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Special Educational Needs

Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on her plans for issuing a replacement Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs. [4775]

Mr. Timms: A revised Draft Code of Practice will be placed before Parliament for approval following the summer recess. The revised Code will contain revised wording on quantifying provision in statements of special educational needs. The Code is planned to take effect from January 2002.

Connexions Card

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made on the introduction of the Connexions Card for 16 to 19-year-olds. [5491]

Mr. Ivan Lewis: Following an extensive procurement exercise conducted under the European Union Procurement Directive's Negotiated Procedure, the Government have selected Capita as their private sector partner to develop and deliver the Connexions Card.

The Connexions Card is an exciting and innovative development, which will provide a powerful incentive to young people to stay in learning.

The Connexions Card will be rolled out initially in one region (the North East) from autumn of this year and then progressively so that it will be available across England from autumn 2002.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Human Rights

Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria he uses in balancing trade relations with the human rights records of trading partners; and if he will make a statement. [2102]

Peter Hain: The Government are committed to developing and maintaining open relationships with trading partners across the world, in order both to support British business and to promote human rights internationally. We continue to believe that human rights in countries with which we trade are better protected by a UK and EU-wide policy of engagement in all but the most extreme circumstances. Maintaining trade agreements, and a full political dialogue, preserves UK leverage in such countries.

The Government raise the profile of human rights in relation to trade in a number of ways. Examples include the introduction of the Export Credits Guarantee Department's (ECGD) Business Principles under which ECGD now screens applications for support to assess the environmental and social impact of projects and, more generally, the promotion of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises to UK companies operating overseas.

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Our advice to UK business on market conditions overseas also reflects the Government's position on human rights, for example on the desirability of trade with certain countries. It is however for UK companies to judge whether to bid for projects or invest in particular markets.

Zimbabwe

Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent developments regarding land distribution in Zimbabwe. [2715]

Mr. Bradshaw: We have consistently said that we are willing to support a land reform programme in Zimbabwe that is in line with the principles agreed by international donors and the Government of Zimbabwe at the 1998 Land Conference.

Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was discussed when he met Morgan Tsvangirai on 2 July. [2717]

Mr. Bradshaw: The discussion was wide-ranging. It included the current situation in Zimbabwe, international support for free and fair elections, progress of the EU/Zimbabwe dialogue and sustainable land reform.

Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he has given to the ministerial resolution discussed at the recent summit of the Organisation of African Unity which related to the land reform programme in Zimbabwe. [4037]

Mr. Bradshaw: As I stated during FCO questions on 10 July 2001, Official Report, column 657, the ministerial statement should be viewed in the context of the OAU's desire to maintain unity. In order to attract international donor support, including from the UK, land reform in Zimbabwe must be carried out in line with the principles agreed, by donors and the Government of Zimbabwe, at the 1998 Land Conference.

EU-Israel Association Committee

Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 5 July 2001, Official Report, column 254W, on the EU-Israel Association Committee, which Ministers have been informed of the decisions taken by the Committee. [3170]

Peter Hain: The outcome of the 21 May EU-Israel Association Committee has been reflected in advice on EU-Israel issues provided to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, the Under-Secretary my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw) and myself since the election.

Bermuda Regiment

Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance he has given in respect of compliance with the European convention on human rights on conscription into the Bermuda Regiment. [2495]

Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 11 July 2001]: None.

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Pakistan

Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Pakistani authorities concerning the continuing imprisonment of Parvez Masih and Ayub Masih. [3869]

Mr. Bradshaw: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the then Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson) on 27 April 2001, Official Report, columns 421–22W. We are deeply concerned about the misuse of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan and about the thousands of Pakistani citizens imprisoned under these laws, including many from the religious minorities. We raise the blasphemy laws at regular intervals with the Pakistani authorities and have previously raised the case of Ayub Masih. The EU Troika raised the blasphemy laws with the Pakistani Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights, Ms Shahida Jamil, on 3 May.

Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Pakistani authorities concerning violent attacks perpetrated upon Christian women by Muslim extremists in Pakistan. [3870]

Mr. Bradshaw: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the then Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson) on 1 May 2001, Official Report, column 579W. Representations were made to the Pakistani authorities concerning the allegations of violence against and kidnapping of Naira Nadia, a Christian girl. We regularly raise the treatment of religious minorities and the treatment of women with the Pakistani authorities. We also keep in regular contact with groups campaigning for the rights of religious minorities and women in Pakistan. We welcomed General Musharraf's speech of 5 June to religious leaders in which he condemned religious violence and intolerance.

Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further representations he has made to the Pakistani authorities concerning the disappearance of Naira Nadia. [3868]

Mr. Bradshaw: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the then Minister of State, my hon. Friend, the Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson) on 1 May 2001, Official Report, column 579W. The Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement inform us that a settlement is under discussion between Ms Nadia's family and those accused of her kidnapping.

Brigadier Stephen Saunders

Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the investigation into the murder of Brigadier Stephen Saunders, former Defence Attaché to Greece. [3807]

Mr. Bradshaw: We, along with the Greek Government, are firmly committed to bringing those responsible for Brigadier Saunders' assassination to justice.

We co-operate fully with the Greek authorities. There are regular visits to and from Greece at ministerial and official level. I cannot disclose the operational details. The

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Metropolitan police and the Greek police in Athens continue to work well together on the investigation. Their objective is to ensure that there is a thorough and complete investigation leading to a successful prosecution.

Spoliation

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made as part of the EU accession process, of the policy of (a) Hungary, (b) the Czech Republic and (c) Poland towards the restitution of assets to refugees from, and survivors of, Nazi persecution and their families; and if he will make a statement. [4128]

Peter Hain: The UK continues to urge the candidate countries to resolve any outstanding restitution issues as soon as possible. However, their policies on this issue fall outside the criteria they are required to meet for accession to the European Union and are not therefore part of the enlargement process.

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