---

15 Oct 2003 : Column 265W—continued

Under-age Drinkers

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what advice has been given to the police regarding the confiscation of unopened containers of alcohol from underage drinkers following the reintroduction of regulations under the Licensing Act 2003; [131561]

(2) how police should dispose of unopened containers of alcohol confiscated from underage drinkers, following re-introduction of regulations under the Licensing Act 2003. [131691]

Ms Blears: Section 155 of the Licensing Act 2003 came into force on 10 September 2003. It extended existing police powers relating to the confiscation of alcohol from people who are drinking and causing nuisance in public places, allowing for the confiscation of sealed containers in addition to opened containers, in defined circumstances.

Home Office Circular 45/2003 issued to police forces on 10 September 2003 sets out the details of how they should apply the new powers. The Circular updates Home Office Circular 38/1997 which explains that a constable can dispose of any alcoholic drink

15 Oct 2003 : Column 266W

surrendered to him in such a manner as he considers appropriate. In most instances, this is likely to involve immediately pouring the drink away. In some cases it may be more appropriate to remove the drink from the scene and dispose of it later.

Home Office Circulars can currently be obtained from the website: http://www.knowledgenetwork.gov.uk/ ho/circular.nsf/ViewTemplate%20For%20HOCircularsWeb?OpenForm

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his Answer of 20 January 2003, Official Report, column 85W, on Iraq, what the outcome has been of the vigorous investigations into United Kingdom companies named in Iraq's declaration to the United Nations; and if he will make a statement. [131698]

Mr. MacShane: The analysis of the Iraqi declaration showed that there was no new information on British companies that merited action being taken against

15 Oct 2003 : Column 267W

them. All the British companies that were named in the declaration were already known to the relevant authorities, and their activities had already been investigated. Where appropriate, legal proceedings were pursued at the time.

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library copies of each memorandum he sent to the Prime Minister, on the situation in respect of Iraq, between 16 and 19 March this year. [131109]

Mr. Rammell: Any such material is withheld in accordance with the Code of Practice on access to Government Information, Part II paragraphs l(a), l(b) and 2.

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit Iraq. [131803]

Mr. Rammell: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no plans to visit Iraq at present, but will keep the situation under review.

Mr. Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy on the role of the United Nations in Iraq. [132237]

Mr. Rammell: UNSCR 1483 unanimously adopted on 22 May welcomes the appointment of the UN Special Representative on Iraq and resolves that the United Nations should play a vital role in humanitarian relief, the reconstruction of Iraq and the restoration and establishment of national and local institutions for representative governance.

The Government would support an increased UN role and the Security Council is currently considering a draft resolution which would encourage further participation by the UN and the international community including in the political processes leading to the formation of a representative government.

Conflict Prevention

Mr. Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many copies have been printed of the booklet entitled, "A joint UK Government approach to reducing conflict"; and what the costs were of its production and printing. [131870]

Mr. Rammell: 10,000 copies of this booklet on the Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP) have been printed. Each booklet cost approximately £2.45 to produce (production and printing).

It is important to publicise the Global Pool, particularly to NGOs, international organisations and others who might act as project deliverers, or with whom we might be able to join forces in this important field. Copies have been sent to all UK Embassies and High Commissions overseas for this purpose. Members of the public have also shown an interest in conflict prevention issues, and HMG has a duty to inform the public on how we are using public funds to improve UK efforts on conflict prevention.

The booklet has been well received since its launch on 9 September, and the Conflict Prevention Unit has received significant new interest in the GCPP since this time.

15 Oct 2003 : Column 268W

A copy of the booklet has been placed on the FCO website (www.fco.gov.uk) accessible under Global Issues-International Organisations-UN-Conflict Prevention, which should help minimise the requirement for hard copies.

Bribery

Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the guidance issued by his Department to the diplomatic posts with regard to what action they should take if they suspect bribery by a UK company to be taking place, or receive an allegation that such bribery is taking place; and what measures they should take to prevent bribery by UK companies. [132368]

Mr. MacShane: The FCO issued internal guidance on this issue to all posts shortly before the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act (ATCSA) came into force and this has been regularly refreshed. The guidance includes advice to posts about their responsibilities under the Act and instructions on how to report bribery allegations. Posts have also been asked to circulate the guidance to representatives of other government departments within their region.

Guidance on reporting bribery allegations is included in training courses for all Commercial Officers going on overseas postings. The FCO has also provided speakers to reinforce the message at seminars for British businesses in the UK and overseas. An information leaflet produced in conjunction with the Home Office and the Department of Trade and Industry is distributed at these events. Copies of this leaflet will be deposited in the Library of the House.

This specific guidance following the passage of the ATCSA complements that provided to all Crown Servants in the "Giving Evidence or Information about Suspected Crimes—A Guide for Crown Servants". This report was placed in the Library of the House on 20 March 1997 under reference dep/3/4876. It can also be accessed at website http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/../../central/2001/crownser.pdf

Departmental Budget

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of his Department's budget for the current financial year is spent on (a) information technology systems, (b) its estate and (c) staff salaries and allowances; and what the percentage was in 2000–01. [131093]

Mr. Rammell: During the year 2000–01, the FCO spent the following proportion of its budget on information technology systems, the estate and staff salaries and allowances:

	Percentage
IT systems	2.9
Estate (capital)	7.0
Staff salaries and allowances	31.0

Including costs for locally engaged staff in overseas posts

15 Oct 2003 : Column 269W

For 2003–04, the FCO has allocated the following proportions of its budget to the same areas of expenditure:

	Percentage
IT Systems	2.2
Estate (capital)	4.0
Staff salaries and allowances	24.0

The figures for estate comprise capital spending only. Responsibility for non-capital maintenance spending on the overseas estate is devolved to posts. Details of the proportion of post budgets allocated to estate maintenance are not held centrally. Gathering this information from all 230 posts could only be done with considerable effort. Total expenditure can only be determined once the financial year is over and post budget information is consolidated with other FCO expenditure.

Guinea-Bissau

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the coup in Guinea-Bissau on 14 September; what recent discussions representatives of the UK have had with representatives of (a) the former regime and (b) the new regime; and if he will make a statement. [131532]

Mr. Mullin: We condemn any assumption of power by unconstitutional means, and support a swift return to constitutional rule in Guinea-Bissau. We welcomed the quick and peaceful handover of power to the Transitional Council, and the positive role played by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in this process. There are plans to hold legislative elections by March 2004, and presidential elections by the following year. It will be important to address Guinea-Bissau's deep economic and social problems as part of wider effort to restore stability.

We have held discussions with EU and UN partners, the UNSG's Special Representative and ECOWAS about the coup. We have had no recent discussions with representatives of either the old or new regimes in Guinea-Bissau.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he and (b) members of his Department have had with representatives of (i) the Government of Portugal, (ii) the Governments of other EU member states, (iii) the US Government, (iv) the Government of South Africa, (v) the United Nations and (vi) the Organisation of West African States since 14 September concerning developments in Guinea-Bissau. [131533]

Mr. Mullin: Following the 14 September coup in Guinea Bissau, officials held discussions with the Portuguese, with other EU partners, and with Security Council partners and other United Nations officials. We supported the statements issued by the UN Security Council on 15 September and by the EU on 18 September. Neither my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary nor officials have held separate talks on Guinea Bissau with the US Government or with the South

15 Oct 2003 : Column 270W

African Government. Officials have been briefed on developments by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

---