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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH

Advertising

Mr. Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many advertising contracts, and to what value, were signed by his Department in the periods (a) 1 September 2004 to 1 March 2005 and (b) 1 September 2003 to 1 March 2004, broken down by (i) television, (ii) radio, (iii) press, (iv) direct mail and (v) other advertising. [219352]

Mr. Alexander [holding answer 2 March 2005]: No advertising contracts were signed during the periods (a) 1 September 2004 and l March 2005 and (b) 1 September 2003 to 1 March 2004.

Afghanistan

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many women have been appointed in the Afghan cabinet; and what posts they hold. [220081]

Mr. Rammell: President Karzai announced his Cabinet on 23 December 2004. It included two women: Dr. Masooda Jalal (Minister of Women's Affairs) and Sediqa Balkhi (Minister of Martyrs and Disabled).

Bangladesh

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Bangladesh concerning the safety of British nationals resident in Bangladesh. [218631]

Mr. Alexander: We have serious concerns about the security and law and order situation in Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi Government need to take effective action to bring those responsible for violence to justice. I made these points to the Bangladeshi Prime Minister in Dhaka on 21 December. The British high commissioner maintains a regular dialogue with the Bangladeshi authorities on these issues at a senior level, including on the implications for the safety of British citizens.
 
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The large majority of recent attacks have been directed at political and civil society rather than against British or other foreign nationals. There is a danger, however, that British citizens could get caught up in the growing number of indiscriminate attacks. We monitor the situation closely, our high commission maintains close contacts with the British community and we update our travel advice on a regular basis, most recently on 14 February. But we do not advise against travel to the country, other than against all but essential travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts because of the risk of being caught up in clashes between rival tribal groups, settlers and the military in that area.

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment the High Commission in Bangladesh has made of the security situation in that country; and if he will make a statement. [218632]

Mr. Alexander: We have serious concerns about the security situation in Bangladesh. Attacks using explosive devices have been taking place in locations throughout the country with increasing frequency. Some of these attacks have been targeted at high profile political gatherings; others have targeted cinemas, shrines, cultural events, markets and most recently the offices of NGOs. There has also been a marked increase in the number of discoveries of illegal arms and explosives. We monitor the situation carefully and make our concerns clear to the Bangladeshi authorities. I did so with the Bangladeshi Prime Minister in Dhaka on 21 December. The British High Commissioner maintains a regular dialogue on these issues with the Bangladeshi authorities at a senior level, emphasising the need to address the security situation effectively, with full regard to human rights, in order to bring to justice those responsible for such attacks.

Burma

Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Burma about human rights in that country; and if he will make a statement. [220228]

Mr. Alexander: I met the Burmese Ambassador on 29 November 2004 and pressed for political reform, full respect for human rights and the need for all groups in Burma, including ethnic groups, to play a full part in national reconciliation.

The UK works closely with its international partners to promote human rights in Burma, and fully supports the efforts of the UN Secretary General's Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma, Professor Sergio Pinheiro.

Human rights violations have been highlighted in successive UK co-sponsored resolutions on Burma in the United Nations General Assembly and in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

The UK played a key role in drafting last year's UN General Assembly Human Rights Resolution on Burma. The Resolution, adopted by the UN in December, condemned the many human rights abuses in the country, including against ethnic groups.
 
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Our Ambassador in Rangoon has drawn to the attention of the Burmese Foreign Minister the serious concerns expressed by hon. Members and Peers of both Houses about the question of human rights in Burma.

We will continue to raise our concerns at every suitable opportunity.

Cambodia

Mr. Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to promote (a) democratic pluralist governance and (b) civil society in Cambodia. [218181]

Mr. Alexander: Strengthening governance and civil society remains a key part of UK bilateral assistance for Cambodia. The UK is helping the Cambodian Government undertake critical reforms that aid this process particularly in areas such as transnational crime, public financial management, health services and strengthening local governance.

For example, the UK is giving ongoing support to the Government to enable the elected Commune Councils to become increasingly involved in local planning of infrastructure and local services. This support also extends to district level where annual commune plans are shared between Communes, Local Government and Civil Society. We will continue to strengthen these important steps in local governance and encourage greater involvement of Civil Society.

We hope that the political will needed to implement the necessary reform will be forthcoming. I raised this issue with the Cambodian Minister of Justice, Mr. Ang Vong Vathana, on 27 January. Our ambassador in Phnom Penh also raised it with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on 1 February.

We will continue to encourage the Government of Cambodia to take concrete action towards reform and provide the practical support to help them do so.

Departmental Staff (Cancer)

Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policies his Department has in place for supporting employees with cancer. [218582]

Mr. Alexander: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) considers every case based on individual need. Our occupational health doctors advise on what adjustments should be considered. Both in the UK and overseas, we encourage flexible working practices and other adjustments during cancer treatment. The Sickness Absence policy is in keeping with Health and Safety Executive best practice and, once in remission, cancer patients can benefit from the FCO Return to Work Programme which allows for gradual return (at full pay) to full-time work.

The FCO follows general civil service practice on generous provision of sick absence on full (six months) and half (six months) pay. In some cases, officers who are still unable to work after 12 months may receive pay at an abated rate until their return to work.
 
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The FCO also has a 24-hour, free Employee Assistance Programme available to all employees worldwide which provides a range of advice and support, from psychological support through to practical advice on entitlements and care arrangements.

China (Military Technology)

Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are to develop a transatlantic consultative mechanism to prevent the transfer of sensitive military technology from the EU to China. [218385]

Mr. Rammell [holding answer 28 February 2005]: In December 2004 the European Council discussed the EU Arms Embargo on China. The UK and partners invited the Luxembourg Presidency of the EU to take forward work on the review of the embargo. This is ongoing. Until the review process is complete, the Government continue fully to implement the Arms Embargo.

The Government are in favour of dialogue and consultations with EU partners and other close allies which might provide them with more information on which to take defence export licensing decisions under the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. This principle applies to China as it does to any other country. There have been no formal discussions or proposals within the EU about a transatlantic consultation mechanism with respect to China, although there have been contacts between officials in several member states on this subject.

Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has received from his EU counterparts regarding the development of a transatlantic consultative mechanism to prevent the transfer of sensitive military technology from the EU to China; [218386]

(2) what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts regarding the development of a transatlantic consultative mechanism to prevent the transfer of sensitive military technology from the EU to China. [218388]

Mr. Rammell [holding answer 28 February 2005]: The Government are in favour of dialogue and consultations with EU partners and other close allies which might provide them with more information on which to take defence export licensing decisions under the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. This principle applies to China as it does to any other country. There have been no formal discussions or proposals within the EU about a transatlantic consultation mechanism with respect to China, although there have been contacts between officials in several member states on this subject.

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