---

EU Applicants

Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of the impact on the UK's financial contribution to the EU if the 12 applicant states join, as a result of their membership. [160620]

Mr. Vaz [holding answer 9 May 2001]: Following the Berlin European Council in March 1999 the EU agreed indicative limits for expenditure in an enlarged EU until 2006, assuming six new members joining in 2002. The size of any increase in the UK's net contribution would depend upon a number of factors, including the terms of accession, but would be restricted by these limits. Also at Berlin, the governments succeeded in retaining the UK abatement. The abatement will apply to the bulk of spending in the new member states.

Any increase in the UK's net budgetary contribution would also need to be viewed against the considerable political and economic benefits of enlargement.

Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of increased annual expenditure on the CAP as a result of admitting (a) Poland, (b) Hungary, (c) the Czech Republic, (d) Bulgaria and (e) Romania into the EU. [160627]

Mr. Vaz [holding answer 9 May 2001]: Following the Berlin European Council in March 1999, the EU agreed a Financial Perspective for 2000-06. This contained annual

11 May 2001 : Column: 454W

ceilings on agricultural expenditure for the current 15 member states. From 2002 onwards, and for the first time ever, the ceilings on CAP spending in the existing member states decline in real terms.

Berlin also agreed indicative ceilings for expenditure in an enlarged EU, assuming six new members joining in 2002. The exact level of annual expenditure in an enlarged EU will depend upon a number of factors, including the terms of accession, but will be restricted by these limits.

Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of increased annual expenditure on (a) the CAP and (b) the total EU budget as a result of admitting the 12 applicant countries negotiating to join the EU. [160621]

Mr. Vaz [holding answer 9 May 2001]: Following the Berlin European Council in March 1999 the EU agreed indicative limits for expenditure in an enlarged EU until 2006, assuming six new members joining in 2002. The exact level of expenditure, overall and on the CAP, will depend upon a number of factors, including the terms of accession, but will be restricted by these limits. These limits leave the overall ceiling on spending in an enlarged EU well beneath the current Own Resources ceiling (1.27 per cent. of community GNP).

Gibraltar

Mr. Trend: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will accommodate Gibraltar's telephone system within the UK 0044 code. [160676]

Mr. Vaz [holding answer 9 May 2001]: HMG are deeply concerned at the problems which Gibraltar is currently experiencing over telecommunications. We are considering various options for resolving these problems.

Mr. Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he intends to take legal action against Spain in respect of its instruction to mobile telephone operators not to sign roaming agreements with the Gibraltar Mobile Phone Company; [161087]

(2) what action he has taken following Spain's decision not to recognise Gilbraltar's international dialling code; what assessment he has made of the impact of this decision; and if he will make a statement; [161085]

(3) what representations he has made to the EU competition authorities regarding telecommunications and Gibraltar; [161090]

(4) what compensation he is seeking from Spain for damage to the Gibraltar economy as a result of Spain's decisions on telecommunications policy in respect of Gibraltar; [161088]

(5) what assessment he has made of the combined impact of the use of least cost routing and Spain's decision not to recognise Gibraltar's international dialling code on the Gibraltar economy; [161089]

(6) when Gibraltar exhausted its supply of telephone numbers; and what representations he has made to Spain on this subject. [161086]

11 May 2001 : Column: 455W

Mr. McWilliam: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent representations he has made to the EU competition authorities about mobile telephone companies based in Gibraltar; [161037]

(2) what plans he has to take legal action against the Spanish Government relating to its actions on restricting mobile telephone use relating to mobile telephone companies based in Gibraltar. [161039]

Mr. Vaz: HMG are concerned about the various problems which Gibraltar is experiencing over telecommunications. Spain does not recognise Gibraltar's International Direct Dialling code which is recognised by every other country. Gibraltar has now virtually exhausted its numbering capacity.

The European Commission, which under the EC Treaty has primary responsibility for upholding Community Law, including competition law, is considering two private competition complaints relating to Gibraltar telecommunications, one of which concerns mobile roaming. HMG have made it clear that they support these complaints.

The Government of Gibraltar have also brought to our attention problems with Gibraltar-bound international calls failing to reach their destination. We are working hard to identify the exact cause of the problem of dropped calls, and the best way forward.

HMG are in direct contact with the Commission on all these matters. We raise them with the Spanish Government, at both ministerial and official level, at every appropriate opportunity, and will continue to do so.

Syria

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the United Nations security resolutions being contravened by Syria. [160984]

Mr. Wilson: We have a continuing dialogue with Syria about a broad range of United Nations Security Council Resolutions of direct relevance to them, including those concerned with the middle east peace process and Iraq.

Where we have concerns, we continue to seek assurances that Syria is not contravening those resolutions.

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the ballistic missile capability of Syria. [160986]

Mr. Wilson: Syria has a combined inventory of several hundred short-range ballistic missiles, with a range of up to 500km. We assess that Syria is also working towards a missile with a range of 700km.

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet Syrian Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shara'a to discuss Syria's support for Hizbollah. [160985]

Mr. Wilson: The Foreign Secretary has no plans to meet the Syrian Foreign Minister, Faruq al-Shara'a before the general election. The Foreign Secretary last spoke to Mr. Shara'a on 18 April welcoming Syria's restraint in response to an Israeli airstrike against a Syrian radar site

11 May 2001 : Column: 456W

in Lebanon. The Foreign Secretary urged Syria to use her influence to restrain further Hizbollah attacks across the UN designated "Blue Line".

Iran

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet the Iranian Foreign Minister to discuss the whereabouts of the Israeli airman, Ron Arad. [160987]

Mr. Wilson: The Foreign Secretary currently has no plans for a meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister, although he has stated that he still hopes to visit Iran later this year. The Iranian Foreign Minister assured him during their meeting in January last year that although he had no information concerning Ron Arad he would pass on any information he might obtain.

Gallipoli (Commemoration)

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the nature of the United Kingdom delegation to recent commemorations in Gallipoli. [160840]

Mr. Vaz: The United Kingdom was represented by HM Ambassador in Ankara, Sir David Logan, and the Defence Attache in Ankara, Brigadier Kim Winfield, at the commemoration of Gallipoli on 24 April.

Correspondence

Mr. Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to answer the letter transferred to him by the Home Secretary dated 12 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms Denise Southworth. [160964]

Mr. Vaz: This letter has not been transferred to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The subject is a matter for HM Customs and Excise.

Missile Defence

Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has from the United States Administration on the scope and degree of consultation the United States (a) has had and (b) intends to have, with the Governments of the Group of 77 in respect of proposals for global deployment of missile defence systems. [160804]

Mr. Vaz [holding answer 10 May 2001]: We have no information from the US Administration on any consultations they may have had or intend to have with Governments of the Group of 77 on issues relating to missile defence.

Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to consult the Governments of the British Commonwealth over the security and economic implications of missile defence systems. [160811]

Mr. Vaz [holding answer 10 May 2001]: We regularly discuss a range of foreign and security policy issues in meetings with Commonwealth Governments.

11 May 2001 : Column: 457W

---