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20 Jul 2004 : Column 171W—continued
Departmental Expenditure
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the Foreign Office spent on (a) advertising and (b) public relations consultants in (i) 1996–97 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available. [184502]
Mr. Straw:
In FY 2002–03—the most recent year for which audited figures are available—separately identifiable expenditure by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on UK advertising totalled £743,783. Of this, £716,234 related to media spend on advertising for recruitment purposes. The balance related to consular media advertisements which aimed to raise awareness among the British public of the importance of being properly prepared before travelling overseas and to advertising of the FCO's public open days. The total figure is based on the final accounts for FY 2002–03 and replaces the figure which I supplied to the right hon. Gentleman on 7 January 2004, Official Report, column 411W, which drew on provisional calculations. I apologise to the right hon. and learned Gentleman for the fact that this was not made clear in my previous answer.
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The FCO's central expenditure on public relations consultancy in FY 2002–03 totalled £291,971. Of this, £268,862 was paid to a single agency for work on the Consular awareness-raising campaign, 'Know Before You Go'.
The FCO's overseas posts and its non-departmental public bodies also commission advertising and occasionally employ public relations consultants, but details are not recorded centrally. Information about the costs incurred by these activities could be provided only at disproportionate costs.
Records of expenditure by the FCO's expenditure on advertising and public relations consultants in FY 1996–97 are not held centrally. Figures for that year could be provided only at disproportionate costs.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was of running Foreign Office canteen facilities in (a) 1996–97 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available. [184507]
Mr. Straw: In 1996–97, the cost of providing catering to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was £160,258.31.pa
In 2003–04, the latest year for which figures are available, the cost of providing catering to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was £184,201.59.
The figures provided are based upon the subsidy paid to the catering contractor, in each of the years, for the provision of the service in London and Hanslope Park. During the period concerned, there have been changes to the nature of the service provided. In 1996–97, the service in London consisted of one restaurant, one shop and one snack bar. In the intervening years, the snack bar has become a cafeteria with a much wider variety of food on offer.
Diego Garcia
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a representative of his Department last visited the US prison facilities on Diego Garcia. [184202]
Mr. Rammell: The only United States prison facilities on Diego Garcia are those established under United States Service law for the detention, as authorised by that law, of members of the United States armed forces and any accompanying civilian personnel and dependants. There is no record of any member of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office visiting those facilities. The US have made it clear that the British Indian Ocean Territory Commissioner's Representative on Diego Garcia would be permitted to visit at any time.
EU Presidency
Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the main issues are which the Government intend to focus on during the UK's presidency of the European Union. [184260]
Mr. MacShane:
The overall Council Agenda for 2004–06 is set out clearly in the Multi-Annual Strategic Programme (MASP), copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. The agenda for the UK
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Presidency will be determined, to a large extent, by the agenda we inherit from preceding Presidencies and their progress on the dossiers identified in the MASP. The Government are in the process of detailed planning and discussion within and between Departments at ministerial and official level to identify detailed policy themes for the UK Presidency, within the context of that broader agenda.
General Affairs and External Relations Council
Mr. Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the General Affairs and External Relations Council held on 12 to 13 July; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [184432]
Mr. MacShane: The information is as follows:
Outcome of the 12 July 2004 General Affairs and External Relations Council
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I represented the UK at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels on 12 July.
Conclusions were agreed on Afghanistan, Western Balkans, Sudan, Iraq and Asia-Europe.
The Presidency presented its work programme for the second half of 2004. Five priorities are identified in the work programme:
Making a success of enlargement;
Strengthening the European economy and reducing the administrative burden;
The area of freedom, security and justice;
The Union's future financial and budgetary structure: Agenda 2007;
The EU's role in the world: an effective, coherent and committed external policy.
The Council decided that signature of the EU's Constitutional Treaty will take place in Rome on 29 October.
Progress of Work in Other Council Configurations
The Council took note of a progress report from the Presidency on work under way in the Council's other configurations (the Justice and Home Affairs Council, the Trade Council, Economic and Financial Affairs Council, the Transport and Communications Council and the Agriculture and Fisheries Council.)
The Council took note of the Presidency's work plan regarding implementation of the EU's Common Strategy on Ukraine.
The Commission is expected to submit a formal proposal for an action plan to the Council in September 2004. This should lead to a comprehensive plan, which at the same time identifies clearly a limited number of key priorities and offers real incentives for further reform.
The current Common Strategy on Ukraine expires in December 2004.
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The Council decided to authorise the Commission to begin negotiations with the Russian Federation on facilitation of the issuance of short-stay visas to EU and Russian citizens.
The Council approved a paper on the European Union's priorities for the 59th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The emphasis of these priorities is to uphold and develop international law, and to effective multilateralism.
The Council took note of the presentation made by Commissioner Lamy on the current state of the negotiations. The Council underlined the importance of reaching a satisfactory agreement at the WTO General Council at the end of July on the negotiating frameworks for agriculture, non-agricultural market access, the Singapore Issues, and development. The Council agreed to hold a special session of the Council in Brussels, which is foreseen for the 26 July 2004, with a view to establishing an EU position.
The Council met the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Mr. Zebari, who indicated the areas in which he hoped the EU would be able to make a visible contribution to the political, economic and social reconstruction of his country. The Council welcomed this opportunity to discuss the future of Iraq with Mr. Zebari, and looked forward to deepening political engagement with Iraq. The Council warmly welcomed the restoration of sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government that took place on 28 June. It reaffirmed its support for the people of Iraq and the fully sovereign Iraqi Interim Government. Conclusions were agreed.
The Council examined the situation in relation with the Middle East Peace Process following in particular the Advisory Opinion rendered by the International Court of Justice on 9 July concerning
"Legal consequences of the construction of a wall in the occupied Palestinian Territory".
The Council discussed the way ahead on preparations for the ASEM Summit and adopted conclusions.
The Council expressed grave concern at the situation in Darfur and continued to emphasise the importance of humanitarian access, human rights and security. The Council called upon member states and other actors of the international community to substantially increase their support to the humanitarian relief effort under way. The Council welcomed the active involvement of the international community. The Council welcomed the efforts to address this issue at the UN Security Council. Conclusions were agreed.
Serbia and Montenegro: The Council welcomed the outcome of the recent presidential elections in Serbia. It encouraged all democratic forces to work together in order to accelerate political and economic reforms, to fulfil all international obligations, including full co-operation with ICTY.
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Serbia and Montenegro/Kosovo: The Council confirmed that the new Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Kosovo, Mr. Soren Jessen-Petersen, will have the full support of the European Union.
Bosnia and Herzegovina/ICTY: The Council strongly supported the measures announced on 30 June by EUSR and High Representative Paddy Ashdown to help ensure that Bosnia and Herzegovina co-operates fully with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: The Council expressed its gratitude to the outgoing EU Special Representative, Mr. Soren Jessen-Petersen, for his vital contribution to the consolidation of peace and stability in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It appointed ambassador Michael Sahlin as his successor, who will take up the position of EUSR on 1 August 2004.
The Council welcomed the decision announced by the Joint Electoral Monitoring Body (JEMB) to hold presidential elections in Afghanistan on 9 October 2004. These elections are a key requirement under the Bonn Agreement of December 2001 and represent a new milestone in the process of constructing a democratic, stable and prosperous Afghanistan. Conclusions were agreed.
European Security and Defence Policy
EU military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Council adopted a Joint Action on the European Union Military Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This follows the decision by NATO to conclude its successful SFOR-operation and the adoption by the United Nations Security Council of Resolution 1551. Major General A. David Leakey (UK) was appointed EU Force Commander.
European Union Special Representative in BiH
The Council adopted a Joint Action revising the mandate of the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Paddy Ashdown.
The Council formally adopted a Joint Action establishing an Agency in the field of defence capabilities development, research, acquisition and armaments—to be known as the European Defence Agency.
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