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Cashpoints

Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 24 January 2002, Official Report, column 1072W, on cashpoints, if she will list the sub-post offices where the (a) maintenance and (b) stocking of ATM machines is carried out by the sub-postmaster. [37842]

Ms Hewitt: For reasons of security, Post Office Limited do not make available this information.

Crown Post Offices

Mrs. Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 1 February 2002, Official Report, column 612W, on Crown post offices, if the Crown Office network ran at a profit in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01. [34916]

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Mr. Alexander [holding answer 11 February 2002]: I understand from Post Office Limited that full independent audited accounts do not exist for that part of the overall post office network comprised of directly managed Crown offices for the years listed. However, estimates which allocate cost and income to this part of the network, such as those made by the PIU for 1998–99, would suggest that this part of the network ran at a loss over those years.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Parliamentary Questions

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the questions tabled on 4 February 2002 by the hon. Member for East Carmarthen and Dinefwr. [36067]

Mr. MacShane: The hon. Member received a reply to his question on 14 February 2002, Official Report, columns 566–67W.

Health and Safety (Computers)

Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many employees in his Department who regularly use computers have taken up the provision of a free eye test; and how this service is advertised to (a) current and (b) new staff. [36687]

Mr. Bradshaw: The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, effective January 1993, require employers to provide and pay for, upon request from an employee, an eye and eyesight test. There is a requirement for further tests at regular intervals; the optometrist doing the first test can recommend when the next one should be. In addition, employers must pay the cost of special spectacles where normal ones cannot be used.

This service is advertised to all new entrants during their induction training, is posted on the FCO intranet site and is described in our Code of Management. In 2001, 216 staff in the UK were reimbursed the cost of DSE eye tests.

Indonesia

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of popular support for the special autonomy arrangements introduced by the Indonesian Government to Aceh and Papua. [36926]

Mr. Bradshaw: The Special Autonomy legislation which came into effect for the provinces of Aceh and Papua on 1 January has received a mixed welcome. The UK Government believe the legislation offers a positive opportunity to the people of Aceh and Papua, and urges all elements of society in the two provinces to work together to implement the legislation in a constructive spirit to the benefit of all concerned.

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely impact on human rights of the decision of the Government of Indonesia to establish a new military command in Aceh. [36925]

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Mr. Bradshaw: The Indonesian Government believe the re-establishment of the Aceh military command will lead to improved accountability for the security forces and security in the province through improved communication. Any moves to increase accountability and reduce lawlessness in the province should be welcomed. We continue to impress on the Indonesian authorities the importance of upholding and promoting human rights throughout the country. On 18 February the British Ambassador in Jakarta raised our concerns about reports that the Indonesian Government intended to 'crush' the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) by military force with Co-ordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Bambang Yudhoyono.

Mr. Luke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations his Department has made to the Indonesian Government on loss of life and displacement of people in the Moluccan Islands and Sulawesi. [37259]

Mr. Bradshaw: We welcome the recent agreements brokered by the Indonesian Government between the warring factions in both Maluku and Sulawesi to end the fighting.

The UK's message to the Indonesian Government is clear and consistent: a long-term solution to regional conflicts can be achieved only through political negotiation and consultation with the people. Together with our European partners we are in regular, top-level dialogue with the Indonesian Government, and urge them to maintain law and order and promote reconciliation in areas of conflict. The most recent direct contact was when our Chargé d'Affaires in Jakarta called on Manuel Kaisiepo, the Minister for Eastern Indonesia, on 29 November 2001.

Gibraltar

Mr. Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the next round of talks under the terms of the Brussels process will take place. [36530]

Peter Hain: A further meeting under the Brussels process will be held in due course. The date is yet to be fixed. Our aim remains to conclude a comprehensive agreement before the summer.

Mr. Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional powers of self-government for the people of Gibraltar are being discussed with the Government of Spain during the Brussels process. [36531]

Peter Hain: Discussions under the Brussels process are aimed at overcoming all the differences between the UK and Spain over Gibraltar and at promoting co-operation on a mutually beneficial basis. In the context of an agreed Joint Declaration our objective is a future where Gibraltar can enjoy enhanced powers of self-government, allowing its Government and population to have a greater say in their lives.

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will allow the Chief Minister of Gibraltar to attend talks under the Brussels process with the right to veto proposals. [36535]

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Peter Hain: We have invited the Chief Minister of Gibraltar to participate in the Brussels process on the basis of the two flags, three voices formula, having his own and distinct voice as part of the British delegation.

We have made it clear that any proposals emerging from the Brussels process would be implemented only in the event of an affirmative vote by the people of Gibraltar in a referendum.

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what rules govern the composition of the delegation of the Chief Minister of Gibraltar attending talks under the Brussels process. [36534]

Peter Hain: We have invited the Chief Minister of Gibraltar to participate in the Brussels process on the basis of the two flags, three voices formula, having his own and distinct voice as part of the British delegation.

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what practical benefits for Gibraltar have been discussed during the talks under the Brussels process between the Governments of Britain and Spain. [36540R]

Peter Hain: I refer my hon. Friend to the copy of the joint communiqué from the Brussels process meeting in London on 4 February that was placed in the Library.

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to invite the Governments of Spain and Gibraltar to talks under terms other than those defined under the Brussels process. [36537R]

Peter Hain: We continue to regard the Brussels Process as offering the best prospects for overcoming all the differences between the UK and Spain over Gibraltar, including issues of mutually beneficial co-operation, and sovereignty.

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Spain about the right of the people of Gibraltar to self-determination. [36541R]

Peter Hain: I refer my hon. Friend to the Foreign Secretary's answer to him on 5 February 2002, Official Report, columns 738–39.

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his policy that a bilateral agreement between Britain and Spain on the future status of Gibraltar will be (a) invalidated and (b) suspended if rejected in a referendum by the people of Gibraltar. [36539R]

Peter Hain: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East (Sir Teddy Taylor) on 31 January 2002, Official Report, column 151WH.

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral statement of 5 February 2002, Official Report, column 748, to which Treaty of Utrecht 1713 he referred. [36864]

Peter Hain: The treaty which provides for the cession of Gibraltar to the English Crown in its Article X was the treaty of peace and friendship between England and Spain signed at Utrecht on 13 July 1713.

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Syd Rapson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who is responsible for devising and implementing fiscal policies in Gibraltar. [36542]

Peter Hain: Under the 1969 Gibraltar Constitution, the Governor of Gibraltar retains certain powers in relation to the maintenance of financial and economic stability. Day-to-day control for the financial business of the Government of Gibraltar, including the collection of taxes, duties, licences and fees, etc., lies with the Financial and Development Secretary, who liaises closely with relevant Ministers of the Government of Gibraltar. The Assembly is responsible for the authorisation of expenditure and taxation measures.

Syd Rapson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason Ministers from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office did not accept an invitation to attend the Government of Gibraltar's talks on their constitution. [36532]

Peter Hain: I wrote to the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, in his capacity as Chairman of the House of Assembly Select Committee for Constitutional Reform, on 30 November inviting the members of the Select Committee to London for discussions on constitutional reform. They did not take up the invitation.

Syd Rapson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the European Commission on financial aid for Gibraltar resulting from an agreement between Britain and Spain on the future status of Gibraltar. [36543]

Peter Hain: We have kept the Commission informed in broad terms of our ongoing discussions with Spain within the Brussels process, and in that context have touched on how a possible settlement might impact on opportunities for additional funding in the region.

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Spain has identified to him the practical benefits to Gibraltar of proposals on joint sovereignty. [36546]

Peter Hain: At the Brussels process meeting in London on 4 February, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Spanish Foreign Minister confirmed their shared aim of overcoming all differences over Gibraltar, including issues of mutually beneficial co-operation, and sovereignty.

I refer my hon. Friend to the copy of the joint communiqué from the 4 February meeting that was placed in the Library.

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guarantees the Government of Spain has given to preserve the Gibraltar way of life during talks on the future status of Gibraltar; and how these would be implemented. [36547]

Peter Hain: The UK and Spanish Governments have confirmed that under the Brussels process our shared aim is to overcome our differences over Gibraltar and to ensure a secure future for Gibraltar in which Gibraltar can preserve its way of life and traditions, enjoy greater internal self-government, sustain and enhance its prosperity, and reap the full benefits of a harmonious and mutually beneficial co-operation in all fields together with the wider region.

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Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is regarding the right of self-determination for the people of Gibraltar in relation to Article 1 of the United Nations Charter of Human Rights. [36588]

Peter Hain: Her Majesty's Government support the right or principle of self-determination. It must be exercised in accordance with other principles and rights in the Charter of the United Nations and with other treaty obligations. In Gibraltar's case that includes Article X of the Treaty of Utrecht.

Mr. John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when (a) he and (b) his Ministers next plan to visit Gibraltar. [36545]

Peter Hain: I refer my hon. Friend to the Foreign Secretary's answer to the hon. Member for South Staffordshire (Sir Patrick Cormack) on 14 January 2002, Official Report, columns 28–29.

Mr. John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed the possibility of taking the status of Gibraltar to the International Court of Justice with representatives of the Government of Spain. [36544]

Peter Hain: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien) on 10 December 2001, Official Report, column 632W.

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