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Crime Against International Law

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) the German Government, (b) representatives of the German Government in London and (c) his own representatives in Berlin, concerning the German Act to introduce the Code of Crimes Against International Law of 26 June; what advice he has received on its implications for citizens of the UK; and if he will make a statement. [73193]

Peter Hain: This legislation is designed to bring Germany's domestic criminal law into line with its commitments under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Although Germany ratified the Rome Statute on 11 December 2000 it has not until now completed its legislation to implement the Statute. The United Kingdom adopted its own legislation (the ICC Act and ICC Scotland 2001) before ratifying the Statute. The German government has kept British Embassy officials in Berlin informed of its legislative progress. I do not envisage any special problems for British citizens arising from this legislation.

Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications he has received in the last 10 months concerning the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline; and if he will make a statement. [73165]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is in regular contact with the Government of Azerbaijan and the commercial companies involved in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project. We fully support this project, in which BP is taking a leading role.

Two high level visits have been made to Baku this year. The Minister for Energy, my hon. friend the Member for Cunninghame North (Mr. Brian Wilson), attended the Caspian Oil and Gas Show in Azerbaijan in June. In the same month, the Lord Mayor of London led a delegation from the financial services sector to Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Both discussed oil and gas issues, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.

Spain/Gibraltar

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Government have taken in the European Court to address border queues between Spain and Gibraltar. [72861]

Peter Hain: None. The Commission announced the conclusion of their investigation into the situation at the border on 19 March. A copy of their statement has been placed in the libraries of the House. The Spanish government also confirmed on 19 March that in response to requests made by the UK during the Brussels Process talks a new second channel would be opened. This became operational on 21 March. We continue to believe that dialogue is the best way of overcoming our differences with Spain over Gibraltar.

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Terrorism

Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place with European colleagues over intensifying co-operation to neutralise funding for terrorist purposes. [73209]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: In addition to obligations under UNSCR 1390 to freeze the assets of Al Qa'ida and its associates, EC Regulation 2580/02 obliges member states to freeze the assets of other agreed terrorist groups and individuals. We and EU partners have regular discussions on implementation of this regulation. The Bank of England website (www.bankofengland.co.uk) maintains a full list of all those whose assets are currently frozen in the UK.

Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in increasing co-operation between member states of the EU in the war on terrorism since 11 September 2001. [73212]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: There has been good progress in implementing the counter-terrorism measures agreed by EU Heads of Government and Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in September 2001. In particular, the Council of Ministers has adopted the framework decisions on a European arrest warrant; on terrorism; and on joint investigative teams. Practical and effective co-operation between Europe's intelligence and law-enforcement agencies to combat terrorism has also continued to improve. The Seville European Council in June committed the EU to continue to maintain the closest possible coordination with the United States and other partners in the fight against terrorism, and to contribute further to international efforts against terrorism. Through its political dialogue with third countries, the EU is encouraging others to take the necessary legislative and operational actions to combat terrorism. Where appropriate, the EU is seeking to deliver assistance in counter-terrorist disciplines, through existing programmes.

Anglo-Scottish Ministerial Meetings

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many formal and official inter-ministerial meetings his Department has held with the Scottish Executive since May 1999, broken down by (a) Scottish Executive department, (b) subject and (c) date. [72720]

Mr. Straw [holding answer 24 July 2002]: Ministers from my Department have frequent meetings with Ministers from the Scottish Executive, both formal and informal, covering a broad range of topics.

India

Mr. Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest assessment is of the situation regarding cross-border terrorist incursions into India. [73057]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: As my right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary, made clear during his visit to India and

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Pakistan on 19–20 July, we all want to see a permanent end to infiltration across the Line of Control. The recent reduction in the level of infiltration, and de-escalatory steps taken by both sides, are welcome developments. We will continue to work with international partners to encourage India and Pakistan to maintain the de-escalatory momentum and return to productive dialogue on all outstanding issues between them, including Kashmir.

Immigration Officers

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many immigration officers and support staff work in the Consulate in New Delhi, Mumbai, Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore when the operations are fully operational. [73052]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: The authorised establishments in New Delhi, Mumbai, Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore prior to June were:

Karachi—8 Entry Clearance Officers and 32 support staff.

Islamabad—32 Entry Clearance Officers and 100 support staff.

New Delhi—14 Entry Clearance Officers and 40 support staff.

Mumbai—11 Entry Clearance Officers and 25 support staff.

Lahore—6 Entry Clearance Officers and 26 support staff.

East Timor

Mr. David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Indonesian Government on the death in East Timor in 1999 of Sander Thoenes and on the deaths in East Timor in 1975 of British citizens Malcolm Rennie and Brian Peters, and other newsmen; and if he will make a statement. [73545]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: We are in close touch with the Dutch Government who have led on the case of the Dutch citizen Sander Thoenes. On 17 July, Indonesian prosecutors said they would seek to reopen the investigation into this case after receiving new evidence from the Dutch authorities. We have raised the Balibo case with the Indonesian authorities at every appropriate opportunity and will continue to do so.

Israel

Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Israel's holding of the relatives of suspected militants. [73305]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: We believe that Israel is currently detaining twenty-one relatives of suspected terrorists. If Israel suspects that these people have committed offences, they should be brought to justice. In the absence of such evidence, they should be released. Collective punishments

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and deportation of protected persons are prohibited under the Fourth Geneva Convention. We strongly urge Israel to refrain from such action.

Sierra Leone

Mr. Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence his Department has collated on political influence in prosecution decisions in Sierra Leone. [72178]

Mr. Macshane: We have collated no specific evidence on the influence of politics in prosecution decisions. But we are aware of the parlous state of the judiciary in Sierra Leone, which has been allowed to deteriorate over the past twenty years or more. We also recognise that the confidence of ordinary Sierra Leoneans in the proper functioning of the judiciary is at a low ebb. We are especially concerned about delays in moving forward a large number of outstanding corruption cases, and have made clear our desire that they be brought to an early conclusion.

A properly functioning judicial process is an essential element of good governance. We are therefore helping the government of Sierra Leone with judicial reform. Part of our engagement in Sierra Leone has concentrated on law reform, including the refurbishment of court buildings in both Freetown and the provinces that were damaged or destroyed during the civil war.

Mr. Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with Sierra Leone's President on (a) broadening his Government, (b) defusing ethnic tensions in Sierra Leone and (c) speeding up reforms of the security structures in Sierra Leone; and if he will make a statement. [72179]

Mr. Macshane: We maintain a regular dialogue with President Kabbah and senior members of his government on a wide range of international issues and matters relating to our bilateral engagement in the country. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development and my noble Friend Baroness Amos met with President Kabbah on 17 June. A major part of our bilateral relationship involves reform of the security sector. Since May 2000, we have made, and continue to make, considerable progress in the development of a new army under democratic control, and restructuring the police. But there is still much work to be done.

The end of the conflict in Sierra Leone, brought about by the sustained engagement of the United Nations, the UK and regional leaders, has opened up a new and promising chapter in Sierra Leone's road to democracy. It is the prerogative of the President to nominate members of his government. We believe that politicians both in government and in opposition, and from all ethnic backgrounds, have a vital role to play in helping to consolidate the peace and move the country forward, and we have made clear our strong commitment to helping Sierra Leone in its post conflict recovery.

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