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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Sierra Leone
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Mr. Peter Penfold sent any message during 1997 to London from any German or US diplomatic premises in Africa. [75801]
Mr. Tony Lloyd [holding answer 9 March 1999]: Mr. Penfold was consulted about the answer to a previous question from my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Mr. Mackinlay), 26 January 1999, Official Report, column 149, and had said it was not necessary for him to use the communication facilities at the German Embassy to communicate with London. A commercial fax facility was available at his hotel and allowed him to communicate with London directly. This answer was incomplete.
Mr. Penfold has been consulted again, and has again confirmed that he did not use classified communication facilities at the German Embassy to send messages to London. He has added that some of his and the other British High Commission staff's messages were, however, sent by fax from the commercial fax machine in the German Embassy in Conakry. Mr. Penfold believes he did on occasion also use the telephone at the German Embassy to communicate with London.
Other than the unclassified messages sent on commercial channels from the German Embassy in Conakry, Mr. Penfold has said he did not, to his best recollection, use German or US diplomatic premises in Africa in 1997 for sending messages to London.
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Mr. Swayne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will meet with the UAE Ambassador to request an explanation for the failure of the Government of Dubai to respond to his note verbale of 10 November 1998. [76945]
Mr. Fatchett
[holding answer 16 March 1999]: Our Embassy in Dubai asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dubai on 11 March when we might expect a reply to the Note Verbale of 10 November 1998.
Mr. Cox:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on Protocol number 4 to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms; and if he will make a statement. [77001]
Mr. Mike O'Brien:
The fourth Protocol raises difficult issues, including the need for legislation. We will keep them under consideration.
Mr. Cox:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the resolution of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on control of the acquisition and possession of firearms by individuals; and if he will make a statement. [77000]
Mr. Boateng:
I have been asked to reply.
The European Convention on the Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Firearms by Individuals was agreed in 1978. It has been signed by the United Kingdom but not ratified.
The Convention has effectively been superseded for European Community (EC) member states by the adoption of an EC Directive on the Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons. This was incorporated into domestic law by virtue of the Firearms Acts (Amendment) Regulations 1992. The Directive contains many similarities to the Convention in that it established procedures for the notification of movement of firearms between member states.
Mr. Opik:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what progress has been made on the study of the economic impact of regional airports and regional air services announced in A New Deal for Transport; when these studies will be completed in Wales; and if he will make a statement; [76989]
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Mr. Hain:
Work is currently under way on an air services study for Wales, in line with the commitment given in the White Paper, "A New Deal For Transport", and the Welsh transport policy statement "Transporting Wales into the Future". The study, which is focusing on the scope for new and enhanced services as well as the role of airports in economic development, is expected to be completed in the summer. I have no plans to initiate or approve developments relating to airports before that time, although I am continuing to consider improved surface access to Cardiff International Airport.
It will be for the National Assembly, in collaboration with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, to decide how to take forward the findings of the study in the context of the national airports policy which is being developed.
Mr. Swayne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cost of producing (a) the November edition and (b) the September edition of Links magazine. [77487]
Mr. Hain:
The first edition of Links was issued in November 1997 and cost £8,184.
The sixth edition of Links was issued in November 1998 and cost £7,459.
The first edition of Links cost slightly more than subsequent issues because of additional origination costs.
In neither year has there been a September edition.
Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.
Mr. Swayne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the average cost of producing each edition of Links magazine in the current financial year. [77488]
Mr. Hain:
The average cost of producing each edition of Links in the current financial year is £7,577.50.
Printing costs in this financial year for the supplement of Links extra have been £710.00.
Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.
Mrs. Ewing:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the allocation of the science budget to each research council and other funded bodies, at cash and constant terms for (i) 1995-96, (ii) 1996-97, (iii) 1997-98 and (iv) 1998-99 and the planned figures for (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01 and (c) 2001-02; and the proportion of this money allocated to Scotland. [76860]
Mr. Battle
[holding answer 16 March 1999]: Details of Science Budget spend and allocations in cash and at 1998-99 prices are set out in the following tables.
(2) what plans he has (a) to approve and (b) to initiate developments relating to airports before the completion of the economic impact studies covering airports and air services announced in A New Deal for Transport; and if he will make a statement. [76990]
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Notes:
Figures for 1995-96 to 1997-98 are taken from the Appropriation Accounts
1998-99 data are the amounts voted in Supplementary Estimates
Figures for 1999-2000 to 2001-02 are the allocations announced on 27 October 1998 but PPARC's 1999-2000 figure includes the International/Contingency Reserve of £3 million.
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Allocations of resources by OST, the Research Councils and other bodies funded from the Science Budget are made on a scientific not a regional basis. Decisions are based on the quality of the science or the project involved.
In the years 1995-96 to 1996-97, the latest years for which complete data are available, Research Councils' expenditure in Scotland totalled £121 million and £140 million respectively, 8.9 per cent. and 10.1 per cent. of the Councils' total expenditure (including non-science budget funds). Scottish institutions also benefit from access to UK and international facilities supported by the Research Councils.
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