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3 Jun 2003 : Column 248W—continued

Montserrat

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 1995–97, 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 2002–03 to 2005–06.

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.

Morocco

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:


UK Morocco relations are strong as indicated by the meeting of my hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with Mohammed Benaissa, the Moroccan Foreign Minister in London on 20 May 2003. After the meeting they both referred positively to relations between Morocco and the UK.

North Korea

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.

3 Jun 2003 : Column 250W

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.

Rwanda

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.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

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.

Strategic Priorities Review

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.

Trade Promotion

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.

£ millions

2001–02 Outturn
Programme60
Administration Costs
DTI28
FCO123
Capital
DTI0
FCO1

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:

CountryTotal (full time equivalent)
Africa
Angola4
Botswana1
Cameroon1
Cote D'Ivore2
Ethiopia2
Ghana6
Kenya6
Madagascar1
Malawi1
Mali1
Mauritius2
Mozambique3
Namibia1
Nigeria19
Rwanda1
Senegal2
Seychelles1
Sierra Leone1
South Africa32
Tanzania5
Uganda3
Zambia1
Zimbabwe3
Americas
Antigua1
Argentina8
Bahamas1
Barbados4
Belize1
Bolivia2
Brazil54
Canada36
Chile8
Colombia7
Costa Rica3
Cuba3
Dominican Republic2
Ecuador4
El Salvador2
Guatemala2
Guyana2
Honduras1
Jamaica4
Mexico23
Nicaragua1
Panama2
Paraguay3
Peru7
St. Lucia1
Trinidad5
Uruguay2
USA145
Venezuela8
North Asia/Pacific
Australia33
China60
Fiji2
Hong Kong22
Japan68
Mongolia1
New Zealand10
South Korea20
Taiwan21
Europe
Albania1
Armenia3
Austria7
Azerbaijan4
Belarus1
Belgium and Luxembourg17
Bosnia3
Bulgaria5
Croatia4
Cyprus5
Cz. Republic12
Denmark13
Estonia3
Finland12
France50
Georgia3
Germany63
Greece12
Hungary14
Iceland3
Ireland13
Italy33
Kazakhstan4
Latvia4
Lithuania3
Macedonia2
Malta3
Netherlands11
Norway16
Poland20
Portugal15
Romania9
Russia15
Slovakia4
Slovenia5
Spain32
Sweden19
Switzerland15
Turkey19
Turkmenistan3
Ukraine4
Uzbekistan2
Yugoslavia5
Middle East and North Africa
Algiers1
Bahrain5
Egypt15
Iran8
Israel8
Jerusalem2
Jordan7
Kuwait7
Lebanon4
Libya7
Morocco8
Oman6
Qatar8
Saudi Arabia22
Sudan2
Syria8
Tunisia4
UAE22
Yemen4
South and South East Asia
Bangladesh8
Brunei2
Cambodia1
India79
Indonesia13
Laos1
Malaysia21
Nepal1
Pakistan15
Papua New Guinea1
Philippines11
Singapore20
Sri Lanka7
Thailand15
Vietnam12
Grand total1,524

3 Jun 2003 : Column 253W

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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