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People's Europe '98 Conference
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of speakers at People's Europe '98 (a) endorsed and (b) opposed closer European integration; and what measures he will take to ensure balance in future conferences. [60000]
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Ms Quin:
Decisions on speakers 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 speakers from across Europe were invited, representing diverse points of view.
Mr. Gerrard:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for visit visas have been refused at the High Commission in Lagos; and what proportion of the total applications this represents, in each of the last four years, and in the current year to date. [60027]
Mr. Fatchett:
The information requested by my hon. Friend is as follows:
| Year | Number of non-settlement visas issued | Number of refusals | Refusals as percentage of total applications processed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998(15) | 30,668 | 5,877 | 16.1 |
| 1997 | 27,101 | 8,681 | 24.2 |
| 1996 | 33,249 | 7,963 | 19.3 |
| 1995 | 23,787 | 8,165 | 25.6 |
| 1994 | 31,202 | 10,232 | 24.7 |
(15) 1998 figures are from January-September
Millennium Compliance
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of tackling the millennium computer problem including the embedded chip problem in (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible, separately identifying expenditure to date and future expenditure; and if he will make a statement; [60076]
- (2) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the computer systems in (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies to which his Department is responsible will be modified and tested in relation to the millennium computer problem by January 1999; and if he will make a statement. [60078]
Mr. Fatchett: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Maria Eagle) on 21 October 1998, Official Report, column 1109, in which she announced the results of the latest quarterly review of Government departments' and agencies' progress in tackling the bug. This also covered key organisations within the wider public sector. The information the hon. Member requests will be found in the copies of departments' plans which have been published in the Library. The results of the next quarterly review will be announced shortly to the House and the updates to quarterly plans will be placed in the Library and on the internet.
Mr. Malcolm Bruce:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the problems which have arisen in (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible for millennium compliance; if
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he will make a statement on progress to date in tackling such problems; and what are the priority areas for remedial work. [60077]
Mr. Fatchett:
The year 2000 problems which have arisen in the FCO are non compliant hardware, software and operating systems in the following:
All the above have been classed as high priority.
The Agency for which the FCO has responsibility had a problem with its telecommunication. This is being corrected.
Information on the FCO's progress in tackling these problems was given in the FCO's last quarterly update of its plan, which will be found in the Library. My right hon. Friend the President of the Council will announce the results of the next quarterly review shortly. The updated plan will be placed in the Library and on the internet.
Mr. Malcolm Bruce:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the contingency plans drawn up by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies in relation to problems arising from millennium compliance including the embedded chip problem after 31 December 1999. [60079]
Mr. Fatchett:
The FCO plans to have all its business-critical IT and embedded systems compliant before the millennium either by correction or by replacement.
The greatest risk has been identified as the limited time available to replace systems around the world. Contingency plans have been drafted to ensure workarounds can be implemented wherever replacements cannot be accomplished in time.
As requested by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council, the FCO will have completed risk assessments, and will have initial year 2000 business continuity plans in place, by the end of January 1999.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) pursuant to his oral statement of 3 November 1998, Official Report, column 708, what evidence he received from (a) the CIA and (b) other sources, to support his statement that Saddam Hussein had imported specialist surgical equipment for cosmetic surgery on those around him; [60275]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
The Iraqi Government have submitted Distribution Plans of goods to be supplied under the United Nations "Oil for Food" programme which include Silicone breast implants (sizes 4, 5, 6 and 7), a Liposuction machine (worth over 16,000 USD) and
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a teeth whitening laser worth (126,000 USD). These ignore the fact that the purpose of the "Oil for Food" programme is to provide essential humanitarian goods to those who need them in Iraq. The UN would not of course approve these items at the expense of more pressing needs. Saddam Hussein's perverse priorities are to provide luxury goods for his cronies rather than food and medicine for suffering children.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response has been sent to the Russian Foreign Minister about his objections to military action against Iraq. [60161]
Mr. Fatchett:
We have made clear our own position on the use of military force in the Security Council and in public statements. We have discussed Iraq regularly with the Russians, among others.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the objectives of a possible air attack on Iraq. [60162]
Mr. Fatchett:
The ultimate aim of our policy, including any use of military force against Iraq, has always been the full implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions.
Sir Peter Emery:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to increase aid to the Karen refugees in Burma. [59551]
Mr. Fatchett:
In recent years, the Government have channelled support for refugees on the Thai-Burma border primarily through the Burma Border Consortium. In 1998, the Department for International Development has provided over £250,000 for the Consortium. DfID is considering a request from the Consortium for further support in 1999.
Sir Peter Emery:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to bring pressure to bear on the SPDC regime in Burma to implement a ceasefire and enter into political dialogue with the Karen people. [59552]
Mr. Fatchett:
We are concerned at the political situation in Burma and the plight of the ethnic minorities. We consistently exert pressure on the regime to enter into substantive dialogue with the different parties concerned to reach a solution and an end to fighting. Our efforts include support for UN involvement and a recent strengthening of the EU Common Position.
Dr. Marek:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what facilities exist on St. Helena for citizens to be able to have access to files relating to them. [59433]
Mr. Tony Lloyd
[holding answer 12 November 1998]: St. Helenians have no right of access to files relating to them such as criminal records, benefit payments and passport applications. Public Servants are subject to open appraisal but do not have right of access to their files.
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Office automation systems
Business-critical database applications
Telecommunications
Embedded systems.
(2) what evidence he received from (a) the CIA and (b) other sources to support the statement he made at his recent press conference that Saddam Hussein had imported surgical equipment for breast enlargement operations. [60276]
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