donors to ensure UNAMID receives the equipment it so urgently requires.
Sudan: Politics and Government
We remain committed to both the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and Darfur Peace Process. We welcomed the initial agreement between the Government of Sudan and the justice and equality movement signed in Doha on 17 February 2009, and encouraged UN/African Union mediator Bassole and Qatar to continue efforts. We urge implementation of the initial agreement, talks on a cessation of hostilities and a lasting settlement, and the engagement also of other Darfur leaders.
Full implementation of CPA is essential for lasting peace throughout Sudan and we will continue to work with the governments in Khartoum and Juba for that.
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
[holding answer 13 March 2009]: Our Ambassador has urged the Government of Sudan to allow non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to continue their work. The EU issued a statement on 10 March 2009 calling upon the Government of Sudan to urgently reconsider their decision, and ensure that humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable people in Sudan be continuously guaranteed. European foreign Ministers discussed the situation again on 16 March 2009 and reiterated this message. We have, through official and ministerial level contacts, urged, China, Russia, and Sudan’s African and Arab neighbours to press the Government of Sudan to reverse their decision.
To date, there has been no indication that the Government of Sudan will reverse their decision and allow the 13 NGOs to remain in Sudan.
Terrorism: Finance
All of the £80 million and £6 million allocated to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and British Council respectively in the 2008-11 comprehensive spending review was new funding.
Thailand: Demonstrations
[holding answer 2 March 2009]: An estimated 6,000 British nationals had their travel plans disrupted during the closure of Bangkok’s two main airports by People’s Alliance for Democracy demonstrators last year. Our consular team in Bangkok spoke to about 400 callers per day during this period, visited Bangkok hotels and made contact with British nationals. We received one complaint through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s formal complaints procedure about the Government’s response to the airport closure. Separately we have received approximately 50 letters and emails from members of the public and 15 letters from MPs whose constituents were unhappy with the assistance provided by the Government.
Treaty of Lisbon
At the December 2008 European Council, a way forward was agreed on the Lisbon treaty on the basis of proposals from the Irish Government. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made a statement on the European Council to Parliament on 15 December 2008, Official Report, column 813.
There have been no formal discussions at EU level since December. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers regularly meet their EU counterparts to discuss a range of issues including the Treaty of Lisbon.
The Irish Government gave an update on their progress at the Spring European Council on 19-20 March 2009.
UN Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance
The Government are currently examining the potential impact of the UN Convention against enforced disappearance on the law of the UK. In particular, lawyers are analysing the extent to which common law provisions may need to be replicated in statute law, and the introduction of one or more specific criminal offences.
If the Government decide to ratify the convention, these changes to the law would require primary legislation, which would be introduced when parliamentary time allowed. Decisions would also need to be taken in due course on whether the UK required any reservations or declarations upon ratification. These are complex issues requiring further consideration and analysis which will take some time to complete.
UN World Conference against Racism
The UK is still engaged in the Durban Review process and we will keep our position under review. We hope that there is still time to return the focus of preparations to reviewing work undertaken to combat racism and implement the 2001 Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, thus enhancing the prospect of a consensus outcome. But a change in this direction will be required for any outcome document to gain our support.
We have, on several occasions, expressed our view on the Durban Review Conference: we want the conference to forge a collective will to fight against racism in all its forms, in all countries in the world. The Government remain deeply concerned about the draft outcome document.
Ministers and officials have had regular discussions with EU partners and the US administration on the Durban Review Conference. I discussed it with the Israeli ambassador when he called on me on 11 March 2009.
We have received numerous representations both urging us to remain engaged in the process to strengthen the concluding document, and also expressing concern about the direction it has taken.
Uzbekistan: Sanctions
The UK has consistently argued that sanctions have been an important factor in bringing about positive, albeit limited, progress in the human rights situation in Uzbekistan.
While serious concerns persist about the overall human rights situation, recent developments include:
the release of five human rights defenders, including Mutabar Tojibayeva, the most egregious of the Uzbek human rights cases of concern to the EU;
the resumption of prison visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross;
the entry into force of the abolition of the death penalty, and the introduction of a limited form of habeas corpus.