To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Answer by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 10 November (HL Deb, cols. 676–7), whether they have held further discussions with relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi about the rule of law in that state. [HL667]

Since my Answer on 10 November 2009, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not held any further high-level discussions with the authorities in Abu Dhabi about the rule of law. Police co-operation as outlined in my previous Answer continues, and rule of law issues remain relevant to the day-to-day work of our Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Answer by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 10 November (HL Deb, cols. 676–7), whether the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has taken forward any proposals for enhancing and protecting the rule of law in Abu Dhabi. [HL668]

Further to my Answer on 10 November 2009, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not taken forward proposals for enhancing and protecting the rule of law in Abu Dhabi. Such proposals would need to be raised in the appropriate forum, such as the annual UK/UAE joint ministerial meeting. The next such meeting is due to take place in 2010.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the authorities in Abu Dhabi about outstanding claims by the Al-Ghussein family for the loss of the family's business and property interests. [HL669]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has not raised the case of the Al-Ghussein family with the authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As the late Mr Al-Ghussein was not a British National, the FCO has no locus to raise this dispute as a consular matter. Nor does the British Government have any authority to get involved in any matters concerning UAE domestic legislation.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will raise with the Government of Abu Dhabi the outstanding claims of the Al-Ghussein family concerning the loss of their property and any threat therefrom to business confidence in Abu Dhabi. [HL670]

As the late Mr Al-Ghussein was not a British national, the FCO has no locus to raise this dispute as a consular matter. Nor does the British Government have any authority to get involved in any matters concerning UAE domestic legislation.