| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Zimbabwe
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent events in Zimbabwe. [71820]
Mr. Tony Lloyd: We are shocked by the detention and apparent torture of Mr. Chavunduka and Mr. Choto by the military authorities in Zimbabwe, and applaud the prompt action by the judiciary in ordering Mr. Chavunduka's release. President Mugabe's recent statements raise serious questions about his Government's commitment to the rule of law and basic human freedoms. We have reminded the Zimbabwe Government of their obligation to uphold international human rights standards, and to act to repair the damage to the country's reputation.
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he has held with (a) Zimbabwean officials and (b) human rights groups in relation to the torture of journalists by the army in Zimbabwe. [71819]
Mr. Tony Lloyd: We summoned the Acting High Commissioner for Zimbabwe to protest at the Zimbabwe Army's detention and apparent torture of two journalists. I have written to the Zimbabwe Foreign Minister, and our High Commissioner in Harare has raised our concerns with both Government Ministers and officials. Our officials in London and Harare are in regular contact with human rights groups.
Sudan
Mrs. Gillan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Usama bin Laden had invested in the Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory in Khartoum; and if he will make a statement. [71762]
22 Feb 1999 : Column: 200
Mr. Fatchett
[holding answer 16 February 1999]: Usama bin Laden's past association with Sudan is well known. He had numerous business interests there and we believe that he still has.
We do not have evidence to indicate whether or not these interests included the Al-Shifa plant.
Mr. Don Foster:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list (a) those units in his Department and (b) the number of departmental staff which are concerned with preparing rebuttals of allegations in the media; and what is (i) the total cost of their work, including salaries, and (ii) the number of rebuttals issued since May 1997. [71858]
Mr. Fatchett:
In common with other Departments, the work of the press officers in this Department includes responding to any misinformed allegations concerning Government policy or activity which are published in the media. They are supported in this work by other officials as necessary.
Because this is a routine part of the Department's work and it is not separately recorded from other tasks, to provide the further information requested would involve disproportionate cost.
Dr. Godman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met his colleagues from other member states of the European Union to discuss the present circumstances and future trading prospects of the Caribbean banana producers; and if he will make a statement. [71421]
Ms Quin:
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary attended the 7 December General Affairs Council. The Agenda for this meeting covered the dispute with the US over the EU banana regime (the means by which the EU gives preferential access to banana imports from Caribbean ACP producers). Since then my right hon. Friend has on several occasions discussed the dispute, and its implications for UK industry and the Caribbean, with the US Secretary of State.
Mr. Maples:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon will receive a substantive answer to his question concerning ministerial use of RAF and chartered aircraft to which a holding answer was given on 4 February (Ref. 69074). [72297]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 February 1999, Official Report, column 738.