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16 Jan 2006 : Column 981W—continued
South Africa (Chemical Weapons Data)
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the South African Government has requested (a) information and (b) assistance from the UK Government in seeking to ascertain the extent of information or help extended by the Chemical Weapons Establishment at Porton Down to Wouter Basson during the period of the apartheid regime; and if he will make a statement. [39882]
Dr. Howells: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend the former Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Dr. Denis MacShane) gave him on 14 March 2005, Official Report, column 94W.
Spain
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit Spain. [41564]
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Mr. Douglas Alexander: My right. hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary currently has no plans to visit Spain.
Staffing Costs
Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the staffing costs of each (a) embassy and (b) consulate were in the last year for which figures are available. [39687]
Mr. Straw: I am placing the information requested for the financial year 2003–04 in the Library of the House.
Sudan
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the use by the Sudanese authorities of amputation as a deterrent for crimes; and what representations he has made to them to end such punishment. [41814]
Ian Pearson: The UK believes that extreme punishments such as stoning, amputation and execution under Sharia law are wholly inconsistent with international human rights standards. We regularly raise with the Government of Sudan the need to respect human rights and abide by international human rights treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. We are also pressing the Government of Sudan, both bilaterally and through multilateral forums such as the EU-Sudan Human Rights Dialogue, to ratify and implement human rights treaties to which it is not a party, including the UN Convention Against Torture.
Under the terms of the new Sudanese constitution, Sharia law, which allows for corporal punishment such as amputations, will apply in the states of Northern Sudan, but not Southern Sudan. The constitution also specifies that in the national capital non-Muslims shall not be subject to Sharia law, and that a Specialist Committee will ensure that Non-Muslims are not adversely affected by the application of the Sharia law in the National Capital. This committee was formed on 4 January 2006.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to help resolve the dispute between the North and South of Sudan over the allocation of oil wells; and if he will make a statement. [41831]
Ian Pearson: Under the terms of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), revenue from oil resources shall be shared equally between the National Government and the Government of South Sudan, with a contribution going to the oil producing state. The Commission to define the boundaries of Southern Sudan in accordance with the CPA was established on 8 September 2005.
The National Petroleum Commission, comprising members of the National Congress Party, the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement and oil producing states, is tasked to formulate, monitor and assess policies on the petroleum sector, negotiate all new oil contracts and ensure transparency in the handling of all oil revenues. The UK is providing financial support to this commission.
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We are pressing the parties to resolve any disputes using the mechanisms provided by the CPA. The UK also holds a seat on the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC), which monitors implementation of the CPA. The parties to the CPA have the right to bring any disputes to the AEC for its recommendations, although no cases have yet been brought.
Terrorist Suspects (Guantanamo Bay)
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has (a) received and (b) made to theUnited States Administration on behalf of Bisher Al-Rawi and Jamil Al-Banna currently detained at Guantanamo Bay. [39152]
Dr. Howells: While it is long-standing policy that we cannot provide consular assistance for individuals who are not British nationals, we agreed exceptionally in March and April 2005 to meet the families of the five detainees in Guantanamo Bay whom we knew were resident in the UK, but who are not British citizens. My noble Friend the former Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister of State, Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, met the families and representatives of Bisher Al-Rawi on 5 April 2005 and of Jamil Al-Banna on 19 April 2005. We passed the concerns expressed to us by the families to the US authorities. We were additionally asked to submit an amicus curiae brief on behalf of these five detainees in court proceedings in the United States. We gave careful consideration to this request, but concluded that the most effective way to achieve real improvements to the situation of the detainees was through continuing discussions about Guantanamo and detainee policy with the US authorities.
We continue to receive correspondence from members of the public and others who have concerns about Guantanamo Bay, including about detainees who were resident in the UK. We have always made clear that we regard the circumstances under which detainees are continuing to be held in Guantanamo Bay as unacceptable. The US Government knows our views. We will continue to raise our concerns at official and ministerial level, and to work with the US authorities to resolve the issues of concern to us.
Uganda
Mr. Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he plans to have with Ugandan President Museveni about the imprisonment of opposition leader Kizza Besigye. [41033]
Ian Pearson:
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister raised the case of Dr. Besigye when he met President Museveni at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Valetta at the end of November 2005. My noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, and our High Commissioner in Uganda have underlined the need for a transparent and fair civilian trial at the highest level of the Ugandan Government. We are encouraged that Dr. Besigye was released on bail on 2 January.
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UK Ambassador (Buenos Aires)
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the works of art stolen from the UK ambassador's temporary residence in Buenos Aires in August 2001; what the value was of each item; and if he will make a statement on (a) the security arrangements in place at the time of the robbery and (b) any changes subsequently made. [40761]
Mr. Straw: In August 2001, our ambassador in Buenos Aires moved to a temporary residence in order that the principal residence be refurbished. During this move, a number of works of art were stolen from the ambassador's temporary residence shortly before it was occupied. These were:
Immediately following this incident, a full police investigation was initiated. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not comment on specific security measures taken to protect its missions and residences overseas. However, the FCO takes the security of our staff and official premises very seriously and security arrangements at all our posts are regularly reviewed, including after incidents of this nature.
UK Embassies/Consulates
Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was of running each (a) embassy and (b) consulate in the last year for which figures are available. [39864]
Mr. Straw: I am placing details of the cost of each post in the Library of the House.
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