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Sub-post Offices

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has held with (a) parish and town councils and (b) the National Association of Local Councils on how these bodies might support sub-post offices. [205390]

 
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Mr. Sutcliffe: I have not held discussions with parish and town councils or with the National Association of Local Councils at this stage.

The Government recognise the importance of the rural post office network to local communities and will not take any decisions on the future of the network without a proper assessment of those needs. My officials are working closely with Defra and the devolved Administrations to identify future options for sustaining access to post office services for rural communities. This work is still at an early stage, but I am sure that they will seek the views of bodies representing parish and town councils at an appropriate point.

Telecommunications

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she will take to ensure that BT fulfils its obligation to provide an improved IPStream to DataStream migration process in the broadband market. [201828]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: Increasing competition in the broadband market is an important part of the Government's strategy to make the UK the best place in the world for e-business. An effective regulatory regime is the best way of increasing competition in that market.

The implementation of the regulatory regime is the responsibility of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) as independent regulator. Ofcom is still working through the implications of its recent wholesale broadband market review and that the industry is aware of the concerns around the issue. My officials have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to respond directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Time Zones

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will discuss with Ministers in the Scottish Executive the merits of bringing time in England and Wales, but not Scotland, into line with Europe. [206029]

Mr. Sutcliffe: There are no plans to have such discussions.

Trade (Southampton)

Mr. Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what volume of trade passed through Southampton in each year since 1998–99. [205391]

Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.

The total foreign and domestic traffic at Southampton in the calendar years 1998 to 2003 was as follows:

	Total traffic (thousand tonnes)
1998	34,259
1999	33,289
2000	34,773
2001	35,689
2002	34,156
2003	35,773

 
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UK Trade and Investment

Mr. Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether she plans to discontinue UK Trade and Investment's Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad Schemes; and if she will make a statement. [203947]

Mr. Alexander: There are no plans to end the Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad Scheme (SESA). However, as part of its Trade Services Review, which followed an extensive Customer Needs Review, UK Trade and Investment is reviewing the support provided through all of its schemes to ensure that its resources are used to maximum impact and benefit to its customers.

Since the results of SR2004 were announced, UK Trade and Investment has been consulting widely with stakeholders over potential changes to its services, including those provided through the SESA scheme from 1 April 2006.

Mr. Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much UK Trade and Investment has spent on external consultants over the past six months. [203949]

Mr. Alexander: Our records show that for the six months from April to end September 2004, UK Trade and Investment spent about £2.414 million on consultancy.

Vendside Ltd.

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what contractual arrangements the Department has entered into with Vendside Ltd.; and on what date in each case. [204388]

Ms Hewitt: The British Coal Vibration White Finger Claims Handling Agreement is the only contractual arrangement the Department has with Vendside Ltd. The Agreement was signed on 28 January 1999.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Spain

Claire Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Spanish authorities in respect of the recent racism and violence at the football match against England. [204241]

Mr. MacShane [pursuant to his oral answer, 14 December 2004, Official Report, c. 1526]: There was an error in my answer of 14 December to the hon. Member, for which I apologise. The correct answer should have been:

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I discussed this matter with our opposite numbers the day after the match and expressed the outrage felt throughout the UK. They, as well as the Spanish Prime Minister's office, have issued statements apologising and condemning the behaviour. The House may also be interested to know that the Spanish anti-violence commission has just asked the Spanish football association to open a disciplinary case against the Spanish national coach, Luis Aragones, for his remarks
 
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about a footballer who plays for a team in the English Premier League. The whole House will condemn these remarks as racist

Abu Ghraib Prison

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when British officials were first informed of allegations of mistreatment at Abu Ghraib prison, Iraq. [204785]

Mr. Rammell: UK officials became aware of allegations of mistreatment of detainees in July 2003, but it was not until January 2004 that they became aware of allegations concerning treatment at Abu Ghraib when they were informed by the US authorities that detailed investigations had begun into these allegations.

Afghanistan

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which political parties have registered to participate in the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Afghanistan. [206334]

Mr. Rammell: According to the Afghan Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB), by 30 September (the most recent date for which information is available) some 70 parties were recorded as being at some stage of registration.

A full list of these parties and other information concerning the election process is available at the JEMB website: www.elections-afghanistan.org.af/.

China

Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Government have had with (a) the European Union and (b) the United States of America regarding the lifting of the arms embargo against China; and if he will make a statement. [204768]

Mr. MacShane: The Government supports the decision of the European Council in December 2003 to review the EU Arms Embargo on China. This review is on-going-it was last discussed by EU Foreign Ministers at the 13 December General Affairs and External Relations Council. In recent contacts with my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, US Ministers have expressed an interest in the review of the embargo. However, the review and any decisions arising from it are to be undertaken by the EU only. The EU will take all relevant factors into account in the review. The Government does not wish to pre-empt the conclusion of the review.

China Human Rights Dialogue Round

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the November 2004 UK China Human Rights Dialogue round. [204626]

Mr. MacShane: The November 2004 UK China Human Rights Dialogue was held on 22 November in Beijing. The theme was "Human Rights and the Development of Urban Society". The delegations
 
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explored in some depth issues relating to employment, housing and migrant worker rights and reform of mechanisms for dealing with crime. The UK side also raised some other issues outside this theme including for example Tibet. We are assessing the outcome of this round.

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