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Nuclear Non-Proliferation

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress at the Preparatory Committee meeting for the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference being held at the United Nations in New York. [171651]

Mr. MacShane: The Third Session of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) for the 2005 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in New York concluded on 7 May. The key procedural issues were agreed and this will enable all the necessary preparations for the 2005 Review Conference to go ahead. This outcome met the United Kingdom's main objective for this PrepCom.

The major issues of how to deal with nuclear proliferation and tackle compliance with States' non-proliferation obligations were fully discussed and the United Kingdom presented its ideas and views on these issues in a series of detailed statements. The UK gave full accounts of the practical steps we have taken towards nuclear disarmament and made a presentation on the verification of nuclear disarmament, dealing with the issue of warhead dismantlement.

The United Kingdom also distributed Publicity Material entitled "Making a Safer World" setting out our proposals on countering the proliferation of WMD and the initiatives we have taken; our record on nuclear disarmament; and how we ensure compliance with non-proliferation obligations.

We are now looking forward to working with other States Party and the President-designate of the Review Conference, Ambassador Duarte of Brazil, as he carries out his consultations in the period running up to the Conference in May 2005. It is the role of the Review Conference to take decisions on all issues and recommendations, and the UK will continue to play a major role in strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime.
 
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Nuclear Proliferation

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to promote new legislation to tackle nuclear weapons proliferation and the involvement in it of UK citizens and corporations operating from abroad; and if he will make a statement. [171923]

Mr. MacShane: Current legislation provides for the criminalisation of involvement in nuclear weapons proliferation by UK citizens or corporations including when operating from abroad. The Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, which came into force on 14 December 2001, strengthened then existing legislation controlling chemical, nuclear and biological weapons. It introduced equivalent offences to those contained within the Chemical Weapons Act 1996 in respect of biological and nuclear weapons, and introduced a new offence of assisting or inducing certain weapons-related acts overseas. In the nuclear field these are:

knowingly causing a nuclear weapon explosion;

developing, producing, or participating in the development or production of, a nuclear weapon;

having a nuclear weapon in (his) possession;

participating in the transfer of a nuclear weapon; or

engaging in military preparations, or in preparations of a military nature, intending to use, or threatening to use, a nuclear weapon.

The Act applies to acts outside the United Kingdom when they are carried out by United Kingdom nationals, Scottish partnerships and bodies incorporated under the law in any part of the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or any colony. We will keep under review the need for any further legislation.

Tackling the threat posed by the spread of weapons of mass destruction remains a top priority for the UK, as my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made clear in his Statement to the House on 25 February 2004, Official Report, columns 46–49WS. The UK was instrumental in getting Security Council agreement to UNSCR 1540, passed on 28 April 2004. The UNSCR addresses a current gap in international law in addressing the problem of WMD proliferation by non-state actors and is a concrete example of the Security Council responding to a threat to international peace and security. It makes clear that all states have a responsibility to take steps to prevent WMD proliferation, and places legally binding obligations on all states of the UN under Chapter VII of the UN Charter (threats to international peace and security).

Overseas Recruitment

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what formal assistance his Department's overseas offices offer to UK-based recruitment agencies in the recruitment of education workers; and how many departmental staff are dedicated to offering such assistance. [170986]

Mr. Mullin: No staff of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are specifically dedicated to the activity of assisting with the recruitment of education workers. The commercial and other services of overseas
 
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Posts of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are open to eligible UK-based recruitment agencies as to other eligible UK businesses or organisations.

Paper Recycling

Mr. Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he has put in place to ensure that his Department meets the quick win targets set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that (a) all copying paper bought by the Department is 100 per cent. recycled with a minimum of 75 per cent. post consumer waste content and (b) all paper for printed publications bought by the Department is 60 per cent. recycled, of which a minimum is 75 per cent. post consumer waste. [171814]

Mr. Rammell: Targets for Sustainable Development in Government, including the DEFRA paper quick wins, are communicated within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) as part of our Environmental Management System.

Our purchasing function is currently pursuing a new contract for 100 per cent. recycled copying paper. Until March 2004 we were purchasing 100 per cent. recycled paper but due to a mill closure we have recently been purchasing 80 per cent. recycled content paper in order to ensure continuity of supply.

Our Publication and Print Services teams within the FCO have been issued with guidance on the recycled content target for print publications. From May this year the teams have set a minimum recycled content of 75 per cent. post consumer waste for publications.

Sudan

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Sudan concerning (a) peace negotiations in the south of the country and (b) Darfur. [171389]

Mr. Mullin: My right hon. Friends, the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for International Development, and I discussed these and other issues with the Sudanese Foreign Minister during his visit to London on 11 May.

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the peace process in Sudan. [171827]

Mr. Mullin: The Sudan peace talks continue in Naivasha, Kenya, under the auspices of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development. The UK Special Representative last visited Naivasha on 7–8 May. The parties are hopeful that a framework peace agreement will emerge very soon.

Timber

Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department plans to contribute financially to the establishment of the second phase of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber. [167629]

 
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Mr. Rammell: As timber procurement policy is the responsibility of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Environment and Agri-Environment (Mr. Morley) on 10 May 2004, Official Report, column 31W.

United Arab Emirates

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the United Arab Emirates; and what plans there are for future ministerial visits to foster (a) business links and (b) cultural relations. [168568]

Mr. Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 16–17 March. He met the Crown Prince and Deputy Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. They discussed bilateral and regional issues. We welcome this opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the UAE.

Foreign engagements for the Foreign Secretary and other Ministers are kept under constant review. It is not our practice to announce such visits until they are firm. Because of the unpredictable nature of world events, final decisions on overseas visits are often not possible until very shortly before the day of travel.

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