| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Military Exports
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects his Department's report into financial support for military exports will be published. [18605]
Dr. Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Aircraft Procurement
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his future procurement objectives in relation to (a) fixed wing aircraft and (b) helicopters. [18758]
27 Nov 2001 : Column: 767W
Dr. Moonie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave on 29 October 2001, Official Report, columns 513–14W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann).
Defence Equipment Demonstrations
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what has been the cost to his Department of providing armed service personnel support to defence equipment demonstrations in the financial years (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01; [18606]
- (2) what were the net operating costs of DESO and related support functions in financial years (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01. [18607]
Dr. Moonie: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him on 17 July 2001, Official Report, column 144W.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Parades Commission
Mrs. Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give further details of the proposed review of the Parades Commission. [18974]
Jane Kennedy: The Government have appointed Sir George Quigley to undertake the review of the Parades Commission, which forms part of the measures proposed on 1 August following the Weston Park talks.
The review has the following terms of reference:
- "To review the operation of the Parades Commission, since it took its current form in February 1998, and the legislation under which it was established and to consider whether there are any changes which could promote further public confidence on all sides, respect for the rights of all and the peaceful resolution of disputes on parades."
Terrorist Prosecutions
Mr. Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what process suspected terrorists who are wanted for alleged crimes are having prosecutions against them stopped; and if he will list their names, giving in each case the details of the charges that are being dropped and the known paramilitary affiliations. [12932]
Jane Kennedy: Where decisions as to prosecution arise, the prosecuting authorities, who act independently of Government, reach decisions in accordance with the Test for Prosecution.
In the light of the proposal emerging from the Weston Park talks, the Government have agreed to provide new arrangements to facilitate the return to Northern Ireland of persons who may otherwise be liable to possible prosecution in respect of certain qualifying offences. We are currently considering the mechanism for delivering this.
27 Nov 2001 : Column: 768W
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Conflict Diamonds
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to address the issue of (a) conflict diamonds and (b) exploitation of other minerals from conflict zones. [18191]
Clare Short: (a) DFID is working with other Government Departments to support the Kimberley Process, in order to build support for an international certification scheme for rough diamonds.
Together with the Government of Sierra Leone, DFID has commissioned a study to investigate different approaches for the management of diamond producing areas in Sierra Leone. This focuses on how the Government can re-establish control of the diamond areas and industry, establish and maintain a secure environment and effectively manage the industry.
DFID together with other agencies is supporting the work of Partnership Africa Canada, which aims to build the capacity of Civil Society Organisations to monitor the use of revenues from the trade in diamonds in Africa.
(b) DFID is currently preparing a joint strategy with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Ministry of Defence to address the Economic Causes of Conflict, including the exploitation of mineral resources from conflict areas.
DFID has commissioned research on the exploitation of minerals from conflict zones, to find practical ways of addressing this issue, including research on the impact of oil in Sudan.
HMG are also providing support and information to a UN Experts Panel, looking into links between specific conflicts and the exploitation of economic resources.
Zimbabwe
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the Government of Zimbabwe regarding their involvement in mineral exploitation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [18186]
Clare Short: No representations have been made to the Government of Zimbabwe concerning resource exploitation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We welcome the report from the UN Panel investigating the illegal exploitation of mineral resources in DRC, which was presented to the international community last week. We are reading the recommendations contained in the report with interest, and are presently considering what action to take to respond.
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the Government of Zimbabwe regarding their policy on allowing aid agencies to distribute emergency food supplies to those affected by the famine. [18190]
Clare Short: We have been closely involved in the development of a humanitarian assistance plan by the United Nations Development Programme in Zimbabwe which assigns a key role to United Nations agencies
27 Nov 2001 : Column: 769W
and non-governmental organisations in ensuring that assistance is properly targeted. This plan is being discussed by UNDP with the Government of Zimbabwe on behalf of all potential providers of funds.
Afghanistan
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans the Government have to provide long-term support to de-mining operations in Afghanistan. [18193]
Clare Short: I announced an allocation of £2 million for immediate humanitarian mine action assistance to Afghanistan on 15 November. Our assistance will be channelled through the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) with whom we will discuss appropriate requirements.
Agricultural Export Subsidies
Mr. Win Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact of agricultural export subsidies of (a) the EU and (b) other countries in the developed world on the economies of the countries which her Department is committed to help; and what plans she has to phase out the subsidies. [17921]
Clare Short: Many developing countries suffer from subsidised food being dumped on their markets. Due to the complexity of subsidies and the widespread use of subsidies in industrialised nations, it is difficult to determine exactly which developing countries are being harmed by dumped subsidised food and to what extent. However, the EU is one of the principal users of subsidies. In response to this, my department is working with DEFRA to push for fundamental reform of the CAP.
Tariff/Quota-Free Exports
Mr. Win Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to act to make developed countries' exports for the developed world (a) tariff and (b) quota free. [17919]
Clare Short: The UK supported the European Commission's 'Everything But Arms' initiative that was implemented in March this year providing immediate duty-and quota-free access to the EU for most products from the least developed countries. The European Commission has been calling for other developed countries to follow his lead, and objective that all WTO Members signed up to at the Ministerial meeting in Doha earlier this month.
We have to ensure a reform of the European Union's generalised system of preferences that is as generous as possible to developing countries.
The agreement at Doha to launch a new round of trade negotiations put the interests of developing countries at its core. This should be a development round, which includes serious improvements in market access for developing countries.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on
27 Nov 2001 : Column: 770W
the UN Addendum report on the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo regarding the involvement of Uganda and Rwanda. [18187]
Clare Short: We welcome the publication of the revised report last week. We are studying it in detail. We shall raise any specific allegations with the Governments concerned and press them to take action to investigate substantiated allegations against groups and individuals.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |