---

17 Oct 2005 : Column 735W—continued

Embassies/High Commissions

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further plans he has (a) to close, (b) to contract and (c) to expand embassies and high commissions. [18876]

Mr. Straw: I set out details of planned closure and localisation of British embassies and high commissions and other posts in my written ministerial statement of 11 October 2005, Official Report, columns 21–24WS.

EU Travel Bans

Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list individuals subject to an EU travel ban whom he has met over the last three years. [16662]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: EU travel bans prevent listed individuals from travelling to the EU, except in the case of specified exemptions set out in the EU Common Position on Zimbabwe. The UK meets its obligations fully in upholding these travel bans, which it believes are an effective measure in applying pressure against regimes which have particularly poor records on human rights, democracy, good governance and the rule of law.

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has of course not met any listed individuals in the EU in contravention of these travel bans. Nor has he had meetings with such individuals outside the EU.

At international meetings, such as those at the UN, British Ministers come into contact with representatives of foreign governments whatever our views of them, including those subject to EU travel bans. In the past, the Foreign Secretary has briefly come into contact with Zimbabwean President Mugabe, former Zimbabwean
 
17 Oct 2005 : Column 736W
 
Foreign Minister Stan Mudenge and current Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Mumbengegwi at the UN General Assembly in New York.

The Foreign Secretary also occasionally met Foreign Minister Mumbengegwi in the course of normal diplomatic business in Mumbengegwi's previous role as ambassador to the UK, before his inclusion on the travel ban in 2005.

Extraordinary Rendition

Mr. Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he received a letter from Martin Scheinin, a rapporteur for the UN Commission on Human Rights, regarding alleged British involvement in extraordinary rendition; and if he will place a copy of his response in the Library. [17841]

Ian Pearson: The Government have not received a letter from Professor Martin Scheinin, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Terrorism, on the specific subject of extraordinary rendition. We have received two letters from Professor Scheinin seeking information on counter-terrorism measures employed or proposed by the Government. The Home Office is dealing with both letters and will respond. We will then co-ordinate with them and Professor Scheinin to see if copies of the Government's responses to him can be placed in the Library of the House. I will let my hon. Friend know if and when this can be done.

Hong Kong

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 12th July 2005, Official Report, column 878W, on SirDonald Tsang, whether Sir Donald Tsang (a) has asked the Department not to use his title and (b) informed the Department that he does not wish to be known by it. [17712]

Ian Pearson: Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang has not asked the Foreign and Commonwealth Office not to use his title. Donald Tsang chooses not to use his title in his official capacity, and in official correspondence the Chief Executive is referred to as The Honourable Donald Tsang. We therefore respect this evident preference.

Iraq

Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what formal representations have been made to the Government of Iraq concerning possible Iranian support for insurgents operating against Iraqi security forces and UK troops in Southern Iraq. [18484]

Dr. Howells: We have been speaking to the Iraqi Transitional Government on a regular basis about this issue since the summer of 2005. On 1 August 2005 our Ambassador to Iraq made formal representation to the Iraqi Defence Minister, Sadoun Dulime, concerning possible Iranian support for insurgents in Southern Iraq.

Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from Iraqi officials
 
17 Oct 2005 : Column 737W
 
concerning possible Iranian involvement in the insurgency in Iraq; and on what date he received those representations. [18585]

Dr. Howells: We have not received formal representation from Iraqi Officials concerning possible Iranian involvement in the insurgency in Iraq.

Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date his officials in (a) Iraq and (b) London were first informed of reports that (i) Iranian and (ii) Hizbullah personnel were training insurgents operating in southern Iraq. [18586]

Dr. Howells: We first became aware in early summer 2005 of reports suggesting that military equipment originating in Iran may have been used against British soldiers in Southern Iraq.

Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UK Government's position is on whether the recent Israeli air strikes on Gaza and the resumption of targeted assassinations constitute a proportionate response to the rocket attacks that were launched by Palestinian militants in the days following Gaza disengagement. [17919]

Dr. Howells: The Government's consistent policy is that as long as it acts within international law, Israel has the right to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks which we condemn absolutely. Targeted killings are contrary to international law.

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of (a) the legality of Israel's E1 plan outside Jerusalem and (b) its implications for progress with the Road Map. [18302]

Dr. Howells: The plan to expand the Israeli settlement of Ma'aleh Adumim into the so-called E1" area east of Jerusalem, combined with the proposed route of the barrier, threatens to complete the encircling of the city by settlements and cut off Palestinian East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank. This would have serious economic, social and humanitarian consequences for Palestinians who live in these areas.

These Israeli actions are in violation of Israel's Roadmap obligations and international law. If they continue, they will make it harder to reach a final status agreement on Jerusalem. We and others in the international community have made our concerns on this clear to the Government of Israel.

Krishna Maharaj

Mr. Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made on behalf of Krishna Maharaj; and if he will make a statement. [17099]

Ian Pearson: Mr. Maharaj's case is currently before the US Federal Court of Appeals. In January 2005, the Government submitted an amicus curiae brief to the Court of Appeals in relation to lack of consular
 
17 Oct 2005 : Column 738W
 
notification. We continue to monitor the case in consultation with Mr. Maharaj's legal representatives in the US and UK.

Peru

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received on the progress of judicial reform in Peru, with particular reference to the case of (a) Augusto Camacho Alarcon and (b) Carlos Jose Garay; and if he will make a statement. [16838]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: Our ambassador in Lima discussed judicial reform with the Peruvian Justice Minister on 19 September. The ambassador received representations from the Justice Minister on the Progress of judicial reform in Peru. Our ambassador emphasised the strong support the UK and the EU have given to judicial reform in Peru. Under our EU Presidency, the embassy has chaired meetings of EU Heads of Mission to discuss EU projects on judicial reform in Peru.

We have not received representations on the cases of Augusto Camacho Alarcon and Carlos Jose Garay. However, we understand that the Peruvian National Terrorism Court has ordered that Alarcon and Garay be re-tried under terrorism charges. We also understand that these individuals have been released from custody and are currently awaiting their re-trial.

---