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9 Jul 2003 : Column 818W—continued
Pakistan
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Government of Pakistan on the impact of Shari'a law on Pakistani Christians in the North West Frontier Province. [123638]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: We are aware that a Shariat Bill has been passed in the North West Frontier Province which envisages an Islamic way of life there. No representation has been made because the human rights implications are as yet unclear. The law is not yet in force and its constitutionality has reportedly been challenged in the Supreme Court. Our High Commission in Pakistan will continue to monitor the evolving situation closely.
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Government of Pakistan on the imprisonment of Pakistani Christians charged with blasphemy. [123639]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: We remain concerned about the treatment of minorities and misuse of the blasphemy laws. We are aware of a number of people (including Pakistani Christians) who are imprisoned for blasphemy, some of whom are facing the death sentence. On 7 February 2003 the EU Presidency in Islamabad delivered a comprehensive demarche to the Minister of State (Law, Justice and Human Rights), Mr. Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj, expressing our serious concerns. The Presidency reiterated these concerns to Mr. Harraj, in a second demarche on 23 June 2003. With our EU partners, we will continue to press for the death penalty to be abolished and blasphemy laws amended.
Rwanda
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the prospect for free and fair elections in Rwanda. [124007]
Mr. Mullin: The Rwandan authorities have announced that Presidential and Parliamentary elections will be held in August and September. We have encouraged the Government gradually to open up political space in the run-up to these and to ensure that the elections are free, fair and transparent. A new law governing political organisations and politicians was adopted on 23 June. This prohibits parties from basing themselves on
- "race, ethnic group, tribe, clan, region, sex, religion or any other division which may give rise to discrimination".
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Taiwan
Mr. Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to support Taiwan's efforts to be granted observer status at the World Health Organisation. [121322]
Mr. Rammell: I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) on 26 March 2003, Official Report, column 260W, and 28 April 2003, Official Report, column 134W.
A number of World Health Assembly (WHA) members proposed that Taiwan be granted observer status to the WHA. China and a number of countries strongly opposed this. This proposal did not make the agenda for the WHA and was not therefore discussed.
UK Arms Exports
Mr. Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the use of UK arms exports to Indonesia. [123939]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, North (Jeremy Corbyn) on 12 June 2003, Official Report, columns 1038–39W, and the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) on 3 July 2003, Official Report, column 455W.
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
Crown Green Bowling
Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the contribution crown green bowling makes to the promotion of (a) social cohesion and (b) a healthier nation. [123516]
Mr. Caborn [holding answer 8 July 2003]: The Government appreciate that sport and physical activity have valuable roles to play in tackling a wide range of objectives, including promoting social cohesion and improving health. This Department and Sport England have, however, made no formal assessment specifically of the role of crown green bowling in the promotion of social cohesion and a healthier nation.
Olympic Bid
Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has (a) received from and (b) made to the Scottish Executive concerning the London Olympic bid. [122523]
Tessa Jowell: I recently received representations from Frank McAveety, Scottish Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, concerning the London Olympic bid, in which he generally welcomed the bid and identified
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the need, which I endorse, to work together closely to maximise the benefits of the Olympics for the whole of the UK. Mr. McAveety also raised concerns about the potential impact of the Olympics on the Lottery in Scotland and I intend to respond to his letter shortly.
In January this year I discussed the London Olympic bid at Sports Cabinet, the body which brings together the four Home Country Ministers with responsibility for sport. At this meeting I outlined the key criteria on which the decision to support a London bid for 2012 would be based—affordability, deliverability, legacy and winnability.
DCMS officials have also had various discussions with their Scottish Executive counterparts and I am keen that in taking forward work on the Olympic bid there is a clear and open dialogue between my Department and the Devolved Administrations.
Projects (Merseyside)
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what projects the Department supported in the Crosby constituency and Merseyside in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002 and (d) 2003. [116286]
Mr. Caborn: The information required has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Regional Sports Budgets
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether Sport England has settled regional budgets for the current year; and what the budget allocation is for the English regions. [124241]
Mr. Caborn: Sport England has not yet set the budgets for the regions and is currently looking at a range of options regarding future funding.
Royal Parks
Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what representations she has received regarding Royal Parks in the last 12 months; [123372]
- (2) what plans she has to work with The Royal Parks Foundation in the regeneration of Royal Parks; [123373]
(3) what recent discussions she has had with The Royal Parks Foundation; and if she will make a statement; [123374]
(4) if she will make a statement on the condition of Royal Parks in London; [123376]
(5) what further plans she has to maintain the condition of The Royal Parks following the recently announced funding to restore Royal Parks. [123375]
Mr. Caborn: DCMS receives many representations about various aspects of the role and work of The Royal Parks over the course of a year.
The latest assessment of The Royal Parks' priorities and plans, including plans to improve the condition of
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infrastructure in the Parks, is contained in The Royal Parks Corporate Plan 2003–04 to 2005–06, which my right hon. Friend the then Minister for the Arts, Baroness Blackstone, approved on 12 May 2003. Copies of the Plan have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
The Royal Parks Foundation is a charity which has very recently been established to increase the profile of the Parks and raise funds for projects and initiatives within the Parks. It has three trustees and is chaired by Peter Ellwood CBE. It shares the vision and objectives of The Royal Parks but is independent of Government, and will make its own decisions about the use of any funds which it raises. The Chief Executive of The Royal Parks is working closely with the Foundation and is in regular contact with its Chairman and trustees. The Royal Parks has not so far received any funding from the Foundation. The Foundation has yet to start its fund-raising work and its programme will take time to develop.
HOME DEPARTMENT
Asylum Seekers
Mr. Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers from Chechnya have been removed. [123478]
Beverley Hughes: Information on the number of people of Chechen origin removed from the UK is not available except by examination of individual case files, which would incur disproportionate cost.
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been housed in each of the London local authorities in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [123484]
Beverley Hughes: The information is not available in the form requested.
The availability of information on the location of asylum seekers in the UK is currently linked to the support the asylum seeker receives. Asylum seekers in the UK either receive support from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), local authorities or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), or are supporting themselves.
The following table contains the numbers of asylum seekers (including dependants) supported by NASS as at the end December 2000 and December 2001. It is not possible to split data for these periods into each of the London boroughs.
| December | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2001 | ||
| Asylum seekers (including dependants) supported in NASS accommodation | 250 | 1,470 | |
| Asylum seekers (including dependants) in receipt of subsistence only support from NASS | 6,210 | 17,910 | |
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The data for December 2002 can be split into the London boroughs:
| Asylum seekers (including dependants) supported in NASS accommodation | Asylum seekers (including dependants) in receipt of subsistence only support from NASS | |
|---|---|---|
| Barking and Dagenham | 45 | 475 |
| Barnet | 90 | 805 |
| Bexley | 10 | 105 |
| Brent | 50 | 2,245 |
| Bromley | 20 | 155 |
| Camden | 35 | 605 |
| Croydon | 50 | 1,120 |
| Ealing | 90 | 1,900 |
| Enfield | 365 | 1,430 |
| Greenwich | 45 | 685 |
| Hackney | 135 | 1,570 |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | 95 | 475 |
| Haringey | 520 | 2,575 |
| Harrow | 65 | 790 |
| Havering | — | 60 |
| Hillingdon | 20 | 625 |
| Hounslow | 35 | 750 |
| Islington | 145 | 810 |
| Kensington and Chelsea | 15 | 260 |
| Kingston upon Thames | 25 | 170 |
| Lambeth | 100 | 1,240 |
| Lewisham | 80 | 1,060 |
| Merton | 20 | 715 |
| Newham | 180 | 2,660 |
| Redbridge | 25 | 755 |
| Richmond upon Thames | 15 | 60 |
| Southwark | 55 | 1,170 |
| Sutton | — | 150 |
| Tower Hamlets | 20 | 380 |
| Waltham Forest | 175 | 1,395 |
| Wandsworth | 35 | 855 |
| Westminster | 40 | 515 |
| Other | — | 5 |
| Total | 2,605 | 28,555 |
The following numbers are taken from the grant claims sent to the Home Office by local authorities, as at the end of the financial year. Asylum seekers are not necessarily resident in the local authority that supports them due to the voluntary dispersal programme which operated prior to NASS.
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No information is held centrally on the location or residence of asylum seekers supported by DWP or who support themselves.
Mr. Mudie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are referred to (a) Leeds, (b) Bradford and (c) Wakefield; and what the intended maximum numbers are for each of those areas. [123558]
Beverley Hughes: The information is not available in the form requested.
The availability of information on the location of asylum seekers in the UK is currently linked to the support the asylum seeker receives. Asylum seekers in the UK either receive support from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), local authorities or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), or are supporting themselves.
The following table contains the numbers of asylum seekers (including dependants) supported by NASS as at the end March 2003 in each of the three areas 1 .
| Number of asylum seekers (including dependants) supported in NASS accommodation | Number of asylum seekers (including dependants) receiving subsistence only support | |
|---|---|---|
| Leeds | 1,785 | 280 |
| Bradford | 1,570 | 140 |
| Wakefield | 565 | 25 |
The following numbers are taken from the grant claims sent to the Home Office by local authorities, as at the end of March 2003. (Asylum seekers are not necessarily resident in the local authority that supports them due to the voluntary dispersal programme which operated prior to NASS) 1 .
- 1 Figures have been rounded to the nearest five. These figures exclude cases where support has been ceased.
| Number of singles supported as at end March 2003 | Number of families supported as at end of March 2003 | |
|---|---|---|
| Leeds | 30 | 10 |
| Bradford | 10 | 15 |
| Wakefield | 35 | 15 |
No information is held centrally on the location or residence of asylum seekers supported by DWP or who support themselves.
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Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reception centres there are in England and Wales to which asylum seekers are sent. [123566]
Beverley Hughes: There is one establishment designated as a reception centre—the Oakington Reception Centre in Cambridgeshire, which accommodates up to 400 asylum seekers.
However, asylum seekers can also be received, on arrival, at an induction centre. Currently there are two induction centres, one in Dover and another in Leeds. Generally speaking, asylum seekers requiring accommodation will spend approximately one week in the induction centre before being dispersed. Other asylum seekers requesting either subsistence only support or who do not require support will spend between one and two days at the centre.
We are proposing to establish a national network of induction centres over the coming months.
Mr. Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information is given by British officials operating in France under juxtaposed controls to (a) undocumented and (b) inadequately documented persons who wish to claim asylum in the UK; what access they are given to independent legal advice; what monitoring is undertaken as to how many who are refused entry by British officials then claim asylum in France; and in what circumstances British officials will admit such persons to the asylum process in the UK. [124115]
Beverley Hughes: Persons refused entry to the UK at the juxtaposed controls in France who claim asylum are served with a written Notice of Refusal of Leave to Enter, which tells them that the United Kingdom is under no obligation to consider their asylum claim and that they are to be handed over to the competent French authorities.
These procedures apply both to persons with no travel documents and to those holding invalid/improper travel documents.
Given that asylum applicants are handed to the appropriate French authorities we do not routinely provide access to independent legal advisors in the UK. But public telephones are available for use in waiting areas and may be used at any time.
The UK Immigration Service does not collate figures on the numbers of persons refused leave to enter the UK at the juxtaposed controls who apply for asylum in France.
Given the clear access to the French asylum process for those who claim asylum at the juxtaposed controls, there are no circumstances where admittance to the UK asylum process will be given. It is possible, however, for the French authorities to make a request to transfer an asylum applicant to the UK if they believe the applicant is the responsibility of the UK under the criteria set out in the Dublin Convention.
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applicants have been removed from Northern Ireland in each year since 2002. [124147]
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Beverley Hughes: Information on the number of removals of persons from particular areas of the UK is not available except by examination of individual case-files; this would incur disproportionate cost.
Mr. Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the departmental press office will answer inquiries about the Taunton/Bridgwater contract run by Clearsprings Ltd. on behalf of the National Asylum Support Service. [124222]
Beverley Hughes [holding answer 7 July 2003]: The Home Office press office does answer media queries on behalf of the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) and recently provided an answer to a question from a local newspaper about Clearsprings. The newspaper was informed that Clearsprings has not yet offered NASS any specific properties and so no decisions have been made about their suitability.
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what talks he has had with his Afghan counterparts about the return of Afghan asylum seekers and making conditions safer for returning Afghan citizens. [123886]
Beverley Hughes [holding answer 8 July 2003]: The Government opened negotiations with the Afghan Authorities on return issues following the change of regime in Afghanistan. These negotiations resulted in the signing of a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding by the UK Government, the Afghan Authorities and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on 12 October 2000. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes a framework for returns from the UK to Afghanistan. We continue to have talks with the Afghan Authorities on the subject. Most recently, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary met President Karzai in London on 4 June 2003, and restated the Government's commitment to ensuring that returnees have access to reintegration assistance in Afghanistan. We will continue to work with the Afghan authorities to ensure that returns to Afghanistan are sustainable.
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