---

TREASURY

Working Families Tax Credit

Mr. Willetts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the major promotional activity that has occurred to publicise the working families tax credit since it was introduced; and what future plans the Government have to publicise the benefit. [7900]

Dawn Primarolo: There have been three major campaigns to publicise the WFTC between September 1999 and November 2000.

Posters and leaflets in Job Centres and other outlets have supported TV and press advertisements, and Ministers led a series of roadshows throughout the UK.

A freephone line (now replaced by 0845 number) has backed up all advertising.

We will continue to advertise existing tax credits until the new ones are in place. WFTC reminder press and radio will run in October/November.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Governments of (a) South Africa, (b) Mozambique, (c) Malawi, (d) Botswana, (e) Angola and (f) Nigeria regarding the status of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting originally scheduled for 6–9 October. [7833]

Mr. Bradshaw: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not discussed the status of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, originally scheduled for 6–9 October, with the Governments of South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana, Angola and Nigeria. This is the responsibility of the Commonwealth Secretary General.

Zimbabwe

Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he

18 Oct 2001 : Column: 1297W

has to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe with the Governments of (a) South Africa, (b) Mozambique, (c) Malawi, (d) Botswana, (e) Angola and (f) Nigeria; and if he will make a statement. [7831]

Mr. Bradshaw: We remain concerned about the situation in Zimbabwe. We are in close contact with other Commonwealth and SADC partners, particularly concerning the commitments made by Zimbabwe to the Commonwealth at a meeting in Abuja on 6 September. Since the visit to Harare by five SADC Heads of State on 10–11 September, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to the President of Malawi on 9 October. My noble Friend Baroness Amos has spoken to the President of Nigeria on 17 and 18 September and the Foreign Minister of Mozambique on 19 September. My noble Friend also attended the EU/Africa meeting in Brussels on 11 October and took the opportunity to speak to other representatives of African Governments.

Middle East

Mr. Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he plans to take to help bring about a lasting ceasefire between the Israeli and Palestinian forces; and if it is his policy to support the establishment of a free Palestinian State. [7865]

Mr. Bradshaw: The primary responsibility to bring the violence to a halt rests with both parties concerned. We are actively engaged with them to ensure that the ceasefire commitments they have made are turned into reality on the ground. We are urging them to build on the dialogue re-established by Chairman Arafat and Israeli Foreign Minister Peres, and to implement swiftly and in full the recommendations of the Mitchell Committee.

The British Government support the right of the Palestinian people to establish a sovereign, independent and viable Palestinian state and look forward to early fulfilment of this right, provided there is a concomitant recognition of Israel's right as a state, and the right of its citizens to live in peace with security. Peace between Israel and the Palestinians will only come through a political process which implements 'land for peace', delivers security for Israel within recognised borders, brings an end to occupation, and allows the emergence of a viable, democratic and peaceful Palestinian state committed to co-existence with Israel, and recognised and respected by Israel. Such an outcome would be a major contribution to regional stability.

Departmental Staff

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the number of staff employed by his Department by region and nation of the UK; and if he will make a statement. [6816]

Mr. Bradshaw: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 15 October 2001, Official Report, columns 1009–12W.

Devolved Administrations

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is

18 Oct 2001 : Column: 1298W

with regard to (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department giving evidence to (i) Scottish Parliament, (ii) Welsh Assembly and (iii) Northern Ireland Assembly Committees; and to what categories of document he gives (A) full access, (B) restricted access and (C) no access to (1) Scottish parliament, (2) Welsh Assembly, (3) Northern Ireland Assembly and (4) House of Commons Select committees. [7036]

Mr. Straw: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State, Cabinet Office to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) on 15 October 2001, Official Report, columns 1003–05W.

Entry Clearance Applications

Ms Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for entry clearance as (a) spouse and (b) fiancée were received at British posts around the world in each of the last five years; and how many of those applications were refused because the entry clearance officer was not satisfied that the couple intended to live together permanently. [8078]

Mr. Bradshaw: Records do not distinguish between those applications submitted by spouses or fiance(e)s and other settlement categories. Nor are refusal reasons collated. To ask all the 165 Entry Clearance Posts to provide this information now would require them to carry out a manual search of their records. This could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Human Rights Report

Mr. Tony Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the annual report on human rights will be published. [9246]

Peter Hain: The FCO annual report on human rights was laid before Parliament as a Command Paper on Monday 17 September 2001. Copies were placed in the Libraries of the House and distributed throughout Parliament in the usual way. The report is on the FCO website www.hrpd.fco.gov.uk and is available through the Stationery Office.

Kosovo

Mr. Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about recent export licences for military listed equipment to Kosovo. [9247]

Mr. MacShane: The Government have recently issued licences for the export of the following military listed goods:

Bulletproof vests for use by the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) which will provide protection against the threat posed by small arms.

A cab control box for use by the Irish contingent of Kosovo Force (KFOR). It is a logistical piece of equipment that offers remote control operation from within the cab of a military cargo vehicle to load and unload paletted loads such as fuel, ammunition or temporary accommodation, allowing the operator to remain in the cab in potentially dangerous situations.

18 Oct 2001 : Column: 1299W

Protective body armour for use by Ronco Consulting Corporation who are engaged in humanitarian demining activities on behalf of the UN Mine Action Co-ordination Centre in Kosovo.

Protective body armour and components for UNMIK for use by the Kosovo Police Service, which provides protection against the threat posed by small arms.

When the export licences were issued for these goods, the FRY was subject to an EU arms embargo (EU Common Position 96/184/CFSP). The decisions on these exports were part of the Government's continuing support for the peaceful reconstruction of Kosovo and were in the Government's view, within the spirit of the embargo, which was subsequently lifted on 8 October 2001, following the removal of the UN arms embargo on 10 September.

Christians

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had recently with the (a) Church of England, (b) Roman Catholic Church and (c) Free churches on the suppression of Christian minorities in different parts of the world. [8540]

Peter Hain: Promotion of human rights is at the heart of our foreign policy and we regard religious freedom as a fundamental human right. We condemn instances where individuals are persecuted because of their faith, wherever it happens and whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned.

We take every opportunity, often working with our EU partners, to urge states to pursue laws and practices which foster tolerance and mutual respect and to protect religious minorities against discrimination, intimidation and attacks. We regularly raise specific cases of religious persecution with the governments concerned.

This Government greatly value dialogue with civil society and have worked to strengthen it. Ministers and officials regularly discuss human rights concerns in a range of countries with non-governmental groups. For example, officials from our African Department Equatorial met staff from the Offices of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Guildford before their visits to Nigeria; and last year in Sudan we helped with the Anglican Church's Centenary celebrations and with the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The FCO also organises an ad-hoc Contact Group on international religious freedom. The next meeting is due to take place in December. This meeting is attended by a range of organisations, including different Christian denominations.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had recently with (a) the Sudan, (b) Nigeria, and (c) Indonesia on their Governments' treatment of Christians. [8539]

Mr. Bradshaw: We are concerned about the human rights of all in Sudan, Nigeria and Indonesia, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The people of Sudan, including its Christian communities, have certainly suffered as a result of Sudan's civil war. We have a regular dialogue with the parties in Sudan to encourage them to work towards a lasting and just peace settlement.

18 Oct 2001 : Column: 1300W

Only when there is peace can the human rights of all Sudanese be safeguarded. In addition we make representations to the Government of Sudan about individual cases which cause us concern. We continue to work with the Churches, both in Sudan and the UK, as they have an important role to play in the search for peace.

The Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all citizens. The Federal States maintain that the introduction of the Sharia penal code is a matter for them not the Government. But they also stress that the code does not apply to non-Muslims unless the latter so choose. Our High Commissioner in Abuja has regular contact will all States' Governors.

We raise human rights issues with the Indonesian authorities, both bilaterally and through the European Union, at every opportunity. I did so most recently when I met Vice-President Hamzah Haz and the Attorney- General in Jakarta on 27 August 2001.

---