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Tibet
Mr. Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an assessment of the impact of his policy of constructive engagement with China in so far as it relates to the condition of the Tibetan people; and if he will make a statement. [147868]
Mr. Battle: The human rights situation in Tibet remains a matter of deep concern. It is a focus of our critical engagement with the Chinese authorities, at ministerial level and through the regular UK/China human rights dialogues.
We press the Chinese authorities to enter into a dialogue with the Dalai Lama on a long term future in Tibet; to remove restrictions on the freedom of religion, expression and association; and to cease the harsh treatment of dissidents and the erosion of Tibetan culture and traditional practices. We also raise a number of individual cases of concern including Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the Dalai Lama's choice as the 11th Panchen Lama.
During the last round of the dialogue, the Chinese side briefed us on resumed contacts with the Dalai Lama. We have welcomed the re-establishment of contacts with the Chinese authorities and urged both sides to take these further forward. The Chinese side also provided new information on Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and agreed to extend an invitation to the All Party Group on Tibet to visit Tibet.
Progress on these issues remains slow. However, critical engagement allows us to press for change at the highest levels. We will continue to do so, most immediately at the forthcoming sixth round of the UK/China human rights dialogue to be held in Beijing between 12-14 February.
Pakistan
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Pakistan concerning reports of arming warships and submarines with nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement. [148427]
Mr. Wilson: We are aware of recent media reports which allege that Pakistan has plans to develop a sea-borne nuclear capability. We regularly underline to Pakistan, and also to India, our concerns about their nuclear weapon programmes and call on them to implement UNSCR 1172 of 1998.
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Ministerial Visits
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the visits to India and Pakistan made by his Department's Ministers since 2 May 1997. [148428]
Mr. Wilson: FCO Ministers have made the following visits to India and Pakistan since 2 May 1997:
| Date of visit | |
|---|---|
| India | |
| June 1997 | Right hon. Derek Fatchett MP |
| September 1997 | The Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean |
| October 1997 | Right hon. Robin Cook MP |
| November 1998 | Right hon. Derek Fatchett MP |
| November 1999 | Peter Hain MP |
| February 2000 | Keith Vaz MP |
| April 2000 | Right hon. Robin Cook MP |
| November 2000 | Peter Hain MP |
| Pakistan | |
| June 1997 | Right hon. Derek Fatchett MP |
| October 1997 | Right hon. Robin Cook MP |
| January 1998 | The Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean |
| February 1999 | Right hon. Derek Fatchett MP |
India
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what telephone calls have been made by Ministers to representatives of foreign Governments concerning attempts by the Indian Government to obtain information in respect of corruption investigations currently being undertaken in that country; and if he will make a statement. [148360]
Entry Visa Applications
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of the Minister for Europe in reviewing individual entry visa applications from the Indian subcontinent, indicating the criteria used to allow previously declined applications. [148510]
Mr. Vaz: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers have the power to intervene in cases that fall within the Immigration Rules. I will normally intervene in entry clearance applications only following representations from right hon. and hon. Members of this House where there are exceptional compelling or compassionate
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circumstances. I will overturn the decision of the entry clearance officer only where I have been persuaded that the applicant qualifies under the Immigration Rules. I am happy to see hon. Members at the monthly visa surgeries which I hold. Information on visas is available at the FCO website www.fco.gov.uk.
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for entry visas from the Islamabad High Commission the Minister for Europe has personally reviewed since October 1999; and if he will make a statement. [148513]
Mr. Vaz: I have personally reviewed 19 visa applications--following representations from hon. and right hon. Members either at a visa surgery or by correspondence--submitted to the British High Commission in Islamabad since October 1999. During that same period the High Commission in Islamabad has considered 76,029 visa applications.
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for entry visas from the Islamabad High Commission the Minister for Europe has approved since October 1999 after they were previously declined by the High Commission: and if he will make a statement. [148519]
Mr. Vaz: I have overturned the decision of an entry clearance officer at the British High Commission in Islamabad on 11 occasions since October 1999. I declined to intervene on eight occasions. During this period the High Commission in Islamabad considered 76,029 visa applications. As the hon. Lady knows, the queue lengths in Islamabad have declined considerably over the last 12 months. The Foreign Secretary announced on 11 December the establishment of a new office in Lahore.
Hinduja Brothers
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Minister for Europe has received from the Hinduja brothers, their family and their representatives regarding his planned visit to India in February; and if he will make a statement. [148426]
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Minister for Europe has to meet the Hinduja brothers, their family and their representatives during his visit to India in February; and if he will make a statement. [148425]
Mr. Vaz: I have no such plans.
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