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President Bush

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Prime Minister on which occasions since 11 September 2001 he has held meetings with President Bush; what the venues were; and on which occasions the production of oil from middle eastern countries was discussed. [110266]

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The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Matthew Taylor) on 8 April 2003, Official Report, columns 126–27W, and the answer I gave the hon. Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon) in the House on 14 April 2003, Official Report, column 627.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much opium (a) was produced by Afghanistan in (i) 2001 and (ii) 2002, (b) has been produced this year and (c) is predicted for 2004 on present trends. [108012]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducts an annual survey into the level of opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. This reported that 185 tonnes of opium was produced in 2001 and 3,400 tonnes in 2002.

The UNODC is in the process of carrying out the 2003 survey. Its results will be published in the autumn. The 2004 survey is likely to start at the end of this year.

In March 2003 the UNODC published an Opium Rapid Assessment Survey for Afghanistan. This gave an early insight into the pattern of opium poppy cultivation for the 2002–03 growing season, but did not predict the level of opium production for 2003 or beyond.

The 2002 increase was no surprise. The Taliban's cultivation ban in 2001 was driven by short-term motives and inherently unsustainable. It was imposed with bribery and threats, including in some cases, death. It also did not cover trafficking, processing or stockpiling. Indeed the Taliban's profits from these activities grew as, after two bumper harvests, the ban drove up opium prices. Sustained reductions in cultivation will only follow from a long-term process to build up Afghan drug law enforcement and encourage alternative livelihoods for farmers.

Al-Qaeda

Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on al-Qaeda terror activity in (a) the Middle East and (b) the rest of the world. [109325]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: Al-Qaeda continues to pose a significant threat in the Middle East and globally, despite some very considerable success against their leaders and operations. Al-Qaeda and related groups will only be overcome through sustained international effort and co-operation. The UK will continue to play a leading role in the fight against international terrorism.

Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on evidence of al-Qaeda links to the ricin plant found in Iraq. [109326]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: We have received a number of reports on facilities in north-east Iraq in territory controlled by Ansar al Islam, and their links to al-Qaeda. It is the practice of successive Governments

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not to comment on intelligence matters. The Security and Intelligence Agencies are not within the scope of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Paragraph 6, Part I).

Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) funds and (b) personnel have been allocated to the war in Iraq which would otherwise have been directed at the al-Qaeda threat. [109327]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: None. Coalition action in Iraq has not been at the expense of the campaign against international terrorism, which has continued unabated. There has never been a question of choosing between the two threats. The downfall of the regime in Iraq will reduce the threat of terrorists gaining access to weapons of mass destruction.

Assisted Suicide

Mr. Plaskitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidelines he has issued to his staff on dealing with inquiries from UK citizens seeking an assisted suicide overseas. [107576]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: Consular staff guidelines provide that British nationals seeking assisted suicide abroad should be given the same consular services as all our consular customers. They also state that consular staff should not provide advice or assistance to British nationals seeking information about the law or practice relating to assisted suicide in other countries, but should explain that it is contrary to UK law. Our staff should advise that British nationals should obey the laws of any country to which they travel, and that local legal advice should be sought if appropriate.

Bangladesh

Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent discussions he has had with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on the actions of her Government in Operation Clean Heart; and if he will make a statement; [108282]

(2) what discussions he has had with the Bangladesh Government on the complaints of harassment of members of opposition parties in Bangladesh; and if he will make a statement. [108284]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: We were concerned by reports of mistreatment of detainees associated with "Operation Clean Heart", and by the simultaneous arrests and reported harassment of opposition politicians. We have discussed both issues with the Bangladesh Government on a number of occasions, including when my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State at the Department for International Development (Ms Keeble), met the Bangladesh Home Minister in Dhaka last December. We look for the due process of law to be followed in all cases. We also urge the Government and opposition parties to work together in the interests of democracy.

Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the British High Commissioner in Bangladesh on the human rights situation in Bangladesh. [108283]

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Mr. Mike O'Brien: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary sees the High Commissioner's reports on human rights and other developments in Bangladesh and has discussions with him at Heads of Mission meetings. We continue to raise our concerns on human rights with the Bangladesh authorities. The FCO Director for South Asia and our High Commissioner discussed human rights with the Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in London in January. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State at the Department for International Development (Ms Keeble), also took up the issue with the Bangladesh Home Minister when she visited Dhaka last December.

British Detainees (Guantanamo Bay)

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2003, Official Report, column 741W, what the response of the US Government has been to his request for formal consular access to Guantanamo Bay. [108057]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave her on 24 March 2003, Official Report, column 70W. As Guantanamo Bay is outside a recognised consular district, the US does not consider that we are entitled to formal consular access there. However, British officials have visited on four occasions to check on the welfare of the British nationals and ask questions relating to national security. We were the first country to visit its nationals.

Burma

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the effect of EU sanctions on human rights violations in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [108446]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: The EU Common Position has been effective in keeping up international pressure for the Burmese regime to improve its unacceptable record of human rights violations. There have been some very minor improvements since 2000 such as the release of some political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and improved co-operation with the United Nations. However, the overall situation remains of grave concern. UK policy will remain firm until the military regime irreversibly commits to national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy.

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with EU colleagues concerning future action against the Burmese Government in the event of continuing human rights violations in Burma. [108447]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: The EU Common Position comes up for renewal before 29 April 2003. Discussion within the European Union is ongoing including at ministerial level, concerning the European Union's assessment of the situation in Burma. The human rights situation is an important part of this discussion and a key factor in deciding if/how the European Union Common Position should be amended to best press for political change in Burma.

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Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of (a) the State Peace and Development Council and (b) the National League for Democracy concerning political repression in Burma. [108448]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: On 7 March I met the Burmese Ambassador to the UK to express my concern over the deteriorating political, economic, humanitarian and human rights situation in Burma. I explained that UK policy may have to toughen unless the military authorities take action to move the political process forward.

I am in regular telephone contact with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. We have agreed that the overall level of repression in Burma remains a cause of grave concern and that the military regime must act quickly to move Burma towards national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy.

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have received from supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi concerning her (a) current condition and (b) treatment at the hands of the Burmese Government. [108449]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: I am in regular telephone contact with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. She remains resolute and hopeful that democracy in Burma is achievable. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is able to travel and operate relatively freely. On 6 April she undertook a visit to Chin State where large crowds met her. There have been some instances where local authorities have obstructed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's visits, most notably in Northern Rakhine State in December 2002. As a result of the problems encountered in Northern Rakhine State, the UK and EU have issued statements expressing concern and calling for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's freedom to travel and operate.

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts are being made by the British Government to encourage a reduction in regional border tensions between Burma, Bangladesh and Thailand. [108450]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: The EU co-sponsored a resolution on Burma at the United Nations General Assembly in November 2002 that pressed for the peaceful end to all conflicts in Burma. We are also in regular contact with the Governments of Bangladesh and Thailand to press the case for political progress in Burma. It is in the best interests of all Burma's neighbours that national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy is rapidly achieved.

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on co-operation between the British and Burmese authorities to stem the trade in illicit drugs produced in Burma. [108451]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: The primary source of opium that is trafficked to the UK is from Afghanistan. There is no evidence of illicit drugs originating from Burma being trafficked to the UK in significant quantities.

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Despite some co-operation with the United Nations on drug related issues, the Burmese authorities' response to the continued production and distribution of illicit drugs from the territory of Burma remain insufficient.

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the State Peace and Development Council concerning the denial of full citizenship to ethnic and religious minorities in Burma. [108452]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: In keeping with its attitude towards other human rights problems, the State Peace and Development Council does not accept that it has a problem concerning the denial of full citizenship rights to Burmese citizens. However, there is ample evidence that this is a serious problem, in particular given the refusal to grant full rights to many of the Muslim Rohinghyas who live in Rakhine State.

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made concerning access for the UNHCR to all parts of Burma. [108453]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: There has been some modest progress in access for UNHCR staff in Burma, such as in Northern Rakhine State. However, many areas of Burma remain off-limits to the United Nations and non-government organisations, in particular parts of the Thai/Burma border. I place a high priority on action to press for unhindered access to all parts of Burma for the United Nations and non-governmental organisations.

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the number of internally displaced people in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [108454]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: Definitive figures are not available because international access is restricted in large areas of Burma. However, some estimates from non-government organisations have indicated that over 600,000 may be internally displaced in Burma. Despite the lack of accurate statistics, it is clear that this is a major problem and that the Burmese authorities must take action to stop fresh displacement of people and allow the safe resettlement of those currently internally displaced.

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of any developments in the human rights situation in Burma since the adoption of the most recent UN Resolution in November 2002; and if he will make a statement. [108455]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: Regrettably, we have not seen any substantive improvements in the overall human rights situation in Burma since the November 2002 resolution at the United Nations General Assembly. The military authorities have allowed a delegation from Amnesty International to visit Burma. But this has not yet led to an improvement in human rights adherence. I am also

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concerned that the pace of the release of political prisoners has slowed markedly and that there has been a significant increase in new detentions and arrests for political reasons.

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department intends to take in response to human rights violations and continued breach of UN resolutions on the part of the Burmese Government; and if he will make a statement. [108456]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: The EU is currently drafting a resolution on the human rights situation in Burma for adoption at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights later this month. The UK is playing an active role in producing the draft. I believe it is important that the international community continues to make clear its abhorrence of the human rights violations in Burma and maintains pressure for the situation to be rapidly improved.

The human rights situation will also be a key factor in the European Union's discussions concerning the renewal this month of the European Union Common Position on Burma. The Common Position contains a range of measures designed to bring pressure to bear on the military authorities to move towards national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy in Burma.

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from (a) ASEAN nations, (b) NGOs and (c) UN member states concerning possible action to promote human rights in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [108457]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: The FCO is in regular contact with ASEAN nations, non-governmental organisations and other members of the United Nations concerning the human rights situation in Burma. The successive resolutions passed on Burma at the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Commission on Human Rights confirm the international community's view that the situation is unacceptable and that rapid action is needed by the Burmese military authorities to improve their human rights record.

HMG will continue to work for a collective approach within the international community to reduce and eliminate human rights violations in Burma.

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to address the use of forced child labour in Burma. [108458]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: The UK has been at the forefront of support for the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) effort to eliminate the use of forced labour in Burma. At the meeting of the ILO Governing Body in March 2003, the Presidency of the European Union, on behalf of the UK and other EU countries, expressed continuing concern that the Burmese regime had not made further progress on this issue and said that it was a lack of political will on behalf of the Burmese authorities that was the root cause of this. The UK fully supports the decision taken by the ILO to call for a plan of action to be agreed before the next meeting of the ILO Liaison

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Officer and the Burmese authorities on the steps required to reduce and eliminate forced labour in Burma.

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations his Department has received from the Burmese Government concerning human rights violations; and if he will make a statement. [108459]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Burmese military regime has not signed up to many of the United Nations instruments covering acceptable standards of human rights adherence and does not share our concern about the unacceptable level of human rights violations in Burma. We will continue to press bilaterally with the Burmese regime and in international fora for a rapid improvement in the situation. As part of this we will continue to press for democratic reform in Burma. It is only through the return of democracy and the rule of law that the underlying problems contributing to the human rights violations can be adequately addressed.

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