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People's Europe Event
Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which bodies were asked to nominate individuals to serve on the Executive Committee of the People's Europe event in London of 5 to 7 June; what criteria he used in selecting these; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter and accompanying material requesting their co-operation. [44449]
Mr. Doug Henderson: Decisions about the composition of the Executive Committee for the People's Europe 98 conference were the responsibility of the organisers. At the Government's suggestion, the organisers sought to ensure that a wide range of opinion was represented on the Executive Committee. The Committee included representatives of the CBI SME Unit, the TUC, the Local Government International Bureau, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, the European Movement, Chatham House, Green Alliance and the office staff.
Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what will be the cost to public funds of the People's Europe event in London on 5 to 7 June; and what sums will be received from (a) Her Majesty's Government, (b) the European Commission, (c) the European Parliament, (d) other public bodies and (e) voluntary bodies. [44450]
Mr. Doug Henderson: I refer my hon. Friend to answers I gave on 1 April 1998, Official Report, columns 534-35.
The European Parliament is providing 30,000 ECU, or £20,313, towards the costs of the People's Europe event.
Sierra Leone
Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those inquiries requested by his Department or other agencies launched without Ministers being informed since 1 May 1997. [42097]
Mr. Robin Cook
[holding answer 14 May 1998]: No formal investigations have been launched since 2 May 1997 by officials of the FCO without my knowledge. In the case of the alleged breach of the arms embargo on
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Sierra Leone, officials acted perfectly properly in referring allegations to Customs and Excise. It is general practice for allegations and information about potential breaches of arms embargoes or UK export controls to be reviewed in the Restricted Enforcement Unit, as that case was, without Ministers being consulted. The decision on whether it merited investigation was for HM Customs and Excise, not the FCO.
Mr. Fabian Hamilton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the British Government have given to English-speaking opposition parties in Cameroon. [44931]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
Our High Commission in Cameroon supports a wide range of projects to promote good governance and human rights. These are to help all people in Cameroon, regardless of political affiliations or ethnic origin. In addition, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) has provided support for the Social Democratic Front (SDF) and Union des Populations Camerounaises (UPC), both opposition parties in Cameroon.
Our priority is to promote a genuine multiparty democracy in Cameroon.
Mr. Fabian Hamilton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards proposals for minority rights recognition for the English speaking minority in Cameroon at the Human Rights Convention in Geneva. [44934]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
We expect Cameroon to adhere to the Harare Declaration of Principles which include a commitment to equal rights and opportunities for all citizens regardless of race, colour, creed or political belief. Cameroon is also a party to the UN International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination. We welcome any discussion which raises awareness of minority rights issues, including at the UN Minority Rights Working Group in Geneva.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Government of Yemen in respect of the kidnapping of three BBC journalists; and what action he proposes to take to secure their release; [44995]
Mr. Fatchett:
There has been no kidnapping of BBC journalists in Yemen.
Three BBC journalists were detained by the Yemeni authorities on 26 May and released on bail on 28 May. They were subsequently charged with filming in an area without permission. The case was heard in Court on 6 and 7 June and the journalists were found not guilty. When delivering his verdict the Judge observed that Yemen
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believed in the freedom of the press, and that the press was a necessity in this age. Her Majesty's Government greatly welcome this satisfactory outcome.
We understand that the journalists have now returned to the UK.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the cases of James Miles and Paul Loseby, imprisoned in Venezuela. [44996]
Mr. Fatchett:
I refer my hon. Friend to my remarks in the Adjournment debate of 9 July 1997, Official Report, columns 1044-52 and to my answer to his question of 18 February 1998, Official Report, column 679. On 18 July, Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby were informed that they had been sentenced to 4 years imprisonment. On appeal, this was increased to 5 years. The result of the appeal was made known to them on 5 February 1998.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests have been made by James Miles and Paul Loseby to the British Embassy in Caracas for dental treatment; what assessment the Embassy has made of the requests; and what steps are in place to ensure that their medical and dental requirements are met. [44997]
Mr. Fatchett:
Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby have made several requests to see a doctor and a dentist. Such requests are always taken seriously and given high priority by the British Embassy in submitting them to the Venezuelan authorities. The British Ambassador has written on 5 occasions to the judges involved in the case requesting appropriate medical attention: on 27 November 1996, 10 April 1997, 10 July 1997, on 27 January 1998 and on 17 March 1998. On 14 April the judges informed the Ambassador that instructions had been issued for Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby to be seen by a doctor and a dentist.
Mr. Loseby was seen by a doctor on 3 April 1998. Both men were seen by a doctor on 23 April 1998. The Embassy continues to press the Venezuelan authorities to arrange for both men to be seen by a dentist.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total forecast cost is of the present refurbishment of the British Embassy in Tehran; and if he will list the works being undertaken and their specifications. [44960]
Mr. Fatchett:
The total forecast cost of the refurbishment of the British Embassy in Tehran is £995,000. This figure includes the estimated cost of works, fees, furnishings and travel costs.
The Embassy offices in Tehran are in a 4 storey building built in the 1960s. Essential services, finishes and fittings are in a poor condition and need to be upgraded to a modern and secure standard.
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13. Mr. Baker:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action has been taken following the publication of the report of the Working Group on the Government Information Service. [43507]
Mr. Kilfoyle:
The Progress Report of the Head of the Government Information and Communication Service shows that the majority of recommendations have been implemented. The Report will be issued to the Select Committee on Public Administration and placed in the Library of the House.
21. Mr. Ruffley:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent representations he has received regarding the Government Information Service. [43518]
Mr. Kilfoyle:
As the hon. Member will be aware, there is an inquiry into the GICS by the Public Administration Committee. In addition, I have been asked a number of questions by Members of this House.
17. Mr. McNulty:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the publication of the Better Government White Paper. [43513]
Dr. David Clark:
Work is progressing to publish the Better Government White Paper later this year. This White Paper will outline the measures the Government have in mind to modernise the business of the public services and ensure the delivery of better services to our citizens.
19. Ms Moran:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the impact on local democracy of the Better Government project. [43516]
Dr. David Clark:
The Better Government programme is about revitalising the public sector. Local government is a key partner. Improving public services will be an important contribution to renewing the democratic relationship between the public and all levels of government. Alongside the important developments in local government democracy being taken forward by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, the Better Government programme will contribute to making local government more open and responsive to the needs of users.
(2) what representations he has received on the kidnapping of three BBC journalists in Yemen; and if he will make a statement. [44994]
Communication Service
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