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23 Feb 2004 : Column 80W—continued
Department Branding
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on branding the Department between 1997–98 and 2003–04, broken down by (a) consultancy fees, (b) design and orders for new stationery, (c) website design and (d) other material featuring new logos. [154067]
Mr. Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not spend funds on branding the Department.
Departmental Expenditure
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent on implementing (a) the OECD convention on combating bribery and (b) Part 12 of the Anti-terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001 in each year since 1997. [155009]
Mr. MacShane: Foreign and Commonwealth Office expenditure in this area involves work by staff at home and abroad and is not recorded in such a way as to permit an answer to this question. UK Trade and Investment, which is co-funded by my Department and the Department for Trade and Industry, has produced a guidance leaflet on UK Bribery and Corruption Law. A small amount of other expenditure, for example on travel costs, has been incurred but is not accounted for separately from other related activities.
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Drugs Production
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the results of Plan Colombia on drugs production and use (a) in Colombia and (b) elsewhere. [154939]
Mr. Mullin: According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's (UNODC) latest survey, available on the UN website: www.un.org, there was a 30 per cent. decrease in the amount of coca cultivated in Colombia in 2002: 102,071 hectares at the end of 2002, compared with 144,807 hectares at the end of 2001.
While cultivation in Colombia decreased in 2002, there was an increase in Peru and Bolivia and farmers have increased productivity through the introduction of higher yielding varieties of coca and by increasing the number of plants planted per hectare.
Drug consumption is believed to be rising in Colombia. Latest UN figures for global consumption indicate that the number of people consuming drugs regularly were 200 million worldwide in the period 2000–01 compared with 185 million worldwide in the period 1998–2000.
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have taken place since the end of the war in Afghanistan in levels of (a) poppy cultivation and (b) heroin production in areas previously controlled by (i) the Taliban and (ii) the Northern Alliance. [155001]
Mr. Rammell: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducts an annual survey into the level of opium poppy cultivation and production in Afghanistan.
According to the UNODC annual survey, the estimated volume of opium production and cultivation in each of the last three years is as follows:
| Hectares | Tonnes | |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8,000 | 185 |
| 2002 | 74,000 | 3,400 |
| 2003 | 80,000 | 3,600 |
Since the end of the war in 2001, survey figures have recorded rises in opium poppy cultivation and production in all provinces, including those controlled previously by the Taliban and the Northern Alliance. However the low level of cultivation and low production figure in 2001 reflect the Taliban ban on opium cultivation, which did not address the underlying causes of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan and was enforced with a mix of threat and bribery.
Somalia
Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will investigate the allegations of (a) genocide, (b) crimes against humanity and (c) war crimes against General Mohammed Hersi Morgan, while Governor of Hargeisa in 1988; [154132]
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- (2) if he will pursue at the United Nations the allegations of (a) genocide, (b) war crimes and (c) crimes against humanity in Hargeisa in 1988; [154133]
(3) if he will assist the Government of the Republic of Somaliland in pursuing those responsible for the alleged war crimes in Hargeisa in 1988. [154135]
Mr. Mullin: In 1988 the then British Government expressed concern at reports of serious human rights violations in Somalia and suspended their aid programme. We have no current plans to take further action in relation to those events. Our priority for the moment is to achieve stability and peace in the south.
Iran
Mr. McFall: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Iranian Government on (a) cultural and (b) educational programmes. [154094]
Mr. Mullin: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has discussed educational and cultural matters with the Iranian Government, most recently during the visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister to London in February 2003.
In the last few years, the Government has stepped up its promotion of educational and cultural links with Iran, for example through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Chevening Scholarships scheme, which enables a number of high-achieving Iranians to study at UK universities each year. The British Council reopened in Tehran in 2001.
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had while in Iran on the treatment of (a) different ethnic groups and (b) women within that country; and if he will make a statement. [155833]
Mr. Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last visited Iran in October 2003, with his French and German counterparts. On that occasion, the three Ministers decided to focus their discussion with Iranian leaders solely on the nuclear issue. But in his other frequent contacts with the Iranian Government, he has made clear our serious concerns about discrimination against and persecution of women and minorities in Iran.
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had while in Iran on the development of democracy in that country; and if he will make a statement. [155834]
Mr. Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last visited Iran in October 2003, with his French and German counterparts. On that occasion, the three Ministers decided to focus their discussion with Iranian leaders solely on the nuclear issue. However, in other contacts with the Iranian Government, he has made clear our support for the development of democracy and reform, and our deep concern at the disqualification of candidates from the parliamentary elections on 20 February.
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Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he (a) received and (b) made while on his recent visit to Iran on religious freedoms. [155835]
Mr. Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last visited Iran in October 2003, with his French and German counterparts. On that occasion, the three Ministers decided to focus their discussion with Iranian leaders solely on the nuclear issue. However, in other contacts with the Iranian Government, he has made our serious concerns about restrictions on religious freedom in Iran and the persecution of people for their beliefs.
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he (a) received and (b) made while on his recent visit to Iran, on the recent mass resignation of Iranian MPs; and if he will make a statement. [155836]
Mr. Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last visited Iran in October 2003, before the disqualification of candidates for the Majlis elections and the mass resignation of Iranian MPs. In contacts with Iranian leaders since the current dispute began, he has made clear our deep concerns. For elections in any country to be free and fair, it is essential that voters should be able to choose from a range of candidates.
Iraq
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) for what reason elements of the PhD thesis by Dr. Ibrahim al Marashi were incorporated into the Government's second dossier on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction; and if he will make a statement; [153061]
- (2) for what reason elements of the PhD thesis by Dr. Ibrahim al Marashi were altered before incorporation into the Government's second dossier on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction; who authorised these alterations; and if he will make a statement; [153062]
(3) who authorised the use of parts of the PhD thesis by Dr. Ibrahim al Marashi in the Government's second dossier on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction; when the decision to do so was taken; and if he will make a statement. [153063]
Mr. Rammell: The circumstances surrounding the inclusion of Dr. Al Marashi's PhD thesis in the document produced by the Communications Information Centre in February 2003, and the roles of the officials involved, were set out in a memorandum to the Foreign Affairs Committee by the then Director of Communications at 10 Downing street dated 24 June 2003 (paragraphs 11–16), and in his evidence before the Committee on 25 June 2003 (questions 1064–1090).
Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Iraqi Governing Council regarding Sharia law in Iraq. [153703]
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Mr. Rammell: It is for the Iraqis to debate and decide the future laws suitable for their country. We will seek to use our influence, however, to ensure that Iraqi law is compatible with international human rights standards.
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what he expects will become of the (a) International Advisory and Monitoring Board and (b) Iraq Development Fund after a sovereign government of Iraq is established; to whom control of the monies will be passed; and if he will make a statement. [154547]
Mr. Straw: According to UN Security Council Resolution 1483, Iraqi revenues from the export of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas should be deposited into the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) until an
"internationally recognised, representative government of Iraq" is formed. Unless the Security Council decides otherwise, it will then be for that government to decide how they handle future revenues. At the same time, there will remain a continuing obligation on UN member states to transfer financial assets or economic resources of the former Iraqi regime to the DFI.
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British representatives sit on the Programme Review Board which determines expenditure in Iraq; what the relationship of the Board to (a) the United Kingdom Government, (b) the US Government and (c) the Iraqi Governing Council is; and if he will make a statement. [154548]
Mr. Straw: The Programme Review Board (PRB) was established to enable emergency or unanticipated extra-budgetary spending requests to be brought to a joint Iraqi-Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) body for assessment and authorisation. CPA Regulations 2–4 (available online at www.cpa-iraq.org) outline the criteria for the PRB's operations.
The relationship of the UK and US Governments and the Iraqi Governing Council to the PRB is reflected in the distribution of voting members of the PRB. which includes representatives of:
- the Governments of the United Kingdom and Australia;
- the Iraqi Minister of Finance (who is accountable to the Iraqi Governing Council);
- Officials from the US and other coalition members from the CPA's Economic Affairs, Governance and Security Policy Offices, and Office of Infrastructure and Operations;
- the Iraqi Council for International Co-operation;
- and the Coalition Military (Combined Joint Task Force 7).
One UK Voting Member may attend the Board.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what definition he uses of humanitarian intervention, with particular reference to the invasion of Iraq. [154978]
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Mr. Rammell: Our decision to take military action was to enforce Iraq's disarmament obligations, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. It was taken as a last resort. The Iraqi regime's refusal to cooperate left us with no option. Authority to use force against Iraq derived from the combined effect of UNSCRs 678, 687 and 1441; and all of these resolutions were adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which allows the use offeree for the express purpose of restoring international peace and security.
Clearly, however, the removal of Saddam Hussein's oppressive regime has had humanitarian benefits for the Iraqi people. The coalition and international community are helping to rebuild Iraq's infrastructure. Donors have committed $33 billion in grants and concessional loans; and Iraq's assets and oil revenue are now being used for the benefit of the Iraqi people.
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UN Monitoring Verification and Inspection Commission inspectors discovered at the Al-Rafah test site; whether additional information has since been found by the Iraq Survey Group; and whether the Government has obtained further information since September 2002 on Al-Rafah in addition to that produced by the UN Special Commission on Iraq and the Iraq Survey Group. [155057]
Mr. Mullin: As reported by Dr. Hans Blix in the UN Monitoring Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) working document on unresolved disarmament issues published on 6 March 2003, UNMOVIC inspectors discovered the construction of a new liquid propellant test stand at Al-Rafah designed for both horizontal and vertical testing of engines for Al-Samoud missiles.
The Iraq Survey Group is continuing to carry out investigations at sites throughout Iraq. They will present their findings in due course.
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library all minutes in English of the Coalition Provisional Authority Program Review Board to date. [155287]
Mr. Straw: Yes. These minutes are also available on-line at the Coalition Provisional Authority website: www.cpa-iraq.org/budget/program review board.html.
Mr. Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) financial and (b) other support the Government are giving to promote inter-religious dialogue in Iraq. [155564]
Mr. Rammell: The UK Government are funding an inter-faith conference in Baghdad this month, organised by Iraqis with support from the International Centre for Reconciliation based at Coventry Cathedral. Participants have been drawn from the leaderships of mainstream Iraqi religious communities. This is one of a number of initiatives which aim to promote religious dialogue in Iraq. UK and Coalition Provisional Authority officials are in regular dialogue with religious leaders about a range of issues.
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Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the organisation of regional caucuses in the British-controlled areas of Iraq. [155858]
Mr. Straw: On 15 November 2003, the Iraqi Governing Council announced the process and timetable for the handover of power to a sovereign Iraqi Government and democratic elections. Since then the Coalition Provisional Authority has engaged in a process of consultation with the Governing Council and others on the best way to establish a transitional national administration before full democratic elections are held. The UN Secretary-General sent a technical team to Iraq this month to examine the options for elections. His team's report was due on 21 February. We look forward to receiving its recommendations, to which we will give serious consideration.
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposed deadline for transfer of power to a transitional Government in Iraq. [155859]
Mr. Straw: On 15 November 2003, the Iraqi Governing Council announced the process and timetable for the hand-over of power in Iraq, including the establishment of an Iraqi transitional Government by 30 June 2004. We believe that deadline remains realistic and are working hard to achieve the hand-over by that date.
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the mandate of a transitional Government in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [155860]
Mr. Straw: On 15 November 2003, the Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) announced the process and timetable for the hand-over of power in Iraq. This includes the drafting of the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL), which will define the powers and principles of the Iraqi transitional administration. It is important that the TAL gains wide acceptance among Iraqis. It is currently being debated within the IGC. We will use our influence to help ensure that the TAL safeguards fundamental rights and contributes to the building of a free, democratic Iraq at peace with its neighbours.
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