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Sudan

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the number of people returning to the South of Sudan; and what assistance is being provided for resettlement. [6818]

Hilary Benn: According to the United Nations (UN), 360,000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) returned to Southern Sudan during 2004. This year the UN estimates that between 500,000 and 1.2 million people will return during 2005, including both IDPs and refugees from neighbouring countries. The UN is currently drawing up a returns plan that will detail the support returnees receive both during their journey and when then arrive home. We expect this will be released within the next few weeks. DFID has provided £45 million to the UN 2005 Workplan for Sudan, over half of which has been allocated by the UN Humanitarian Coordinator to support humanitarian operations and returns in the South.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the humanitarian conditions of Ethiopian refugees who have settled in Pibor in Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [6819]

Hilary Benn: According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the humanitarian conditions of the Ethiopian refugees in Pibor are very poor, but are no worse than the many other residents living in the area. The refugees originate from Gambella in Ethiopia and have settled with the agreement of
 
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UNHCR and the State of Jonglei Government. There are approximately 500 refugees temporarily accommodated in an old school.

The UNHCR and the non-governmental organisation, the Swedish Free Mission (SFM) are assisting the refugees. SFM is providing shelter, water and sanitation. Food is mostly delivered via air drops by the World Food Programme. The Jonglei State Government have also provided the refugees with land to cultivate; the SFM will provide them with tools and seeds. The Department for International Development is providing £1.7 million to the NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres in the region for health assistance to the general population, including the refugees.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the UN High Commission on Refugees on children born and abandoned after rape in the Habila area of Sudan. [6820]

Hilary Benn: While I have not discussed this particular issue with United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), I know that their staff in West Darfur are monitoring the situation closely and supporting victims of rape and their children. I have made clear to the authorities in Sudan that I deplore the occurrence of rape throughout the crisis in Darfur. It is clear that rape is under-reported due to fear of retribution and social stigma. During my recent visit to Sudan, I raised this in my meetings with UN representatives, and with the Sudanese Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and other Sudanese officials.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the level of repatriation of people from Chad to Sudan. [6821]

Hilary Benn: According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), most Sudanese refugees in Chad (numbered at an estimated 200,000) do not intend to return home this year, largely due to their lack of confidence in security in Darfur. However, according to UNHCR, over the last three months, around 20,000 people have spontaneously returned from Chad to Sudan. These people are returning from border areas rather than refugee camps; most of them appear to be returning to Darfur for the planting season rather than to settle permanently at this stage. It is essential that repatriation only occurs on a voluntary basis.

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has made to the Government of Sudan on conflict between internally displaced persons and the police in Soba Aradi, Khartoum. [6844]

Hilary Benn: On 18 May around 15 people died when violence erupted in the Soba Aradi camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) south of Khartoum, when attempts were made to move the IDPs to a new camp. On 19 May, I issued a statement expressing the UK's grave concern and called on all sides to prevent any further loss of life. I urged the Government to respect the human rights of the IDPs, protect its citizens and bring those responsible to justice. I followed this up
 
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during my visit to Sudan between 12–14 June, and pressed the First Vice-President on the importance of improving relations between IDPs and local police.

The British ambassador in Khartoum also raised the incident with the Government, and pressed them to investigate the incident in consultation with the Joint National Transition Team under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and to take the necessary steps to prevent it happening in the future.

We have repeatedly made clear to the Government that all returns and relocations must be entirely voluntary and take place in line with the established international monitoring mechanisms that are in place.

Taxis

David T.C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much the Department has spent on taxis in each of the last five years. [6495]

Mr. Thomas: Figures for travel costs within administration costs budgets for years which information is readily available are shown as follows:

2004–05—£248,300

The figure provided includes costs for contracted taxi and privately arranged hire. It is not possible to disaggregate separate costs for taxis for earlier years without incurring a disproportionate cost. The information for earlier years is not readily available and in some cases will no longer be held.

All official travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules contained in DFID's staff handbook, which reflects the requirements of the Civil Service Management Code.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan (Deployment)

Mr. Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the projected levels of deployment to Afghanistan for his Department's personnel is by the (a) end of 2005, (b) middle of 2006 and (c) end of 2006. [6435]

Mr. Ingram: At the end of 2005 projected levels of deployment to Afghanistan will be very similar to current levels at around 1,000 personnel.

By the middle of 2006 the HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) Group will have deployed to lead the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for nine months from May 2006. We are also developing plans for the potential deployment offerees to the south of Afghanistan to enable the UK to play a key role in Stage 3 of ISAF expansion.

An announcement will be made to Parliament once decisions have been made.

Air Tanker Fleet

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the delivery dates are for the new air tanker fleet; from which air centre it will fly; and at which centre it will be serviced and repaired. [5762]

 
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Mr. Ingram: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 17W, to the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown).

Armoured Vehicle Training

Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total public expenditure to date is on the private finance initiative with the Landmark Training Consortium to provide armoured vehicle training; whether this includes cancellation costs; and if he will make a statement. [6068]

Mr. Ingram: The Defence Procurement Agency PFI assessment costs for the Armoured Vehicle Training Service (AVTS) was £5 million. This includes costs such as legal, technical and financial advice but not the Ministry of Defence internal costs. This is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. No cancellation costs have been incurred. I announced to the House by means of a written ministerial statement the way forward for AVTS on 15 June 2005, Official Report, column 13WS.

Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the implications of the decision not to proceed with the Armoured Vehicle Training Services project under the private finance initiative for the eventual solutions for other training contracts. [6246]

Mr. Ingram: Since each PFI case is considered on its merits, no formal assessment has been made and in my written Statement to the House on 15 June 2005, Official Report, column 13WS, I confirmed that although not continuing with the Armoured Vehicle Training Services PFI, the Ministry of Defence, supported by the Private Finance Unit, will continue to use PFI where it can be shown to deliver better value for money.

Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role a public-private partnership will play in the delivery of the Armoured Vehicle Training Services requirement. [6248]

Mr. Ingram: A revised procurement strategy is being worked up by the Defence Procurement Agency to deliver the requirement. No decisions have yet been made on public-private partnership forming part of the overall future solution.

Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the costs were of the assessment of the suitability of a private finance initiative solution for the Armoured Vehicle Training Services requirement. [6249]

Mr. Ingram: The Defence Procurement Agency PFI assessment cost of the Armoured Vehicle Training Service was £5 million. This includes costs such as legal, technical and financial advice but not the Ministry of Defence internal costs. This is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

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