---

Horizon Programme

Mr. Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what functions are performed by the Horizon programme information technology installed in post offices. [138039]

Mr. Byers: I understand from the Post Office that the Horizon system is now installed in nearly 15,000 post offices.

A major upgrade of software for the Horizon system was introduced from 23 October and now includes smartcard compatibility for the automated payments service, direct electronic links between branches and the stock and cash management system and an electronic messaging system. The Horizon equipment has the latest touch screen technology and a small scale monitor, bar code reader, printer and keyboard with card reader for magnetic swipe cards and smartcards. Horizon also operates an electronic point of sale service, which captures transaction details, centrally manages product changes such as tariff updates, and produces an electronic cash account recording weekly payments and receipts which is electronically transferred to the central accounting system. An order book control service for the Benefits Agency is operated by the system, using a barcode reader providing an electronic stop list to reduce fraudulent order book encashment. In addition Horizon integrates several stand alone automated payment systems enabling payment of utilities bills using magnetic swipecards and barcoded bills.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Arms Exports (Israel)

Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of the components or equipment given Open Individual Export Licences by Her Majesty's Government since 1997 for sale to the Israeli

22 Nov 2000 : Column: 203W

armed forces can be used in firearms, tanks or helicopters of the types used by the Israeli armed forces in action against civilians in the Occupied Territories. [138010]

Mr. Hain: With regard to details of the equipment licensed for export to Israel on Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) since 2 May 1997, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Competition and Consumer Affairs on 17 November 2000, Official Report, column 809W.

All applications to this Government for licences to export defence equipment have been, and continue to be, considered on a case by case basis against the strict export licensing criteria.

We have no evidence that equipment licensed for export by this Government has been used against civilians in the Occupied Territories during the recent violence. Should any such evidence appear we would immediately consider revoking the licences concerned.

Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 November 2000, Official Report, column 511W, what assurances his Department has been given through contacts with the Israeli Government and senior Israeli military that equipment containing components licensed for export to the Israeli armed forces by Her Majesty's Government since 1990 has not been used (a) against civilians in the Occupied Territories and (b) in southern Lebanon. [139243]

Mr. Hain: We have no evidence that equipment licensed for export to Israel by this Government has been used by Israeli Security Forces against civilians in the Occupied Territories or in southern Lebanon. We would be very concerned if such evidence came to light and would immediately consider revoking the licences concerned. We continue to monitor the situation closely and have sought an assurance from the Israeli Government that no equipment or components licensed for export from the UK have been used against civilians in the Occupied Territories or in southern Lebanon.

Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 November 2000, Official Report, column 511W, what assurances his Department has been given through contacts with the Israeli Government and senior Israeli military that equipment licensed for export to the Israeli armed forces by Her Majesty's Government since 1990 has not been used (a) against civilians in the Occupied Territories and (b) in southern Lebanon. [139244]

Mr. Hain: We have no evidence that equipment licensed for export to Israel by this Government has been used by Israeli Security Forces against civilians in the Occupied Territories or in southern Lebanon. If such evidence came to light we would immediately consider revoking the licences concerned. We continue to monitor the situation closely and have sought an assurance from the Israeli Government that no equipment or components licensed for export from the UK have been used against civilians in the Occupied Territories or in southern Lebanon.

22 Nov 2000 : Column: 204W

EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Mr. MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those constitutional traditions which are common to the member states of the EU, as described in the preamble to the draft Charter of Fundamental Rights. [138659]

Mr. Vaz: The preamble alludes to Article 6(2) of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with this Article, Community law includes principles which are drawn from those recognised in the constitutions and legal systems of all the member states. Article 6(2) of the TEU does not define the constitutional traditions which are common to the member states, but the case law of the European Court of Justice indicates that they are to be considered on a case-by-case basis in relation to the particular legal tradition in the member states. In most cases, the fundamental human rights concerned are found in the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, which all member states are party.

Saudi Arabia

Mr. Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are taking on human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement. [138805]

Mr. Hain: We have concerns about the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia, including the implementation of UN human rights instruments, issues relating to the judicial process, discrimination against women and non-Muslims and restrictions on freedom of expression, movement, assembly and worship.

We are firmly committed to constructive engagement on human rights with Saudi Arabia and discuss the issue regularly with the Saudis at all levels.

Asthma Inhalers

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the evidence in support of his Department's statement that asthma inhalers intended for use in Iraq were found on sale in Lebanon. [139055]

Mr. Hain: Glaxo Wellcome have confirmed to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that about 15,000 Ventolin inhalers for the treatment of asthma, part of a shipment sent to Iraq under the UN "Oil for Food" programme earlier this year, were subsequently found on sale on the Lebanese blackmarket.

US Elections

Mr. Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent elections held in the United States of America. [138998]

Mr. Battle: We look forward to working with whomever is elected the next President of the United States, and with the new Congress.

Middle East

Mr. Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in the Middle East. [138999]

22 Nov 2000 : Column: 205W

Mr. Hain: I am appalled by the recent violence and tragic deaths in the Middle East. I urge the parties to end the violence and return to negotiations. Only a negotiated settlement can provide a just and lasting solution to the Middle East Peace Process. Violence is a dead-end for all. Britain will remain actively engaged, doing all it can to bring about a just and lasting peace.

International Criminal Court

Mr. Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of the United States about proposals for the International Criminal Court. [139343]

Mr. Hain: The Government regularly urge the United States Government to sign the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. We have made clear to the US, both bilaterally and with EU Partners, our concerns about the proposal the US put forward earlier this year.

Cuba

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the President of Cuba. [139489]

Mr. Battle: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions with the President of Cuba.

Colombia (Presidential Visit)

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Colombian president will next visit the UK; and what meetings the Government will hold with him. [139661]

Mr. Battle: There are currently no plans for President Pastrana to visit the UK.

---