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7 Dec 2005 : Column 1394W—continued
HIV/AIDS
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the South African Health Minister on offering appropriate treatment to those suffering from HIV/AIDS. [34141]
Ian Pearson:
HIV and AIDS is a top priority for the UK bilateral development programme in South Africa. The Department for International Development funded a £30 million multisectoral programme in 2003. The programme works with partners in Government at national, e.g. Departments of Health, Social Development and Defence and provincial, e.g. in Eastern Cape, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal levels. However, while the Government are happy to assist South Africa if requested, the implementation of healthcare policy, including that on HIV/AIDS, is within the South African Government's remit.
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India
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to (a) the Indian Government and (b) the Chief Minister of Orissa state about the burning down of houses belonging to members of the Christian community in Gandahati village, Gajapati district, Orissa. [34366]
Dr. Howells: Our high commission in New Delhi has looked into media reports alleging this attack against Christians in Orissa but has been unable to verify these. We condemn all instances where individuals are persecuted because of their faith or belief, wherever they happen and whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned. Our high commission in New Delhi continues to monitor the issue of religious freedom, with staff making regular calls on the appropriate Indian authorities to flag up our concern about incidents of religious intolerance. We will continue to insist that the right to freedom of religion is upheld, and that those responsible for attacks against people on grounds of their religion are brought to justice.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to (a) the Indian Government and (b) the Chief Minister of Orissa state about the continuing activities of militant Hindu groups in Orissa state and several other states in India. [34367]
Dr. Howells: We are aware of the alleged involvement of Hindu extremist organisations in attacks against Christians in India. We condemn all instances where individuals are persecuted because of their faith or belief, wherever they happen and whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned. Our high commission in New Delhi continues to monitor the issue of religious freedom, with staff making regular calls on the appropriate Indian authorities, to flag up our concern about incidents of religious intolerance. We will continue to insist that the right to freedom of religion is upheld, and that those responsible for attacks against people on grounds of their religion are brought to justice.
Iran
Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State forForeign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's relations with Iran. [34327]
Dr. Howells: We have serious concerns about Iran's position on a number of issues. At the International Atomic Energy Agency Board meeting on 24 November we made clear our growing concerns about Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. We have also expressed our concerns about Iran's attitude towards terrorism; its lack of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; and its unhelpful approach to the Middle East Peace Process and to Iraq. Progress in our relations with Iran will depend on action by Iran to address these concerns.
Iraq
Mr. Robathan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what legal
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jurisdiction British subjects are working in Iraq if employed by (a) the UK Government and (b) the US Administration; and if he will make a statement. [34996]
Dr. Howells [holding answer 6 December 2005]: British diplomatic and consular staff working in Iraq are required under the Vienna conventions on diplomatic and consular relations to respect the laws of the host state, but in most cases they are immune from its jurisdiction, although such immunity can be waived by the sending state.
All non-Iraqi contractors working in Iraq for the US and UK Governments are required to respect the laws of Iraq, except that by virtue of Coalition Provision Authority (CPA) Order No 17 (Revised) they are not subject to Iraqi laws or regulations in matter relating to the terms and conditions of their contracts. Such contractors are immune from the jurisdiction of the Iraqi courts with respect to acts performed pursuant to the terms and conditions of their contract, but this immunity may be waived by the state which has employed the contractor.
CPA Order 17 also confers immunity from Iraqi jurisdiction on non-Iraqi nationals employed by the US and UK Governments as consultants to the Government of Iraq and on military personnel forming part of the Multi-National Force in Iraq. Such persons are, however, required to respect the laws of Iraq and their immunity may be waived by the sending state.
If a contractor of British nationality, or a British diplomat or consultant, were to commit a criminal offence in Iraq, it is possible that in some circumstances he could be prosecuted in this country. This will depend on whether extra-territorial jurisdiction exists for the offence under English law. Members of the British armed forces remain subject to military law and the criminal law of England and Wales at all times.
Opposition Spokespersons (Formal Visits)
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the formal visits (a) undertaken by and (b) participated in by official Opposition spokespersons which were funded by his Department in the last two years. [35211]
Ian Pearson: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) funded the visit of the official Opposition Shadow Minister for Defence, the hon. Member for Blaby (Mr. Robathan), to Iraq in 2005.
In 2004 two official Opposition Whips, the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle and the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds, participated in an FCO funded cross-party visit to the United Nations in New York.
Records show visits by official Opposition spokespersons who received briefings, hospitality or accommodation from our posts as:
Shadow Foreign Secretary, the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox)—Turkey, South Africa, Namibia, Israel, Jordan, United States of America, India.
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, the right hon. and learned Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram)—Egypt, Israel,Jordan.
Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan)—NATO parliamentary assembly.
Shadow Minister for the Olympics and Sport, the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Hugh Robertson)—Singapore.
South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation
Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation summit. [33923]
Dr. Howells: The UK warmly welcomes the progress made at the 13th South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) Summit in Dhaka towards achieving closer South Asian regional integration. We were particularly pleased to note the milestone decision taken by SAARC Heads of State to invite Afghanistan to join this organisation, and the moves made towards granting observer status to others. An effective and strong SAARC, working with South Asia's friends, can only benefit the people of the region.
We also welcome the movement towards concluding the South Asian Free Trade Area Agreement (SAFTA), following the recent deliberations of the Committee of Experts on SAFTA. We understand that SAFTA is now scheduled to come into force on 1 January 2006 and is expected to be fully operational by 2016. This will create a free trade zone bringing the benefits of closer regional economic integration to an area covering over 1.4 billion people.
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