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Palestinian Occupied Authority

Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights situation in the Palestinian Occupied Authority. [205905]

Mr. Rammell: We recognise Israel's right to take proportionate action to protect its citizens against the threat of terrorist attack. But it must act in accordance with international law. Excessive use of force, often resulting in civilian casualties, restrictions on freedom of movement and the destruction of Palestinian homes and agricultural land, only serve to fuel Palestinian anger
 
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and make a comprehensive settlement more difficult to achieve. We continue to raise our concerns with the Israelis and urge them to cease these practices. Most recently my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised this with Israeli Vice Prime Minister Olmert during his visit to the region on 24 November.

For its part, the Palestinian Authority (PA) also still has much to do to demonstrate its commitment to the human rights of both Israelis and Palestinians. We continue to urge the PA to take effective action against those who commit acts of terrorism.

Papua New Guinea

Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) Australia and (b) other Commonwealth counterparts about the situation in Papua New Guinea; and if he will make a statement. [205952]

Mr. Rammell: We maintain regular dialogue on this issue with Australia, via our High Commissions in Port Moresby and Canberra. We discussed Papua New Guinea (PNG) with other Commonwealth countries such as New Zealand, at last August's Pacific Islands Forum.

We will continue to support Australia's major programmes in PNG, especially their Enhanced Cooperation Programme, through timely inward and outward experts' visits, and through EU funding.

Rwanda

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of recent reports of Rwandan (a) backing of and (b) assistance to General Laurent Nkunda; and if he will make a statement. [206309]

Mr. Mullin: There have been allegations of Rwandan backing and assistance for Nkunda but no conclusive proof. The Rwandan Government denies the allegations.

Severance Grants

Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the cost of the award of severance grants to European Communities' personnel over the last financial year, broken down by (a) reason for severance and (b) number in each category; whether any involved charges of criminal behaviour; and how many involved claims of whistleblowing. [207136]

Mr. MacShane: This information, given that it concerns employees of the EU institutions, would be held by those institutions. It is not held by the UK Government.

Somalia

Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) European Union and (b) United Nations counterparts on the situation in Somalia; and if he will make a statement. [205951]

 
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Mr. Mullin: We are working very closely with our EU partners and the United Nations to set up a Transitional Federal Government for Somalia, acceptable to all factions, which can establish itself in Mogadishu and begin to restore peace and security throughout Somalia. We continue to work closely with our international partners on the delivery of development assistance and humanitarian aid.

Special Advisers

Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the contracts signed by his special advisers differ from the Model Contract for Special Advisers. [207240]

Mr. Straw: No.

Telephone Numbers

Mr. Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many non-geographic 0870 telephone numbers are in use by his Department; and what services can be accessed by calling each of them. [205829]

Mr. Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not make use of 0870 telephone numbers. There is an 0845 number in use. This enables members of the public to call the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London from anywhere in the United Kingdom at standard local rates.

Mr. Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much revenue his Department has received from the use of non-geographic 0870 telephone numbers for the period 1 October 2003 to 30 September 2004. [205841]

Mr. Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not make use of 0870 telephone numbers, nor any other high revenue telephone numbers. There is an 0845 telephone number in use which enables members of the public to call the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London from anywhere in the United Kingdom. Calls are charged at standard local rates, and there is no revenue generated for the Government.

Turkey (EU Membership)

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Turkey will be required officially to recognise the existence of the Republic of Cyprus before it is granted membership of the European Union. [207207]

Mr. MacShane: As accession negotiations with Turkey progress, we expect that relations between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus will undergo a gradual process of normalisation. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have made it clear that a situation in which there are two member states of the EU who do not recognise each other is unthinkable.

Uganda

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the role of the Ugandan
 
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Government Communication Director, Mr. Ofwono-Opondo, in the public execution of Geoffrey Lubega; what representations (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have made to (i) members and (ii) representatives of the Ugandan Government concerning this issue; and if he will make a statement. [206014]

Mr. Mullin: We are aware of the reports of this incident. We understand that the Ugandan Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi directed the Internal Affairs Minister Ruhakana Rugunda to investigate it, and the involvement of the Director of Information at the Movement Secretariat and report back to the Ugandan Parliament. Rugunda told Parliament in a statement on 21 September that Opondo had acted properly and in self-defence, and had saved lives by his actions.

We have urged the Ugandan Government to remain committed to the human rights principles enshrined in the constitution and we will continue to do so.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have had with (i) members and (ii) representatives of the Ugandan Government regarding President Museveni's policy on social and political problems in Zimbabwe; what assessment he had made of President Museveni's view of the UK's role in Zimbabwe's development; and if he will make a statement. [206015]

Mr. Mullin: Our High Commissioner in Kampala discussed President Museveni's visit to Zimbabwe with him on 15 November. He expressed our disappointment at the comments made by the Ugandan President while on his visit.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have had with (i) members and (ii) representatives of the Ugandan Government regarding reports of payments to members of Parliament in Uganda for their support of the proposed constitutional amendment to remove the two-term presidential limit; what reports he has received of such actions taking place; and if he will make a statement. [206016]

Mr. Mullin: We are concerned by reports that members of Uganda's Parliament are alleged to have received payments in order to secure their support for proposals to amend the Ugandan constitution.

Our High Commissioner in Kampala raised our concerns with the Ugandan Government on 1 November. We will continue to urge that the process of political change on which Uganda is embarking should follow the provisions of the constitution, uphold the rule of law and institutions of governance and be free from physical intimidation or financial manipulation.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have made to (i) members and (ii) representatives of the Government of Uganda regarding reports of public
 
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flogging incidents in Uganda, with particular reference to reported incidents involving four opposition Members of Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [206017]

Mr. Mullin: None. An internal investigation was undertaken and a report submitted to the Parliament of Uganda, which is now carrying out its own investigation.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have had with (i) their counterparts in the Commonwealth, (ii) their counterparts in the European Union member states and (iii) members of the European Commission regarding the provision of projects aimed at capacity building in the Ugandan political opposition; and if he will make a statement. [206019]

Mr. Mullin: The UK is an active member of the Kampala-based Donor Democracy and Governance Group, which co-ordinates international support for the political transition in Uganda. This includes the US, United Nations Development Programme, Norway and Japan, as well as EU member states and the European Commission.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is also currently funding a project to help build capacity in all Uganda's major political parties as they prepare for the 2006 elections.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the impact on the culture of political opposition in Uganda of the 1986 ban on political activities; and if he will make a statement. [206020]

Mr. Mullin: Since 1986, the "no-party" Movement system has banned activities by political parties. Initially the system promoted social cohesion and introduced significant local democracy based on 'individual merit'. But its continuation has inhibited democratic development.

We have continuously encouraged the Government of Uganda to open up political space.

We therefore welcomed President Museveni's call in March 2003 for this to occur in time for the next election in 2006. A White Paper proposing numerous changes to the constitution, including moving to a multi-party system and removing the limit on presidential terms, will be debated in the Ugandan Parliament shortly.

We hope that these changes will be handled in line with the provisions of the constitution through a process that carries the confidence of the Ugandan people and Parliament, and will enable the necessary legal amendments for a multi-party system to be enacted sufficiently in advance of the 2006 elections.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have made to the Ugandan authorities regarding reports of President Museveni publicly supporting President
 
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Robert Mugabe's land policies and blaming the UK for the land problems in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement. [206021]

Mr. Mullin: Our high commissioner in Uganda met with President Museveni on 15 November and made clear the Government's views on land reform in Zimbabwe. He also expressed our disappointment at the comments made by the Ugandan President while on his visit to Zimbabwe.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have had with (i) members and (ii) representatives of the Government of Uganda regarding reported arrests and detentions on treason charges by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence; what clarifications have been (A) sought and (B) received in this respect; and if he will make a statement. [206320]

Mr. Mullin: Our High Commissioner has raised these issues with the Minister of the Interior. He stressed the importance of the Government of Uganda arresting suspects, detaining them, charging them and bringing them to court within the provisions set by law. The Minister has provided assurances that the rule of law will be upheld.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have had with (i) members and (ii) representatives of the Government of Uganda regarding (A) the human treason law in general and (B) the time required under the human treason law before bail can be applied for; and if he will make a statement. [206321]

Mr. Mullin: We are concerned by reports of the treason law being used for political purposes. We regularly raise issues of good governance and human rights abuses with the Ugandan authorities, along with our EU partners.

We will continue to urge the Ugandans to comply with the provisions of the constitution and uphold the rule of law.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the circumstances of the death of Patrick Mamenero in Uganda in 2002; what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have had with (i) members and (ii) representatives of the Government of Uganda with regard to (A) the detention by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence and (B) the death while in detention of Patrick Mamenero in Uganda in 2002; and if he will make a statement. [206322]

Mr. Mullin: We are aware of the reports of Patrick Mamenero's death. We are concerned by evidence of arbitrary arrests and lack of due legal process in Uganda, and we take seriously reports of human rights abuses.

The British High Commission in Kampala is an active member of the Donor Technical Group's Human Rights Working Group. This Working Group supports the Uganda Human Rights Commission in its
 
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interventions with the security agencies, including the Chieftancy of Military Intelligence, over alleged incidents of torture and illegal detention.

The Human Rights Working Group will monitor a new initiative by the Director of Public Prosecutions and top security chiefs to eliminate torture, and keep an inventory of follow-up recommendations for further action.

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