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Iran

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet a representative of the Iranian Government to discuss the treatment of the Baha'i community in Iran. [6581]

Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary currently has no plans to meet the Iranian Foreign Minister or any other member of the Iranian Government.

We continue to have serious concerns about the situation of the Baha'i community in Iran. Reports suggest that a number of Baha'is have recently been arrested. We have pressed the Iranian authorities on many occasions to allow the Baha'is to practise their faith without interference, and will continue to do so, both bilaterally and through the EU.

Ian Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment the UK embassy in Iran has made of Iranian Government policy towards Baha"'-"s; what assessment he has made of whether the policies set out in the 1991 memorandum entitled The Baha"'-" Question, drafted by the Revolutionary Cultural Council of Iran remain official Government policy in Iran; and if he will make a statement. [6905]

Dr. Howells: We are not aware that the Iranian authorities have acknowledged the authenticity of the 1991 memorandum, nor commented in detail on current policy towards the Baha"'-"s. The Baha"'-"s are the largest non-Muslim religious group in Iran, yet unlike Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians, are not recognised in Iran's constitution. Members of the Baha"'-" community have suffered intimidation and harassment, had property confiscated and been denied access to education and employment, apparently on account of their faith. A number of Baha"'-" sites have been demolished, organisers of Baha"'-" community activities have reportedly been harassed and the Baha"'-" faith has been denigrated in the state-owned media. Many of these acts appear to have been carried out by, or with the support or acquiescence of, the Iranian authorities.

We have raised our concerns about the situation of the Baha"'-"s in Iran with the Iranian authorities on many occasions, and will continue to do so, bilaterally and with our European Union partners.

Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations he is undertaking into the detention and deportation from Israel on 7/8 May of a delegation of
 
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women from Birmingham at Tel Aviv airport; and what representations he is making to the Government of Israel on the matter. [4225]

Dr. Howells: Staff from the British embassy in Tel Aviv and the British consulate general in Jerusalem contacted the Israeli authorities several times regarding Israel's decision to detain the delegation of women from Birmingham on the night of 7/8 May. The British embassy in Tel Aviv is also raising this incident with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Israeli Government have the right to decide on matters of leave to enter Israel. The various procedures of security staff at entry points to Israel are a matter for the Israeli Government and are outside our direct control. Our own procedures are similarly protected. But we have raised on many occasions the manner in which the Israeli immigration and security authorities treat British travellers at points of entry.

Luke Noble

Mr. Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Governor of the British Virgin Islands about the sentence issued by the court in the case of Luke Noble. [6999]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: The British Virgin Islands' judiciary acts independently of the Territory's Government, of which the Governor is the constitutional head, and of the United Kingdom Government. There is no provision allowing for the prosecution to appeal sentence at present, although I understand this situation is under review.

Nigeria

Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Government are taking to ensure the security of British citizens working in Nigeria in relation to terrorist threats. [7535]

Ian Pearson: The British High Commission in Nigeria maintains close contact with the Nigerian authorities on security issues, including terrorism. It also maintains a network of over 100 British community liaison officers throughout Nigeria, and stays in close contact with those who employ large numbers of British citizens. Like other British diplomatic posts, the High Commission has emergency plans to guide response to incidents involving British citizens. Information on potential security threats, including terrorism, is included in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) travel advice for Nigeria, available on the FCO's website: www.fco.gov.uk

North Korea

Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of the Six Party Talks on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear programme. [6767]

Ian Pearson: The Six Party Talks between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), China, the US, Russia, South Korea and Japan began in 2003 but participants have not met since June 2004. We
 
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fully support this process as the best means to resolve international concern over the DPRK nuclear issue. We have regularly urged the Government of North Korea to return to the Six Party Talks, and to engage constructively with a view to agreement on the verifiable dismantlement of all its nuclear weapons programmes. There have been recent reports suggesting that North Korean leaders may be ready to resume talks soon. We hope that is the case and that they will do so in a constructive spirit without preconditions.

Prisoner Abuse (US Forces)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the United States Administration on reports of prisoner abuse by US forces; and if he will make a statement. [6411]

Ian Pearson: We condemn utterly all acts of abuse.

We maintain a regular dialogue with the US Government on a great many foreign policy issues, including at the highest levels, about allegations of abuse by US forces.

The US authorities have conducted a number of inquiries into these allegations, and where there has been evidence of abuse, individuals have been punished.

Sir David Manning

Mr. Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list Sir David Manning's engagements for 6 June. [4891]

Ian Pearson: Sir David Manning's engagements for 6 June included meetings with His Excellency Mr. Franciskus van Daele, ambassador of Belgium, and Mr. Mark Everson, commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service; hosting the British school graduation ceremony and introducing the British headmistress; and introducing and attending a lecture delivered by Mrs. Blair. In addition, he had a number of internal meetings.

Taliban

Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the search for (a) al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and (b) Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar; and if he will make a statement. [6790]

Dr. Howells [holding answer 23 June 2005]: For reasons which the hon. Member will understand, we do not comment on operational matters. As demonstrated by the recent arrest in Pakistan of Abu Faraj Al Libi, significant progress is being made against the senior leadership of al-Qaeda and senior Taliban allies.

United States

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the visitors who have been provided with accommodation and hospitality by his Department at official residences in Washington DC since 1 May. [5623]

 
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Ian Pearson: We are unable to provide this information. To do so would incur disproportionate costs, and some of the information might have to be withheld on security or privacy grounds.

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