---

22 Jun 2004 : Column 1294W—continued

Third-world Debt

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking towards the cancellation of debt in the world's poorest countries. [179524]

John Healey: The UK is fully committed to the cancellation of debt in the world's poorest countries through the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.

The UK has provided commitments of £2.3 billion of debt relief to eligible countries and has pledged a total of US$474 million through multilateral institutions to provide further support for debt relief to the world's poorest countries. The UK goes even further than is required under the HIPC Initiative, and is committed to providing 100 per cent. debt relief to eligible HIPC countries.

The HIPC Initiative is delivering real benefits to participating countries. Debt relief of over $70 billion has already been agreed for 27 countries under the Initiative. Total social spending has increased by around $4 billion since 1999—equivalent to 2.7 per cent. of GDP.

However, the Government also recognises that we need to do more if we are to deliver a long-term exit from unsustainable debt for HIPCs. Last week, G8 Heads of State discussed proposals to enhance debt relief for the world's poorest countries. The UK successfully pushed for the extension of the HIPC Initiative by another two years, potentially allowing 10 more countries to benefit from debt relief in excess of $30 billion.

Heads of State also tasked Finance Ministers to consider further both reforms to the HIPC Initiative, and new and innovative mechanisms to deliver a long-term exit from unsustainable debt for the world's poorest countries. The UK will push for the granting of additional assistance (topping up) for all countries whose debt profiles have worsened after Decision Point as a result of factors beyond their control. We will also continue to press for additional bilateral assistance to be excluded from the calculation of this topping-up assistance at Completion Point, to ensure that every dollar benefits the recipient. The UK will also seek a firm commitment on financing the G7's share of costs for the HIPC Trust Fund, which we estimate at up to $1 billion.

Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act

Alan Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will made adequate resources available for a programme fully to meet the requirements of the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000. [179294]

John Healey: The Government is committed to reaching the targets in our Fuel Poverty Strategy. Decisions on future programmes and Government spending to meet these targets are currently being taken in the context of this year's Spending Review.
 
22 Jun 2004 : Column 1295W
 

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Domestic Violence

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Minister for Women when the Women and Equality Unit will publish the full findings of the investigation into economic and social costs of domestic violence. [178816]

Ms Hewitt: Interim findings relating to the homicide of women were published in 2002. These showed that the cost of each female domestic homicide in England and Wales was £1.1 million. Additional interim findings can be found at http ://www.womenandequalityunit. gov.uk

The methodology used is based on the new Home Office framework for costing crime. The data are drawn from the Inter-personal Violence (IPV) module of the British Crime Survey 2001. The research on the economic costs of domestic violence will be published after the publication of "Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking: Findings from the British Crime Survey".

PRIME MINISTER

Environmental Objectives

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the environmental objectives he has set for the UK, in terms of tackling climate change, for the UK presidencies of (a) the EU and (b) the G8. [179976]

The Prime Minister: The UK wishes to see new momentum injected into international dialogue on climate change and this will be a priority for the Government in 2005.

The European Spring Council in 2005 is due to consider medium and long-term European targets and strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The UK will play an active role in driving this forward and ensuring that the EU is in a strong position to play a constructive role in the international climate change negotiations in November 2005.

Under our Presidency of the G8 in 2005, climate change, along with Africa, will be our top priorities. The Government aims, in particular, to advance work on the development and uptake of cleaner energy technologies, building on the Action Plan agreed by Heads of Government in Evian in June 2003.

DEFENCE

UN Operations

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations the Government have received since May 2003 from Amnesty International in respect of the shooting of or other injuries to Iraqi civilians. [173343]

 
22 Jun 2004 : Column 1296W
 

Mr. Ingram: I am aware of four reports from Amnesty International since May 2003 which refer to the shooting of or other injuries to Iraqi civilians. These are:

"Preliminary findings by Amnesty International alleging abuses at the hands of United Kingdom military personnel in Iraq" dated 29 May 2003;

"Memorandum on concerns relating to law and order" dated 23 July 2003;

"One Year on the human rights situation remains dire" dated 18 March 2004; and

"Killings of civilians in Basra and al-Amara" dated 11 May 2004.

Additionally, Amnesty wrote to the Prime Minister on 14 May 2004 with allegations concerning a further two incidents not covered by previous reports.

We receive a number of communications from Amnesty International regarding Iraq, including letters from different officers and officials, and letters received as a result of Amnesty campaigns and reports.

In addition, with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, I met with officials of Amnesty International on 14 June.

I will be providing a comprehensive response to the key issues raised by Amnesty International involving UK armed forces, as soon as the allegations have been fully researched. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

Gibraltar

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many (a) ships, (b) Royal Marines and (c) Royal Air Force aircraft will take part in the 300th anniversary celebrations of British sovereignty of Gibraltar; and what role they will play; [179284]

(2) what types of (a) ships and (b) aircraft will take part in the 300th anniversary celebrations of British sovereignty of Gibraltar. [179346]

Mr. Ingram: On current plans, one Frigate and two Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships are visiting Gibraltar in a ceremonial role as part of the tercentenary commemorations. 10 aircraft in all, comprising Pumas, C130 Hercules, Falcons and Hawks are visiting Gibraltar in the course of this year either to conduct a ceremonial flypast or for the Gibraltar Battle of Britain Open Day.

40 Royal Marines attended the recent Queen's Birthday Parade. 30 Royal Marines and 35 bandsmen from the Scottish Band of Royal Marines are currently planned to attend the Royal Navy Freedom of the City of Gibraltar on 4 August.

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy ships have called at Gibraltar since 1 May, broken down by type. [179290]

Mr. Ingram: There have been four visits by Royal Navy ships to Gibraltar since 1 May 2004 up until 16 June 2004 comprising two Type 42 Destroyers and two Fleet Submarines (SSNs).

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether (a) Royal Navy ships that call at Gibraltar may then call at Spain and (b) Royal Navy ships that call at
 
22 Jun 2004 : Column 1297W
 
Spain may then call at Gibraltar; and whether Royal Navy aircraft may fly over Spain and land at Royal Air Force base Gibraltar. [179352]

Mr. Ingram: NATO Standardisation Agreement (STANAG) 1100, sets out the procedures for visits to NATO and non-NATO ports by naval ships of NATO nations. This Agreement contains a reservation, inserted by the previous Spanish Government, which prevents visits by NATO ships to or from Gibraltar directly from or to Spanish ports

Any request to overfly Spanish airspace by military aircraft from NATO (or other) nations, which has Gibraltar as a departure or arrival airfield, is routinely denied by the Spanish authorities.

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will commission a Gibraltar service medal to commemorate the 300 years of British Gibraltar, to be given to armed forces personnel who have served in Gibraltar. [179555]

Mr. Ingram: It is not the practice in this country to institute commemorative medals other to recognise The Sovereign's Coronation and Jubilees. The Government acknowledges the forthcoming 300th anniversary of the capture of Gibraltar by British forces in 1704, but there are no plans to mark the occasion with the institution of a medal.

---