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Food Expenditure
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on food by his Department and by each of the agencies for which it is responsible in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03; what proportion of that food by value was produced in the United Kingdom; what guidance he has issued to encourage the procurement of home-produced food; and if he will make a statement. [129371]
Mr. Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) expenditure on food consumed in the UK in 2002–03 amounted to approximately £550,000. Information about 2001–02 expenditure and the proportion of food produced in the UK could only be provided at disproportionate cost. It is only in 2002–03 that we have started to centrally compile this data.
FCO purchasing policy is to buy goods and services on the basis of value for money and through competition unless there are compelling reasons to the contrary. We are currently reviewing our arrangements for buying food for UK consumption as part of a review of public sector food procurement which is being led by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. That review will include examination of whether UK and small producers are being given a proper chance to win contracts.
British Detainees (Guantanamo Bay)
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the US Administration regarding the fate of British nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay; and if he will make a statement. [129626]
Mr. Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Attorney General has recently held a number of rounds of talks with the US Administration. His objective has been to ensure that the British nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay. if prosecuted, are assured of fair
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trials that meet generally recognised principles, wherever those trials take place, and to make clear our opposition to the death penalty. We are discussing a number of options with the US Government. The possibility of repatriating the detainees remains under discussion. Further talks are planned for the near future.
Immigration and Asylum
Mr. Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the new EU states about immigration and asylum. [129603]
Mr. MacShane: My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Home Secretary (who has lead responsibility for asylum and immigration matters), and other government ministers have regular discussions with their counterparts in the new Member States on issues of asylum and immigration. These discussions take place within formal bilaterals as well as in the margins of other meetings.
Iraq
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his statement of 8 September 2003 on Iraq, with regard to the post-conflict reconstruction effort in that country, how many contracts for reconstruction projects were in place with companies prior to 27 July 2003; how many contracts for reconstruction projects were placed with companies between 27 July and 8 September 2003; how many of the reconstruction projects agreed prior to 27 July 2003 are under way; how many reconstruction projects placed with companies after 27 July 2003 are under way; how many of the reconstruction projects agreed prior to 27 July 2003 are complete; and how many of the reconstruction projects agreed after 27 July 2003 are complete. [129283]
Mr. Straw: 15 contracts for reconstruction projects were in place with companies prior to 27 July 2003; one contract for a reconstruction project was placed between 27 July and 8 September 2003; 12 of the reconstruction projects agreed prior to 27 July 2003 are under way; one reconstruction project placed after 27 July 2003 is under way. These long-term contracts are not yet complete.
This answer relates to primary contracts from the US and British Governments. Several hundred sub-contracts exist.
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what countries have promised to provide troops to the coalition force in Iraq; how many were originally promised; and how many are deployed in Iraq from each country. [129745]
Mr. Rammell: In addition to 11,000 UK and 140,000 US forces, over 30 countries are committed to join the Coalition in Iraq. The following countries are already deployed; Italy (3,000), Netherlands (1,100), Denmark (420), Lithuania (88), Czech Republic (330), Romania (510), Norway (140), Bulgaria (480), Dominican Republic (300), Hungary (300), Mongolia (250), Poland (2,300), Slovakia (120), Spain (1,250), Thailand (26), Ukraine, (1,800), Albania (70), Kazakhstan (25),
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Uzbekistan (135), Georgia (69), Macedonia (25), Azerbaijan (150), Moldova (42), Estonia (43), Latvia (142), Honduras (366), El Salvador (415), Nicaragua (111), South Korea (675) and the Philippines (55).
Portugal will send 130 military police and New Zealand 44 engineers (for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance) later this month to assist the UK area. Tonga are also expected to deploy troops and Thailand and Denmark are committed to send further forces at a later date.
Israel
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of recent developments in Israel on the peace process. [129061]
Mr. Rammell: The renewal in mid-August of the familiar cycle of violence in Israel and the Occupied Territories has set back the peace process. But the vast majority of Israelis and Palestinians want an end to this violence and a lasting peace. The will of the international community to work for peace remains strong. We must encourage all parties to overcome the current difficulties, implement the roadmap and realise its vision of a two-state solution. To do this, the new Palestinian leadership must act with renewed determination to stop the suicide bombers, and Israel must stop targeted killings.
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press the Israeli Government to stop further seizures of land from Palestinians. [130379]
Mr. Rammell: My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have raised with the Government of Israel, the UK's concerns about the seizure of Palestinian land. We deplore both continuing settlement activity and land appropriation and the isolation of Palestinian villages for construction of the 'security fence'. Our embassy in Tel Aviv and FCO officials have also raised this matter with Israel and will continue to do so; lasting peace can only be achieved through a negotiated settlement and not unilateral actions.
Pakistan
Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have taken place with representatives from Pakistan regarding the persecution of Christians; and what has been done to encourage the Pakistani administration to stop such activities. [129096]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: We remain concerned about the treatment of Christians and misuse of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan. The EU made clear its concerns and raised specific cases with the Pakistan authorities on 7 February 2003 and again on 23 June 2003. We will remain engaged and continue to urge Pakistan to pursue laws and practices to protect Christians and other religious minorities against discrimination, intimidation and attacks.
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Peter Bleach
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made with the Government's request to release Mr. Peter Bleach from India; and what action will be taken if Mr. Bleach is released into UK custody by the Indian authorities. [129761]
Mr. Rammell: During his visit to the UK in June, the Indian Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. L K Advani, gave assurances to my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary that he would take a fresh look at Mr. Bleach's case. Our High Commission in New Delhi continues to make representations to the Government of India about Mr. Bleach's case.
In the event of Mr. Bleach's release, we understand the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs will notify our Posts in Kolkata and New Delhi, where consular officers stand ready to make the practical arrangements for Mr. Bleach's return to the UK.
The British Deputy High Commission in Kolkata remains in close contact with Mr. Bleach about his case. Our consular staff in Kolkata will continue to visit Mr. Bleach regularly and do all they properly can to help him, and will let him know immediately of any developments.
Somali People (Entry Clearance)
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements are made at UK diplomatic posts in (a) Kenya and (b) Ethiopia for entry clearance applications to be made by Somali people to travel to the UK. [129743]
Mr. Mullin: Due to a specific threat, our High Commission in Nairobi has introduced security restrictions to those entering the High Commission compound.
As a result, the Visa Section is currently only able to accept applications for entry clearance from those who hold appropriate documentation confirming their nationality and identity.
The documents currently accepted by the High Commission in Nairobi are:
- national passports issued by a competent authority of a Government recognised by the British Government;
stateless documents issued by a competent authority of a Government recognised by the British Government; and
Kenyan national identity cards.
The High Commission is keeping the security situation under close review and the restrictions will be in place no longer than necessary. However, UKvisas and the Visa
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Section in Nairobi are actively reviewing the procedures to try and identify ways for Somali nationals without documentation to submit applications that are compatible with maintaining security.
Our embassy in Addis Ababa does not face the same security issues as our High Commission in Nairobi. The Visa Section in Addis Ababa is able to accept applications from all Somali nationals, even those without documents. Applications can be made in person or through an agent. Applicants are then allocated a date to attend the Visa Section for an interview.
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