SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

PETITION FROM PEOPLE OF CEREDIGION AND SAVE OUR SEAS CAMPAIGNERS

6th February 2007

To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.

The Humble Petition of the people of Ceredigion and Save our Seas campaigners,

Sheweth

That the selling of licences for oil and gas drilling in Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation, in the 24th round of offshore oil and gas licensing, could potentially cause damage to the resident dolphin population, as well as grey seals, harbour porpoises and other rare wildlife; and would impact on the tourism industry based in West Wales; and have a visual impact on an area of scenic beauty.

Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House urge the Government to prevent the selling of licences for oil and gas drilling in Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation, in the 24th round of offshore oil and gas licensing.

And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

PETITION FROM ANUPREET GILL AND OTHERS OF LIKE DISPOSITION

7th February 2007

To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.

The Humble Petition of Anupreet Gill and others of like disposition,

Sheweth

That the family of Mr Harbans Singh Arora has been living in Liverpool for the last 4-5 years and they are a vital part of our local community, especially the Sikh community; their children are well settled in their school and nursery; Mr Singh and his wife take part in all community functions and celebrations; they both are very good voluntary workers of the Sikh community.

Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House shall urge the Home Office to give them permission to stay in this country; if they go back to their original country of Afghanistan their lives will be in danger and they will not be safe in any way.

And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

PETITION FROM RESIDENTS OF DACORUM

7th February 2007

To the House of Commons.

The Petition of residents of Dacorum,

Declares that, they oppose the decision of the local County Council to close and amalgamate schools in the Hemel Hempstead area.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Education to reverse the decision of Hertfordshire County Council in relation to the closures and amalgamations of schools and to ensure suitable funding for schools in the light of future housing developments in the area.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

Observations by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on the Petition [9th January] from supporters of Jamil el-Banna for his return from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to the United Kingdom.

We have made it clear that we regard the circumstances in which detainees continue to be held at Guantanamo Bay as unacceptable. As the Prime Minister has said, Guantanamo Bay should be closed. The US Government knows our views. We welcome President Bush's public statements expressing a wish to close Guantanamo Bay and the US Government's efforts to reduce numbers at the camp. But we recognise the need for careful consideration on how numbers at the camp are reduced to ensure international security is maintained and the human rights of detainees respected.

It is the UK's long-standing policy not to offer consular assistance to non-British nationals, no matter how long they have lived in the UK or what their connections are to the UK, except in cases where a specific agreement to do so exists with another State.

In response to concerns about the welfare of those detainees whom we knew at the time to have been resident in the UK, we agreed, exceptionally, in 2005 to meet their families on a humanitarian basis. My noble friend, then Minister of State, Baroness Symons held these meetings in March and April 2005. We passed on the families' concerns to the US authorities. Since then we have continued to raise issues of concern relating to Guantanamo Bay with the US authorities, including issues relating to detainees who were formerly resident here.

In October 2006 the Court of Appeal handed down judgement in a judicial review brought by Mr El-Banna and two other detainees at Guantanamo Bay, who were formerly resident in the UK, as well as members of their families. The appellants had asked the Court of Appeal to declare that the Foreign Secretary is under a duty to make a formal and unequivocal request to the US Government to release the detainee appellants and return them to the UK. The Court of Appeal confirmed the ruling of the High Court in May 2006 that the decisions by myself and my predecessor not to request the release and return of the detainee claimants were lawful. It also confirmed that there is no duty in domestic or international law, to make the formal request sought by the appellants. In December 2006 the House of Lords granted permission for some of the appellants and their families to appeal this case.

29th January 2007

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

Observations by the Secretary of State for Defence on the Petition [30th October] from residents of the constituency of Taunton and others against the proposals to move the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office from its current location in Taunton.

Following the HCDC enquiry into the work of the Met Office and the resulting recommendation from the Committee to consider further whether re-location of the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) with the Met Office in Exeter would offer better value for money for the taxpayer, the MoD, with the support of UKHO and the Met Office, has continued to explore this move as one of a number of possible options for the future location of UKHO. As previously identified in the Government's response to the report, this work will take some months to complete, after which MOD will take a final decision based on the best overall interests of the taxpayer.

The Petition received from the residents of Taunton identifies the importance of the UKHO to the area and the economic and social impact arising from a move away from Taunton.

The MoD's review of the UKHO's future location has been necessitated by the ageing accommodation, which would require substantial sustainment investment going forward, and which does not support the nature of working that is likely to be required as UKHO transforms its business from being primarily based around paper charts to one based around the delivery of digital products.

The UKHO is currently considering three site options: constructing a new facility on its current site in Taunton; co-location with the Met Office at their Exeter site or developing on an alternate site within the Taunton area. It is important to stress that no decisions have been taken at this time and that all three options remain very much under consideration. Decisions will be taken on the basis of best overall value for money for the taxpayer.

The MoD is mindful of the uncertainty this work is creating for both organisations. It is therefore working towards providing clarity on the way forward as soon as practically possible. However, its primary concern is to secure the best overall outcome for the taxpayer.

The Committee will be kept up to date as key decisions are reached.

1st February 2007