Oral Answers to Questions

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The Secretary of State was asked—

Syria

Helen Jones (Warrington, North) (Lab)
1. What recent discussions she has had with the US Administration on relations with Syria.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Margaret Beckett)
In our regular and ongoing discussions with the United States, relations with Syria feature from time to time. The UK and the US have some of the same concerns. We would like to have an improved relationship with Syria, but that requires them to play a more constructive role in the region.

Helen Jones
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does she agree that, since it is now increasingly difficult to persuade the public in Israel of the value of unilateral withdrawals from territory, one of the best hopes of forwarding the peace process lies in improving relations with Syria and persuading them to engage in constructive negotiations with Israel? Will she do all she can to persuade the United States to forward that initiative, particularly to persuade them that if a breakthrough can be achieved with Syria, that might influence in turn the Hamas members of the Palestinian Government?

Margaret Beckett
My hon. Friend makes an important and powerful point. It is certainly the case that most people would like nothing better than to see constructive negotiations taking place, as she suggests, to address some of the difficult and complex issues in the middle east. There is really no need for me to persuade the United States: the US, in common with ourselves, would like nothing better than to feel that there is a possibility of constructive discussion and negotiation with Syria over a number of these issues—not least, as my hon. Friend says, in the context of the influence on Hamas. Sadly, although we constantly look for signs that that is the approach, it is not yet as evident as we would like.

Mr. Malcolm Moss (North-East Cambridgeshire) (Con)
Since Syria seems to continue to violate UN resolution 1701 by allowing the smuggling of arms into southern Lebanon, what effective steps are the Government taking to prevent Syrian interference in the fragility of southern Lebanon, to prevent the rearming of Hezbollah and, of course, to obtain the release of the Israeli soldiers?

Margaret Beckett
The hon. Gentleman will know that there are now more than 11,000 UNIFIL soldiers in Lebanon; he will also know that we are not direct contributors to that force, but we are nevertheless acting in support of it in so far as we can. He is right to say that there are continued and rather alarming allegations of continued flow of arms across the border. We are in continuing discussion with our colleagues, not least our German colleagues, who are active on the ground in that respect and we are doing what we can to help and support them. The hon. Gentleman will know that the concern that he has just expressed is shared by the whole international community—not least by the UN Secretary-General, who expressed exactly the same anxieties quite recently.

Mr. Doug Henderson (Newcastle upon Tyne, North) (Lab)
My right hon. Friend will be aware of the very close links between the Syrian communities and the Iraqi communities. She will also be aware not only of the historic links, but of significant migration from Iraq to Syria over the last three or four years. In her discussions with the Syrian Government, has she raised the issue of the Syrian relationship with the future in Iraq—looking to the time when there will, hopefully, be a withdrawal of troops—and asked the Syrian Government their view of the future political settlement within Iraq?

Margaret Beckett
First, my hon. Friend is entirely right—I know that he is aware of these issues from his ministerial experience—about the relationships between the communities of Syria and Iraq. He will know that not long ago Syria opened an embassy in Iraq, which we welcome. Perhaps more importantly, continued discussion between the Government of Syria and the Government of Iraq is taking place on these issues. For our part, we continue in dialogue with the Syrian Government to encourage them to adopt a better relationship with the Government and the people of Iraq and to recognise their responsibilities for helping the Government of Iraq to deal with the security situation and other problems there. We have not discussed possible future relationships with Iraq as a whole other than to urge support for the present democratically elected Iraqi Government.

Mr. Crispin Blunt (Reigate) (Con)
It is the view of the Syrian Government that the last serious negotiations over the Golan and Israel were stymied by the intervention of the United States. What is the Foreign Secretary’s view? Would it not be better for us to support those members of the Syrian Government who are anxious to advance a deal and to act responsibility, as she has requested?

Margaret Beckett
Whoever may have been responsible for the breakdown of talks on previous occasions, everyone recognises that, as I said to my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, North (Helen Jones), these issues can only and best be resolved through continued negotiation. The hon. Gentleman will know that proposals about what should happen in the Golan are part of the road map and would be subject to any final status decisions on the outcome of negotiations over that road map. There is certainly strong recognition that these issues are linked and that they are and should be part of the same peace process. The hon. Gentleman will know of the strong drive to reinvigorate that process.

Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP)
Is the Secretary of State not concerned about regional security, including that of Syria, given the emerging reports about the US planning for a military attack on Iran? Do the UK Government not agree that military threats—

Mr. Speaker
Order. This question is not about Iran.

Mr. William Hague (Richmond, Yorks) (Con)
Will the Foreign Secretary tell us whether any positive results came from the visit by Sir Nigel Sheinwald to Syria in October? From her opening response, it sounds as though no such positive results were achieved. Are there any further plans for such visits by envoys to Syria in the coming months? Given that the Baker-Hamilton report called for a new diplomatic offensive by the United States to engage Syria in constructive policies, and that the Prime Minister appeared to endorse those calls in his speech at the Lord Mayor’s banquet in November, is the United States now showing any signs of being prepared to engage with Syria in that way, if the intention were reciprocated? Would it not be a great mistake for the United States not to be prepared to do so?

Margaret Beckett
There were indeed positive results, in that Syria expressed a willingness to become more constructively engaged with the Government of Iraq. Shortly thereafter, there followed a visit by the Syrian Foreign Minister to Iraq and further discussions between the two Governments. I believe also that it is not long since the President of Iraq went to Syria, and, as I mentioned to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson), Syria has now set up an embassy in Iraq. So, yes, there were positive results, and we continue to look for further signs of Syrian willingness to act more constructively in the region. We therefore continue to keep under consideration whether there would be merit in further contacts in the coming months, as does the European Union, where there is much discussion on whether and how it would be possible to encourage a more constructive relationship with Syria. The question of whether the United States should have more contact with Syria, if the willingness to do so were thought to be reciprocal, is a matter for the Government of the United States.

Darfur

Mr. Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab)
3. If she will make a statement on the political situation in Darfur.

Jim Dobbin (Heywood and Middleton) (Lab/Co-op)
11. What recent assessment she has made of the political situation in Darfur.

The Minister for Trade (Mr. Ian McCartney)
The situation in Darfur is completely unacceptable. We utterly condemn the violence targeting civilians and humanitarian workers. The Government of Sudan must stop their bombing. We are supporting the efforts of the United Nations and the African Union to achieve an immediate ceasefire; a political process to bring in the non-signatory rebel groups; and a hybrid African Union-UN peacekeeping force. Meanwhile, it is vital that the African Union mission in Sudan continue to operate. The UK remains one of its leading funders; we have committed £67 million to date.

Mr. Brown
I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. He mentioned the excellent work being undertaken by the humanitarian aid workers, and I want to raise the issue of the tragedy of the ongoing attacks on those workers, who are doing their utmost to help the beleaguered people of the Darfur region. What can the Government and their counterparts in Europe do to encourage more support and assistance, so as to prevent further such attacks?

Mr. McCartney
In my answer, I described the measures that we need to take, but let us be clear that, following the attacks on 19 January, we made an immediate response. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development condemned the attacks, we have written to the Sudanese Government to protest, and we are calling for the police and security officers responsible to face appropriate judicial action. In addition, the United Nations has condemned the attacks and the decline of security in Darfur. I hope that, in the discussions that will take place in the next few days, we shall be able to move forward on these issues to ensure that all aid workers can operate effectively without fearing for their lives.

Jim Dobbin
Does the Minister think that the time has come for sanctions such as travel bans and asset freezes to be imposed on Sudanese companies, and on those ruling party officials who travel around the world doing business?

Mr. McCartney
I thank my hon. Friend for that question. We have made it clear that if the violence does not cease and if there is no co-operation towards achieving a political solution, we could move to tougher measures, including sanctions. Decisions on individual sanctions would have to be taken by the UN sanctions committee in New York, so I cannot comment on individual cases ahead of any such decisions. Let me make it quite clear, however, that we are prepared to move to that position.

John Bercow (Buckingham) (Con)
Given that the Sudanese Government’s genocide policy in Darfur has now spread to Chad and the Central African Republic, and that diplomatic sorcery by the regime has thus far precluded any concerted action to prevent the continued slaughter of black Africans, does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the time is now right for the European Union to apply sanctions on a selective and targeted basis against this most despicable regime?

Mr. McCartney
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question and the concern that he expresses regularly about the issue. We are very concerned about inter-ethnic fighting in eastern Chad and attacks by militias from Sudan. The UN has sent a technical assessment mission to eastern Chad that should report back on the situation in the next few days. The Security Council is now considering what steps to take next. As I said in response to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Heywood and Middleton (Jim Dobbin), we are considering appropriate sanctions, but that would have to be done in the context of the United Nations.

Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con)
How did we get ourselves into the crazy situation in which, effectively, the Government of Sudan have a de facto right of veto on any action by the United Nations? Some months ago, the Prime Minister espoused the concept of the responsibility to protect. Where is that responsibility in Darfur? It simply is not happening.

Mr. McCartney
That is why so much effort has been made by us and others, and will be made by the Minister with responsibility for Africa in the next few days, to get agreement between the warring factions, including the Government, first, to end the bombing, and secondly, to engage the rebel organisations in the peace process. Indeed, there are two peace processes: the north-south dialogue and the Darfur peace agreement dialogue. While neither works effectively, an excuse is provided for the continuation of violence. That is why we have supplied humanitarian aid and been involved with the United Nations and other colleagues in bringing together the warring parties to find an effective way forward. It is a frustrating process, because 2 million people are displaced and 4 million need food and humanitarian aid. That is an international calamity, but hon. Members should rest assured that we are playing our part to bring the warring factions to the table and reach a settlement.

Mr. Chris Mullin (Sunderland, South) (Lab)
Is there any sign that the International Criminal Court has any plans to unveil its indictments against the Sudanese leaders alleged to be responsible for the catastrophe in Darfur? Does my right hon. Friend think that the time has now come for that to happen?

Mr. McCartney
I am certain that the International Criminal Court will do that at the appropriate time, and we are supportive of that not only with regard to Sudan but in relation to those other countries for which indictments are either in the process of being submitted or of being dealt with. It is critical that those who are in the process of carrying out genocide have a clear understanding that they cannot act with impunity and that appropriate steps will be taken. First, however, an agreement to end the violence must be reached, so that the 4 million people affected can return to some form of normality and security and are not in fear of their lives every day.

Human Rights (Russia)

Danny Alexander (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey) (LD)
4. What recent assessments she has made of the human rights situation in Russia; and if she will make a statement.

The Minister for Europe (Mr. Geoffrey Hoon)
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office annual report on human rights, published on 12 October 2006, sets out a range of our concerns about human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Russia. We continue to engage with Russia on human rights issues, critically as necessary.

Danny Alexander
I am grateful to the Minister for that answer, and I am glad that he agrees that there are real problems with human rights in Russia, exemplified not least by the failure to find the killer of Anna Politkovskaya and the recent appointment of President Kadyrov in Chechnya. When the EU negotiates its new partnership and co-operation agreement with Russia—I understand that the negotiations are due to start this year—will he ensure that human rights are given a much higher priority, and that the provisions have real teeth, so that the next President of Russia takes such issues more seriously than the current one?

Mr. Hoon
We raise such issues regularly with our Russian counterparts—I was in Russia towards the end of last year and had some fairly firm exchanges with them. My right hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for human rights attended a meeting in January at which such issues were discussed—again, critically, as I indicated. The UK continues to raise such questions regularly with Russia, and we urge our partners in the European Union to do the same.

Mr. Denis MacShane (Rotherham) (Lab)
Those of us who have wanted Russia to move to democracy and European values since the end of communism are now disappointed by its tactics, tone and bullying rhetoric. But is not the answer to work for a united position from Europe? Russia is playing divide and rule between the European capitals, and if we forged a common European approach to Russia, based on European and British values, we could talk face to face and ask it to back off from some of the positions that it is taking today.

Mr. Hoon
I recognise that my right hon. Friend has a long-standing interest in these matters. There is little doubt that the situation of human rights and democracy in modern Russia is rather better than it was under its predecessor state, the Soviet Union. We continue to discuss with our European partners and with Russia, both bilaterally and directly, how it can continue to improve human rights and democracy. As I have indicated already, it is a matter that we raise regularly when we have meetings with our Russian counterparts.

Sir Malcolm Rifkind (Kensington and Chelsea) (Con)
Does the Minister of State agree that, despite the depressing deterioration of human rights in the Russian Federation, and although under Putin it will not become a genuine democracy, Russia today remains a far more open society than the old Soviet Union? Does he further agree that, if Margaret Thatcher was able to do business with Mr. Gorbachev’s Soviet Union, we and the west can continue comfortably to do business with Mr. Putin’s Russia?

Mr. Hoon
I made that first point in my previous answer. The Government judge that it is right to continue to engage with Russia, to have the opportunity of a dialogue and to raise concerns that we have about human rights and democracy. That remains the Government's position.

Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North) (Lab)
Surely one test of doing business with Russia is that the Russian authorities co-operate, hopefully, with the British police in the investigation of the death—it was almost certainly murder—of Mr. Litvinenko? What has been the attitude so far of the Russian authorities? Do they understand the concern that someone from Russia could have been murdered in the way Mr. Litvinenko was, and the suspicion that the Russian authorities, or at least those acting on their behalf, were responsible for his death?

Mr. Hoon
These matters are, obviously, subject to a continuing investigation. It is something that we have pressed Russia to take seriously. I am confident that they understand how important that issue is. In the United Kingdom, we will continue to pursue the investigation. It is something that we want to see taken up vigorously by Russia.

Mr. Greg Hands (Hammersmith and Fulham) (Con)
The Minister mentioned that he had discussions at the end of last year with Russian authorities about human rights in Russia. What about human rights in other territories that were recently part of the Soviet Union, including central Asia, and the key role that Russia has, or should have, in promoting human rights there? What representations did he make there?

Mr. Hoon
I went to Moscow from Kazakhstan, which is one of the countries that the hon. Gentleman was perhaps thinking about. I have visited Russia in recent times. I am shortly to visit Ukraine. I hope that those countries are the ones that he had in mind. Issues of human rights are regularly raised by Ministers. I assure him that in each of those visits I had meetings not only with representatives of the Government but with representatives of civil society. Contrary perhaps to the implication that he is making, there is a vigorous discussion of the state of human rights and democracy in each of those countries, which I suspect would not have pertained during the existence of the Soviet Union.

Afghanistan

Patrick Mercer (Newark) (Con)
5. If she will make a statement on the security situation in Afghanistan.

The Minister for the Middle East (Dr. Kim Howells)
The security situation in Afghanistan remains broadly stable. However, there are regions, particularly in the south, where Government authority has yet to be firmly established. To address that, UK forces have recently engaged in a number of missions aimed at extending the authority of the Afghan Government across Helmand province. We are taking the military initiative and are capitalising on steady progress by increasing the pace of our reconstruction and development efforts in Helmand province.

Patrick Mercer
I am grateful to the Minister for his answer. He will be aware that the outgoing NATO commander, General Richards, described the war as being very winnable. Can the Minister tell us what circumstances will have to prevail before we can say that we have won?

Dr. Howells
That is quite a question. The ability of the Afghan security authorities to provide a measure of security in Afghanistan, which they are not capable of providing at the moment, would be one measure and a very important one. I know that the hon. Gentleman has considerable experience of Bosnia, for example. He knows as well as anyone in the House that, without that general level of security, it will be impossible for the economic reconstruction of Afghanistan to take place in the way that it should take place. I suppose the test ultimately will be whether ordinary people in Afghanistan feel secure enough to go about their daily business without fear of harassment from the Taliban or any other forces.

Mrs. Ann Cryer (Keighley) (Lab)
Will my hon. Friend comment on the proportion of girls who are currently in education in Afghanistan? Will he also comment on their security, and the security of their schools and their teachers?

Dr. Howells
Across Afghanistan, there are millions more girls in education than there were during the Taliban times. They forbade the education of females; that was one of the most atrocious acts that they committed. Any teachers who were found to be teaching females—and, indeed, any teachers who are nowadays found to be teaching females in areas where the Taliban remain a strong presence—were usually killed, and usually killed in front of the children. That ought to be a reminder to all of us, lest we forget what kind of a regime does such things. We should do everything that we can to ensure that the Taliban do not return to power in Afghanistan.

Mr. Paul Keetch (Hereford) (LD)
The Minister is right to congratulate British forces, who are doing a superb job in Afghanistan, but does he agree that the security situation will be finally sorted out only when there is much better co-operation with the Pakistani authorities? Is he continuing to talk to General Musharraf and his regime to ensure that efforts are made to bring the cross-border problems to an end as swiftly as possible?

Dr. Howells
The hon. Gentleman is right. It is vital that there be much closer links between the Pakistani and Afghanistan forces. I have been up to Waziristan, to Peshawar and the border at Khyber, to urge the sides to co-operate more closely. It is a wild and woolly place. [Interruption.] Well, enough of the hon. Gentleman’s constituents are to be found in Brecon, of course—as well as up the Khyber pass. However, I say to him that we often hear a great deal of misinformation about the ability and aims of the Pakistani Government in terms of their addressing security on their side of the border. It is a difficult border; it is one of the worst in the world to police, and they have made great efforts to do so. I am glad that there are now closer links between the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as between President Karzai and President Musharraf, who are trying to forge some kind of arrangement that stops the constant leakage of Taliban and al-Qaeda forces across the border.

Mike Gapes (Ilford, South) (Lab/Co-op)
Will the Minister confirm that that border is extremely important, because there are tribal links on both sides and it is an open border? Does he agree that the Afghan Government need to do far more on their side of the border, in addition to the steps that the Pakistani Government have taken in recent weeks to increase the number of border posts on their side of the border?

Dr. Howells
Yes, much more can be done. It is a woeful fact that the line of the border is still a matter of dispute. Therefore offers of increased co-operation that have been made by both sides have often been rejected by the other side because that would amount to a tacit recognition that that is the actual border. It would also help—I am sure that Members know the Government’s feelings on this—if many of our fellow NATO members were to put up more assets and hardware. That might well help the efforts in the south. In respect of some countries, there are helicopters that might as well be parked up in leading European airports for all the good they are doing in some parts of Afghanistan.

Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold) (Con)
The Minister will no doubt recall that on 26 January last year the then Secretary of State for Defence, the right hon. Member for Airdrie and Shotts (John Reid), announced a deployment to Helmand of up to 5,700 troops. Since then, the security situation remains very difficult, there has been very little infrastructure-building in the south in Helmand, and opium production has increased by more than 60 per cent. Does the Minister believe that the policy pursued by the British Government at that time is still correct, or is he considering revising that policy to meet the aims and timelines of the London compact?

Dr. Howells
As the hon. Gentleman knows well, the best laid plans sometimes have to be altered because of the force of events. I went to the south, to Lashkar Gah, long before British troops got down there. I visited a very small American fortress, and the Marines there were doing nothing much more than staying alive. I do not think that anybody had poked a stick into that beehive up to that point; well, we now have. Having 5,000 troops there, compared with 100 American Marines, makes a difference on the ground and causes a great deal more friction than would previously have been caused. The British forces are coping very well, and I was glad to see that they had a significant military victory overnight and this morning, and that they feel that they are properly equipped to carry out an exercise that is designed to bring sufficient security to Helmand in order to carry on with the reconstruction process that is vital to the area.

A lot of work has been done. A lot of wells have been dug, and we are about to put new turbines into the Kajaki dam at the top of the Sangin valley, which will bring electricity to 1 million people. These are not insignificant achievements, and I very much hope that the hon. Gentleman will continue with his broad support for that policy.

Mr. Tom Watson (West Bromwich, East) (Lab)
Peasant farmers in many areas in the south of Afghanistan are wholly dependent on the narcotics economy. Does my hon. Friend think that, as has been stated on both sides of the House, if we are to maintain security and thereby a platform to rebuild Afghanistan, any short-term disruption of that narcotics economy might create greater insecurity and drive peasant farmers into the hands of the extremists from whose grip we are trying to remove them?

Dr. Howells
This is a very easy assumption to make, but if we are to take on what President Karzai has himself described as the single most corrosive element in Afghan society—the corruption, killing and subjugation generated by the narcotics trade—this issue has to be dealt with. It is not a simple fight involving just hearts and minds. For example, more than 3,000 men have been lost on the eastern border of Iran combating drug convoys armed with anti-aircraft missiles that are bringing heroin to Europe. This industry generates huge sums of money that is used in the most nefarious ways, so it has to be tackled in every way open to us, including through military activity.

Middle East

Alistair Burt (North-East Bedfordshire) (Con)
6. What assessment she has made of the prospects for progress in the middle east following recent talks

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Margaret Beckett)
We welcome both Saudi Arabia’s efforts to broker a national unity Government through negotiations with Hamas and Fatah in Mecca, and President Abbas’ efforts for intra-Palestinian reconciliation. We also welcome the trilateral meeting between Prime Minister Olmert, President Abbas and Secretary of State Rice. That and the Quartet meeting tomorrow illustrate momentum and the engagement of the international community.

Alistair Burt
Although any glimmer of progress is to be welcomed, do not Hamas-backed terrorists continue to hold Corporal Shalit captive after 240 days? Can the Secretary of State give any sense of international progress toward his release; and will she reconfirm that until there is acceptance of the Quartet’s basic principles—recognition of Israel, denunciation of terrorism and the acceptance of previous Palestinian-Israeli agreements—there can be no recognition of the new Palestinian Government?

Margaret Beckett
There is continual discussion of the unfortunate case of Corporal Shalit, and constant pressure on those who hold him to release him and, indeed, the other two soldiers being held. From time to time, there are suggestions that release might be possible imminently, but it does not happen. However, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that this issue is raised continually and in a variety of forums. Everyone in the international community certainly recognises the need for the Government in Palestine to work with, and to be based on, the principles enunciated by the Quartet. People are holding a watching brief to see whether that can be delivered.

Mrs. Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab/Co-op)
Will my right hon. Friend indicate what she believes to be Iran’s role in the current attempts to restart negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, and does she take seriously the statement by the President of Iran that he wishes to wipe Israel off the map?

Margaret Beckett
I do take that remark seriously, and anyone must. Whether it was intended literally or meant as a throwaway remark of some kind, it is utterly unacceptable from any quarter, still less from the president of a major country in the region. Iran does not appear to be playing a positive role in its general relationships in the region, and it is less involved in the ongoing negotiations than are—more positively—some other states in the region.

Mr. Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con)
Following the question of the hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs. Ellman), what pressure is being put on Iran to achieve Corporal Shalit’s release? It is clear that Iran is implicated in that kidnapping.

Margaret Beckett
There are many stories about who might be implicated in the different kidnappings, but it is clear to everyone concerned that it is extremely unhelpful to the prospect of restarting peace negotiations that those three Israeli soldiers continue to be detained. The process by which they were detained was undoubtedly intended to derail peace negotiations and it would be good for all concerned in the region—not least the people of Palestine, who have undergone great difficulties particularly of late—if the release were to take place soon.

Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield) (Lab)
Is not the reality of the situation that the international community has a choice about how it responds to the Mecca agreement? It can either see the movement that is there, and its potential for moving the peace process forward, or it can say that because pre-ordained forms of words have not been used, there is an excuse not to move the peace process forward. Does my right hon. Friend agree that if absolute and unequivocal recognition by each side of the other has to be the prerequisite for involvement in talks, the Oslo process could never have started if those conditions had been applied to Israel in 1993, because the Palestinians recognised Israel, but Israel did not recognise the Palestinians’ right to a state?

Margaret Beckett
Where my hon. Friend is entirely right is that there is of course a choice before the international community and indeed all the players in the talks. That choice is straightforward, but difficult. It is straightforward in the sense that there is a possibility of progress towards negotiations along the path of peace and to establish a two-state solution, which in theory everybody wants. Alternatively, people can remain mired in the same bloodshed and dereliction that has gone on for so many years. My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the fact that there have been other occasions on which there have been discussions about a peace process and in the end those talks have not succeeded. We would be wise to concentrate on achieving momentum for moves forward rather than on who let everybody down the last time. Let us try to ensure that nobody lets anybody down this time.

Mr. Michael Moore (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) (LD)
The significant steps towards a national unity Government are very welcome, but everyone will agree that the three key principles of the Quartet must be adhered to. Following the question by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Richard Burden), does the Foreign Secretary agree that it is important that the international community should show the Palestinian people that it recognises the progress that has been made? Surely this is the time for renewed efforts to sort out and extend the temporary international mechanism, so that we can deal with the growing poverty in the occupied territories, and for new efforts to persuade the Israelis to release the substantial sums of money that they have been holding back for the past year?

Margaret Beckett
May I first say to the hon. Gentleman that yes, of course, it is important that there is adherence. We have used the phrase that any such Government should be based on the Quartet principles, and I think that everyone recognises the importance of that. He will know that, of late, this Government have put in extra resources—both bilaterally and into the temporary international mechanism—and are urging the European Union to continue to do so, because we recognise the need to continue to address the problems experienced by the Palestinian people. I can certainly assure him that there is extensive and continued engagement with all parties quite widely across the international community. I think that the House will know that there are meetings in the region today with countries such as Saudi Arabia and Jordan. The Quartet meets tomorrow in Berlin.

Jane Kennedy (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab)
Although the Mecca accord is welcome, in that it appears to have averted a civil war in Gaza, does my right hon. Friend accept that it also appears that President Abbas was left with little choice other than to accept the terms of that agreement? I therefore welcome the comments that she has made indicating that she and our allies in the Quartet will maintain a strong line on the three principles. It cannot be right that a democratically elected Government maintain armed gangs in the streets of their own citadels.

Margaret Beckett
I can only echo the last point made by my right hon. Friend, but I would also say to her that I think that it was inevitable and right that there was pressure at Mecca to reach agreement in order to avoid what was clearly the very real potential danger of civil war, which would have been utterly destructive of everyone’s hopes for peace. From that point of view, we should and do welcome—as the hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Mr. Moore) sought—the moves that have been made to stabilise the present situation, but there is still a great deal more that needs to be done.

Mr. William Hague (Richmond, Yorks) (Con)
May I join the Foreign Secretary in welcoming the Mecca agreement? She referred a few moments ago to the meeting of the Quartet showing momentum and engagement with the peace process, but does she also believe that it will show unity and a united resolve? In particular, will it show a united resolve to continue to place Hamas Ministers under the maximum possible pressure to accept the principles of the Quartet and to show some credible movement in the direction of those principles before any normal business can be resumed?

Margaret Beckett
Yes, I think that we can be reasonably confident, because there have been very constructive discussions by the Quartet. One thing that I should take the opportunity to stress to the House, and of which I know the right hon. Gentleman is aware, is that, although we now have the Mecca agreement and so the basis for the formation of a Government of national unity, there is an enormous amount that needs to be done before the actual formation of such a Government, let alone before we can begin to judge their actions. There are quite a large number of ministerial and other appointments to be made and there are whole set of procedures to be gone through in appointing the Government. So there is a great deal still to be done. That is why I referred to the need to keep up the momentum and the engagement. The House may also be aware that we anticipate that President Abbas will be in this country tomorrow and we hope to have an update from him.

John McFall (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab/Co-op)
Does the Foreign Secretary agree that any progress has to be underpinned by sound economic development policies and that the land ownership question is one of the biggest inhibitors to the peace process? Given the opportunity that she will have to meet Cabinet Ministers in the Israeli Government who are promoting the economic and financial benefits of Israel in this country, will she impress on them that, if they engage in meaningful, regional attempts to solve the land question, that could be the biggest boost to prosperity in the middle east?

Margaret Beckett
My right hon. Friend makes an important point and he will be pleased to know that a feature of the discussions that I have had recently with Ministers in the Israeli Government and others is indeed economic development and the recognition that, in order to hold out hopes for the future, we should not just seek to move the peace process forward, but seek economic development and a co-operative process in that context, so that people in Palestine—and indeed in Israel, but particularly in Palestine—can feel that there is a real prospect of a better future for themselves and their children.

European Union

Mr. David Gauke (South-West Hertfordshire) (Con)
7. If she will make a statement on the German presidency’s work on the future development of the EU.

Mr. Philip Dunne (Ludlow) (Con)
8. If she will make a statement on her response to the German presidency’s work on the future development of the EU.

Andrew Selous (South-West Bedfordshire) (Con)
10. What the prospects are for the implementation of the proposals for the EU set out in Command Paper 7024; and if she will make a statement.

The Minister for Europe (Mr. Geoffrey Hoon)
The German presidency will take forward work on a wide range of issues, including climate change, energy security, economic reform and the future of the European Union. The Government’s approach is set out in the Command Paper “Prospects for the European Union in 2007”, which was placed in the Library of the House on 31 January.

Mr. Gauke
Given that the German presidency appears to be determined to revive the European constitution, at least in a revised form, would the Government support proposals for a new EU Foreign Minister, a new EU diplomatic service and a new post of EU President?

Mr. Hoon
As I have made clear to the House on several occasions, discussions are continuing about the extent to which the treaty could be revived in either its existing form, or any revised form. There is no consensus among member states at this stage. As soon as there is any such consensus, I will obviously report the matter to the House.

Mr. Dunne
I listened to the right hon. Gentleman’s reply with great interest, but I am afraid that I am none the wiser. Does he agree with his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary that the EU constitution is a dead parrot, or does he support the constitution?

Mr. Hoon
I am sorry that I am not able to add to the hon. Gentleman’s intellectual understanding. I would be trying the patience of the House if I were to repeat my answer. However, I refer him to what I said a few moments ago—he will find that I have already set out the answer to his question quite clearly.

Andrew Selous
On the subject of climate change, the Command Paper calls for

“a practical, ambitious Action Plan incorporating emission reduction targets.”

Given that many more Britons and Europeans are forecast to fly across Europe, how are the Government pressing the EU to improve the affordability and availability of train travel as an alternative?

Mr. Hoon
There is a substantial EU commitment to improving high-speed rail links throughout the European Union. A significant amount of European taxpayers’ money goes into such projects. Those routes are important alternatives for travellers throughout the European Union, as anyone who, like me, regularly catches the Eurostar between London and Brussels and Paris will find.

Paddy Tipping (Sherwood) (Lab)
Will my right hon. Friend comment on the Prime Minister’s recent discussions with the German Chancellor on climate change? Is it not the case that the EU emissions trading scheme should be widened and deepened and that we need to move quickly to a post-Kyoto settlement?

Mr. Hoon
That is certainly one of the United Kingdom’s ambitions as we discuss the way forward on climate change with Germany, which holds the EU presidency for the moment, and with other member states. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has led Europe on this issue and he continues to be determined to secure an agreement. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his observations. An important aspect of the British Government’s negotiating strategy during the German presidency is that we should achieve improvements, especially on the trading scheme.

Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh, North and Leith) (Lab/Co-op)
Do not the crises and conflicts in various parts of the world that we have been discussing for the past 45 minutes underline the need for greater effectiveness of the EU in international and foreign affairs? Will my right hon. Friend do what he can to ensure that he talks to the German Chancellor to try to bring forward proposals that would strengthen the European Union’s ability to intervene on international issues?

Mr. Hoon
Certainly, I see no reason why we should not build on the considerable success that Javier Solana has made of his post. There was a good deal of criticism of his appointment, especially from Conservative Members, but he has demonstrated that it is important for the European Union to have a single figure with whom the United States and other countries throughout the world can communicate, especially on matters as vital as the middle east peace process and relations with Iran and Russia. He has been an outstanding success and I pay tribute to the work that he has done.

Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab)
Will my right hon. Friend confirm that one of the British Government’s priorities in negotiations about institutional changes to the European Union is still to bring the rotating presidency to an end and to appoint a permanent President of the Council?

Mr. Hoon
That was certainly agreed by all member states in the constitutional treaty. However, as I have indicated to the House before—not only today, but previously—negotiations and discussions are going on. It is important that we find the right way forward, but obviously that depends on a consensus among all 27 member states.

Mr. Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale, West) (Con)
Does the Minister believe that the future development of the EU should include the capacity to create criminal law?

Mr. Hoon
It has never been the British Government’s view that criminal law is a central feature of the European Union’s case law. However, there are relevant examples, especially in relation to environmental protection. There is a strong argument that organisations and countries that breach important principles of environmental protection could well face criminal law sanctions, although that is not something that the United Kingdom Government have necessarily yet supported.

Mr. Wayne David (Caerphilly) (Lab)
Will the Minister indicate what progress has been made on a joint statement to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the treaty of Rome?

Mr. Hoon
Work is already under way in Berlin on a draft statement. We have made it clear on behalf of the United Kingdom that it is important that the draft statement reflect not only the achievements of the European Union over the past 50 years but set out its values and provide a vision for the future. I assure the House that as soon as a text is available it will be laid before the House for further discussion.

Afghanistan

Dr. John Pugh (Southport) (LD)
9. Whether she has received reports of connections between relatives of President Karzai and drug trafficking from Afghanistan.

The Minister for the Middle East (Dr. Kim Howells)
We know that there are a number of individuals in both the Government and Parliament with links to the drugs trade. We are aware of media reports that those individuals may include relatives of President Karzai. The President himself has stated publicly that he is committed to acting against all those involved in the trade. The UK is helping the Afghan Government to improve their capacity to bring those involved to justice.

Dr. Pugh
I thank the Minister for that answer, but given the fact that US military documents describe Wali Karzai, the President’s brother, as

“in the pay of drug lords”,

and given the endemic corruption in the Afghan Government, what new initiatives do this Government believe will improve governance in the country and international and local confidence?

Dr. Howells
The hon. Gentleman is right to raise the issue of corruption, because wherever I have gone in Afghanistan the first thing that people say to me is that if the provincial governors, as a species, were honest, central Government’s remit would be much easier to extend across the whole of Afghanistan—so corruption is enormously important. We have not, however, seen or come across any evidence that any relative of President Karzai is involved in the drugs trade and, as far as I am aware, none has been laid publicly before the people of Afghanistan.

Paul Flynn (Newport, West) (Lab)
When it was suggested in November that the Karzai Government were endemically corrupt, as Governments in Afghanistan have been for a couple of centuries now, with provincial governors and chiefs of police appointed by Karzai, including former warlords, former Taliban, one paedophile and people involved in the drugs trade, the defence given by the Defence Secretary was that there was one governor who was above suspicion and a man of great integrity. His name was Mohammed Daoud; he was sacked in December; he was the only one who could be identified as non-corrupt. Should we not be pressing for improvements in the Karzai Government before we ask more troops to die for them?

Dr. Howells
My hon. Friend is right to say that Engineer Daoud, who was the governor in Helmand province, was a good man. He replaced somebody, Sher Mohammed, who was totally corrupt. He was the local warlord and ran the drugs trade in Helmand. The new governor appointed after Engineer Daoud, who, after all, served a year in the tough environment of Helmand province, seems to us to be a very honest and hard-working individual—

Paul Flynn
Is that why he was sacked?

Dr. Howells
No, it was not the new governor but the old governor who was sacked. We have to take account of the fact, which my hon. Friend so eloquently conveyed, that this is not Surrey; it is Afghanistan, and it is a pretty rough neighbourhood. To say that we can do nothing there until we have proved that every single provincial governor is as pure as the driven snow is to be on the road to nowhere.

Mr. Douglas Hogg (Sleaford and North Hykeham) (Con)
Will the hon. Gentleman confirm that drug trafficking is relevant to the intensity of the fighting in Helmand province? Will he confirm too that many of our NATO allies are unwilling to provide reinforcements for British forces in Helmand? Does he accept that it was reckless of the Government to deploy British forces in Helmand in operational conditions without ensuring that proper reinforcements were available from the NATO countries?

Dr. Howells
No, I certainly do not agree with the right hon. and learned Gentleman. Great care was taken in planning the operation in Helmand and the ISAF move to the province. We consulted closely the chiefs of staff and others who feel that they have the troops and the equipment to fight that campaign properly. The right hon. and learned Gentleman is right to imply that this is a real test of the resolve and credibility of NATO, and I am not sure that every NATO member understands the significance of that. If they did, I am sure that they would be far more ready to put more troops and more assets down into the south, where the real battle is going on at the moment.

Lebanon

Dr. Nick Palmer (Broxtowe) (Lab)
12. If she will make a statement on the political situation in Lebanon.

The Minister for the Middle East (Dr. Kim Howells)
The United Kingdom continues to be concerned by the ongoing political instability in Lebanon. We have  called on all sides to address their differences through peaceful dialogue. We support all constructive international mediation efforts to help resolve the crisis. The United Kingdom continues to believe that UN Security Council resolution 1701 provides the best framework for solving Lebanon’s problems, and we are working with international partners to implement it.

Dr. Palmer
During the short-lived war between Israel and Hezbollah, the world media and world Governments were all over the region, particularly Lebanon, attempting to solve the crisis, but world opinion has the attention span of a butterfly, and we now talk about practically everything but Lebanon, while there continues to be near civil war there. Will the Government reinforce their efforts to try to ensure that the situation does not spill over into a new crisis of the kind that we all faced a few months ago?

Dr. Howells
Yes; I tell my hon. Friend that we certainly will. We are very concerned about the situation in Lebanon, and especially the continuation of disruptive activities by Hezbollah, which acts as if it were an alternative Government in Lebanon. It is heavily armed, and as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said earlier, we are worried about the way in which it has been rearmed through Syria. The latest intelligence indicates that it is up to its previous strength, in terms of the rockets that it has prepared to fire into Israel. It is a serious situation, and one that I will shortly have the privilege of investigating more closely.

Mr. Keith Simpson (Mid-Norfolk) (Con)
The Minister just stated that the Government are concerned about the rearming of Hezbollah. Does he agree that one of the factors behind the destabilisation, and the activities of Hezbollah, is the direct involvement of the Iranian Government? That brings instability to Lebanon, and the Secretary of State for Defence has suggested the involvement of Lebanese Hezbollah, armed by Iran, in the killing of British troops in Iraq. What pressure are the British Government putting on the Iranian Government to cease that activity?

Dr. Howells
As the hon. Gentleman will know, we have brought the matter to the attention of the Iranian Government many times. We know what bomb-making technology has been used in the Basra area and, as the hon. Gentleman knows, the fingerprints of Hezbollah and the Iranian revolutionary guards’ bomb-makers are all over that equipment, and obviously we are concerned about that. We have made our views known in the United Nations and in other forums. The great problem is that the Government of Iran seem to be divided in two: there is a theocracy, and there is the elected Government of President Ahmadinejad. Our problem is trying to understand who is pulling the strings, and who is giving the orders to the revolutionary guards and to those who are smuggling arms to Hezbollah in Lebanon, via Syria. The issue is who is giving the orders, and who is pulling the strings. It is difficult for any nation to try to understand that, and to alter the activities of that Government and their agents abroad.

Association of South East Asian Nations

Mr. Nicholas Soames (Mid-Sussex) (Con)
13. What assessment she has made of the strength of UK relations with the Association of South East Asian Nations.

The Minister for Trade (Mr. Ian McCartney)
rose—

Hon. Members
It is the Little and Large show!

Mr. McCartney
The wee man will answer the big ’un.

The UK has strong relations with the ASEAN countries, both bilaterally and multilaterally. We have formal relations with ASEAN through the EU, via the EU-ASEAN dialogue, the Asia-Europe meeting and the ASEAN regional forum. To maintain UK-ASEAN relations, and to ensure that we are fully aware of current issues, I regularly meet ASEAN ambassadors and high commissioners. I will attend the EU-ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting on 15 March.

Mr. Soames
Given that the ASEAN countries have a combined population of 558 million and a combined gross domestic product of more than $850 billion, does the right hon. Gentleman consider that British representation is adequately furnished to ASEAN through the European Union? Should not such a vital market, where we have such enormous interests and which is developing at such a pace, have much bigger British representation on its own?

Mr. McCartney
Let me reassure the hon. Gentleman that as well as multilateral relationships through the European Union for trade negotiations, we have bilateral relationships which provide increasing resources for United Kingdom trade and investment in all the countries in that region. As the Minister responsible, I can reassure the hon. Gentleman that a great deal of effort is going into putting new investment, skills and technology into those relationships. We have a growing trade relationship with all the ASEAN countries, except of course Burma, because of the specific circumstances. Those sanctions will remain.

I will be visiting the region in the coming months, including Vietnam, in which I know the hon. Gentleman takes a specific interest. If he wishes to have a meeting with me before that visit, I shall welcome him to my rather rotund and large office in the Foreign Office, which will suit him admirably, to discuss issues relating to my visit.