House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 23 Jun 2003 (pt 16)

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Diplomatic Attire

Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how much was paid for the hire of morning suits and related attire on the occasion of UK male ambassadors receiving their credentials from Her Majesty the Queen in the past three years; [118884]

Mr. Straw: The total payment for the hire of morning suits and related attire for UK male ambassadors receiving their credentials from Her Majesty the Queen in the past three years was £3,758.95.

Prompted by my hon. Friend's questions, I asked for a review of the policy. The Queen has confirmed that she would be content for men to wear lounge suits when they have their audience on being appointed a Head of Mission. This brings the Foreign and Commonwealth Office into practice with other audiences given by Her Majesty. This change has immediate effect.

I am most grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this matter with me.

General Affairs and External Relations Council

Mr. Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the General Affairs and External Relations Council held on 16 June 2003; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [121203]

Mr. MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs represented the UK at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Luxembourg on 16 June 2003. This was the final GAERC before the European Council in Thessaloniki on 20 June 20030.

Conclusions on the European Security and Defence Policy, the Middle East Peace Process, Iran, Burma, Cuba, the Western Balkans and on the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction were agreed by consensus. The texts of these Conclusions have been placed in the Library. No formal votes were taken.

Gibraltar

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the reference by the Spanish Government to the European Court of Justice of the provision in the European Parliament (Representation) Act 2003 to extend the European Parliament elections franchise to Gibraltar. [119983]

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Mr. MacShane: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Andrew Mackinlay) on 13 June 2003, Official Report, column 1149W.

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes he has made to his policy on the sovereignty of Gibraltar since 12 July 2002. [119984]

Mr. MacShane: The Government's policy remains as set out in my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's statement of 12 July 2002, Official Report, column 1165.

Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Chief Minister for Gibraltar; what discussions took place; and if he will make a statement. [120524]

Mr. MacShane: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Central Fife (Mr. MacDougall) on 31 January 2003, Official Report, column 1087W.

Mr. MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy that new discussions between Government and the Spanish Government regarding Gibraltar will include the Gibraltar Government as an equal presence. [120636]

Mr. MacShane [holding answer 20 June 2003]: We have always been clear that we wanted the involvement of the Government of Gibraltar in the Brussels Process talks. We invited the Chief Minister of Gibraltar to participate in these discussions on the basis of the two flags, three voices formula, having his own and distinct voice as part of the British delegation. This invitation remains open.

Indonesia

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will urge the Indonesian Government to ensure that criminal cases in West Papua are investigated by the police; [120127]

(3) if he will urge the Indonesian Government to carry out an investigation into the events in Wamena on 4 April 2003. [120130]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: We continue to stress to the Indonesian Government the importance of criminal cases being investigated by the police, as well as a fair and transparent judicial system and of applying the law in an even handed way. When my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Indonesia in January 2003 he offered human rights training for a number of Indonesian Supreme Court judges. This has now been undertaken and we are positively considering a request for further training in this area. We are also working with the Indonesian police to identify areas where we can help them develop their skills and training.

The British Government have consistently made clear their view that long-term solutions to regional conflicts can only be achieved through negotiation and

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consultation. Any debate about the future of Papua should be worked out between the Indonesian Government and the people of Papua.

The British embassy in Jakarta is monitoring the situation in Wamena closely and has recently met NGOs and community leaders from the area. We are aware of reports of civilians being abused and buildings being burned, and the embassy is raising this with the Indonesian authorities.

Iraq

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is his policy to support the establishment by the UN of a commission of experts to monitor human rights in Iraq. [119715]

Mr. Rammell: We support the programme proposed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for promoting and protecting human rights in Iraq, including their call for immediate funding of US$950,000 to deploy Human Rights Officers to Iraq. The UK has agreed to allocate £400,000 (US$650,000) towards the OHCHR's request.

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to protect human rights in Iraq. [119716]

Mr. Rammell: In accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1483, the UK is working closely with coalition partners and UN Special Representative for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, on promoting the protection of human rights in Iraq. The Coalition Provisional Authority is undertaking an assessment of the capacity and needs of the Iraqi justice sector.

We support the programme proposed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for promoting and protecting human rights in Iraq, including their call for immediate funding of US$950,000 to deploy human rights officers to Iraq. The UK has agreed to allocate £400,000 (US$650,000) towards the OHCHR's request.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has appointed my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) as his Special Envoy to Iraq on Human Rights and she will report back to him with recommendations.

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to secure human rights for the citizens of post-conflict Iraq. [120141]

Mr. Rammell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Phil Sawford) today (UIN 119716).

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of (a) human rights in Iraq, (b) the opportunities for those responsible for the interim administration in Iraq to protect human rights and (c) the challenges to maintain human rights in that country. [120142]

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Mr. Rammell: The Coalition Provisional Authority is undertaking an assessment of the capacity and needs of the Iraqi justice sector. The assessment will provide a basis for evaluating issues relating to the protection of human rights in Iraq.

We are also supporting the programme proposed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for promoting and protecting human rights in Iraq, including their call for immediate funding of US$950,000 to deploy human rights officers to Iraq. The UK has agreed to allocate £400,000 (US$650,000) towards the OHCHR's request.

Kenya

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on women's property rights in Kenya. [119988]

Mr. Mullin: Women in Kenya are at present seriously disadvantaged in terms of inheritance and property rights. President Kibaki's new Government is committed to taking a sympathetic approach to gender rights. We will include this as part of our dialogue with the Kenyan Government on human rights issues. We are also, through our High Commission in Nairobi, supporting Kenyan civil society organisations, such as the Kenya Land Alliance, which seek to address the problem of women's property rights and advocate a fairer and more transparent land policy.

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