5 Apr 2000 : Column: 465W
Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 5 April 2000
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Burma
Mr. Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to ban investment in Burma by United Kingdom-owned companies; and if he will make a statement. [117508]
Mr. Battle: We do not encourage trade with our investment in Burma and tell business enquirers so; we have also suspended all financial support for trade mission to Burma and for trade promotional activities there as was made plain in June 1997.
Sri Lanka
Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution Britain is making to support initiatives for peace in Sri Lanka. [117642]
Mr. Hain: We take every opportunity at bilateral meetings to stress the need for a political settlement to end the conflict in Sri Lanka. We have made it clear that we stand ready to help if both sides ask us to play a role. We welcome the Norwegian Government's efforts to bring the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam together for peace talks.
Lisbon Summit
Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the (a) total cost and (b) cost per passenger of the jets used to fly Ministers and officials to the Lisbon Summit; and if he will break down the cost by Government department. [117042]
Mr. Robin Cook [holding answer 3 April 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley) by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 30 March 2000, Official Report, column 248W.
Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who took the decision that three separate jets would be used to fly Ministers and officials to the Lisbon Summit. [117040]
Mr. Robin Cook [holding answer 3 April 2000]: This was a collective decision, in the light of operational requirements. All travel was undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Library.
Mr. Spring:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) officials and (b) political advisers accompanied Ministers to the Lisbon Summit. [117041]
5 Apr 2000 : Column: 466W
Mr. Robin Cook
[holding answer 3 April 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley) on 4 April 2000, Official Report, column 390W.
Mr. Worthington:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to involve non-Governmental organisations in consultation as part of the preparation of the Government's position for the Social Summit in Geneva in June. [117326]
Mr. Hain:
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has provided £25,000 to help the United Nations Environment and Development UK Committee (UNED-UK) co-ordinate UK civil society's input to the Special Session. We have financed an internet website, the creation of a key stakeholders' group, and a conference for non- governmental organisations. The Department for International Development has provided £270,000 for the International Council for Social Welfare to help it enhance the role of civil society groups worldwide (and especially those from developing countries) at the Special Session.
Mr. Worthington:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which department is the lead department for preparing for the Social Summit in Geneva in June; and which other departments are involved in the preparation. [117325]
Mr. Hain:
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is the lead Department for preparations for the General Assembly Special Session on follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development. All other Whitehall Departments with responsibility for social development issues, both nationally and internationally, are fully involved in the preparatory process.
Mr. Worthington:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will represent Her Majesty's Government at the United Nations Social Summit in Geneva in June. [117324]
Mr. Hain:
The full composition of the UK delegation is still being considered. The Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities, has plans to attend for some of the discussions.
Mr. Wyatt:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of recent negotiations between Israel and Syria. [117598]
Mr. Hain:
The meeting between President Clinton and President Asad in Geneva on 26 March was a demonstration of the efforts being undertaken to achieve the resumption of negotiations between Israel and Syria and progress towards agreement. The Government support these efforts and believe that a settlement remains possible. Time is, however, short. The Government will spare no effort, in co-operation with the United States and our European partners, to help the parties reach agreement.
5 Apr 2000 : Column: 467W
Dr. Marek:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what effect the creation of the St. Helena Business Forum has had on unemployment levels. [117797]
Mr. Battle:
The St. Helena Business Forum was formed in 1997 at the instigation of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In 1998 it became the St. Helena Focus Group and is now run by the private sector. It is a voluntary organisation that was established to promote St. Helena to the private sector in the UK. One of its members has been appointed as a part-time Commercial Representative to the St. Helena Government. The Commercial Representative and Focus Group have greatly improved the service to potential inward investors and have taken a proactive role in inward investment promotion activities. In 1997 unemployment was 20 per cent., at the end of 1999 it was 15 per cent.
Dr. Marek:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans has he to develop employment opportunities on St. Helena in non-governmental areas. [117799]
Mr. Battle:
The St. Helena Government in its Strategic Review 2000-2010 and Country Policy Plan 2000-01, 2002-03 clearly sets out its commitment to promote employment opportunities. These include increasing contracting out of government services; the promotion of tourism and inward investment; and increased export promotion. Many of these activities are undertaken in conjunction with the St. Helena Development Agency (SHDA) which has been instrumental in creating or sustaining well over 120 jobs in 1998 in the private sector. The Department for International Development has funded a £1.386 million project to provide working capital for the SHDA. The SHDA provides grants and loans particularly for small and medium-scale enterprises as well as training and advice.
Dr. Marek:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many St. Helenians are serving in the Armed Forces; and what percentage of the population that represents. [117801]
Mr. Battle:
Thirty six St. Helenians have joined the UK Armed Forces since November 1997 which represents roughly 0.72 per cent. of the population. Several have returned to St. Helena since recruitment because they have either not completed basic training or for other, personal, reasons. Currently 29 are in the services.
Dr. Marek:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans has he to assist St. Helena in developing the fishing industry. [117798]
Mr. Battle:
Since 1996, the St. Helena Government (SHG) has been engaged in the establishment of a joint venture with Argos Ltd. On 29 February 2000 Argos Atlantic Cold Store was officially opened at Ruperts Bay in St. Helena. This increases fish freezing and cold storage capacity to 800 tonnes. Quotas placed on the local fishermen during times of high catches will now be eliminated. I understand Argos intend to take immediate steps to increase the volume of fish caught by importing bait and improving fishing expertise.
5 Apr 2000 : Column: 468W
Dr. Marek:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to assist St. Helena in diversifying its economy. [117800]
Mr. Battle:
The St. Helena Government set out their vision for the future and long-term development strategy in their Strategic Review 2000-10 and Country Policy Plan 2000-01 to 2002-03. This is clearly based on the need to continue to develop the island's private sector and attract inward investment. The St. Helena and British Governments agreed during this January's discussions on a new three-year aid agreement that progress towards a more sustainable economy will remain difficult until access to the island is radically improved. The outcome of the Department for International Development's proposed comparative costs study of future air access versus sea access will be relevant to future tourism development.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |