---

20 May 2004 : Column 1165W—continued

Saudi Arabia

Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to encourage Saudi accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Cultural and Social Rights. [173757]

 
20 May 2004 : Column 1166W
 

Mr. Rammell: We continue to have wide-ranging concerns about human rights in Saudi Arabia including aspects of the judicial system; corporal and capital punishment; restrictions on the freedoms of religion, expression and assembly; and discrimination against women and Non-Muslims.

The UK Government is committed to encouraging Saudi Arabia to improve its human rights record. We discuss our concerns about human rights with the Saudi authorities at working, ambassadorial and ministerial level.

In bilateral discussions with Saudi Arabia we have not recently specifically discussed accession to the ICCPR or ICESCR.

Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Saudi authorities regarding the rights of members of minority faiths in Saudi Arabia; [173758]

Mr. Rammell: We continue to have wide-ranging concerns about human rights in Saudi Arabia including aspects of the judicial system; corporal and capital punishment; restrictions on the freedoms of religion, expression and assembly; and discrimination against women and Non-Muslims. The UK Government is committed to encouraging Saudi Arabia to improve its human rights record. We discuss our concerns about human rights with the Saudi authorities at working, ambassadorial and ministerial level.

Seal Culling

Miss Widdecombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will support a pan-European ban on the clubbing of baby seals. [173406]

Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 14 May 2004]: I have been asked to reply.

The Department is not aware of any such proposed agreement. In the event that one was forthcoming, we would consider such a proposal carefully.

Sudan

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress being made in securing the rights of the Nuba people in the peace talks concerning the Sudan. [173653]

Mr. Mullin: The arrangements for the administration of the Nuba Mountains Region of Sudan is currently under discussion at the peace talks in Naivasha, Kenya. We hope that agreement will be reached on this and the other outstanding issues soon.

UK Personnel

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the countries where UK personnel are involved in providing training in interrogation techniques; whether the hooding of those being interrogated forms part of the training; and if he will make a statement. [173238]

 
20 May 2004 : Column 1167W
 

Mr. MacShane: The Government does not offer training in interrogation techniques to overseas governments. Our training on interviewing techniques for police, military and intelligence agencies complies with UK and international law. This training does not involve the use of hooding.

Venezuela

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) other United Kingdom representatives have (i) had and (ii) sought with (A) members and (B) representatives of the Government of Venezuela concerning the arrest of the Venezuelan National Guard Colonel Orlando Castro; and if he will make a statement. [173814]

Mr. Rammell: We have neither had nor sought discussions with members or representatives of the Venezuelan Government about this issue.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) other United Kingdom representatives have (i) had and (ii) sought with (A) members and (B) representatives of the (1) Government of and (2) the opposition in Venezuela concerning the arrest of 80 Colombian nationals on 9 May; what these individuals are being charged with; and if he will make a statement. [173815]

Mr. Rammell: We have neither had nor sought discussions with members or representatives of the Venezuelan Government or Opposition about this issue. To date, we are not aware of any charges having been brought against these individuals.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the possibility of a referendum in Venezuela this year. [173816]

Mr. Rammell: The Venezuelan constitution allows for the possibility of a recall referendum against elected officials, including the President, provided certain conditions are met. It is not yet clear whether these conditions will be met, and therefore not possible to determine if a referendum will take place at this stage.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed Venezuela with his United States counterpart. [173817]

Mr. Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has regular discussions with Secretary Powell on a wide range of issues, including Venezuela.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the claims of cross-border activity by the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia in Venezuela; when this assessment was last revised; and if he will make a statement. [173818]

Mr. Rammell: Alleged cross-border activities by the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia and other illegally armed groups are a matter for the Governments of Venezuela and Colombia. The border between the two countries covers more than 2,200 km. It is porous
 
20 May 2004 : Column 1168W
 
and difficult to secure completely with the resources available. British diplomatic staff in Bogota and Caracas periodically visit the border region.

Websites

Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total annual cost of his Department's websites, including those of its agencies, was in the most recent year for which figures are available. [159518]

Mr. Rammell: For the past three years the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has been implementing a major 1CT infrastructure project to co-ordinate and host its global web presence. This includes a secure platform for launching and maintaining multiple websites: FCO website (www.fco.gov.uk), a new UK Visas website (www.ukVisas.gov.uk), separate websites for over 100 British missions worldwide, and a new portal site about the UK (www.i-uk.com). It will also host the UK G8 Presidency website next year. The total cost of the project is £10 million funded by the Treasury's Capital Modernisation Fund.

The Wilton Park Executive Agency (www.wiltonpark.org.uk) spent £26,720 on their website in 2003–4.

Simon Mann

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what information he has assessed on the treatment of Mr. Simon Mann in Zimbabwe; [173548]

(2) whether the authorities in Zimbabwe have indicated that they consider Mr. Simon Mann to be British; [173549]

(3) what representations he has made about the treatment of Mr. Simon Mann and his condition. [173550]

Mr. Rammell: Mr. Simon Mann is a dual British/South African national who requested our consular assistance on 23 April. Our rules on consular confidentiality mean that we cannot discuss the specific details of his case. However, the Zimbabwean authorities recognised his nationality status by allowing our Consul to visit him on 7 May, where we were able to discuss his welfare and treatment. We welcomed the Zimbabwean court's decision on 7 May to remove handcuffs and manacles from all of the accused while they are detained in Chikurubi Prison. Harare. We will continue to be guided by Mr. Mann about his treatment and are in regular contact with his lawyers and family.

---