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23 Mar 2004 : Column 750W—continued
Laos
Mr. Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between the United Kingdom and Laos. [156237]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Our relations with Laos are not extensive. There is only modest trade between the two countries, and our contacts with the Lao Government are limited. We are keen to see the development of democracy and of the economy in Laos and, in particular, improvements in its human rights performance.
We do not have an Embassy in Laos. Our Embassy in Bangkok is accredited to Laos, and Embassy staff visit periodically and monitor major developments there, including the human rights situation. Around 20,000 British nationals visit Laos each year. Consular facilities are kindly provided by the Australian Embassy in Vientiane.
Mr. Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Laos Government regarding the treatment of Christians. [156238]
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Mr. Mike O'Brien: We are aware of reports of the mistreatment of Christians in Laos. Our Embassy in Bangkok (which is accredited to Laos) monitors the situation.
Our contacts with the Laos Government are limited, but we have raised our human rights concerns on a number of occasions either in bilateral contacts or through the European Union. Most recently, for example, in January the Deputy Head of Mission at our Embassy in Bangkok raised human rights and the persecution of Christians with HE Madam Khempheng Pholsena, the Lao Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Promotion of human rights, including freedom of thought, conscience and religion, is at the heart of our foreign policy. We condemn instances where individuals are persecuted because of their faith or belief, wherever they happen and whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned.
We will continue to raise our concerns with the Lao authorities when opportunities arise.
Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the overall annual cost to public funds has been, including the 2.5 staff cited in the Cabinet Office publication, Public Bodies 2003, of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission; and when spending on it will next be reviewed. [162732]
Mr. Straw: The overall annual cost of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission in the current financial year is £1,966,500. This budget is reviewed annually. The budget for 2004–05 will be £2,083,784.
McCann v. United Kingdom
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have
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been made to the records of the Gibraltar Coroner following the European Court of Human Rights judgment in McCann v. United Kingdom. [162065]
Mr. MacShane: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the then Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the late Derek Fatchett, on 10 February 1998,Official Report, col. 114. No changes have been made to the records of the Gibraltar coroner following this judgement.
Mr. Maajid Nawaz
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government has made to the Egyptian Government since 13 January regarding Mr. Maajid Nawaz. [163254]
Mr. Mullin: I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's answer of 26 January 2004, Official Report, columns 49–50W. The British Ambassador in Cairo raised our concerns about this case with the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 15 January, one of many representations we have made to the Egyptian authorities since Mr. Nawas was first detained. The case was also raised with Egyptian Government officials on 7 March.
Secondees
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the secondees from outside organisations working in his Department, stating in each case (a) the name of the person, (b) the name of the organisation, (c) the post held and (d) the start and finish dates of the secondment; and which are involved in drafting parliamentary answers. [160601]
Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answer 11 March 2004]: The list of secondees from outside organisations working in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are detailed in the following table.
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While on secondment, secondees are subject to Civil Service terms and conditions, and are expected to undertake the full range of duties attached to the post, including the provision of drafts for parliamentary questions if required.
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