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Recycling
Mr. Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of documentation used by his Department is (a) made from recycled paper and (b) collected for recycling. [111600]
Mr. Hain: The FCO does not have this information readily available.
We are currently carrying out an Environmental Audit which will include recommendations on how to achieve the recycling targets set out in the 1st annual report of the Green Ministers committee.
"Your Britain, Your Europe" Roadshow
Mr. John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 29 November 1999, Official Report, column 33W, which business, educational and other organisations contributed to the "Your Britain, Your Europe", roadshow; and what they contributed. [111152]
Mr. Vaz:
I visited a number of schools and businesses during the "Your Britain, Your Europe" roadshow. These included Woodham Comprehensive
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School (Newton Aycliffe), St. Joseph's School (Hebburn), Nissan Manufacturing (UK), Hull University, CORUS Engineering Steels, Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, Kwik Strip Eco Solutions (Bristol), Queen Elizabeth Hospital School (Bristol), the South West Regional Euro Forum, Bath University, King Edward VI College (Nuneaton), St. John's Primary School (Birmingham), Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and De Montfort University (Leicester). Some of these organised events to mark my visit.
Mr. John Cryer:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information was distributed during the "Your Britain, Your Europe" roadshow which directly related to the promotion of the European single currency. [111153]
Mr. Vaz:
We did not distribute any material relating to the promotion of the European single currency during the roadshow.
Miss McIntosh:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 15 February 2000, Official Report, column 762, on EuroMed, if he will list matters covered by negotiations for EuroMed agreements. [111164]
Mr. Vaz:
Association Agreements negotiated between the EU and individual EuroMed countries cover a wide range of topics, including:
Miss McIntosh:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to press for greater flexibility in institutional arrangements in the European Union. [111382]
Mr. Vaz:
The Government's approach to flexibility is set out in the IGC White Paper which was laid before the House on 15 February.
Mr. Blunt:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 15 February 2000, Official Report, column 781, concerning a united Europe of states, what the Government's policy is on the powers which states within the EU should continue to be able to exercise independently. [111109]
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Mr. Vaz:
The independence of member states is not an issue which will be addressed at the IGC. It will be about those reforms necessary to ensure the Union continues to function effectively after enlargement.
Mr. Prosser:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Russian Government on the culling of baby seals in Russian waters. [111427]
Mr. Vaz:
We raised the issue of seal culling with the Russian Ambassador in April last year. Our Embassy in Moscow raised it with the Russian authorities in July. On both occasions we reiterated the strong concerns felt about this issue by both parliamentarians and the British public.
Mr. Llew Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library copies of transcripts of interviews he has given on allegations of British intelligence involvement in an attempted assassination of Colonel Gaddafi. [111591]
Mr. Robin Cook:
I have been asked about this subject in interviews given to the BBC on 9 August 1998 and 14 February 2000. These interviews are a matter of public record. The full text of the first of these interviews is available on the FCO website at www.fco.gov.uk/news/newstext.asp?1401.
Mr. Luff:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making to the Government of Iran about the death sentences imposed on three Iranian Bahai in the city of Mashad on 3 February; and if he will make a statement. [111621]
Mr. Hain:
We are concerned at reports that three members of the Bahai community were sentenced to death on 3 February. We therefore welcome the subsequent statement from a spokesman for the Iranian Judiciary that no such sentences have been passed, and that there remained the possibility that any convictions would be quashed. The Portuguese Presidency on behalf of the EU member states summoned the Iranian Ambassador to Lisbon on 17 February to express our concern at these reports and seek clarification. The Ambassador was unsighted but said that he would convey the concern of the EU to Tehran. We shall be taking similar action bilaterally.
Ms Southworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on Eastern Merchant Generation's proposal to retrofit the flue gas desulphurisation plant at the West Burton coal-fired power station. [111901]
Mrs. Liddell:
I have today granted consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to Eastern Merchant Generation Limited for the construction of flue gas
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desulphurisation plant at the 2,000 MW coal-fired power station at West Burton in Nottinghamshire. Planning permission for the plant has also been deemed to be granted, subject to 49 planning conditions agreed with the Nottinghamshire County Council and the Bassetlaw District Council and also subject to the company entering into an agreement with the County Council under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to carry out necessary collateral works. The decisions have been taken in accordance with the policy set out in the White Paper entitled 'Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee' (Cm 4071).
Copies of the Press Notice and decision letter are being placed in the Library of the House.
Mrs. Gilroy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on Smith Kline Beecham Pharmaceuticals and Scottish Power plc's proposal to build a combined heat and power station at Irvine, Ayrshire. [111903]
Mrs. Liddell:
I have today given clearance under Section 14 of the Energy Act 1976 to SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals and ScottishPower plc's notification to build a 45 MW gas-fired combined heat and power station at the SmithKline Beecham works, Irvine. The decision has been taken in accordance with the policy set out in the White Paper entitled "Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee" (Cm 4071).
The decision to give clearance to the proposal on energy policy grounds is without prejudice to any decision that may be taken on whether or not planning permission is granted.
Copies of the Press Notice and the clearance letter are being placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Neil Turner:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government will provide a detailed response to the Low Pay Commission's recommendations on the national minimum wage. [111902]
Mr. Byers:
Yes. The Government are today publishing their detailed response to the recommendations and suggestions contained in the Low Pay Commission's second report. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses alongside the Report itself, which the Government published on Tuesday 15 February at the same time as they announced increases to the main and youth rates, and a new remit for the Low Pay Commission.
Mr. Austin:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes to take regarding the trading activities of British American Tobacco; and if he will make a statement. [111486]
Dr. Howells:
The Companies Acts enable me to investigate companies to establish the facts when there are suggestions of serious misconduct or fraud. The allegations here seem more appropriate for HM Customs and Excise, who are responsible for issues relating to
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smuggling and VAT evasion. I understand that officials there have received documents on this matter and are considering them.
political dialogue
respect for human rights
free movement of goods
agricultural and fisheries products
right of establishment and services
movement of capital
competition
economic cooperation
dialogue and cooperation against money laundering, drugs, terrorism and illegal immigration
treatment of legally resident nationals
cultural matters
financial cooperation (through the EU's MEDA funding programme).
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