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Korea
Mr. Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the discussions between his Department and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Pyongyang in March. [1034]
Mr. Fatchett: Officials visited Pyongyang from 18-22 March. The meeting was the most recent contact at official level with the North Koreans. The North Koreans were encouraged to resume a dialogue with South Korea; to participate in the Four Party Talks; and to continue a full implementation of the nuclear framework agreement with the United States.
Leghold Traps
Mr. Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) Canada, (b) the United States and (c) Russia on the need for an agreement to phase out leghold traps in order to avoid an EU import ban. [855]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
Neither my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary or I have had the opportunity for discussions about leghold traps with my American, Canadian or Russian colleagues.
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Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to participate in an international ban on anti-personnel land mines. [1044]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
We will work constructively in the Ottawa Process, which aims for agreement on an effective international ban on anti-personnel landmines by the end of this year. We shall also push in the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva for a wider ban.
Ms Kingham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to co-operate with other European Union member states on EU initiatives to tackle long-term unemployment. [1082]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
We believe that tackling unemployment must be one of the EU's top priorities. Within the Inter-governmental Conference we have signalled our support for a new Treaty Chapter on employment which would provide a basis for future co-operation between Member States in this area, including on initiatives to help the long-term unemployed.
Mr. Levitt:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom relations with Poland. [1085]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
Britain enjoys excellent relations with Poland. We have built up a strong partnership since 1989 which extends across a wide range of areas. The quality of bilateral relations is reflected in the number of high level visits which have taken place, in particular Her Majesty the Queen's highly successful State Visit to Poland in March 1996 and President Kwasniewski's Guest of Government visit to the UK last October. HMG continues to make good use of the opportunities generated by the State Visit to promote British interests and enhance our relations with Poland.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit the Republic of South Africa. [1455]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no such plans at present, but he would hope to visit South Africa before long.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he intends to take to secure the release of the British travellers held captive in Kashmir. [1454]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
We are deeply concerned about the welfare of Keith Mangan and Paul Wells. It is now 23 months since they were abducted. There have been no demands from the hostage takers and no proof of life since late 1995. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met the British hostage families on 22 May. We are committed to finding out what has happened to Keith,
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Paul and the other two hostages and will take every opportunity to raise the case with the Indian and Pakistani Governments.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he plans to make to the Government of Kenya regarding the human rights situation. [1478]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
We will treat respect for human rights as an important element in determining our overall relationship with Kenya. We will take every suitable opportunity to remind the Government of Kenya of their obligations and to make clear our concerns on this subject, including in the run-up to legislative and presidential elections.
Mr. Nigel Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to ensure that his Department's computer systems are millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [1245]
Mr. Fatchett:
In 1996 this Department established a millennium programme, beginning with a review of existing systems. It is now locating and fixing specific problems; and ensuring that all new or upgraded systems are millennium compliant. We estimate that all our key systems will be millennium compliant by 31 March 1999.
Mr. Nigel Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will consider claims for compensation from former employees of the Government Communications Headquarters whose employment was terminated for refusing to give up their membership of independent trade unions; and if he will make a statement; [1269]
Mr. Robin Cook:
As part of this Government's commitment to open and fair relations in the workplace we have restored normal Trade Union rights to the staff of GCHQ. Those who left as a result of the 1984 decision accepted compensation where appropriate at the time.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the level of his Department's grant to the British Council. [1462]
Mr. Fatchett:
The level of FCO grant-in-aid to the British Council was published in the Departmental Report. For this year, the grant-in-aid is set at £97.7 million. This enables the Council to maintain a presence in 229 posts in 109 countries. The Council makes a major contribution to the achievement of many of the UK's foreign policy objectives, including the
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enhancement of the UK's influence and prestige overseas, the spread of good government and the promotion of exports.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he proposes to make to the Turkish Government in respect of their refusal to arrest and extradite Asil Nadir. [1453]
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he made to the Government of Turkey to secure the return to the United Kingdom of Asil Nadir. [1637]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
We remain in close touch with the Turkish authorities about Nadir. A warrant for his arrest has been issued and the Turkish authorities have been requested to effect an arrest. We await a response from the competent Ministerial authority.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidelines his Department issues for United Kingdom passport holders travelling to Venezuela for the purpose of (a) tourism, (b) business and (c) transit. [1487]
Mr. Fatchett:
The current advice issued to all United Kingdom passport holders travelling to Venezuela which is available on the INTERNET and CEEFAX states:
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the waiting times for (a) visas and (b) interviews relating to visa applications in respect of United Kingdom posts at (i) Bombay, (ii) Islamabad, (iii) New Delhi, (iv) Calcutta, (v) Karachi, (vi) Dacca, (vii) Washington, (viii) New York, (ix) Dar-Es-Salam, (x) Nairobi and (xi) Lagos. [1477]
Mr. Fatchett:
In view of the amount of detail needed to answer this question, my noble friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will write to the hon. Member shortly.
(2) what plans he has to grant compensation to former employees of the Government Communications Headquarters whose employment was terminated for refusing to give up their membership of independent trade unions. [1268]
"Difficult economic conditions have caused a surge in crime in all areas of Venezuela, particularly in Caracas and Maracaibo, some targeted against foreigners. There have also been incidents involving tourists in Margarita. Street robberies and car-jackings can occur anywhere. Do not carry large amounts of money or valuable jewellery and dress down. Care should be taken at all times and walking in city streets should be avoided at night. Use taxis wherever possible. Colombian terrorists and narcotic gangs are active in regions bordering Colombia where there has been a recent increase in kidnappings. Do not travel in the border area except in well escorted groups. Visitors are advised to register at the British Embassy in Caracas telephone 993 4111."
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