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3 Mar 2006 : Column 1026W—continued
Iran
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to (a) the authorities in Iran and (b) other bodies regarding the use of the death penalty in Iran. [55341]
Dr. Howells:
We have serious concerns regarding the Iranian authorities' use of the death penalty. Figures from international non-governmental organisations indicate that in 2004 only China executed more people.
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We receive many reports of executions carried out in public. Growing numbers of juvenile offenders have been sentenced to death, and in some cases executed.
During our presidency of the EU in 2005, we pressed the Iranian authorities on seven occasions on death penalty related concerns. On 26 July 2005, the EU issued a public statement recalling the EU's "long held position that capital punishment may not, in any circumstances, be imposed on persons below 18 years of age at the time of the commission of their crime". Such punishments are in contravention of Iran's obligations under International Convention of Civil and Political Rights and also the Convention of the Rights of the Child. The EU expressed its hope that Iran would adopt a law abolishing all lashings and executions for crimes committed by those under the age of 18. It called on Iran to implement a moratorium until that time.
We have also raised death penalty concerns in other fora. In December 2005, all EU member states co-sponsored a resolution on human rights in Iran at the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution expressed serious concern at "public executions including multiple public executions and, on a large scale, other executions in the absence of respect for internationally recognised safeguards" and deplored "the execution of persons who were below 18 years of age at the time their offence was committed".
Israel
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he has received to the representations he made to the Israeli Government in November 2005 concerning the anti-semitic harassment of the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, by an Israeli official at Tel-Aviv airport. [55795]
Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary received a letter from the Israeli ambassador dated 10 January, responding to his letter which raised my right hon. Friend's concerns. The ambassador noted that the letter had been passed to the relevant authorities in Israel to investigate. My officials have since spoken with the Israeli embassy, who have assured us that they will provide a full reply once they have completed their investigation.
Kazakhstan
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of (a) reports that the Government of Kazakhstan has operated death squads which have murdered opposition politicians and (b) the impact this may have upon the transition to democracy. [55438]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: I was saddened to hear about the murder of Altynbek Sarsenbaiuly on 13 February. The EU made a statement shortly afterwards offering condolences, underlining the need for an immediate, full and transparent investigation into the circumstances of his death, and asking to be kept informed of developments.
Together with our EU partners, we will continue to work to encourage democratic reform in Kazakhstan.
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Middle East
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the Hamas victory in the Palestinian elections on equality and freedom for women. [55433]
Dr. Howells: We have made no specific assessment on what impact Hamas's recent election success will have upon equality and secular freedom for women. Hamas have not yet formed a government and we understand that this may take some time.
Montenegro
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the proposed referendum on whether Montenegro should secede from Serbia. [55344]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: The Government believe that a fully functioning state union is the most effective means of furthering Serbia and Montenegro's progress towards the EU, and to contribute to lasting reconciliation in the region. However, under the terms of the 2003 Constitutional Charter of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, either republic can hold a referendum on withdrawal after three years. We respect this provision and we expect both republics to do the same.
If a referendum takes place in Montenegro this year, as is increasingly likely, it should be held according to the terms of the Constitutional Charter and any outcome be transparent, peaceful, consensual and democratic. The UK welcomes the appointment of Miroslav Lajcak as personal representative of the EU High Representative, Javier Solana, to help facilitate dialogue between the Montenegrin Government and the opposition to agree the terms for holding a referendum. Ensuring that the referendum and its preceding campaign meet internationally recognised standards and are free and fair will be vital if the international community is to recognise the outcome of any referendum.
Russia
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Russian Government on the position of Hindus in Russia, with particular reference to Moscow; and if he will make a statement. [55746]
Mr. Douglas Alexander:
In the course of their on-going contacts, Ministers and staff at our embassy in Moscow continue to raise human rights issues with the Russian Government. We also raise our concerns during biannual EU/Russia consultations and UK/Russia human rights dialogues. Religious freedom is an important part of the agenda at the next EU/Russia human rights consultation, to be held in Vienna on 3 March. In consultation with the Defend Russian Hindus Campaign, we have provided the Austrian presidency with briefing on this point. We will continue to monitor this and other religious freedom issues in Russia and raise them as appropriate in the cause of our on-going dialogue.
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SOLICITOR-GENERAL
Judicial Review (QCs)
Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Solicitor-General what rates a Queen's counsel in the Treasury solicitor's Department are entitled to in judicial review cases. [54997]
The Solicitor-General: There is no standard rate. The Treasury Solicitor negotiates rates designed to achieve value for money on an individual basis for QCs instructed in judicial review cases.
WORK AND PENSIONS
Access to Work Programme
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on changes to the Access to Work programme relating to the provision of qualified interpreters for deaf people; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact that this may have on the employment prospects of disabled people. [53381]
Mrs. McGuire: No changes have been made to the policy on Access to Work.
Benefits
Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many young people claimed incapacity benefit in Beverley and Holderness in each year since 1997. [53175]
Mrs. McGuire: The available information is in the table.
Notes:
1. The parliamentary constituency figures for the years 1997 to 1999 have been produced using the 5 per cent. data and have been rated up proportionally using the Great Britain WPLS 100 per cent. IB/SDA totals.
2. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
3. "Claimant" figures include all incapacity benefit (IB) and severe disablement allowance, including IB credits only cases.
Source:
DWP Information Directorate, 5 per cent. Samples from 1997 to 1999 and Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data thereafter.
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