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Coral Reefs

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigation he has conducted into the effects of coral bleaching on the reefs of the British Indian Ocean Territory. [65823]

Mr. Tony Lloyd: The British Indian Ocean Territory Government have made initial assessment of the extent of coral bleaching in the Territory. They have also agreed to sponsor a further, in-depth study into coral bleaching, which we hope will take place in February.

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that commercial fishing close to the reefs of the British Indian Ocean Territory is adjusted to ensure the safe-guarding of the reefs. [65824]

Mr. Tony Lloyd: The commercial inshore fishery occurs from dories drifting across the banks using only hook and lines, which are not considered harmful. We do not allow other methods such as trawling where nets could become entangled on the reef.

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Controls are implemented by limited licensing, based on best available scientific information and adopting a precautionary approach to fisheries management.

Right hon. Member for Hartlepool

Mr. Howard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is employing the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) as an adviser. [67885]

Mr. Robin Cook: No, but I will continue to maintain close contact with all Parliamentary colleagues interested in foreign policy.

Gibraltar

Dr. Marek: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to amend annexe II of the 1976 legislative measure of the EEC on Direct Elections to extend the franchise to the people of Gibraltar for elections to the European Parliament. [67396]

Ms Quin: We have no plans to seek to amend annexe II of the 1976 EC Act. Amendment would require the agreement of all Member States. In present circumstances there is no prospect of securing this.

Arms Embargoes

Mr. Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many arms embargoes were in force on 1 December 1997; who they were against; on what date each relevant Order in Council was made; on what date a copy of each Order in Council was sent to the relevant British embassy or high commission; and on what date each order in Council was first read by the relevant British ambassador or high commissioner. [67698]

Mr. Tony Lloyd: At 1 December 1997, the following arms embargoes were in operation:












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    Rwanda (and neighbouring States if for use in Rwanda)


    UNSCR 1011 adopted on 16 August 1995, replacing UNSCR 918 adopted on 17 May 1994. The United Nations Arms Embargoes (Amendment) (Rwanda) Order was made on 22 June 1994 and the United Nations Arms Embargoes (Rwanda) (Amendment) Order was made on 12 February 1997.


    Sierra Leone


    UNSCR 1132 adopted on 8 October 1997. The Sierra Leone (United Nations Sanctions) Order was made on 30 October 1997.


    EU


    Afghanistan


    adopted on 17 December 1996


    Bosnia and Herzegovina


    adopted 26 February 1996 but entered into force 13 March 1996 (maintaining earlier ban on Former Yugoslavia)


    Burma


    declared 29 July 1991


    China


    declared 27 June 1989


    Croatia


    adopted 26 February 1996 but entered into force 13 March 1996 (maintaining earlier ban on Former Yugoslavia)


    Nigeria


    adopted 20 November 1995


    Sudan


    adopted 15 March 1994


    OSCE


    Armenia


    agreed 28 February 1992


    Azerbaijan


    agreed 28 February 1992.

In addition, the UK restricted the export of arms to the following countries:



    with effect from 3 April 1982


    Iran


    with effect from 1 March 1993.

Orders in Council are made in respect of arms embargoes imposed by the United Nations Security Council. (Other embargoes are implemented under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994.) Until recently, it was the practice to circulate copies of the relevant resolutions, rather than copies of the Orders in Council, or summaries of them, to the relevant High Commissions or Embassies. Since July 1998 all FCO Departments and Posts overseas and all Whitehall Departments have been sent details of the scope and provisions of all new sanctions, including arms embargoes.

Arms Exports

Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 December 1998, Official Report, columns 122-23, when he will publish a report on UK strategic exports; and if he will make a statement. [67893]

Mr. Tony Lloyd: We will publish the report as soon as possible.

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Anglo-German Working Group

Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the names of the persons appointed to represent Her Majesty's Government on the Anglo-German Working Group; and what are its terms of reference and the persons or bodies to whom it reports. [65746]

Mr. Kilfoyle [holding answer 18 January 1999]: I have been asked to reply.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and Chancellor Schroeder have authorised informal bilateral contacts. They are led on the British side by Lord Falconer on behalf of the Government. The exchanges also cover party political matters, which are handled on behalf of the Labour Party by my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson).

CABINET OFFICE

Departmental Staff (Travel)

Mr. Baker: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the mileage rates currently applicable to staff, indicating what changes have been made to encourage staff to switch from cars to public transport and other less polluting forms of travel. [67495]

Mr. Kilfoyle: The mileage rates currently applicable to staff are:

Private car rate

Miles travelled in a financial yearUp to 1500ccOver 1500cc
Up to 4.000 miles34p43p
Over 4,000 miles19p23p

The Cabinet Office, along with its Agencies, is in the process of developing a new environmental policy and green action plan in line with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' guidance. An integral part of this development is consideration of how best to develop a Green Transport Plan for the Department. It is also an issue which is already being addressed as part of the development of the Department's new headquarters building.

TREASURY

Child Benefit

Mr. MacShane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate (a) the number of married couples entitled to child benefit whose combined taxable income exceeds the higher rate threshold where neither spouse pays higher rate tax and (b) the number of married couples entitled to child benefit whose combined taxable incomes are (i) less than £35,000, (ii) £40,000, (iii) £50,000 and (iv) less than twice the higher rate threshold, where one of the spouses is a higher rate taxpayer. [64672]

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Dawn Primarolo: The number of married couples entitled to child benefit whose combined taxable income exceeds the higher rate threshold for a single person and where neither spouse pays tax at the higher rate is estimated to be about 850,000 for 1998-99.

Estimates for 1998-99 for the number of married couples entitled to child benefit and where one of the spouses is a higher rate taxpayer are given in the table.

Combined taxable incomeNumber of married couples
Less than £35,00080,000
Less than £40,000200,000
Less than £50,000450,000
Less than £62,590(20)675,000

(20) twice the higher rate threshold for a single person.


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