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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on (a) the number of UK citizens arrested in Afghanistan for alleged terrorist activity by (i) United Kingdom forces, (ii) United States forces and (iii) Afghan forces or paramilitaries, (b) their present whereabouts, (c) their identities and (d) their access to consular and legal representation. [26773]

Mr. Bradshaw: We are attempting to clarify the numbers and identify all who may be British nationals detained in Afghanistan. This may be a lengthy process because we have extremely limited consular facilities in Afghanistan.

No British nationals are being held by UK forces. There are three British nationals held by the United States forces in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The US armed forces have also confirmed that they are holding others who may be British nationals in locations in Afghanistan.

We are seeking to verify reports of the number of possible British nationals who may have been detained by Afghan or local forces. We are aware of one British national who was detained by the Northern Alliance and are seeking information on his current whereabouts.

In line with normal consular practice, we do not intend to release the identities of those detained.

We are seeking access to all alleged British detainees. British officials have visited the three detainees at Guantanamo Bay from 17 to 20 January and have

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confirmed that they are all in good physical health and have no complaints about ill treatment. We have told the US authorities that we expect them to ensure that the detainees are treated in accordance with international standards, including those applicable to trial.

Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens have been detained by (a) United States, (b) United Front and (c) other local forces in Afghanistan; and where they are now being held. [27227]

Mr. Bradshaw: We are attempting to clarify the numbers and identify all who may be British nationals being detained in Afghanistan. This may be a lengthy process because we have extremely limited consular facilities in Afghanistan.

As I said in my statement on 21 January there are currently three British detainees at the Guantanamo Bay base.

We are seeking to verify reports of the number of possible British nationals who may have been detained by Afghan or local forces. We are aware of one British national who was detained by the Northern Alliance during the civil war, and are seeking information on his current whereabouts.

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK is being consulted about the handling of prisoners in custody in Afghanistan. [27835]

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Mr. Bradshaw: We have not been consulted about the handling of prisoners in Afghanistan. We believe that all detainees in Afghanistan, as elsewhere, should be treated humanely and in accordance with international standards. We are seeking access to all alleged British detainees.

Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information British troops in Afghanistan have gathered on the fate of the women of Kabul who were taken by the fleeing Taliban forces. [28236]

Mr. Bradshaw: British troops in Afghanistan are there as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Their mission is to assist the Afghan Interim Administration in achieving security in Kabul and the surrounding areas. However, the British embassy in Kabul have been investigating these reports and have so far been unable to substantiate them.

We work closely with the UNHCR in Pakistan, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN Special Mission to Afghanistan on all matters of humanitarian concern, including the appalling treatment of women under the Taliban. We have also raised a range of women's issues with Dr. Sima Sumar, the Interim Administration's Vice Chair responsible for Women's Affairs.

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 15 January 2002, Official Report, column 132W on Afghanistan, if he will make a statement on the problems the ICRC face in gaining access to detainees held at Bagram airport and those being held in a place of detention in Kabul. [30699]

Peter Hain: The ICRC obtained access to the detainees in Kabul on 13 January, although this information was not to hand at the time of the earlier answer.

On 22 January the ICRC obtained access to the detainees at Bagram airport.

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the (a) centres at which prisoners from the conflict are being held in Afghanistan and (b) nationalities of those who are being detained; if he will specify how many are being held there; and if the ICRC is being allowed into every centre to see all prisoners. [30664]

Mr. Bradshaw: The UK is not holding any detainees. Information on the location and nationality of detainees is a matter for the US and Afghan authorities. We understand that ICRC is being allowed access to prisoners in Afghanistan.

Safiyatu Hussaini

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Nigerian Government in support of Safiyatu Hussaini in advance of her appeal hearing on 18 March following her sentence of death by stoning for the crime of adultery; and if he will make a statement. [28967]

Mr. Bradshaw: We are deeply concerned at the sentence of stoning given to Safiyatu Hussaini for adultery by a Sharia Court in Sokoto State, northern Nigeria, on 9 October 2001. We are following this case

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closely. The British high commission in Abuja takes every opportunity to raise the human rights implications of the extreme sentences laid down in the Sharia criminal code. We expect the Nigerian Government to meet their international human rights obligations. Nigeria ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1993. We also remind the Nigerians regularly of our opposition to the use of the death penalty.

The Sokoto Sharia Court of Appeal has issued a stay of execution until Ms Hussaini's appeal is heard.

Sierra Leone

Ms Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to support reform of the judiciary, police force and detention facilities in Sierra Leone. [28768]

Mr. Bradshaw: A strong judiciary, police force and penal system is essential to establishing the rule of law, which will help to consolidate the fragile peace in Sierra Leone. The United Nations mission has deployed throughout the country and the Sierra Leone army, police and administration is in the process of extending the Government's authority.

Lasting stability depends on a strong and accessible legal system. The UK is working with the international community and the Government of Sierra Leone to improve the effectiveness of Sierra Leone's judicial system. This includes updating the legal code and training legal personnel.

The Government of Sierra Leone are committed to the development of a democratic police force. The UK is helping to deliver an effective and accountable force by training and restructuring the police, and support moves towards prison reform.

The UK has played a leading role in the successful efforts to bring peace to Sierra Leone. We remain committed to helping rebuild the country.

Western Hemisphere Institute for Security and

Co-operation

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to monitor the connections between the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security and Co-operation, the School of Americas and the committal of violent acts intended to influence the policy of other Governments. [28793]

Mr. MacShane: The United States Congress is responsible for scrutinising the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security and Co-operation (formally known as the School of Americas).

Empty Properties

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of the (a) annual cost and (b) total value of the empty properties owned by (i) his Department, (ii) his agencies and (iii) other public bodies for which he has had responsibility in each of the last four years. [30070]

Mr. MacShane: It is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's policy to limit empty properties to one of four categories: (a) those that must be vacated while

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undergoing refurbishment or adaptation; (b) those that are surplus and in the process of disposal; (c) those we cannot occupy because of a break in diplomatic relations or a similar eventuality, but we expect to need in the future; and (d) short gaps between officers' overseas tours.

Because routine management of the estate is devolved to our overseas posts, it is not possible to identify these properties or their costs without disproportionate cost.

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