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17 Nov 2005 : Column 1491W—continued
South America
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with governments in the Andean region regarding (a) governance reforms and (b) the enhancement of democratic values. [27025]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: The UK places great value on its relationship with the Andean region and support efforts aimed at good governance and the promotion of democratic principles, in an effort to find lasting solutions to the challenges facing the region. We regularly impress upon the governments of the Andean region, bilaterally and through our presidency of the EU, the importance we attach to these matters. We will continue to raise important issues such as these at every suitable opportunity, both here in London, through our embassies in the Andean countries and in the course of high level visits in both directions.
Sudan
Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in the Darfur region of Sudan. [28932]
Ian Pearson: The sixth round of Darfur peace talks, between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), adjourned on 20 October. The UK provided three experts to hold workshops on key areas, particularly security, during this round of negotiations. The parties engaged in negotiations constructively and made some progress on power sharing issues.
However, we judge that progress remains slow. We are urging the parties to make more rapid headway when talks reconvene on 21 November and stand ready to provide further experts to assist the African Union (AU) mediators.
We are concerned about continuing divisions within the SLM. United States Deputy Secretary of State, Robert Zoellick, chaired a meeting with both factions of the SLM and international partners, including the AU and UN, in Nairobi on 8–9 November. The UK participated actively in this meeting, which pressed the SLM to resolve their differences and negotiate with one voice when talks in Abuja reconvene.
We remain firmly committed to the Abuja process, and will maintain a UK presence throughout the talks, in support of the mediation and the parties.
Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with permanent members of the United Nations Security Council on an arms embargo on the Sudanese Government. [28934]
Ian Pearson:
On 29 March United Nations Security Council Resolution 1591 imposed an arms embargo on the Darfur region of Sudan and made provisions for an
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assets freeze and travel ban against certain categories of individuals. We have always maintained that the arms embargo should be broadened to cover the whole country, as with the European Union Arms Embargo. We have discussed this matter on several occasions with other members of the Security Council and will continue to do so.
The UN panel of experts on the Sudan resolution will report in the coming weeks on implementation of the existing sanctions and possible further measures. We will urge the Council to follow up their recommendations quickly.
UK Ambassadors
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK ambassadors are not UK citizens; and if he will make a statement. [29590]
UK Presidency
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of the cost of running the UK presidency of the EU. [29452]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey) on 9 June 2005, Official Report, columns 660–61W.
United States (Prince of Wales's Visit)
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who the duty Minister was in attendance in respect of HRH the Prince of Wales's official visit to the US. [26864]
Mr. Straw: No Minister, either from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or from another Government Department, accompanied Their Royal Highnesses to the United States.
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what basis Mr. Michael Fawcett was included in the process for the selection and purchase of official gifts given by HRH the Prince of Wales during his official visit to the US; and if he will make a statement. [26865]
Mr. Straw: We have no knowledge of any involvement of Mr. Michael Fawcett. The present for the President was based on a suggestion made by the British embassy in Washington. The presents for Mrs Bush were selected by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which persons from the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment accompanied HRH Prince of Wales on his official visit to the US; whether costs relating to such persons were met from public funds; and if he will make a statement. [26869]
Mr. Straw:
No-one from the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment accompanied His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales on his official visit to the US.
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Zanzibar
Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the (a) transparency and (b) legitimacy of the recent elections in Zanzibar. [28412]
Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Buckingham (John Bercow) on 15 November 2005 Official Report, column 1186W
NORTHERN IRELAND
11 Plus
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria were used in making the decision that no pilot tests would be carried out in connection with the removal of the 11 plus. [28763]
Angela E. Smith: Government have accepted the recommendation of the Post-Primary Review Working Group that academic selection should end, with the final Transfer Tests taking place in autumn 2008. Pilot tests will not be required, as future transfer arrangements will be based on parental choice, informed by a Pupil Profile. The Northern Ireland Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment is developing the Pupil Profile and piloting it in a range of schools with teachers and parents involved.
Cancer Patients (Benefits)
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action the Department for Social Development is taking to improve access to the statutory benefits system for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer; and if he will make a statement. [23387]
Mr. Hanson: For those suffering from cancer, the Social Security Agency's disability and carer's service contact centre assists with telephone applications for disability living allowance (DLA), attendance allowance (AA) and carer's allowance (CA). They can also avail of the special rules scheme within DLA and AA to fast track claims for terminally ill customers. Getting either benefit under special rules means the customer gets the highest rate for help with personal care.
In conjunction with Macmillan Cancer Relief, the agency has worked to identify and address the barriers facing cancer patients when accessing benefits. As a result of this there has been:
enhanced cancer awareness training for agency staff;
an information booklet Help with the Cost of Cancer" was launched in March 2005; and
an outreach service of specialist benefit advisers for those with cancer has been piloted. The pilot is proving successful and the next phase is being considered.
Company Insolvencies
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many company insolvencies there were in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years. [28860]
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Angela E. Smith: The following table shows the number of insolvent liquidations in each of the last 10 financial years.
(36) Excludes any winding-up orders which were subsequently rescinded by the court.
(37) To date.
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