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Iraq

Mr. Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what timetable is planned for elections in Iraq. [129613]

Mr. Rammell: We believe that it should be for the Iraqi people to determine the timetable for their elections, with appropriate international help as required. A Constitutional Preparatory Committee is due to report by mid-September with recommendations on drafting a constitution, a process which we hope will reach fruition by mid-2004, with the aim that national elections would be held shortly thereafter.

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made since July regarding the involvement of other international bodies in Iraq. [130042]

Mr. Rammell: The Government remain committed to a vital role for the UN in Iraq, as provided for by Security Council Resolution 1483. The Security Council is currently considering a draft resolution which would encourage further participation by the UN and the international community in assisting Iraq, including in

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the political processes leading to the formation of a representative government. The Secretary-General's report of 17 July (of which a copy has been placed in the Library of the House) identified further areas in which the UN could contribute to the initial effort in Iraq. The Government would support an increased UN contribution in these areas. Following the terrorist attack on the United Nations Headquarters in Baghdad on 19 August, the UN's efforts in Iraq have inevitably been scaled back. We are in discussion with the UN on the security measures needed to ensure that the UN is able to resume and expand its role in Iraq.

Since July, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have been active in Iraq producing first needs assessments for the reconstruction of Iraq. This in-country work was cut short by the outrage against the UN headquarters on 19 August, but finalisation of the assessments continues.

It is vital for Iraq that international NGOs continue their work on the ground. It is hoped that, as the security situation in Iraq improves, these organisations will continue with their humanitarian efforts. The Madrid Donors' Conference next month should give a significant boost to Iraq's reconstruction process.

ISAF

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with representatives of allied countries on extending the mandate of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [129075]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: The UK has regular discussions with international partners at all levels on all matters relating to Afghanistan, including the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). NATO took over leadership of ISAF in August 2003 and is currently engaged in a review of ISAF's role. It would be inappropriate for us to second-guess the outcome of this review and any possible effect it might have on the ISAF mandate. But any change to ISAF's role would also require amendment of its mandate through the UN.

Microsoft (Licensing Fees)

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was paid to Microsoft in licensing fees by his Department and its agencies in each of the last three years; and how much has been budgeted for (a) 2003–04 and (b) 2004–05. [130684]

Mr. Rammell: The amounts paid by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for Microsoft software licences over the past three years were: £0.12 million in 2000–01; £0.61 million in 2001–02; and £0.45 million in 2002–03. Projected spend for 2003–04 is £0.15 million. There is no specific budget for Microsoft software licences in 2004–05, although the overall software budget is £2.3 million.

Nepal

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Nepal. [129465]

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Mr. Mike O'Brien: The collapse of the ceasefire and peace talks between the Government of Nepal and the Maoists is a very disappointing development. It heightens the risk of renewed violence and suffering in Nepal which will benefit no-one.

It remains the firm belief of the UK Government that no military solution to the conflict is possible, and we welcome the Nepalese Government's expressed willingness to continue to pursue a peaceful solution. We strongly urge all parties to return to the negotiation table, and work together to find a lasting solution.

The UK Government stand ready to provide support for a renewed peace process. UK assistance to Nepal has included a £6 million Global Conflict Prevention Pool package this year to help tackle the root causes of the conflict. The Department for International Development is providing £22 million of development assistance this financial year.

Terrorism

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what studies have been received by the United Nations Security Council Counter Terrorism Committee from (a) academic sources, (b) think-tanks and (c) experts on terrorism; and what the policy is on the availability to the general public of submissions by the United Kingdom to the UNSCCTC. [130359]

Mr. Rammell: We are not aware that any reports from academic sources, think-tanks or experts on terrorism have been formally submitted to the UN's Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC). However, the CTC has an established body of experts advising it. In the course of their work, the Experts draw on all available sources of information to provide the most up-to-date and effective guidance to the Committee. The CTC makes available to the public all reports from member states by posting them on its official website www.un.org/sc/ctc. This includes the three reports that the United Kingdom has submitted to the CTC to date.

Uganda

Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are taken at the British High Commission in Uganda to ensure fair access to the High Commission for those wishing to obtain visas for entry to the UK. [129639]

Mr. Mullin: Since October 2002, the Visa Section in Kampala has operated a same day service despite an unprecedented level of demand for visas. UK visas have allocated two extra Entry Clearance Officers to deal with this demand.

I am aware of problems with the current queuing system. Applications are considered on a first come first served basis but applicants with medical conditions can make pre-arranged appointments to visit the Visa Section. The elderly, children and the infirm are also given priority.

To improve the situation, from December all applications will be submitted on paper via an outsourced courier service. Applicants will therefore not be required to visit the Visa Section to submit their applications in person.

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UN Arms Embargoes

Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response his Department made to the UN Panel of Experts Fowler Report on its recommendations for secondary sanctions against states that have been complicit in breaching UN arms embargoes. [129864]

Mr. Rammell: The UK supported the recommendation by the Fowler Report to place secondary sanctions against countries complicit in breaching the UN arms embargo against Angola (UNITA) (UNSCR 864(1993). But the UK recognised that there were a number of practical difficulties to overcome, not least gaining consensus amongst Security Council members that there would be sufficient proof to declare a State guilty of deliberate sanctions busting. Initially the issue was kept alive by UNSCR 1295(2000), passed subsequent to the Fowler Report on 18 April 2000. Paragraph 5 of the resolution expressed

"its readiness . . . to consider appropriate action in accordance with the Charter in relation to States it determines to have violated the measures contained in those [ie sanctions] resolutions, and establishes 18 November 2000 as the deadline for an initial decision in this regard". But when the Security Council considered the Monitoring Mechanism's (delayed) report in February 2001, Canada called for the Security Council to focus on imposing secondary sanctions, and did so again in November 2001; each time without success due to a lack of consensus.

United Nations Security Council

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has during the United Kingdom presidency of the United Nations Security Council to increase the transparency of the Council's activities; and whether he plans to increase public knowledge of the content and implications of UNSC resolutions. [130369]

Mr. Rammell: I presented the Government's programme of work for the UK Presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) during the debate on the UN held in Westminster Hall on 11 September. The Programme of Work can be viewed on the website of the UK Mission to the UN in New York www.ukun.org. Wherever possible, UNSC activities are transparent, and the UK's Presidency includes a number of open meetings. For example, there have been Open Briefings on the Middle East and on Liberia, and there will be an Open Meeting on Sierra Leone and an Open Debate on Justice and the Rule of Law.

Press statements, Presidential statements and all UNSC Resolutions are available to the public, most readily on the UN's official website www.un.org. I also refer my hon. Friend to the United Kingdom in the United Nations Command Paper (Cm 5898).

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