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12 Jan 2006 : Column 796W—continued
Sub-regional Transportation Plan
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations took place on the formulation of the sub-regional transportation plan in respect of the towns of Downpatrick, Ballynahinch and Newcastle. [40783]
Mr. Woodward:
The chief executive of the Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
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Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 12 January 2006:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding what consultations took place on the formulation of the Sub-Regional Transportation Plan in respect of the towns of Downpatrick, Ballynahinch and Newcastle. I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
The preparation of the Sub-Regional Transport Plan has been supported by some 29 local transport studies of towns and cities across Northern Ireland, including those for Downpatrick, Ballynahinch and Newcastle. These studies have been undertaken by independent consultants, working to a standard brief prepared by Roads Service, and their management has included interdepartmental liaison and participation of Translink. The consultants have worked closely with Roads Service Divisional staff and have taken full account of their local knowledge of the issues developed over the years through regular consultation with the Councils and contact with the general public.
As you will also be aware, the Draft Ards and Down Area Plan 2015 was published in December 2002. Consultation on the Area Plan, which includes Downpatrick, Ballynahinch and Newcastle, involved the production of an Issues Paper in December 2000 and a series of public meetings facilitated and reported by Community Technical Aid. The consultation included transportation matters.
In preparing the Draft Sub-Regional Transport Plan, Roads Service had intended that an emerging blueprint, detailing the likely improvements in each local area, would have been available prior to Christmas. However, due to the draft NI Priorities and Budget 2006/08 and the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland announcements in December, and their potential impact, it was decided to defer issuing the blueprints until the New Year. The Councils were advised accordingly.
It is our intention to produce the Draft Sub-Regional Transport for formal consultation in March 2006, with the final Plan to be published in December 2006 and it is still Roads Service's intention to provide District Councils with sight of the blueprints for their respective towns, in advance of the formal consultation.
Sustainable Development
Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what parts of his Department's estate will not be covered by the commitments set out in the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate. [18440]
Angela E. Smith: The Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate does not apply to devolved Administrations.
Water Service
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial investment he plans to make in the Water Service. [1358]
Mr. Woodward: The Priorities and Budget document published on 20 December 2004 provides for the following levels of investment in the Water Service:
| 2005–06 | 2006–07 | 2007–08 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current investment | 110.4 | 114.7 | 112.4 |
| Capital investment | 279.5 | 228.8 | 224.4 |
| Total investment | 389.9 | 343.5 | 336.8 |
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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Darfur
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Sudan regarding the removal from their posts of regional administrators and mid-ranking military personnel who are suspected of committing war crimes in Darfur. [39694]
Ian Pearson: We have consistently made clear that those responsible for war crimes in Darfur must be brought to justice. We have called on the Sudanese Government to investigate those believed to be responsible for war crimes. We are encouraging anyone with information on the perpetrators of war crimes to pass it to the Sanctions Committee and the International Criminal Court for consideration in their work under United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1591 and 1593.
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the United States Administration regarding the restoration of funding for the African Union force in Darfur removed from the US's Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill 2006. [40413]
Ian Pearson: We are in regular and close contact with the US and other donors to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to ensure that the mission's funding requirements are met. The US Senate did propose an Amendment to the 2006 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill to provide $50 million to AMIS, but for technical reasons this Amendment was not agreed. The US Administration and key members of Congress have assured us that they remain committed to continuing to support and help fund AMIS. Currently, the United States funds vital camp, vehicle, and communications operations and maintenance for the 34 AMIS camps as well as 14 contract Military Observers. Congress has not yet completed its budgetary processes, so there will be other opportunities for additional US funding for AMIS to be agreed. There are also alternative sources of funding within the US State Department which could be used to help finance AMIS.
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the International Criminal Court on investigating and prosecuting (a) state governors, (b) provincial commissioners and (c) individuals in the formal military chain of command responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. [40415]
Ian Pearson: The Government have consistently made clear that those responsible for the terrible crimes committed in Darfur should be brought to justice. The UK sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 1593, referring the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Prosecutor of the ICC began a formal investigation on 6 June 2005.
It is for the ICC to consider the evidence and to make decisions regarding the indictment of specific individuals. The UK is committed to respect the Prosecutor's independence. Ministers and officials, in
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their contacts with ICC, have underlined that the UK remains a strong supporter-in principle and in practice-of the Court's work.
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Government of Sudan's co-operation with the work of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in Darfur. [40496]
Ian Pearson: On 13 December 2005, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Luis Moreno-Ocampo, presented a report to the UN Security Council on the progress of his Office's investigation into the situation in Darfur. The report, available at www.icc-cpi.int/home.html stated that the Office had made good progress in the investigation's first phase, and noted that the next phase would seek the further assistance and co-operation of the Government of Sudan.
However, also on 13 December 2005, the Sudanese Justice Minister made comments suggesting that the ICC would not be allowed to enter Darfur to conduct investigations.
In response, on 14 December 2005, my noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, said:
UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1593 referred the situation in Darfur to the ICC and called upon all parties, including the Government of Sudan, to co-operate with the ICC investigation. This referral sent a strong signal to the world at large that there can be no impunity for those guilty of grave human rights abuses. I am therefore deeply concerned to hear the recent statement by Sudan's Justice Minister, Muhammad Ali al-Mardi, that Sudan will not allow investigators from the ICC into Darfur. We expect the Government of Sudan to comply with all the wishes of the international community as set out in UNSCR 1593 and cooperate fully with the ICC should it decide to visit Darfur."
The Government will continue to support the ICC as it takes forward its investigation, and to maintain pressure on all parties, including the Government of Sudan, to provide full co-operation as requested by the ICC.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Sudan concerning its decision not to allow international investigators into Darfur; and if he will continue to seek the Government of Sudan's agreement to sign up to the International Criminal Court. [40648]
Ian Pearson: In a statement issued on 14 December 2005, available at http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c= Page&cid=1007029391638&a=KArticle&aid= l133774576642 my noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, said:
UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1593 referred the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and called upon all parties, including the Government of Sudan, to co-operate with the ICC investigation. This referral sent a strong signal to the world at large that there can be no impunity for those guilty of grave human rights abuses. I am therefore deeply concerned to hear the recent statement by Sudan's Justice Minister, Muhammed Ali al-Mardi, that Sudan will not allow investigators from the ICC into Darfur. We expect the
- Government of Sudan to comply with all the wishes of the international community as set out in UNSCR 1593 and cooperate fully with the ICC should it decide to visit Darfur."
On 21 December 2005, the British ambassador to Sudan met with Vice President Taha of Sudan and also emphasised the importance of co-operation with the ICC.
The Government will continue to support the ICC as it takes forward its investigation, and to maintain pressure on all parties, including the Government of Sudan, to provide full co-operation in response to any ICC request.
Sudan is a signatory to the Rome Statute of the ICC but has not yet ratified the Statute. The UK believes in a strong ICC with global membership and jurisdiction that can help bring an end to the culture of impunity for the worst crimes against humanity including genocide and other war crimes. To this end, we urge Sudan to ratify the Rome Statute.
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