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Porton Down

Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the relocation of Defence Science and Technology Laboratories facilities and personnel to Porton Down; and if he will make a statement. [186357]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 13 September 2004]: Work to relocate Dstl facilities and personnel to Porton Down, has focused on the selection of a strategic partner who will provide the new facilities at Porton Down, and become the facilities management supplier to Dstl for 15 years from 2006.

Four companies have now been short-listed to receive the invitation to tender (ITT), which is expected to be released towards the end of 2004. We hope that a preferred bidder will be appointed in autumn 2005.

RAF Croughton

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons UK forces at RAF Croughton, are not allowed access to Commissary and BX services run by the US. [188752]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 13 September 2004]: In accordance with the terms of the NATO Status of Forces Agreement the US Visiting Force is permitted to

"import free of duty the equipment for the force and reasonable quantities of provisions, supplies and other goods for the exclusive use of the force" (Article XI (4)).

These provisions, supplies and other goods are made available through Army Air Force Exchange Services (Base Exchange—BX) and Defense Commissary Agency stores.

Her Majesty's Customs and Excise regulations require the United States Visiting Force to refrain from selling goods imported or purchased tax and/or duty free to any persons other than members of the US Force, its civilian component and their dependants.

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision comparable to the Commissary and BX service available to US forces at RAF Croughton, exists for UK forces. [188753]

Mr. Ingram [holding 13 September 2004]: RAF Croughton is made available to the United States Visiting Force under the terms of the NATO Status of
 
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Forces Agreement 1951. The United Kingdom forces are not stationed at RAF Croughton and there is, therefore, no need to provide facilities comparable to the US Commissary and BX service.

Warrior

Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the propensity of the Warrior to engage in (a) undemanded firing of weapons and (b) other actions attributable to design faults in the electrical and safety systems. [186641]

Mr. Ingram: Technical investigations have been carried out since 1999, following a small number of reported incidents involving the undemanded firing of the Warrior chain gun. The investigations concluded that there is a very low risk of the undemanded firing of the chain gun or main armament. A Post Design Service task is currently in progress with the Design Authority to explore whether any design changes may be justified. In addition, a safety notice has been issued to the Warrior user community informing them of the problem, to ensure the continued safe operation of the vehicle.

Two other technical investigations into the undemanded power traverse of the turret and undemanded operation of the rear door have also been carried out. Solutions to address both these problems are also being pursued by the Design Authorities. A modification programme to prevent the undemanded power traverse of the turret is due to commence this month.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Bangladesh

Ms Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent attempt to assassinate Sheikh Hasina, the parliamentary opposition leader in Bangladesh. [188313]

Mr. Alexander: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said in his press statement of 22 August, we were shocked to hear of the bombings in Dhaka on 21 August and the many deaths and injuries they caused. A copy of the statement is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk/news/policy/press-releases. We extend our sympathies to all those injured, and to the families of the victims. We condemn these bombings and call on all concerned to refrain from further violence, and to exercise restraint. We welcome the Bangladeshi Prime Minister's public expression of determination to see those responsible brought to justice, and hope that this can be done through an investigation process in which all parties, and the public, can have confidence.

Departmental Pamphlets

Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was of printing his Department's pamphlet, "Inclusive Government: mainstreaming gender into foreign policy"; and how many pamphlets were printed. [188457]

 
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Mr. Straw: The printing cost of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's booklet "Inclusive Government: mainstreaming gender into foreign policy" was £2,730. We printed 3,000 copies.

Designated Accommodation

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many rooms are set aside for (a) the use of smokers, (b) worship, broken down by religion and (c) nursing mothers and pregnant women in each building and set of offices for which his Department is responsible. [187318]

Mr. Rammell: On the Foreign and Commonwealth Office UK estate, there are:

No rooms are set aside specifically for the use of smokers; there are, however, licensed bars at the Main Building in London and at Hanslope Park in which smoking is permitted in designated areas.

Two rooms are set aside for worship, one in the FCO Main Building in Whitehall and the second at Hanslope Park—both rooms are designated as Multi-Faith. In the Old Admiralty Building (OAB) there are no rooms set aside solely for worship although two meeting rooms have been identified which may be used for multi-faith worship if not being used for their primary purpose.

No rooms are specifically set aside for nursing mothers and pregnant women, although First Aid Rooms in the Main Building, OAB and Hanslope Park may be used if desired.

European Union (Cost-Benefit Analysis)

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date the Government last undertook a cost-benefit analysis of United Kingdom membership of the European Union, including (a) indirect costs and benefits and (b) direct costs and benefits. [188781]

Mr. MacShane: UK membership of the European Union is vital for British jobs and prosperity. There is broad consensus among academics that UK membership of the European Union promotes growth, competitiveness and employment through the operation of the internal market. Our trade with Europe accounts for 3 million British jobs. 53 per cent. of our total imports of goods and services are from Europe. 50 per cent. of our total exports of goods and services go to Europe. And 65 per cent. of our investment overseas now goes to Europe.

The Government continually consider the direct and indirect costs and benefits of specific EU legislative proposals, in the context of ongoing European policy development.

Ewa Jasiewicz

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Government regarding the detention of Ewa Jasiewicz; and if he will make a statement. [188068]

 
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Mr. Mullin: We were informed of Ms Jasiewicz's detention on 12 August when she called our embassy in Tel Aviv to report that she had been refused entry. Following legal appeals and counter-appeals by Ms Jasiewicz and the Israeli authorities, we understand that Ms Jasiewicz returned to the UK on 1 September. The issue of entry and exit to Israel is a matter for the Israeli authorities. However, our ambassador in Tel Aviv has recently written to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs to raise our concerns over the treatment of British journalists and representatives of British media organisations.

Iran

Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear weapons programme. [186868]

Mr. MacShane: Discussions between senior officials have taken place during the summer. A further report on Iran's nuclear programme by the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be discussed at the meeting of the Agency's Board of Governors, which began on 13 September.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Iran about the Bushehr nuclear plant. [188368]

Mr. MacShane: Discussions with Iran, relating to its' nuclear programme, have taken place between senior officials during the summer. There has been no recent ministerial discussion with the Iranian Government on this subject.

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