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UN Global Ceasefire
Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to ensure the observance of the UN annual day of global ceasefire; [79158]
- (2) what measures he took to ensure that Britain's armed forces observed the UN global ceasefire on 21 September; [79164]
(3) if he will list (a) the countries in which British armed forces are stationed and (b) those countries in which British armed forces observed the UN global ceasefire of 21 September 2001; [79157]
(4) what instructions were received by his Department on the observance of the United Nation's International Peace One Day. [79163]
Mr. Ingram: In 2001 the United Kingdom co-sponsored GA Resolution 55/282, which fixed the International Day of Peace on 21 September each year. The primary objective of the day is to encourage parties engaged in civil war and armed conflict to allow humanitarian agencies to deliver relief and medical supplies to civilian populations. The United Kingdom continues to make an important contribution to United Nations peacekeeping efforts around the world, most notably in Sierra Leone and the Balkans.
The full details as to the countries in which British armed forces are stationed are published in XTri-Service Publication 6, Global Location of Service Personnel", a copy of which can be found in the House of Commons Library.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is intended to be taken against the (a) British-registered and (b) British-based persons listed by the UN as having violated the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises in respect of their activities in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [78852]
Mr. Rammell: The United Nations Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo alleges that 12 UK companies have violated the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. We are seeking more details. We are considering a substantive response to the report's recommendations.
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the activities of those UK companies and persons based in the UK which have been criticised by the UN for breaking sanctions in respect of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [78851]
Mr. Rammell: The United Nations Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth in the Democratic Republic of
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the Congo alleges that some UK based companies and persons have breached sanctions on Zimbabwe and have supplied military equipment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We are studying the report's allegations closely and are considering a substantive response to its recommendations. We will also be discussing action on these and other allegations at theUnited Nations Security Council.
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations his Department had carried out into sanctions-breaking by (a) UK companies and (b) British-based persons in respect of the supply of spare parts for British Aerospace Hawk jets of the Zimbabwe Defence Force to the Democratic Republic of Congo, prior to the publication of the UN Panel of Exports' report on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the DRC. [78855]
Mr.Rammell: The information is as follows:
- (a) The recent UN Panel report on the Democratic Republic of Congo contains allegations in relation to the supply of Hawk jet spare parts. We are urgently seeking further details from the UN, and will investigate them fully.
(b) None.
Charter of Fundamental Rights
Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy on the Charter of Fundamental Rights is; how the Government plans to take that policy forward; and if he will make a statement. [75039]
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Mr. MacShane [holding answer 23 October 2002]: The Nice European Council agreed that the Charter of Fundamental Rights would be a political statement. As mandated by the Laeken European Council, the Convention on the Future of Europe is examining whether and, if so, how, the Charter should be included in the treaties. EU member states will take the final decision by unanimity at the Intergovernmental Conference in 2004. People need to know their rights and the EU institutions need to respect them. Our policy remains one of strong support for the charter.
Das Air
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the activities of Das Air. [78845]
Mr. Rammell: The United Nations Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo lists a number of companies, including Das Air which it considers to have violated the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. We are seeking further details from the UN. We are studying the report's allegations closely and we are considering a substantive response to the report's recommendations.
European Union Officials (Salaries)
Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide a break down of salaries of officials of the European Commission by (a) pay grade and (b) number. [78115]
Mr. MacShane: The following is a breakdown of the number of staff at each grade (top figure in cell) and their relative monthly salaries (bottom figure) within the Commission. Salaries are given in euros. Echelons are the individual pay steps within each grade.
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