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Argentina
Mr. Win Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Argentina. [91145]
Mr. Robin Cook: British and Argentine delegations met in London on 13 and 14 July to continue their dialogue on South Atlantic issues of common interest. I led the United Kingdom delegation, which included Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Council.
I signed a Joint Statement with the Argentine Foreign Minister and exchanged letters recording understandings reached in these discussions on flights between the Falklands and South America, permission for Argentine passport-holders to visit the Falklands, co-operation against illegal fishing and other confidence-building measures. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.
This agreement has the approval of the Falkland Islands Legislative Councillors. It is an important advance for our relations with Argentina and will encourage friendship and trust between Argentina and the Falklands Islands. It has our whole-hearted support.
Ms Kelly:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what factors underlie his conclusion that Mr. Al-Sayegh of Bolton holds both British and Bahraini nationality. [91055]
Mr. Hoon:
Mr. Al-Sayegh is a Bahraini national by birth and also a British national, having been granted British nationality in 1995 through his marriage to a British citizen. The Bahrainis have assured us that Mr. Al-Sayegh has not lost or been deprived of his Bahraini nationality.
Mr. Nicholas Winterton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on the
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purchase, and use of, official cars for United Kingdom ambassadors and high commissioners serving overseas; what make of cars have been purchased over the past 12 months for ambassadors, high commissioners and other senior diplomatic staff overseas; and to which individual diplomats they have been supplied. [90951]
Mr. Hoon:
1. Flag cars are provided for official use of Ambassadors and High Commissioners and are not specifically assigned to individual diplomats.
2. Government policy is to advertise our requirements for flag cars in the Official Journal of the European Commission and to set up framework contracts with successful bidders against which individual cars are purchased as the need arises. The FCO currently has framework contracts, negotiated in 1996, with Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Rover and Land Rover.
3. The makes of flag car purchased during the last 12 months are Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Rover and Land Rover, Volvo, Opel, Ford and a Grand Marquis in Caracas. Details, including the Missions to which the cars have been allocated, are shown in the attached list. The few cars purchased outside the existing framework contracts are used in countries where European cars cannot be properly maintained.
BACKGROUND NOTE
1. The FCO has, in the last 12 months, bought the following 45 flag cars:
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Market Research
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, stating in each case whether the results were published. [89696]
Mr. Hoon [holding answer 5 July 1999]: Since May 1997, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has funded three pieces of public opinion research centrally. A survey of opinion formers in Pakistan and a public image survey in the Eastern Caribbean helped to establish how Britain is perceived in these two areas, to highlight misconceptions, and to measure Britain's profile. Results of these two surveys have not been published. A survey on British public attitudes to Europe in 1997 helped us prepare for the EU Presidency; a copy of the results has been placed in the Libraries of the House. It would involve disproportionate costs to provide the information requested for work carried out by individual FCO posts.
Gibraltar
Mr. Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the European Commission concerning the obstruction of movement between Spain and Gibraltar. [90143]
Ms Quin: Our Permanent Representative to the EU, Sir S. Wall, wrote to the President of the European Commission on this subject on 11 February, and again on 22 June. Our Permanent Representation was in regular contact with the Commission in the intervening period.
Zimbabwe
Mr. Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for International Development concerning human rights in Zimbabwe. [90136]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
My right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the International Development Secretary meet to discuss issues that relate to the work of both departments. Officials from both departments co-ordinate policy closely in the UK and in a large number
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of countries worldwide, including Zimbabwe. The Government's commitment to human rights is central to the work of both departments.
Mr. Snape:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the treatment of the widow of a British subject who died in April this year in the Gambia, a constituent, whose name has been supplied to him. [90359]
Mr. Hoon:
When a British National who is the customer of a tour operator dies overseas, the tour operator's representative normally takes responsibility for the necessary formalities. Our Consular staff provide advice and additional assistance as necessary.
In this case, our Consular staff played a supporting role in liaising with the tour operator's representative, the clinic and the mortuary. They also offered to speak to the police.
Mr. Snape:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what services the Consular Service provides in the event of the death of a British subject abroad. [90358]
Mr. Hoon:
The services provided are set out in the Consular Services leaflet "Death Overseas", copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Dr. Tonge:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to send a contingent to the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara. [90438]
Mr. Hoon:
We have no plans at present to re-introduce a contingent to MINURSO because of heavy commitments elsewhere. The situation is kept under regular review.
Dr. Tonge:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the recent elections in Kuwait. [90446]
Mr. Hoon:
Elections for Kuwait's 50 seat National Assembly took place on 3 July. Twenty five MPs retained their seats; 16 new members were elected; the remainder being former MPs who have served in earlier parliaments.
Dr. Tonge:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent UN Security Council discussions on Iraq. [90445]
Mr. Hoon:
Discussions are continuing within the UN Security Council on the various draft resolutions on Iraq. The UK resolution seeks to translate the work of the three UN assessment panels on disarmament, humanitarian and Kuwaiti issues into action. It is now co-sponsored by the Netherlands, Argentina, Brazil, Slovenia, Gambia and Bahrain. We do not consider that the Russian and French draft resolutions offer a realistic basis for agreement in the Council. We are working in the Council to rebuild
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consensus on Iraq and hope that the remaining Council members will also move quickly to endorse our comprehensive approach.
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