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Scott Inquiry

Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he had with the Secretary to the Cabinet concerning the Government's response to the Scott inquiry; and where and when such consultations took place. [16606]

Mr. David Davis [holding answer 22 February 1996]: Successive Governments have not disclosed the nature of the specific sources of the advice they receive from the civil service.

Asia House

Mr. Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Government funding has been given to support the work of Asia House. [18567]

Mr. David Davis: None, but the Government fully support the work of Asia House and works closely with the organisers to promote the project. In particular, the Deputy Prime Minister will soon host a reception in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to mark the project's launch.

5 Mar 1996 : Column: 168

British Military Equipment (Exports)

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the countries currently subject to embargoes on the export of British military equipment; when in each case the embargo was imposed; which equipment is covered; and if he will make a statement. [18742]

Mr. David Davis: I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. and learned Member for Fife, North-East (Mr. Campbell) on 27 November 1995, Official Report, column 426-27, which lists the embargoes we currently apply and the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 30 January 1996, Official Report, column 654-55, which gives details of the equipment covered by each of these embargoes. For ease of reference, the following is a list of embargoes and the date of their imposition:

Country	Date of imposition
United Nations embargoes
Iraq	6 August 1990
Libya	31 March 1992(18)
Somalia	23 January 1992
Liberia	19 November 1992
UNITA(19) (Angola)	15 September 1993
Rwanda(20)	17 May 1994
Former Yugoslavia(21)	25 September 1991
EU embargoes
China	26 June 1989
Burma	9 July 1991
Zaire	7 April 1993
Sudan	15 March 1994
Nigeria(22)	11 November 1995
Former Yugoslavia(21)	26 February 1996
National embargoes
Iran	1 March 1993
Argentina	5 April 1982
	Voluntary embargoes agreed by the (then) Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE)
Armenia	28 February 1992
Azerbaijan	28 February 1992

(18) Came into force is April 1992.

(19) In the case of Angola, there is a mandatory embargo on UNITA. However, UN Security Council 976 of February 1995, calls on both parties to cease any acquisition of arms and war material during the presence in Angola of the UN Peacekeeping Force, UNAVEM III.

(20) In the case of Rwanda, Security Council resolution 1011 of 16 August 1995, decided that restrictions imposed by paragraph 13 of resolution 918 (1994) shall not apply with regard to the sale or supply of arms and related material to the Government of Rwanda.

(21) For the Former Yugoslavia: UN Security Council resolution 1021 of 22 November 1995 established a timetable for phased lift of the arms embargo. Specific details of this can be found in Official Report Lords Column WA71 of 24 January 1996. This has been followed by the adoption of a Common Position on the Former Yugoslavia by the EU on 26 February 1996 at the Foreign Affairs Council.

(22) In the case of Nigeria, the PM announced a UK arms embargo on 11 November. The EU-wide arms embargo against the Nigerian regime came into effect from 20 November 1995.

5 Mar 1996 : Column: 169

Winston Churchill Speech, Missouri

Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans Her Majesty's Government have to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Winston Churchill's speech at Fulton, Missouri; and if he will make a statement. [16854]

Sir Nicholas Bonsor: A series of events to mark the 50th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill's speech is being planned by Westminster college in Fulton, Missouri, in collaboration with the Churchill memorial and the international Churchill societies. Baroness Thatcher will speak at the college before a banquet in the room where Sir Winston gave his address. Her Majesty's Government will be represented by the British consul-general from Chicago. There are no plans for any separate commemorations by Her Majesty's Government.

Turks and Caicos Islands

Sir Thomas Arnold: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to recall the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands; and if he will make a statement. [18945]

Sir Nicholas Bonsor: The original petition to my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary from members of the Legislative Council in the Turks and Caicos Islands, requesting the governor's removal, was received in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Monday 4 March. It is being studied and a response will be issued in due course.

Convention on Human Rights

Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of which other signatory states to the European convention on human rights maintain similar laws and practices to those where the United Kingdom has been found in breach. [18971]

Sir Nicholas Bonsor: No such assessment has been made following findings of breach. Finding of a violation relates to the particular circumstances of the individual case and binds the state concerned. In preparing their response in particular cases, the Government not infrequently draw on a comparative analysis of law and practice in other Council of Europe countries where they are similar to the matter under challenge.

Northern Ireland

Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which United Kingdom embassies or high commissions have assisted, funded or commissioned events or meetings of publications to put the case for Northern Ireland being part of the United Kingdom; and what plans he has to (i) expand and (ii) initiate innovative and pro-active programmes to make the case for the Union abroad. [18972]

Mr. Rifkind: British missions overseas undertake a wide variety of proactive work in disseminating and explaining British Government policy on Northern Ireland, which includes our commitment to Northern Ireland's status as part of the United Kingdom as long as a greater number of its population so wish. Examples of

5 Mar 1996 : Column: 170

such work are: regular briefing of host Governments, media and other contacts; dissemination of detailed background information, including video and radio material; arranging visits to Northern Ireland by public or press figures to increase their understanding; and arranging overseas visits by British Ministers who take the opportunities to explain Government policy on Northern Ireland.

Contributing to a clearer understanding overseas of Northern Ireland remains a high priority for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, its embassies and high commissions.

EU Council (meeting)

Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union. [19444]

Mr. David Davis: The following Councils are scheduled:

4 March: Environment
5 March: Environment
9 March: Foreign Affairs Council (Informal)
10 March: Foreign Affairs Council (Informal)
11 March: Transport
11 March: Ecofin
18 March: Agriculture
19 March: Agriculture
19 March: Justice/Home Affairs
20 March: Justice/Home Affairs
21 March: Telecoms
25 March: Research
25 March: Foreign Affairs Council
26 March: Foreign Affairs Council
28 March: Industry Council
29 March: Social Affairs Council
29 March: European Council

The following subjects are likely to be discussed: 4/5 March: environment council

"A" Points
As advised by council secretariat.
"B" Points
Preparation of 4th session of Commission on Sustainable Development (Council conclusions)
Draft Directive on Biocides (orientation debate on annexes)
Draft Hazardous Waste Shipment Regulation (possible common position)
Draft Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Dangerous Substances Directive (possible common position)
Draft Directive on Emissions of Off-road Machinery (orientation debate)
Open debate on Wetlands (Council conclusions)
Draft revised regulation on Leghold Traps (lunchtime orientation debate)
CO2 from Cars (exchange of views on Commission communication)
Community strategy on the Ozone Layer (Council conclusions)
Adoption of negotiating mandate for protocol to Barcelona Convention

5 Mar 1996 : Column: 171

Adoption of negotiating mandate for Paris Convention (PARCOM)
Draft Decision revising the Community's 5th Action Programme on the environment and sustainable development (presentation by the Commission)
Joint meeting with Ministers from Central and Eastern Europe. 9/10 March: Foreign Affairs Council (Informal)
Agenda not yet available.
11 March: ECOFIN
"A" Points
As advised by council secretariat.
"B" Points
Convergence Programmes (possibly)
Contractual Netting Directive (possibly)
Council Regulation on Community action in the field of statistics
Discharge of the Budget and Court of Auditors' report for 1994
Court of Auditors' Special Report on the Reliability of the Expenditure for 1994
Commission's report on the implementation of the Court of Auditors' recommendation and of the Council's remarks for the Budget for 1993.

11 March: transport
"A" Points
As advised by Council Secretariat.
"B" Points
Aviation relations with US (debate)
Negotiations with Switzerland (Commission progress report)
Trans-European Networks (debate)
Directive on harmonisation of vehicle tests (largely consolidation of existing measures--common position)
Inland waterways liberalisation, state aid rules and scrapping scheme (common position)
Aviation statistics regulation (for agreement by simple majority).
18-19 March: agriculture council
"A" Points
As advised by Council Secretariat.
"B" Points
Reform of the fruit and vegetable regime (possibly)
Reform of the wine regime (possibly)
Price fixing
Geographical indications (possibly)
Amendment to Directive 64/432 on trade in animals (possibly)
Plant health--solidarity and responsibility (possibly)
Veal crates (possibly)
Hormones (possibly)
Inspection fees (possibly)
Pesticides (possibly)
Equivalence Agreements (possibly)
Amendment to Directive 90/675 on controls on imports (possibly)
Amendment to Directive 72/462 on equivalence (possibly)
Intra Community inspection fees (possibly)
Amendment to 90/524 on feeding stuffs (possibly)
19-20 March: justice/home affairs
Agenda not yet available.
21 March: telecoms
"A" Points
As advised by Council Secretariat.

5 Mar 1996 : Column: 172

"B" Points
Directive on interconnection in telecommunications with regard to ensuring universal service and interoperability through applications of the principles of Open Network Provision (ONP):
Common position (possibly).
/Decision
Decision on action at Community level in the filed of satellite personal communications services in the EU:
Orientation debate.
Directive on a common framework for licensing of telecoms services:
Progress report.
Directive adapting Directives 90/387/EEC and 92/44/EEC for a competitive environment in telecommunications:
Progress report.
Directive on common rules for the development of community postal services and the improvement of quality service:
Progress report.
Council Resolution on the future development of the market for directories and other information services in a liberalised environment (possibly).
Commission Communication on universal service in telecoms (possibly):
Commission presentation.
25 March: research council
"A" Points
As advised by Council Secretariat.
"B" Points
Decision adapting the fourth framework of programmes of activities in the field of research, technological development and demonstration for the European Community and European Atomic Energy Community:
Orientation debate.
Communication on International Co-operation:
Orientation debate
Council Conclusions (possibly).
Cooperation with Mediterranean countries (follow up to Barcelona Conference):
Debate.
Green Paper on Innovation:
Debate.
Joint meeting with Central and Eastern European countries:
Debate.
25-26 March: foreign affairs council
Agenda not yet available.
28 March: industry council
"A" Points
As advised by Council Secretariat.
"B" Points
SMEs:
Conclusions on co-ordination of Community programmes in favour of SMEs;
Presentation of Commission's proposal for new multi-annual programme for SMEs.
Textiles;
Presentation of Commission communication on competitiveness of textile and clothing industry;
Conclusions on impact of international developments on EU textile and clothing sector.
Pharmaceuticals:
Resolution on competitiveness of EU pharmaceutical industry.

5 Mar 1996 : Column: 173

Defence Industry:
Presentation of Commission communication on competitiveness of defence industry.
Maritime Industry:
Presentation of Commission communication on competitiveness of maritime industry.
Research and Industry Task Force:
Commission progress report and discussion.
29 March: social affairs council
"A" Points
As advised by Council Secretariat.
"B" Points
Parental Leave:
Draft Directive endorsing social partners' agreement.
Draft Directive on Postal Workers.
Draft Council Recommendation on the Balanced Participation of Men and Women in Decision-Making.
Commission Communication on the Future of Social Protection:
Open Debate.
Commission Report on the Demographic Situation.
Commission Communication on the Fight against Racism and Xenophobia.
Draft Decision on Essen Programme.
Draft Decision on SAFE (health and safety) Programme.
Draft Decision on Older People Programme.
29 March: european council
Formal Opening of IGC.
Agenda not yet available.

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