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3 Jun 2003 : Column 248Wcontinued
Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Montserrat; and what developments have taken place since the volcanic activity in 1997. [115164]
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Mr. MacShane: Since the volcanic crisis of 199597, one of the main priorities for Montserrat has been a return to self-sufficiency. Substantial redevelopment of the habitable part of Montserrat has been achieved, mainly through support (totalling £180 million to date) provided by the Department for International Development (DFID). To support Montserrat's return to self-sufficiency, a further £45.6 million in DFID support has been earmarked for the period 200203 to 200506.
Another major concern is the continuing safety of the people on the island. The volcano is still active and constantly monitored. The dome of the volcano continues to grow and is the largest it has ever been and all the evidence indicates that the level of hazard is increasing as the dome grows. For public safety, around two-thirds of the southern part of the island remains an exclusion zone. The exclusion zone is reviewed regularly and was extended last October after careful consideration of scientific advice.
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Ministers have visited Morocco since May 1997; and if he will make a statement on UK-Morocco relations. [115665]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Nine Ministers have visited Morocco in an official capacity since May 1997:
Dawn Primarolo, Minister for Customs and Excise, July 1998
Robin Cook, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, (with His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales) July 1999 (to attend King Hassan II of Morocco's funeral)
Peter Hain, Minister of State, FCO, Dec 1999
Richard Caborn, Minister of Trade, May 2000
Ben Bradshaw, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, FCO, September 2001
Margaret Beckett and Michael Meacher, Department of the Environment, Oct-Nov2001
Clare Short, Secretary of State, Department for International Development, September 2002.
Mr. David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the risk to international security posed by North Korea; and what progress is being made in re-introducing arms inspectors to the country. [116177]
Mr. Rammell: We have long had concerns about North Korea's nuclear programmes. These concerns have been heightened by recent actions and statements by the North Korean government.
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We, and our allies, will continue to take every opportunity to urge North Korea to allow the return of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, and to reinstate the freeze on nuclear activities.
John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Rwanda following its decision to endorse the banning of the opposition Mouvement Democratique Republicain party. [115736]
Mr. Rammell: We will continue to urge the Government of Rwanda to set out publicly how they plan to open up political space and ensure inclusive elections later this year; and how they can reassure the international community of their commitment to due process and transparency in dealing with the dissolution of the Mouvement Democratique Republicain and actions against individuals.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to support UK citizens of Chinese origin and their relatives overseas following concern over the SARS issue; and if he will make a statement. [111783]
Ms Blears [holding answer 7 May 2003]: I have been asked to reply.
The Department of Health has issued updated information and advice to all travellers from the United Kingdom about severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) on a regular basis; the last of which was issued on 21 May. We have also secured agreement with some of the major airlines to distribute leaflets in English, Mandarin and Cantonese for those leaving SARS affected areas.
We will shortly be issuing a public leaflet about SARS, which will be made available in Cantonese and Mandarin.
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the work commissioned on long-term strategic priorities for British foreign policy; and if he will place a copy of the report in the library. [116798]
Mr. Straw: Work on long term priorities for British Foreign policy is being taken forward by the FCO in consultation with other Government Departments. I plan to make the results public in the Autumn.
Mr. Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much of the Department's budget was spent in the latest 12 months for which figures are available on the promotion overseas of trade with the UK; and if he will break down spending in each (a) embassy and (b) high commission. [115968]
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Mr. Rammell: The latest figures for funding for Trade Partners UK, the trade development arm of British Trade International, is as follows.
200102 Outturn | |
---|---|
Programme | 60 |
Administration Costs | |
DTI | 28 |
FCO | 123 |
Capital | |
DTI | 0 |
FCO | 1 |
The information is not available broken down by Embassy and High Commission, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his Department's staff at each (a) embassy and (b) high commission have responsibilities which are primarily the promotion of trade with the UK. [115969]
Mr. Rammell: The number of staff (expressed in full time equivalents) whose responsibilities are the achievement of BTI objectives in overseas markets is as follows:
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British Trade International's remit covers both trade development and promotion and inward investment, and it is riot possible to separate fully the two strands.
The information was current at April 2003.
The data include FCO UK-based staff and local staff recruited in-market. Distribution of staff numbers across the network changes over time to reflect the requirements of UK business.
Mr. Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes there have been in the priorities for promoting trade at UK embassies and high commissions since 1997. [115970]
Mr. Rammell: Improving business competitiveness through international trade and investment is an important element of the FCO's work, reflected in its Public Service Agreement Objectives. British Trade International was established in 1999 to bring together the trade promotion activities of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Its priorities and activities are reported annually in its Departmental Report, the latest of which was published on 16 May 2003, Cm 5915.
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