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PRIME MINISTER

European Arrest Warrant

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Prime Minister what recent representations he has received from (a) the European Criminal Bar Association of Defence Lawyers and (b) Fair Trials Abroad, concerning the European arrest warrant; and if he will make a statement. [19592]

The Prime Minister: As far as I am aware, I have not received any representations.

It is the Government's intention to implement the European arrest warrant as part of the wider reform of extradition law by means of a Bill later in this parliamentary Session.

Security

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Prime Minister what plans there are to create a Cabinet Minister for United Kingdom Security; and if he will make a statement. [19769]

The Prime Minister: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department has responsibility for security, terrorism and civil emergencies.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Mr. Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much money Coalition members have given to the Northern Alliance and its supporters since the beginning of the conflict in Afghanistan. [17450]

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Mr. Bradshaw: The Government cannot provide this information, under exemption 1(a) and (b) (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Israel

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with EU ministers concerning Israel's export to the EU of goods manufactured in Israeli settlements in the occupied territories; and what action has been taken by the EU. [18864]

Peter Hain: The issue was discussed at the 19 November General Affairs Council, in preparation for the EU-Israel Association Council on 20 November. At the Association Council, the EU underlined its interest in maintaining a strong trade partnership with Israel and its intention to find a sustainable solution to the rules of origin issue. The council noted its concern that Israel should comply with the territorial scope of the agreement.

On 23 November the European Commission published a notice to importers in the EC Official Journal advising importers presenting documentary evidence of origin with a view to securing preferential treatment for products originating in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Gaza strip, East Jerusalem and Golan Heights to take all necessary precautions.

Euro

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 19 November 2001, Official Report, column 27W, on the Scottish Executive, if the Minister of State for Europe discussed the timing of a referendum on the euro with the former Education Minister in Scotland. [19816]

Peter Hain: No.

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NATO Parliamentary Assembly

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the composition of the United Kingdom Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. [20402]

Mr. Bradshaw: The following will represent the United Kingdom at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly:


Sudan

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Sudan on the (a) creation and (b) restoration of churches in the north of the country. [19722]

Mr. Bradshaw: We regularly discuss issues relating to religious freedom with the Sudanese Government both bilaterally and through the EU. EU Heads of Mission in Khartoum held a meeting on 5 November with the Sudanese Minister for Religious Affairs to discuss religious freedom. Our Ambassador chaired the meeting in his capacity as local EU Presidency. They specifically raised concerns about impediments to church-building.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's approach to peace in the Sudan, with particular reference to democratic consent in the south of the country. [19725]

Mr. Bradshaw: The search for peace remains the focus of our policy towards Sudan. We continue to support the IGAD peace process, and, accordingly, the Inter- Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Declaration of Principles, which includes the right of self-determination for southerners. We continue to promote democratic transformation. We regularly urge the Government of Sudan and other authorities to improve freedom of political association and assembly, and to remove legislation and end practices limiting other

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popular freedoms. This is also a core focus of the EU-Sudan dialogue, which the UK is currently chairing as local EU Presidency.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other African Governments on proposals to bring peace to the Sudan. [19723]

Mr. Bradshaw: As members of the Inter- Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Partners Forum, we regularly discuss Sudan with other African Governments, particularly Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria. Kenya has an important role to play in the Sudanese peace process because the IGAD Secretariat, which we have helped fund, is based in Nairobi. The Foreign Secretary has discussed Sudan with President Moi and our Embassy in Nairobi keeps in close contact with the Kenyan authorities.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with Christian Solidarity on the subject of slavery and abduction in the Sudan. [19724]

Mr. Bradshaw: We take the issue of abductions very seriously and are keen to work with any organisation that is dedicated to tackling the problem. FCO officials keep in touch with Christian Solidarity. They and our Embassy in Khartoum also work very closely with Save the Children (UK), who are involved in efforts to address the problem in Sudan, and we have given significant funding to them for their work with the Committee for the Eradication of Abduction of Women and Children (CEAWC). We have also provided funding through the EU to UNICEF. Our ambassador in Khartoum regularly urges the Sudanese Government to greater efforts, and encourages them to increase their support for the work of the CEAWC. We also raise the issue of abductions through the EU/Sudan dialogue.

European Bodies

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his position towards the establishment of conventions for joint information activities between (a) the European Commission, (b) its agencies and (c) his Department as proposed in Com (2001) 354. [19588]

Peter Hain: The Government welcome the Commission's initiative (Commission Communication Com (2001) 354) to improve the way in which information about the EU is provided to the citizen. The Communication makes sensible proposals (for example, better co-operation between the European Parliament and Commission offices in member states) and respects subsidiarity.

It is right that the EU institutions should co-operate properly with each other to supply information on Europe, and that they should work, where appropriate, with member states. The Commission's proposal does not affect the Government's role in providing information on the European Union to United Kingdom citizens. Nor does the proposal create any new powers for the EU institutions.

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European Security and Defence Policy

Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the outcome of the recent talks held with the Turkish Government in Ankara about the European Security and Defence Policy. [19828]

Mr. Bradshaw: We, and the US, made considerable progress at the recent talks with the Turkish side in Ankara, clarifying the implementation of the Nice Conclusions on participation in ESDP by the six non-EU European Allies.

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