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19 Apr 2004 : Column 328W—continued
Probation Areas (Budgets)
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which probation areas will be financially penalised during the next financial year as a consequence of failing to meet 2003–04 targets; and what size the penalty will be in each case. [160468]
Paul Goggins: £15 million of the probation areas' budget for 2004–05 has been retained by the Home Office to be distributed to areas as performance bonuses. On the basis of information for the first three-quarters of 2003–04, it is expected that about £12 million will be distributed to areas. It is not yet possible to provide a list of areas and the size of the amount in each case as this will not be known until all the performance data for 2003–04 has been collected and analysed.
Current information indicates that 17 probation areas will receive their full performance bonuses that will result in them having greater than 100 per cent. of their expected budget for 2004–05. A further 11 will receive performance bonuses that result in them receiving at least 99.5 per cent. of their expected budget. The remaining 14 areas will receive at least 97.5 per cent. of their expected budget.
Programme Funding
Mr. Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding has been allocated to (a) building safer communities, (b) drug action teams, (c) Frameworks for Regional Employment and Skills Action, (d) Positive Futures and (e) the Youth Inclusion Programme in (i) 2004–05, (ii) 2005–06 and (iii) total. [163719]
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Ms Blears: Funding in 2004–05 for the initiatives named is shown in the table:
| 2004–05 | |
|---|---|
| Building Safer Communities | £74 million |
| Drug Action Teams | £386,600 |
| Positive Futures | £5 million Home Office |
| £1 million Football Foundation | |
| Youth Inclusion Programme (Total YIP funding 1999–06 £39.24million) | £7 million |
There is no direct Government Funding for Frameworks for Regional Employment and Skills Action (FRESAs). FRESAs are the way in which key regional partners led by the RDA develop and deliver an agreed plan to address skills and employment needs of employers and individuals within the region. The resources which partners bring to the table in respect of agreed priorities in the FRESA will vary from region to region.
Funding allocations for 2005–06 are still being discussed and levels of funding will be made known as soon as they are agreed.
Sex Offenders
Mrs. Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has a strategy for targeting the re-allocation of sex offenders to a limited number of bail hostels. [166476]
Paul Goggins [holding answer 19 April 2004]: No. Such a strategy would not be conducive to public protection, nor would it be in the best interest of victims of serious crime.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Diamond/Uranium Mining (Africa)
Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policies are on (a) the upholding of human rights and (b) minimising the environmental impact in the course of diamond and uranium mining in African countries. [166490]
Mr. MacShane:
Extractives industries (including diamonds and uranium) should be the engines of growth and development in countries endowed with significant mineral resources, but too often the sector is associated with conflicts and corruption that derail progress towards sustainable development and poverty reduction. We believe that companies are responsible for not acting in a way that impairs the human rights of their employees or of those on whom their activities have an impact, and should act in a way that promotes their enjoyment of human rights. We also believe companies should act in a way which contributes to environmental progress with a view to achieving sustainable development. For that reason, we are actively engaged in initiatives to improve governance, including environmental and social management of the
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sector, while recognising that regulation of these industries is the responsibility of the host governments concerned.
For example, the Government is a founding participant in the process to develop and promote the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights in the extractives sector. The Voluntary Principles are designed to provide practical guidance that will strengthen human rights safeguards in company security arrangements. The Government also actively promote the UN Global Compact and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, both of which promote principles of business behaviour designed to ensure respect for human rights and protection of the environment.
Iraq
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to receive the next report of the Iraq Survey Group on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. [165154]
Mr. Rammell: We received a copy of the latest Iraq Survey Group Interim Report on 30 March. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which British members of UNSCOM were transferred to work in the Iraq survey group. [165567]
Mr. Hoon: I have been asked to reply.
No British members of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) have transferred directly to the Iraq Survey Group. UNSCOM was withdrawn from Iraq in December 1998. Thirteen British servicemen and civil servants who served with UNSCOM between 1991 and 1998 have subsequently served with the Iraq Survey Group since June 2003.
Afghanistan
Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 25 March 2004, Official Report, column 1031W, on Afghanistan (1) if he will list the (a) names and (b) locations of voter registration offices (i) already open in Afghanistan and (ii) due to open in Afghanistan before the September 2004 elections, broken down by province; [166123]
(2) how many people (a) have been registered to vote in the Afghan September 2004 elections since 1 December 2003 and (b) the voter registration offices will aim to register by the Afghan September 2004 elections; [166124]
(3) what assessment he has made of the (a) effects of the change in date of the Afghan presidency and parliamentary elections from June 2004 to September 2004 and (b) the reasons for the change. [166125]
Mr. Mike O'Brien:
Since the start of the registration process the UN has opened 232 registration sites in 8 regional centres (Kabul, Jalalabad, Kandahar, Herat, Konduz, Jalalbad, Mazer, Bamiyan). Many of these have now closed, having registered voters in their
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particular area. Voters are currently registering at 83 offices in these 8 regional centres. The UN hopes to have used a total of 5040 registration centres across the country by August. No breakdown by province is currently available.
Up to 14 April, 1,812,815 people have been registered since December 2003. The UN hopes to register 10 million voters by September 2004.
The Afghan presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in September 2004 in order to allow sufficient time for voter registration and other electoral preparations in a country whose infrastructure and human capital have been decimated by three decades of conflict. I remember attending voter registration for the Loya Jirga elections last year at the football stadium in Mazar-e-Sharif and 1 was very impressed with the enthusiasm of the many people who were queuing to register—they wanted to vote.
Cyprus
Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice to travellers to Cyprus was being issued on the Foreign Office website on 24 September 2002. [166431]
Mr. MacShane: On 24 September 2002 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice for Cyprus read as follows:
"Most visits to Cyprus are trouble-free.
Crimes against tourists are rare. Visitors should, however, safeguard passports, money and other valuables by using hotel safety deposit boxes.
Be aware of strong seas and undertows. Always heed warning signs and swim only from approved beaches.
Travellers are not generally at risk in Cyprus.
There have been a number of car bombs in the Limassol area and Nicosia over the past few years. Although the perpetrators have not been identified, these activities are restricted for the most part to in-fighting amongst the criminal fraternity.
Cyprus has a strict zero tolerance policy towards drugs. Being caught in possession of any type of narcotic will usually lead to a prison sentence or a hefty fine.
Driving standards in Cyprus are poor. Seat belts and crash helmets must be worn. You could be fined up to C£500 if you are caught not wearing a seat belt.
It is illegal to work in Cyprus without a work permit. Obtaining such a permit is the responsibility of the prospective employer. People caught working without a valid permit have received custodial sentences and large fines. Carefully check any suggested contract.
When hiring a car, moped, boat, jet ski or other vehicle, you should check that it is road or sea worthy and that there is appropriate insurance cover, and safety equipment. Observe safety rules.
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Do not try to make fraudulent claims on your insurance policy. The police investigate such claims and prosecute tourists for this offence. Prison sentences and heavy fines have been imposed.
A British passport holder does not need a visa prior to travelling to Cyprus. A tourist will be permitted to enter for a maximum period of three months.
Cyprus and the UK do not have reciprocal health agreements and therefore all health care has to be paid for. As Cyprus is not a member of the European Union, the form E111 is not recognised. Adequate health insurance should be taken out prior to travelling to Cyprus, as hospital fees can be expensive. You will not normally be allowed to leave Cyprus if you have not settled your medical bill.
The British Government does not recognise the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". Visitors arriving in the north should not attempt to cross into the south. If they do, they are liable to arrest and possible imprisonment.
It is possible to travel to the north of Cyprus from the south by crossing at the United Nations-controlled Ledra Palace checkpoint in Nicosia. But tourists may only cross between 0800–1300 and must return by 1700 the same day. You may not take a hire car through the checkpoint, although it is possible to hire one once you have crossed into the north. Goods bought in the north may be confiscated at the checkpoint on return to the south.
The non-recognition of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" and the possibility of a future political settlement in Cyprus could have implications for those considering buying property in the north. Before purchasing a property you are advised to apprise yourself fully of the situation and to seek legal advice.
Time-share operatives tout for business in Cyprus, especially in the Paphos area. Before signing a contract, you should read the small print very carefully. Under Cyprus law, you are entitled to a 15-day cooling off period, during which, if you change your mind, you should receive a full refund.
We strongly recommend that all travellers abroad take out adequate comprehensive insurance.
British High Commission, Alexander Pallis Street, (PO Box 21978), 1587 Nicosia, (tel: +357 2 861 100 (working hours); +357 2 861 277 (outside working hours); 0997 7677 (consular hotline in Nicosia); 228 3862 (from the north); e-mail: ukconsul@cylink.com.cy infobhc@cylink.com.cy"
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