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Centre for Racism and Xenophobia
37. Mr. Stephen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the establishment of the proposed centre for racism and xenophobia with Her Majesty's Government's policy on subsidiarity. [9269]
Mr. David Davis: We believe that the problems raised by racism are best dealt with by national Governments, but there is a role for Europe to play in the exchange and dissemination of information in this area.
Zaire
38. Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of the current situation in Zaire. [9270]
Dr. Liam Fox: We remain concerned by the uncertain situation in Zaire. Rebellion in eastern Zaire continues, with much of Kivu province under rebel control. We welcome President Mobutu's stated commitment to continuing the democratic process and will continue to support efforts to bring about a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Zaire.
Anglo-Spanish Relations
Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the current state of Anglo-Spanish relations. [9239]
Mr. David Davis: When my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met the Spanish Prime Minister, Mr. Aznar, in London on 27 November, they agreed that the overall relationship with Spain was extremely good. Spain is also an important partner in the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the United Nations.
Consultants
Mr. Milburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimates he has made of the amount spent on external consultants by his Department's non-departmental public bodies in each of the last five years. [10162]
Mr. Hanley [holding answer 13 January 1997]: The information is in the table.
15 Jan 1997 : Column: 303
| 1992-93 | 1993-94 | 1994-95 | 1995-96 | 1996 to date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Great Britain--China Centre | nil | nil | nil | 2,523 | 8,004 |
| Britain--Russia Centre (approximate costs) | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 |
| Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission | nil | nil | nil | nil | nil |
| British Association for Central and Eastern Europe | nil | nil | nil | nil | nil |
| Foreign Compensation Commission | nil | nil | nil | nil | nil |
The Westminster Foundation for Democracy spent approximately £50,000 on external consultants between 1993 and 1996. No year by year breakdown was available.
None of ODA's non-departmental public bodies has employed external consultants in the last five years.
Figures for the British Council could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
15 Jan 1997 : Column: 303
Gulf Co-operation Council
Mr. Parry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent Gulf Co-operation Council meeting in Qatar. [10300]
Mr. Hanley: We closely followed reporting of the discussions and decisions of the 17th Gulf Co-operation Council heads of state summit, which was held in Doha from 7 to 9 December 1996.
Ministers welcome the GCC's call upon Iraq to fulfil all its international obligations, particularly those relating to weapons of mass destruction and the release of detainees.
We share the GCC's concerns about continuing disputes in the region; the UK remains firmly committed to the peaceful resolution of them all.
Mr. Parry:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will make a statement on the recent election of the Hong Kong chief executive designate. [10301]
Mr. Hanley:
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have all sent messages of congratulation to Mr. Tung, for whom we have great respect. British Ministers have every confidence that he will be a worthy first chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He will of course be most welcome to visit Britain at a time of his choosing. Ministers and the Governor are full committed to offering every assistance to the chief executive designate and his team to help in their preparations for a successful handover, in line with the Joint Declaration.
Mr. Lidington:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects Her Majesty's high commission, Lagos, to supply the Immigration Appeal Tribunal with the statement of appeal for the case of Mr. C. A. Ekeh, Ref. GV100/29129, referred to in the high commission's letter dated 15 January 1996, Ref. LAG/12567/95. [10470]
Dr. Liam Fox:
It is policy on grounds of confidentiality for Ministers not to comment publicly on individual applications for entry clearance. I will therefore write separately to my hon. Friend.
15 Jan 1997 : Column: 304
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Department's letter Ref. GV100 /32380 of 11 September 1996 when he proposes to take action on the case of Mrs. Gertrude Mannai, Ref. 301220, relating to her husband and the entry clearance officer at Tunis. [10325]
Dr. Fox:
Our policy is not to reveal details of individual entry clearance applications. I will therefore write to the hon. Member shortly.
Sir Cyril Townsend:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he proposes to take to assist the issuing of visas in Libya. [10521]
Dr. Liam Fox:
We have decided in principle to expand the visa service at the British interests section in Tripoli, to include additionally a limited number of applications from business visitors. However, certain practical difficulties, such as remodelling the office accommodation, will have to be resolved before this can take place.
Sir Teddy Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to seek to improve relations with Libya. [9232]
Mr. Hanley:
Any improvement in relations with Libya is dependent on that country complying with UN sanctions.
Sir Teddy Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received from the Governments of the Bahamas and Antigua about the implications of the chemical tests carried out in the Caribbean 50 years ago; and if he will make a statement. [10822]
Sir Nicholas Bonsor:
No formal representations have between received from either the Government of the Bahamas or the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. However, Foreign Commonwealth Office officials received two letters from the Antiguan High Commissioner to London on the subject of biological weapons testing in the Caribbean in 1948-49. The FCO replied having sought advice from the Ministry of Defence.