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Greece (British Plane Spotters)

15. David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has recently met the representatives of the British citizens recently convicted of security offences in Greece; and if he will make a statement. [54382]

Mr. Bradshaw: I have not met any representatives of the recently convicted British nationals in question. However, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary intends to meet a group on 23 May at the Foreign Office. My noble Friend the Baroness Amos who has responsibility for consular matters met the group on 22 January.

Colombia

16. Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he is giving to efforts to renew the peace process in Colombia. [54383]

Mr. MacShane: We continue to play an active role in efforts to renew the peace process in Colombia. We condemn the violence, kidnapping and involvement in the drugs trade by all illegal groups in Colombia. We remain in close touch on this with our EU partners, the US Administration and the United Nations, together with the Colombian Government.

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Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has held with British-based corporations who are involved in mineral exploration in Colombia covering the rights of local people; and if he will make a statement. [55611]

Mr. MacShane [holding answer 13 May 2002]: The FCO, in partnership with several leading international oil and mining companies, human rights NGOs and Corporate Social Responsibility organisations has developed a set of "Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights in the Extractive Industries". Launched in December 2000, they provide guidance on how companies can best fulfil their human rights objectives in security provision in conflict- prone regions. The participating companies, in dialogue with NGOs convened by Governments, have been working to implement the Principles of the ground. The Governments have organised in-country meetings in several countries, including Colombia, to promote local implementation of the Principles by oil and mining companies.

Sub-Saharan Africa

17. Mr. Win Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about progress being made to maintain democracy and peace in sub-Saharan Africa. [54384]

Mr. MacShane: The FCO is working to bring peace and security to Sierra Leone, helping to end to the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea and to resolve the conflicts in the Great Lakes Region, Sudan and Angola, as well as co-ordinating international pressure on the Mugabe regime to respect democracy.

The United Kingdom also supports to the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), aimed at improving political and economic governance in Africa.

Zimbabwe

18. Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Zimbabwe. [54385]

Mr. MacShane: What has happened in Zimbabwe is a tragedy, imposed by Robert Mugabe. The only way back is through respect for the rule of law, and a return to democratic principles and sensible economic policies.

Our policy towards Zimbabwe, in the aftermath of the election, is to work with Zimbabwe's friends in Africa and internationally to promote democracy, good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law.

25. Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last had discussions with the Zimbabwean authorities about the security of British passport holders living in Zimbabwe. [54393]

Mr. Bradshaw: The security situation of British Passport holders in Zimbabwe is directly related to the general deterioration of law and order in that country and which affects all Zimbabweans. The Secretary of State has not discussed the matter with the Zimbabwean authorities. However our High Commission has made representations on behalf of British nationals and continues to provide all consular assistance it properly can to individual British Citizens when requested.

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27. Barbara Follett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy towards Zimbabwe. [54395]

Mr. MacShane: Our policy towards Zimbabwe, in the aftermath of the presidential election, is to work with Zimbabwe's friends in Africa and internationally to promote democracy, good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law.

34. Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to visit Zimbabwe to discuss bilateral relations. [54403]

Mr. MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no plans to visit Zimbabwe.

Terrorism

19. Mr. Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list his initiatives aimed at countering international terrorism in the less-developed world. [54386]

Mr. Bradshaw: We are working with a diverse range of countries that are willing to tackle terrorism. Our approach combines political, security and development initiatives.

Chemical Weapons

20. Mr. Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the reasons for the dismissal of Mr. J. Bustani, Director General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. [54387]

Mr. Bradshaw: A significant number of countries on the Organisation's Executive Council had lost confidence in Mr. Bustani. At a special conference called specifically to decide on the matter, a substantial majority voted to terminate his appointment.

Caspian Sea

21. Mr. Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in the region of the Caspian sea. [54388]

Mr. Bradshaw: The Caspian basin countries face numerous challenges in pursuing political reform and in developing regional co-operation. The UK is working for security, stability and prosperity in the region.

Guyana

22. Mr. Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Guyana. [54389]

Mr. Bradshaw: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Guyana last month. He met President Jagdeo and the Leader of the Opposition, Desmond Hoyte. I am pleased to say our relations with Guyana are excellent.

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Future of Europe Convention

24. James Purnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's aims are for the conclusions of the convention on the future of Europe. [54391]

Peter Hain: Our objective is an EU which is better understood, more democratic and which delivers the benefits our citizens expect.

29. Mr. Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress made by the European Union convention on the future of Europe. [54398]

Peter Hain: The future of Europe convention is still in its early days, but has made steady progress since the inaugural meeting on 28 February. The current "listening" phase, due to last until end-Summer, will be followed by an "analytical" phase.

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those (a) social partners, (b) professional associations, (c) consumer associations, (d) academic and student/youth associations, (e) Church representatives and (f) other foundations and associations of European interest, engaged in the Civic Forum for the Convention on the Future of Europe on behalf of the United Kingdom; what criteria were used for their selection; who selected them; and if he will make a statement. [55697]

Peter Hain: There is no selection procedure for taking part in the civic forum—any organisation can contribute. Full details of how to participate and those organisations already doing so are on the forum's website http:// europa.eu.int/futurum/.

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the submission of Mr. John Bruton to the Convention on the Future of Europe, with respect to improvements to parliamentary scrutiny. [55752]

Peter Hain: Mr. Bruton's paper is an interesting and wide-ranging contribution to the future of Europe debate.

The Government believe that, with the new scrutiny arrangements introduced to Parliament on 17 November 1998, UK scrutiny arrangements compare favourably with arrangements in many other EU member states. The Government are committed to effective scrutiny and welcome suggestions for further improvement.

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