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Banana Dispute
Mr. Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of when the banana dispute between the European Union and United States of America will be concluded; [115564]
- (2) what meetings have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the European Commission as part of efforts to resolve the banana dispute; [115562]
(3) what meetings are planned by his Department to resolve the banana dispute between the European Union and the United States of America; [115561]
(4) what recent meetings have been held between Her Majesty's Government and the EU Commission in connection with the banana dispute with the United States. [116000]
Mr. Vaz: Throughout the banana dispute numerous meetings have taken place with the European Commission, other EU member states, the US, Caribbean governments and Latin American banana producing countries. We will remain in close touch with all the parties and continue to press for a rapid solution to this dispute which also addresses the needs of vulnerable Caribbean banana producers.
Most parties have indicated they could accept the basic framework for a solution set out in the Commission, with differences outstanding on the details. On 20 March the EU Agriculture Council noted latest developments and encouraged the Commission to continue its discussions on these details with third countries in an effort to find agreement as quickly as possible. The exact date by which a solution to the dispute can be found will depend on when those details can be resolved.
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Dr. Starkey:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Gedling (Mr. Coaker) of 14 March 2000, Official Report, column 142W, if the new case by case approach to consideration of export licences for dual use
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goods would allow the import into Montenegro of dual use goods which might benefit the internal security forces of the Montenegrin authorities. [115592]
Mr. Vaz:
We will not approve any applications to export dual use goods to the FRY where those goods could benefit the armed forces, security forces or similar entities of the government in Belgrade. All other applications, including those where the goods in question could benefit the Montenegrin internal security authorities, will be considered consistent with the national export licensing criteria announced in July 1997 and those in the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports.
Mr. Wilshire:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to establish on whose behalf the Portuguese presidency of the EU was speaking on 13 March when it rejected Austria's request for the normalisation of relations within the Council of Ministers. [115496]
Mr. Vaz
[holding answer 20 March 2000]: In confirming the position of the other EU member states on 13 March in relation to their measures against Austria, the Portuguese Prime Minister was speaking in an informal capacity as a coordinator for the 14 member states.
Mr. Wilshire:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultation took place between the Portuguese presidency of the EU and other EU Governments prior to their statement on 13 March rejecting Austria's request for the normalisation of relations within the Council of Ministers; and if Her Majesty's Government agreed the wording in advance. [115497]
Mr. Vaz
[holding answer 20 March 2000]: In addressing the press on 13 March, the Portuguese Prime Minister was speaking in an informal capacity as co-ordinator for the 14 member states and reflecting the view of HMG that the measures of the 14 EU member states against Austria should continue to be implemented.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason a Grand Marquis has been bought for use as a flag car in Caracas; who has use of this car; what was the cost of this car; and if he will make a statement. [115737]
Mr. Battle:
The Embassy in Caracas first explored the purchaser of a Rover 75, which is used as a flag car at several other overseas posts. However, this model was only able to take lead-free petrol which was not available at the time in Venezuela. A decision was then taken to purchase a Grand Marquis at a cost of £18,422.
The flag car is reserved for official use by the Head of Mission. He is expected to use his private car for non-official (i.e. private use) purposes. The flag car may be used by the Charge when Head of Mission is not at post.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many flag cars have been purchased for the official use of ambassadors and high commissioners since 1 May 1997; how many of each model have been purchased; and at what total cost. [115736]
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Mr. Battle:
The following table shows how many flags cars have been purchased for the official use of Ambassadors and High Commissioners since 1 May 1997, how many of each model and the total cost.
In addition the FCO purchased one Rolls-Royce on special concessionary terms.
| Model | Number | Cost (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Cadillac | 1 | 19,835.28 |
| Daimler | 1 | 34,500.00 |
| Land Rover Discovery | 23 | 541,244.94 |
| Ford Mondeo | 1 | 14,350.72 |
| Ford Grand Marquis | 1 | 18,422.36 |
| Jaguar S Type | 4 | 88,269.65 |
| Jaguar Sovereign | 10 | 502,409.51 |
| Jaguar XJ6 | 2 | 47,302.00 |
| Jaguar XJ8 | 15 | 481,071.99 |
| Opel Omega | 1 | 21,232.36 |
| Range Rover | 30 | 966,938.68 |
| Rover 620 | 1 | 13,862.17 |
| Rover 75 | 6 | 88,591.97 |
| Rover 820 | 2 | 26,211.22 |
| Rover 825/Sterling | 13 | 1,126,372.67 |
| Toyota L/c Vx | 1 | 20,557.41 |
| Volvo S80 F | 1 | 19,253.40 |
| Volvo V70 | 1 | 21,200.00 |
| Total number/cost of flag cars purchased since 1 May 1997 | 114 | 4,051,626.33 |
Friends of Europe Conference
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the official representatives from the Government who attended the Friends of Europe Conference on 9 March in Brussels. [115585]
Mr. Vaz: The Ambassador and an official from our bilateral Embassy in Brussels attended the Friends of Europe conference on 9 March.
Caribiner PR Company
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those (a) Government projects and (b) projects organised in the UK by agencies of the European Community, which have used the services of Caribiner PR Company. [115567]
Mr. Vaz: Since its foundation in 1997, Caribiner has co-organised 34 events (including Summits, conferences, visits by Heads of State and press conferences) with Government Departments. With regard to events organised for the EU institutions, I refer the hon. Gentlemen to the offices of the European Commission and the European Parliament.
PRIME MINISTER
Visits
Q16. Mr. Baker: To ask the Prime Minister when he last visited the Lewes constituency. [114303]
The Prime Minister:
Regrettably I have been unable to do so, but I hope to be able to visit the hon. Member's constituency at some point in the future.
22 Mar 2000 : Column: 606W
Sir Peter Tapsell:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 22 March. [115384]
The Prime Minister:
This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I will have further such meetings later today.
Synchrotron
Mrs. Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment he has made of the impact on (a) the North West economy, (b) science in North West universities and (c) science and technology in the North West of the decision to place the diamond synchrotron investment at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire; [115042]
- (2) what account he took in coming to his decision on placing diamond synchrotron investment of the impact on joint science and technology projects between Daresbury and North West universities. [115105]
Mr. Byers: The synchrotron is a national facility that hosts scientists from across the country. I had to consider a wide range of issues before announcing this important decision and this included the implications in the long-term for the Daresbury laboratory and the North West. That is why I announced a number of steps to ensure the science base in the North West remains strong. We shall continue to work with partners in the region to bring forward a package of measures.
Mrs. Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many representations he has received in favour of placing the diamond synchrotron investment at Daresbury; and from whom. [115040]
Mr. Byers: Our records to date show that we have received approximately 500 letters from individuals in favour of placing the new synchrotron project at the Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire.
Ms Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has had from French scientists who are synchrotron users in support of Daresbury as the site for Diamond. [115134]
Mr. Byers [holding answer 17 March 2000]: Records to date show 10 cases of ministerial correspondence from scientists with addresses in France in favour of placing the new synchrotron project at the Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire. Most of these are not French scientists, but scientists of a different nationality who are currently living in France. It is not possible from our records to obtain the nationality of individuals.
Ms Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has had from scientists with an international reputation in support of Daresbury as the site for Diamond. [115135]
Mr. Byers
[holding answer 17 March 2000]: Records to date show about 200 letters from individuals at academic institutions in favour of placing the new synchrotron
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project at the Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire. Of these letters about 70 were sent from scientific institutions outside of the UK. Of the letters that were sent from UK institutions about 50 were sent by Professors.
Ms Southworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he and his Ministers have had with the French Government in relation to the siting of the Diamond synchrotron project; and if he will publish the papers associated with the meetings. [115132]
Mr. Byers
[holding answer 17 March 2000]: My noble Friend Lord Sainsbury has met with the French Science Minister, Mr. Claude Allegre, on a number of occasions on which issues relating to the synchrotron project have been discussed.
Ms Southworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he and his Ministers have had with the Wellcome Trust in relation to the siting of the Diamond synchrotron project. [115131]
Mr. Byers
[holding answer 17 March 2000]: I met representatives from the Wellcome Trust on 27 October 1999 and 10 February 2000 to discuss the synchrotron. My noble Friend Lord Sainsbury also discussed the synchrotron at a meeting with the Wellcome Trust on 27 October 1998, 23 September 1999 and 1 March 2000.
The Wellcome Trust and I exchanged written correspondence on this issue on:
In recent months, my noble Friend Lord Sainsbury has had a number of telephone conversations with the Wellcome Trust, during which the synchrotron was discussed.
Mrs. Ellman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the Wellcome Trust concerning the location of the diamond synchrotron investment. [115041]
Mr. Byers:
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, South (Ms Southworth).
24 September 1999
4 October 1999
7 October 1999
11 October 1999
15 October 1999
1 November 1999
2 November 1999
11 November 1999
22 November 1999
23 November 1999
17 January 2000.
My noble Friend Lord Sainsbury received correspondence from the Wellcome Trust on the 21 January 2000.
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