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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Argentina

Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what talks he had with his Argentine counterpart while at the United Nations in September; what was discussed; and what the result was. [195152]

Mr. Straw: I had a short meeting with Argentine Foreign Minister Bielsa during the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September. We discussed a variety of issues. I congratulated Foreign Minister Bielsa on Argentina's election to the UN Security Council. We agreed that the UK and Argentina should work together for the next two years on Security Council issues. We also discussed Falkland Island issues.

Cuba

Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what research his Department has commissioned regarding human rights in Cuba; and what statistical information his Department has compiled regarding human rights violations. [186776]

Mr. Rammell: The UK closely monitors the human rights situation in Cuba through our Embassy in Havana. The Embassy has frequent contact with local human rights groups and with the peaceful opposition across Cuba. They keep track on human rights trends and political prisoners, and regularly report back to London. We also maintain dialogue with international NGOs who study Cuba.

The EU, through the local Presidency in Havana, also monitors the human rights situation and submits comprehensive reports to all member states. The local Presidency regularly seeks opportunities to raise human rights and individual cases of concern with the Cuban authorities.

UK policy toward Cuba is governed by the EU Common Position, which has respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined as its key principle. The Common Position is reviewed annually but, in view of the lack of progress, has stood unchanged since its adoption in 1996. The last review was on 15 June 2004.

Following a major crackdown on opposition in Cuba in March 2003 and the imprisonment of a further 75 peaceful opposition members, EU member states agreed unanimously to additional measures that reflected our human rights concerns. The Cuban response was to reject all EU development aid through official channels and to 'freeze' contact with EU Embassies in Havana. Six of the 75 prisoners have since been released, and we shall continue to evaluate the situation. We remain
 
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committed to dialogue and actively seek ways to engage in all areas; recent cooperation includes law enforcement, cultural links and development work.

Diego Garcia

Mr. Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 21 June, Official Report, column. 1221W, on which date the US Administration last gave an assurance that no prisoners are held or transported through Diego Garcia; whether this was a (a) written and (b) verbal assurance; and if he will make a statement. [187613]

Mr. Rammell: The US authorities have repeatedly given us verbal assurances, most recently in May 2004, that no prisoners have at any time passed in transit through Diego Garcia or its territorial waters or have disembarked there. The British Representative on Diego Garcia has confirmed this to be the case.

G8 Summit

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list (a) businesses throughout Scotland and (b) non-governmental agencies with whom the Government are working in advance of the G8 summit. [195119]

Mr. Alexander: We are in touch with several hotels and transport operators in central Scotland, where delegates and media will stay. In due course we shall be in touch with other Scottish businesses about other requirements for the summit.

A variety of Government Departments with an interest in the summit are working with a large range of non-governmental organizations in advance of the summit. Not all of these contacts are just related to the G8, but they include: the 'Make Poverty History' coalition, the BOND British Overseas NGOs for Development network, and the British Overseas Aid Group.

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements are in place to ensure that businesses based in Perth and Kinross benefit from the holding of the G8 Summit in Gleneagles. [195121]

Mr. Alexander: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will be awarding some contracts for the supply of services at the Summit. These will be awarded on a competitive basis and businesses in Perth and Kinross will be able to bid. There will also be sponsorship opportunities available, and the Scottish Executive is working with Perth and Kinross Council to identify these for local companies. In the short term, the other main commercial opportunities are likely to lie with spending by attendees (4,000 or more delegates and media will use hotels, restaurants and transport) and suppliers to the main contractors. Longer term economic benefits to Perth and Kinross are expected to arise from the increased international profile of the area and of Scotland in general.
 
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Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what related events the Government intend to hold (a) at and (b) in advance of the G8 Summit; and where. [195122]

Mr. Alexander: The G8 Summit is the principal event of the presidency. We plan other ministerial meetings too, including separate Foreign and Finance Ministers events in London.

In addition, there will be a programme of consultation events with civil society. These meetings will take place both in G8 capitals (including London) and in other parts of the UK. A G8-related climate change science conference will take place in Exeter.

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to compensate businesses and individuals in Perth and Kinross who suffer loss as a direct result of the holding of the G8 Summit in Gleneagles. [195123]

Mr. Alexander: The decision to hold the G8 Summit in Scotland has been warmly welcomed by the Scottish Executive. The Summit will be an excellent opportunity for the promotion of Scotland as a world-class destination for business, leisure and study. And it is expected to bring significant benefits to Scotland and in particular the areas close to the Summit, in the lead up to, during and in the long-term as a result of greater media exposure and visitors.

The UK Government, working alongside the Scottish Executive, are committed to ensuring that the Summit at Gleneagles and the surrounding area is safe and secure. The policing of the event, as a devolved responsibility, is the responsibility of the Scottish Executive.

Some people living in the vicinity of the Gleneagles Hotel have expressed some concerns over possible loss as a result of the Summit. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Scottish Executive are jointly exploring the issues. We expect the position to be clarified well before the Summit in July 2005.

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the environmental impact of the 2005 G8 Summit on Perth and Kinross. [195258]

Mr. Alexander: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has announced that the two priorities for the UK's G8 presidency in 2005 will be Africa and Climate Change. He has said that Climate Change represents the world's greatest environmental challenge.

We are taking environmental impacts into account during our planning for the Gleneagles Summit and considering how to offset carbon that is unavoidably generated by it.

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is being provided by the Scottish Executive to his Department in connection with the (a) identification and (b) facilitation of access to local businesses and organisations for the sourcing of local products and services (i) in preparation for and (ii) during the G8 Summit in Gleneagles. [195259]

 
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Mr. Alexander: We are working closely with the Scottish Executive and its Agencies on procurement for the G8 Summit. The Executive is helping us identify Scottish suppliers and is helping to ensure that Scottish companies are aware of the procurement opportunities.

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