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BBC World Service
24. Mr. Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future funding of the BBC World Service. [878]
Mr. Hanley: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary gave to the hon. Member for Swansea, East, Mr. Anderson in the House today.
Mr. Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to change the present three-year funding agreement with the BBC World Service. [2270]
Mr. Hanley: The triennium system for the World Service was instituted 10 years ago to bring it in line with the rest of the BBC. Since then there have been many changes in the management of public sector finances. We are exploring modifications to the system with the World Service. There can be no absolute guarantee of fixed funding for three years for any publicly funded organisation.
29 Nov 1995 : Column: 788
Mr. Dykes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the input of satellite technology deployment on the reception quality for the BBC World Service radio transmission funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement of future prospects. [475]
Mr. Hanley [holding answer 28 November 1995]: The world service uses satellites to distribute to its overseas relay stations. Satellites have improved reliability and technical quality. They have enabled World Service programmes to be broadcast by over 900 MW and FM radio stations. A new satellite distribution system, which is being introduced from 1 April 1996, will bring further significant improvements.
For the longer term, the World Service is investigating direct to home satellite transmission to replace shortwave transmissions. This will depend on the development of low-cost receivers and agreement on the co-ordination of frequencies in the broadcast satellite sound bands. It will probably take many years from the introduction of satellite broadcast before there are sufficient receivers in use to allow the ending of shortwave transmissions.
Nuclear Tests
25. Mrs. Mahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about Her Majesty's Government's policy on nuclear testing. [880]
Mr. David Davis: We have no plans to conduct any further nuclear weapon tests. We are actively negotiating for a comprehensive test ban treaty. But it would be wrong for us to criticise the French decision which they believe is necessary to ensure the safety and reliability of their deterrent, and which was taken on the basis of scientific advice.
Nigeria
26. Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what sanctions the Government have imposed on the military regime in Nigeria. [882]
Mr. Hanley: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary earlier. We have noted calls for the severing of trade links and an oil embargo and continue to consider a range of options with our EU and other partners. Nothing is ruled out but we would wish as far as possible to avoid harming ordinary Nigerians.
28. Mr. Chris Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has met representatives of Shell since 10 November to discuss company policy towards Nigeria. [884]
Mr. Hanley: I have a broad-ranging discussion with the chairman of Shell UK, Mr. John Jennings, on 23 November during which Nigeria was discussed. My noble Friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey also met Mr. Jennings on 16 November.
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Kashmir Elections
27. Mr. Heppell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reason he has been given by the Indian Government for the cancellation of elections in Kashmir. [883]
Mr. Hanley: My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the situation in the State of Jammu and Kashmir with the Indian Foreign Minister on 21 November. Under the Indian constitution, responsibility for decisions relating to the conduct of elections rests with the independent Indian Election Commission.
India (Prisoners)
29. Mr. Corbett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the conclusions of an agreement with the Indian Government to enable convicted prisoners to apply for transfer to a prison in their home country. [886]
Mr. Hanley: I raised the prisoner transfer agreement with my opposite number when I visited India last month. Negotiations have now reached an advanced state and I hope that we will sign an agreement in the very near future.
Cyprus
30. Lady Olga Maitland: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received with regard to the Greek Cypriot application to join the European Union. [887]
Mr. David Davis: This Department is in regular contact with the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and other interested parties on this issue.
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the British high commissioner or one of his officials will next visit the Karpas area of occupied northern Cyprus. [1778]
Mr. Davis: British high commission officials visit the Karpas every three to four months. The last such visit was on 22 November 1995.
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit the Republic of Cyprus. [1779]
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what private discussions with members of the enclaved Greek Cypriot community and visits to their homes and properties take place when a British high commission official visits the Karpas area of the occupied northern Cyprus. [1780]
Mr. David Davis: The nature of such visits varies according to the availability and willingness of inhabitants to meet officials. The last time a British high commission official visited the Karpas he had extensive discussions with Greek Cypriots in Leonarisson, visited the home of a Greek Cypriot near Ayios Trias, and had a full exchange with a Greek Cypriot family in their home near Rizorkarpasso.
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31. Mr. Hicks:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next hopes to meet the Syrian Foreign Minister to discuss bilateral relations. [888]
Mr. Hanley:
My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary met Foreign Minister Shara'a in Damascus on 8 November and on 27 November in Barcelona, to discuss bilateral relations and the middle east peace process.
32. Mrs. Dunwoody:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his European counterparts about the need to reform the European Union's decision-making procedures. [889]
Mr. David Davis:
I frequently meet my European counterparts to discuss a wide range of topics, including decision-making procedures.
Mr. Corbyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Brazil concerning the rights of the Makuxi people in Ruraima and the expenditure of Group of Seven money. [871]
Mr. David Davis:
The Government of Brazil are aware of our concern that the rights of the Makuzi and the other indigenous people of Brazil should be observed and protected. Our embassy in Brasilia keeps in regular touch with the Brazilian authorities and monitors the situation closely. The ODA representative in Brasilia is in regular contact with the Brazilian authorities about the expenditure of G7 money.
Mr. Battle:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the authorities in Brazil about the trials for the murder of agricultural workers' leaders; and if he will make a statement. [881]
Mr. Davis:
I believe that the hon. Member is referring to the murders of rural workers in Rio Maria in southern Para in 1991 and 1992. The embassy in Brasilia has remained in regular touch with the Brazilian authorities about these cases and has attended the resulting trials where possible. The sentences for those convicted have ranged from suspended sentence to 50 years imprisonment.
Mr. Worthington:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards bringing to trial those accused of genocide in Rwanda. [2567]
Mr. Hanley:
The international criminal tribunal for Rwanda expects to bring its first indictments shortly. The United Kingdom has played a full part in efforts by the international community to rehabilitate the domestic judicial system in Rwanda.
29 Nov 1995 : Column: 791
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