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Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Mr. Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consulting assistance the UK is providing to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Government in implementing democratic processes. [30859]
Mr. MacShane: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently funds 18 UK secondees to the OSCE Mission in Macedonia, one of whose main functions is to assist the Government of Macedonia with the implementation of the Framework Agreement signed in August 2001. Since February 2001 a separate two-year project under the auspices of the Department for International Development
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has been helping the Macedonian Government with a comprehensive programme of public administration reform. The scope of this project was extended in October 2001 to take into account the requirements of the Framework Agreement.
Visas
Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of applications for visas to the UK Embassy in Prague, have been rejected in each year since 1 January 2000. [31575]
Mr. Bradshaw: The percentages of applications refused are as follows:
- 2000—4 per cent.
2001—4 per cent. 1
1 Still awaiting December statistics.
Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons have applied to the UK Embassy in Prague, for visas to (a) visit and (b) work in the UK in each year since 1 January 2000. [31576]
Mr. Bradshaw: The numbers of applications received are as follows:
| Visitors | Work permit | |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1,386 | 63 |
| 2001(14) | 301 | 24 |
(14) The figures for 2001 are for the period January to March 2001. We only collect statistics from Prague on an annual basis. Future statistics will be collected on a financial year basis and are due to be collected during April 2002.
Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons have applied to the UK embassy in Turkey for visas to (a) visit and (b) work in the UK in each year since 1 January 2000. [31577]
Mr. Bradshaw: The number of applications received at the embassy in Ankara and the consulate general in Istanbul are as follows:
| Visitors | Work permit | |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 52,553 | 423 |
| 2001(15) | 10,970 | 164 |
(15) The figures for 2001 are for the period January to March 2001. We collect these statistics only on an annual basis. Future statistics will be on a financial year basis and are due to be collected during April 2002.
Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of applications for visas to the UK Embassy in Turkey have been refused in each year since 1 January 2000. [31574]
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Mr. Bradshaw: The percentage of applications refused at the embassy in Ankara and the consulate general in Istanbul is as follows:
| Percentage | |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 3.4 |
| 2001 | 6 |
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for entry visas for ministers of religion are being processed by the high commission in Nairobi; and what the status of these applications is. [31690]
Mr. Bradshaw: The high commission in Nairobi have received no new applications from ministers of religion so far this year. There is, however, one unresolved application from 2001.
Zimbabwe
Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the aims and objectives are of Her Majesty's Government's policies towards Zimbabwe. [31843]
Mr. Bradshaw: The United Kingdom aims to promote a stable, democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe.
Iraq
Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the objectives are of Her Majesty's Government's policy on Iraq. [31844]
Mr. Bradshaw: Our objective is to secure full compliance by Iraq with its obligations under the relevant Security Council resolutions, so allowing its reintegration into the international community. While the Iraq regime continues to refuse to co-operate with the UN, our policy is and must remain based on the imperative of containing the very real threat posed by the Iraqi regime to its own people and to its neighbours.
Ministerial Visits
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 January 2002, Official Report, columns 884–85W, on ministerial visits, what the size of his entourage was on each of the visits; if transport was provided by (a) the RAF and (b) a commercial carrier; and where applicable, what the chartering costs were. [31704]
Mr. Straw: Further to my answer of 23 January 2002, Official Report, columns 884–5W, the following gives further information about my official visits overseas since 11 September 2001.
A detailed list of Cabinet Ministers' overseas visits for the period April 2001 to March 2002, including costs, will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year.
(16) FCO delegation
(17) UK delegation
(18) Joint visit with French Foreign Minister Vedrine
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Special Envoys
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for special envoys to represent him on visits to (a) Latin America and (b) Asia. [31686]
Mr. Straw: I currently have a special envoy of Afghanistan, Mr. Robert Cooper.
I have no current plans to appoint other special envoys to represent me on visits to Latin America or Asia.
Immigration Appeals
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) under what (a) powers and (b) circumstances high commissions are able to delay the implementation of an appeal decision by an immigration adjudicator; [31691]
- (2) under what (a) powers and (b) circumstances, high commissions can refuse to implement an appeal decision made by an immigration adjudicator. [31692]
Mr. Bradshaw: There are no powers or circumstances under which an Entry Clearance Officer may delay unnecessarily the implementation of an appeal decision made by an immigration adjudicator. However, there are a number of steps in the appeals procedure following an adjudication. Implementation is not instantaneous. There are circumstances in which an Entry Clearance Officer can refuse entry clearance subsequent to a decision by an immigration adjudicator to allow an appeal against refusal of entry clearance. I will write separately to the hon. Member giving a detailed explanation of relevant legislation and guidance.
SOLICITOR-GENERAL
Contracts (KPMG)
Mr. Watson: To ask the Solicitor-General what contracts her Department has with KPMG; and what the value is of each one. [31324]
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The Solicitor-General: My own Department, the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers, the Treasury Solicitor's Department and Crown Prosecution Service have no current contracts with KPMG.
The Serious Fraud Office has one current contract with KPMG, the estimated value of which is £6,000.
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