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Saudi Arabia

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department is offering to the Government of Saudi Arabia to assist with reforms to governance and stability in the region. [202936]

Mr. Alexander: The UK actively supports Saudi Arabia's efforts on reforms to governance and stability in the region. We have regular discussions on such matters at all levels of the Saudi government and Majlis Council. Through the Global Opportunities Fund, we are providing more than £300,000 in this financial year towards projects concerning Saudi Arabia on such issues. In addition, we contribute to regional projects focused on reforming governance and increasing stability in the region. We are also working with others to support regional development, including through the G8 Broader Middle East and North Africa initiative and the EU Strategic Partnership with the Mediterranean and Middle East.

Sudan

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on the recent monthly briefing to the Security Council by its Special Representative of the Secretary
 
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General for Sudan, with particular reference to attacks on civilians by the different rebal armies and the Janjaweed in Darfur; [204542]

(2) what plans he has to address the issues raised in the recent briefings given to the Security Council on the issue of Sudan, by direct representation to the Government of Sudan. [204543]

Mr. Mullin [holding answer 14 December 2004]: We are gravely concerned by the latest report by the UN Secretary-General which notes that the security situation deteriorated towards the end of November, with increased clashes between Government of Sudan forces and the rebels resulting in many police and civilian deaths. The report notes that "The SLM/A has aggressively violated its commitment to the Abuja protocols, and if the Government fails to show restraint in the face of provocation by the SLM/A, insecurity could worsen substantially".

We have, and will continue to make clear, to both the Government of Sudan and the rebel factions that they must respect the ceasefire and fulfil their commitments under the Abuja Humanitarian and Security Protocols. They must immediately take all steps to prevent attacks, threats, intimidation and any other form of violence against civilians by any party or group.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Sudan to improve access to Darfur for Amnesty International and other international human rights non-governmental organisations. [204544]

Mr. Mullin [holding answer 14 December 2004]: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised this matter during his visit to Sudan in August, and secured entry visas for Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

We hold regular discussions about the need to improve access to Darfur for all non-governmental agencies with the Government of Sudan. Most recently I raised the need to improve access to Darfur for NGOs with the State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs on 6 December.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he will be making to the Sudanese authorities concerning the attack by Janjaweed militias on eight women and girls from Derajj Internally Displaced Persons Camp, Nyala in Darfur on 2December. [204545]

Mr. Mullin [holding answer 14 December 2004]: We have made clear to all sides that attacks on civilians are completely unacceptable and must stop. The British Ambassador to Khartoum visited Nyala on 1 December and raised incidents of rape with both the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights monitors and the Government of Sudan. We, together with our EU partners, have made clear that the perpetrators of such crimes must be brought to justice. We are supporting the deployment of the expanded African Union mission, providing over £14 million in funding and have already provided £250,000 towards the deployment of UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights monitors.
 
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Terrorist Organisations

Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) contacts and (b) soundings and impressions conveyed between the High Representative and (i) Hamas and (ii) other organisations on the EU list of terrorist organisations were discussed at the General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting held on 22 and 23 November; and if he will make a statement. [204997]

Mr. Alexander [holding answer 14 December 2004]: These issues were not discussed at the General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting on 22–23 November.

Training Courses

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the (a) cost to the Department, (b) title and (c) location was of each training course organised by his Department for its staff in each financial year since 1997–98. [200394]

Mr. Alexander: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) delivers annually over 200 different types of training courses, worldwide. In addition, the FCO provides staff with opportunities for IT and language training. Some courses are organised, run and paid for by our posts around the world. There is no central record of training courses, location and costs; that information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial penalties were paid in each financial year since 1997–98 to training providers by the Department for training courses prepared for its staff but which were subsequently cancelled at the Department's request. [200414]

Mr. Alexander: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) delivers annually over 200 different types of training courses, world-wide. This does not include IT or language training.

Cancellation of training is rare. There is no central record of financial penalties paid to external providers of training; this information could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, all training contracts contain a clause which allows the FCO to cancel training 50 days in advance of the course date without incurring financial penalties.

PRIME MINISTER

AIDS

Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his planned programme of activities to address AIDS in Africa under UK presidency of the G8 states. [204324]

The Prime Minister: We will have a number of opportunities next year to use our leadership during the G8 and EU Presidencies to achieve more global action and funding for AIDS.
 
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Constituent Information (Party Political Use)

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Prime Minister if he will ensure that information contained in letters from constituents forwarded by hon. Members to Government Departments is not stored on databases for party political uses. [205535]

The Prime Minister: Letters from constituents forwarded by hon. Members of Parliament to Government Departments are handled in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code and the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

Special Advisers

Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Prime Minister whether his special advisers have written to external (a) bodies and (b) individuals in their official capacity since May 1997. [204283]

The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the then Minister for the Cabinet Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Ruth Kelly), on 14 December 2004.

UN Declaration for Indigenous People's Rights

Sarah Teather: To ask the Prime Minister what (a) discussions he has had with and (b) representations he has received from Commonwealth governments regarding the proposed Draft UN Declaration for Indigenous People's Rights. [204809]

The Prime Minister: As far as I am aware, I have not received any representations from, or had any with, Commonwealth Governments on this issue.

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