| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
31 Mar 2004 : Column 1449W—continued
BBC
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's grant was to (a) the BBC World Service and (b) BBC World Television in each of the last three years; what the turnover was of each; and what proportion of (i) programmes broadcast and (ii) the budget of each service was devoted to educational programming. [164150]
Mr. Mullin: Figures for the grant in aid paid by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the BBC World Service and for the BBC World Service's turnover in the last three financial years are:
| Financial year | Grant in aid | World servicebroadcasting turnover |
|---|---|---|
| 2003–04 | (10)220 | (12)224.2 |
| 2002–03 | (11)201 | 205.7 |
| 2001–02 | 187.9 | 192.9 |
(10) Budget.
(11) Outturn.
(12) Forecast.
The proportions of BBC World Service programmes and of its budget devoted to educational programmes over the same period have been:
| Percentage | ||
|---|---|---|
| Financial year | Programmes | Budget |
| 2003–04 | (13)0.7 | (13)1.3 |
| 2002–03 | 0.7 | 1.4 |
| 2001–02 | 0.8 | 1.6 |
(13) Estimated.
In addition, the BBC World Service funds the BBC 'LearnEnglish' website, which generates traffic of over four million page impressions per month; and for the Chinese English language market it jointly runs with the British Council the 'In2English' which generates significant traffic.
BBC World Television is commercially funded by advertising and distribution revenue and is financially separate from the BBC World Service. It would not fall to me to comment on the allocation of funds within BBC World Television or on the content of its programming.
Egypt
Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the (a) verdict and (b) sentence of imprisonment on three British nationals in the Egyptian State Security Court on 25 March 2004; what consular support is being provided to those concerned; and what diplomatic representations are being made in their case. [164775]
31 Mar 2004 : Column 1450W
Mr. Mullin [holding answer 30 March 2004]: We will not be in a position to consider making any statement relating to the judge's decision until we have received a transcript of his summation. Our Consular officials in Cairo will continue to monitor the men's welfare and make regular consular visits. I assure the hon. Member that we will continue to do all that we properly can to assist the men and provide information and support to their relatives in the United Kingdom. We will continue to make diplomatic representations to the Egyptian Government, where appropriate, about any concerns we may have with this case, including representations about the allegations made by the men that they were tortured and mistreated in the initial days of their detention.
Eritrea
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he will make to the Government of Eritrea concerning (a) the arrest of nine evangelical Christians in Asmara on 17 March and the arrest of a further six evangelical Christians in Asmara on 18 March, (b) the arrest of 10 evangelical Christians from the Full Gospel Church in Aba Shwale district, Asmara, on 23 February and (c) the continuing detention of 46 evangelical Christians arrested at the Hallelujah Church in Asmara in mid-February; [164636]
- (2) what representations he will make to the Government of Eritrea concerning the torture of evangelical Christians in prisons. [164637]
Mr. Mullin: We continue to be concerned about restrictions on religious freedom in Eritrea and raise the issue with the Eritrean Government regularly. I discussed my concerns with President Isaias in Asmara on 15 January. Our ambassador was able to raise the cases highlighted in the Compass Direct report with the Eritrean Government on 29 March.
EU-Africa Meeting
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries will participate in the EU-Africa meeting in Dublin on 1 April 2004. [164906]
Mr. Straw: Four countries will attend the EU-Africa meeting on 1 April 2004. Mozambique and South Africa will be attending for the African Union. Ireland and the Netherlands will be attending for the European Union. The AU and EU Commissions will also be represented.
India
Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures have been taken since the publication of the Department's Human Rights Report 2003 to tackle discriminatory practices against the Dalit community in India. [163880]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Since the publication of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human Rights report in September 2003 the Government have continued to raise the subject of Dalits with the Indian Government and with officials. I raised the subject of Dalits with Deputy Prime Minister Advani on my recent
31 Mar 2004 : Column 1451W
visit to India (5–9 January). I met representatives of the Dalit Solidarity Network earlier this month to update myself on the situation.
The Department for International Development continues to support projects in India for the poorest groups, including Dalits.
Nepal
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what authority a British embassy official in Nepal made a statement on 21 December 2003 that the British Government had agreed to supply two short-take-off-and-landing planes to the Royal Nepalese Army; whether the Government have agreed to give two short-take-off-and-landing aircraft to the Royal Nepalese Army; and if he will make a statement. [164909]
Mr. Straw: As part of our wider programme of support under Global Conflict Prevention funding, the Government are planning for the supply of two STOL aircraft to Nepal. The final decision will be confirmed after the departmental minute has been laid before Parliament.
In December 2003 a member of staff at the British embassy Kathmandu used previously agreed lines to respond to a press inquiry about the planned supply.
Search and Rescue
Mr. Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) equipment, (b) personnel and (c) other assistance his Department provides to other countries for search and rescue operations involving UK citizens who have gone missing; and if he will make a statement. [164297]
Mr. Mullin: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Consular staff provide all the assistance they properly can to the families of missing British nationals. They help the families liaise with the local authorities and keep them up to date on developments in searches. Search and rescue operations are usually managed by the host authorities who often meet the costs. If the host authorities will not meet the costs, these would fall to the family of the missing individual or his or her insurance company.
Sri Lanka
Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Sri Lankan Government about the inclusion of the Sri Lankan Muslim community in peace talks. [163366]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: I last had discussions about the Sri Lankan Muslim community with the Sri Lankan Minister for Constitutional Affairs Professor G. L. Peiris on 18 September 2003. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials regularly discuss this issue in their contacts with the Sri Lankan Government and the leaders of the Muslim community.
31 Mar 2004 : Column 1452W
Sudan
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the case of Razaz Abaker, sentenced to 100 lashes for alleged adultery in Sudan. [164029]
Mr. Mullin: Though we respect Muslims' views of Shar'ia law, we believe that the application of extreme corporal punishments is incompatible with international human rights law. In Razaz Abaker's case we are particularly concerned that there was no opportunity for appeal.
Such cases are raised on a regular basis with the Government of Sudan, both bilaterally and through the EU-Sudan dialogue.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) the United States, (b) Norway and (c) other EU countries on a peacekeeping force for Sudan. [164493]
Mr. Mullin: We are in close contact with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations about plans for a Peace Support Operation in Sudan. We have also discussed the matter with the United States, Norway and other EU member states.
Mr. Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on the comments made by Mukesh Kapila, the United Nations Humanitarian Co-ordinator for Sudan on the humanitarian and human rights situation in Darfur; [164780]
- (2) what assessment he has made of the implications for international peace and security of the situation in Darfur, Western Sudan. [164826]
Mr. Mullin: We are very concerned about the humanitarian and human rights situation in Darfur. We are appealing to the parties to ensure the protection of the civilian population and to allow unhindered humanitarian access to those in need.
We are also concerned about the implications of the situation in Darfur for international peace and security and are working hard to get the parties to stop fighting. The Government of Sudan and the opposition groups have now agreed to attend ceasefire talks in Chad. We hope that these talks will start shortly. This is an important first step in resolving the crisis in Darfur.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |