| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
West Bank (Human Rights)
34. Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the latest human rights situation in the occupied territories of the west bank. [86611]
Mr. Hoon:
We follow closely the human rights situation in the Occupied Territories. We have repeatedly expressed our concern to the Israeli Government about settlement activity, house demolitions and land confiscation. These activities are in breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention, an obstacle to peace and worsen the climate for final status negotiations.
22 Jun 1999 : Column: 358
We have also supported a project to promote human rights within the Palestinian community through the Palestinian Rights Programme, which has been funded by the FCO Human Rights Project Fund and managed by the British Council.
Mr. Sheerman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts on improving communication between the national parliaments of Europe. [86578]
Ms Quin:
The Government believe the national Parliaments have a crucial role to play in giving the European Union legitimacy, and in ensuring that Europe's agenda is set by concerns of Europe's citizens. Improving communications between the national Parliaments will help them to play that role more effectively.
The Amsterdam Treaty has enhanced their role. We welcome the new six-week minimum scrutiny period for EU legislation, and for a new consultative role for COSAC. These steps will complement the steps we have taken to improve our own scrutiny system.
In particular, we have extended the scheme for hon. Members to visit EU institutions to include visits to the national Parliaments of our European partners.
These improved links will help Westminster's voice be heard more clearly in Europe.
Mr. Tyrie:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 19 April 1999, Official Report, column 405, on special advisers, if he will give the total travel cost of each occasion when (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2 May 1997 and the place visited. [82413]
Mr. Robin Cook:
For the period 2 May 1997 to 24 April 1999, special advisers in my Department have travelled overseas in an official capacity on 31 occasions. The total cost of travel amounted to £28,475. On most of these visits, special advisers, accompanying Ministers, travelled aboard charter RAF flights at no extra cost to Her Majesty's Government.
All travel complied with the requirements of the ministerial code and the Civil Service Management code.
Mr. Cox:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Government Ministers have visited Gibraltar since May 1997. [87290]
Ms Quin:
Since May 1997, the following Government Ministers have visited Gibraltar: Mr. Doug Henderson, the then Minister for Europe, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (7-8 October 1997); Mr. John Spellar, Under- Secretary of State for Defence (16-17 October 1997).
I am planning to visit Gibraltar on 22-23 July. My visit was originally planned for 13-14 May, but was postponed following the tragic death of the right hon. Derek Fatchett MP.
22 Jun 1999 : Column: 359
Mr. Cox:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed issues concerning Gibraltar and Spain with the Spanish Government; and if he will list the issues discussed. [87287]
Ms Quin:
My right hon. Friend has regular contact with the Spanish Foreign Minister. We last discussed such issues on 22 March in the margins of the General Affairs Council and 24-25 March in the margins of the Berlin European Council. We covered border delays, allegations of criminality, and preparations for the UK/Spain summit.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library project summaries on European Communities research contracts (a) SOE1-CT95-1005, (b) SOE2-CT95-3004, (c) SOE2-CT95-3009, (d) SOE2-CT96-3006, (e) SOE2- CT97-3042, (f) SOE2-CT97-3045, (g) SOE2-CT97-3048, (h) SOE2-CT97-3050, (i) SOE2-CT97-3059 and (j) SOE2-CT97-3060, indicating their sponsoring DGs in each case and the reason for the project's commissioning; how many research projects are currently funded by the Communities; and if he will make a statement. [87380]
Ms Quin:
The project reference numbers provided are not familiar. If the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) would care to provide further details, I will endeavour to answer his question in full.
Ann Clwyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to publish the 1998 Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls. [87448]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
We will publish the Report as soon as possible.
Mr. Davidson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to assist in measures to reduce the level of corruption in Zimbabwe. [87699]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
The Department for International Development, through its projects with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Ministry of Local Government and the Privatisation Agency, is assisting in measures to combat corruption in Zimbabwe; and will continue to support initiatives aimed at improving accountability and tackling corruption.
Mr. Davidson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Government support and advice is provided to police forces in Zimbabwe to assist and encourage them to (i) police by consent and (ii) maintain a politically neutral position. [87767]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
Under a project funded by the Department for International Development, the Zimbabwe Republic Police receive support and advice from British police forces on many issues, to help them protect individual rights and improve public confidence in police services.
22 Jun 1999 : Column: 360
Mr. Davidson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the level of political violence in Zimbabwe; what representations he has made to the Government of Zimbabwe on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [87700]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
I receive regular reports of political developments in Zimbabwe from our High Commission in Harare. We made representations to the Government of Zimbabwe over the illegal arrest and torture of two newspaper journalists in January 1999. I raised our concerns about human rights with President Mugabe when he visited London in December 1998 and when I visited Harare in February 1999.
Mr. Davidson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Government support is provided to the Zimbabwean human rights organisation ZimRights. [87698]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
The Government supported an organisational/development conference for ZimRights in December 1997. The Westminster Foundation for Democracy, which is largely funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is currently supporting a three-year ZimRights education programme for domestic and commercial farm workers.
Mr. Davidson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports have been received from the EU-funded election monitoring programme in Zimbabwe (a) in general and (b) on the preparations for this year's urban elections; and if he will make a statement. [87697]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
The EU is funding an election monitoring training programme in Zimbabwe, run by the non-governmental organisation, ZimRights. They started work in May 1999. The main objective is to build a team of independent national election monitors to be in place for the 2000 General Election and the 2002 Presidential Election. The team will also monitor by-elections and local council elections. They have not produced any reports yet.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the purpose of his Department's establishment at Morwenstow, Cornwall. [87601]
Mr. Robin Cook:
The Composite Signals Organisation Station at Morwenstow is part of GCHQ. It is longstanding policy not to provide details about the operations of the security and intelligence services.
Mr. Luff:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to visit the Falkland Islands to discuss the recent talks with Argentinian officials. [86579]
22 Jun 1999 : Column: 361
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
I visited the Falklands in April last year and have made no plans for a further visit. British and Argentine delegations met in London on 25-27 May to discuss South Atlantic issues. Talks were held on issues such as air links, Argentine access to the Falklands, and our common interest in combating illegal fishing.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |