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PRIME MINISTER
Afghanistan
Jane Griffiths: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the latest situation with regard to the bombing in Afghanistan. [9822]
The Prime Minister: I attended the informal meeting of EU Heads of Government in Belgium on 19 October.
The meeting was originally called to have an informal discussion about the future institutional development of the European Union. In the light of 11 September we, the Presidency and all our partners, wanted to use the meeting to focus on developments in Afghanistan.
The continuing and wholehearted solidarity of the European Union in the face of the 11 September attacks was confirmed in the discussion in Ghent on Friday and in the statement which was issued, a copy of which I have placed in the Library of the House. The statement emphasises the crucial need to relaunch the middle east peace process without preconditions.
The European Union's solidarity with the United States has been shown in action as well as in words, not just by our own contribution but by those of other EU partners.
Since the beginning of this crisis, we and our EU partners have placed as much importance on the humanitarian as on the military aspects of our campaign. So far this year, aid amounting to over 310 million euros has been mobilised by the European Union to relieve the suffering of the Afghan people. That includes emergency aid and food aid released through the world food programme.
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The EU has also been looking to the protection of our own citizens. The Commission has proposed uniform EU-wide security and safety standards in aviation, standards which have already been significantly tightened across the EU since 11 September. The co-operation between civil protection authorities across the EU has been stepped up and we are developing an EU system for surveillance and control of communicable diseases, including an early warning and response system to help us deal with threats from biological or chemical agents. EU-wide legislation is being negotiated on common penalties for terrorist offences and a European arrest warrant.
I have also placed in the Library statements on the economic situation in the European Union and on preparations for the euro. At the meeting, I stressed the importance of sticking to the economic reform agenda we outlined at the Lisbon Summit 18 months ago. The essential requirement in the present economic climate is to create jobs and that will happen if, at EU level and beyond, we can open up markets in energy, financial services, transport and other sectors. We also have to be steadfast for free trade. I welcome the commitment of Prime Minister Aznar to pursue that economic reform agenda vigorously under the Spanish Presidency.
Foot and Mouth
Mr. Collins: To ask the Prime Minister when he last met Lord Haskins to discuss the impact of foot and mouth disease in Cumbria; and when he next plans to do so. [7523]
The Prime Minister: I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations, it is not my practice to provide details of such meetings.
Jo Moore
Mr. Luff: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 17 October 2001, Official Report, column 1165, if people serving in his office requested the resignation of Jo Moore, adviser to the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and Regions; and if he will make a statement. [9276]
The Prime Minister: I have made my position clear on this, and I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him in the House on Wednesday 17 October 2001, Official Report, column 1165. I regard the matter as closed.
"Defeating Terrorism: Campaign Objectives"
Mr. Salmond: To ask the Prime Minister if the information released by Her Majesty's Government to the British media, during an official briefing in Oman on 10 October 2001, entitled "Defeating Terrorism: Campaign Objectives" is identical to the document placed in the Library on 16 October, entitled "Defeating International Terrorism: Campaign Objectives". [9462]
The Prime Minister: Yes. The document was published on Tuesday 16 October by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. It was made available to MPs and the media at the same time. However, the information and
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arguments in the document have been drawn on by Ministers and officials since it was first drawn up several weeks ago.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Dublin and Monaghan Bombings
Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) which Government Departments and agencies have been asked whether they hold any information relevant to the request for information from the independent commission of inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings on 17 May 1974 established by the Irish Government; when he will provide information to the commission; and if he will make a statement; [7895]
- (2) if his Department has responded to requests for information from the independent commission of inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 17 May 1974 by the delivery of relevant documents; and if he will make a statement. [7949]
Dr. John Reid: The request from Mr. Justice Henry Barron, the Independent Commissioner of Inquiry into the Dublin, Monaghan and Dundalk bombings, was shared with all relevant Government Departments and agencies. This has led to an extensive and time-consuming manual search of a large number of old files. As soon as this has been completed I will make a single co-ordinated response to Mr. Justice Barron.
I am replying on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department has responded to requests for information from the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 17 May 1974 by the delivery of relevant documents; and if he will make a statement. [7950]
Dr. John Reid: The request from Mr. Justice Henry Barron, the Independent Commissioner of Inquiry into the Dublin, Monaghan and Dundalk bombings, was shared with all relevant Government Departments and agencies. This has led to an extensive and time-consuming manual search of a large number of old files. As soon as this has been completed I will make a single co-ordinated response to Mr. Justice Barron.
I am replying on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Turkey
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of sanctions upon the economy and social welfare of the south-east Anatolia region of Turkey and its Kurdish inhabitants; and if he will make a statement. [9119]
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Peter Hain: There are no sanctions against Turkey. There is little evidence to show that the economy in south-east Anatolia has suffered as a result of sanctions against Iraq. The United Kingdom firmly supports Turkish economic reform through institutions such as the IMF and the European Commission. We believe implementation of economic and structural reforms should help raise market confidence in Turkey and improve the long-term prosperity of the Turkish people.
Protocol
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will indicate whether the Mayor of London or the Lord Mayor of London has the higher protocol status as regards invitations and functions originated by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [8657]
Mr. Straw: This is a matter for the Lord Chancellor's Department; however, I understand that the position is as follows: there are conventions governing functions held in the City of London where the Lord Mayor of London takes precedence immediately after the Sovereign.
Outside the City, guidance will vary depending on the nature or location of the function. In more ceremonial events with a wider or national basis that include members of the Royal Family, the Lord Mayor may continue to have precedence over the Mayor of London, but, in other events, where no member of the Royal Family is present, the event organisers will take into account the nature of the function and the necessary courtesies.
Sri Lanka
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Sri Lankan Government regarding (a) the situation of the Tamil people and (b) human rights violations against the Tamil people; [8733]
- (2) if he will list the recent meetings he has had with representatives of the Sri Lankan Government regarding the situation of the Tamil people. [8726]
Mr. Bradshaw: We are concerned about the plight of civilians affected by the conflict and urge the Government and the LTTE to cease hostilities and negotiate a peaceful settlement. The Prime Minister and the then Foreign Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook), reiterated our support for the peace process when they met President Kumaratunga and Foreign Minister Kadirgamar in March.
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the representations that he has received from representatives of the Tamil people regarding human rights in Sri Lanka; [8727]
- (2) if he will list the recent meetings he has had with representatives of the Tamil people regarding human rights violations in Sri Lanka. [8725]
Mr. Bradshaw: Staff in our High Commission in Colombo regularly meet representatives from all communities in Sri Lanka, including the Tamil community. We stay in touch with UK-based Sri Lankan groups and human rights organisations. We remain concerned by reports of human rights abuses in Sri Lanka and continue to remind the Government of the need to
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respect human rights. We are also concerned about human rights abuses committed by the LTTE and reports that they are still using child soldiers.
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