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Earth Summit
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the targets agreed at the Rio summit in 1992, indicating progress so far achieved with each of them by (a) the United Kingdom, (b) each other country for which information is readily available and (c) internationally. [10818]
Mr. Clappison [holding answer 13 January 1997]: At the Rio earth summit, the Prime Minister and other world leaders agreed the Rio declaration, conventions on climate change and biodiversity, a statement of forest principles, and Agenda 21. Shortly after Rio, the United Kingdom, with other members of the European Union and the Group of Seven, adopted an action plan to give practical effect to the Rio agreements. The United Kingdom has met in full its commitments under that action plan, including the ratification of the climate change and biodiversity conventions, and the production of a national strategy for sustainable development.
The strategy sets out measures and targets designed to promote the implementation of Agenda 21 and is monitored through annual White Papers which report on progress.
The UN's Commission on Sustainable Development was established after Rio to monitor progress on the implementation of the Rio agreements. The United Kingdom submits annual reports to the commission, copies of which are placed in the Library. We do not keep information on other countries' progress in implementing Rio commitments.
Indonesia
Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasion the British Council has provided or facilitated training for the Indonesian paramilitary or police personnel (a) in Indonesia and (b) in the United Kingdom; and if he will list the cost and content of such training and what proposals there are for future support. [10707]
Mr. Hanley: The British Council has provided or facilitated training for Indonesian police personnel, in Indonesia and in the United Kingdom, under non-aid-funded arrangements, in addition to its involvement, on behalf of the Overseas Development Administration, in the national police management training project in Indonesia. Details of the latter have been provided to the hon. Lady and to the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central (Mr. Jones) in earlier replies on 8 February 1995, Official Report, columns 294-95, 3 March 1995, Official Report, column 727, 12 July 1995, Official Report, columns 609-12, and 16 May 1996, Official Report, columns 522-26.
| Year | Trainees | Cost (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 1992-93 | 1 | 1,000 |
| 1996-97 | 2 | 2,000 |
| 1997-98 | 1 | 1,500 |
| Year | Trainees | Cost (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 1992-93 | 1 | 12,000 |
| 1996-97 | 2 | 29,000 |
| 1997-98 | 1 | 15,000 |
The four students listed have followed, or will follow, courses in police studies, business administration, banking and finance, and traffic studies.
In 1993-94 and 1994-95 the British Council also provided English language training in Jakarta to two groups of 15 traffic police. This was fully funded under the auspices of a World bank project managed by a British consultancy company.
The British Council has not provided for facilitated training for Indonesian paramilitary organisations.
Mr. Peter Bottomley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if consular access has been granted and made to Mr. Krishna Maharaj in Florida. [11480]
Dr. Liam Fox:
Our consular staff became aware of Mr. Maharaj's situation in October 1988. He received his first consular visit on 3 January 1989. We have been in regular touch with him ever since.
Mr. Bottomley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens abroad his Department estimates to have been (a) sentenced judicially to death and (b) executed in the past 10 years. [11476]
Dr. Fox:
The answer is (a) eight, and (b) four.
Mr. Bottomley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about the reason for the replacement of the judge who initially presided in the Florida murder trial of Mr. Krishna Maharaj. [11478]
Dr. Fox:
The first judge was removed from the trial in order to face bribery charges in an unrelated case.
Mr. Bottomley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens abroad outside the EU have been provided with financial resources to defend themselves or to appeal against verdict or sentence in cases that could end with judicial execution in the past 10 years. [11477]
20 Jan 1997 : Column: 446
Mr. Bottomley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the legal options available to Mr. Krishna Maharaj; and how much time has been made available to Mr. Krishna Maharaj to present arguments to the Florida Supreme court for a new trial. [11479]
Dr. Fox:
Mr. Maharaj is able to make use of the US post-conviction appeals process. His state appeal was heard in April 1996. The Florida Supreme court ruled in December 1996 that his case should be returned to the Miami court for an evidentiary hearing to decide whether or not he is entitled to a retrial.
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much of the United Nations regular budget in 1996 was financed by borrowing from the peacekeeping budget; and what assessment he has made of the impact of this on peacekeeping operations. [11344]
Sir Nicholas Bonsor:
The UN regular budget at the end of 1996 was most recently forecast to have been in deficit by $195 million--down from $198 million at the end of 1995. This end of year balance of funds was cross-borrowed from the peacekeeping budget.
The borrowing of funds from peacekeeping budgets to meet cash shortfalls on the UN regular budget is a short-term measure and is within UN financial regulations. It has no appreciable impact in the day-to-day work of UN peacekeeping operations. We do not, however, believe that this is good accounting practice.
Mr. Lloyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much outstanding debt is owed to the United Nations (a) in total and (b) by the United States; how much of this is owed to the peacekeeping budget; and if he will make a statement about the financial situation of the United Nations. [11345]
Sir Nicholas Bonsor:
At 15 December 1996, outstanding assessed contributions to the UN totalled $2.26 billion. Of this, $1.71 billion was for peacekeeping operations. The total US debt was $1.3 billion, including $926 million for peacekeeping operations.
We firmly believe that all UN member states including the US, must pay their dues promptly, in full and without conditions, in accordance with their legal obligation. The EU proposals for UN financial reform include penalties for late or non-payers.
Mr. Macdonald:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review export controls and the supply of arms to Bosnia. [11587]
Sir Nicholas Bonsor:
In my written answer to the hon. and learned Member for Harborough (Mr. Garnier) on 15 July, Official Report, column 358, I announced continuing restrictions on UK arms exports to the states of the former Yugoslavia, in line with an EU common position. We have no plans at present to review this policy.
20 Jan 1997 : Column: 447
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to secure the release of James Miles and Paul Loseby from custody in Venezuela. [11530]
Dr. Liam Fox:
Our consular staff in Caracas are in regular contact with Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby to ensure that they are treated fairly. They have provided information about local lawyers and the Venezuelan legal system. The date of their release is a matter for the Venezuelan judicial authorities.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to conclude a prisoner exchange agreement between Britain and Venezuela. [11531]
Dr. Fox:
Yes. Steps are in hand.
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