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Defence Export Services Organisation

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings officials in his Department have had with their counterparts in the Defence Export Services Organisation at the Ministry of Defence since 18 March 2003. [56322]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: A wide range of Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials have contact with Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) officials. DESO officials also work in some of our missions abroad. There is no record of the number of meetings between FCO and DESO officials. Accurately calculating this number would not be possible.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with members of the World Bank on the activities of Gecamines in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement. [56681]

Ian Pearson: The activities of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) state-owned mining company Gecamines (La Generate des Carrieres et des
 
8 Mar 2006 : Column 1561W
 
Mines) and other state-owned enterprises, form part of our regular discussions with members of the Congolese Government and relevant international organisations, including the World Bank. In all these discussions, we have made clear that corruption within state enterprises must be eradicated so that the DRC's mineral wealth can be exploited for the benefit of the whole population.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the co-operation provided by (a) Uganda and (b) Rwanda to the United Nations with regard to the illegal trade in minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement. [56682]

Ian Pearson: While there is no UN embargo on the trade of minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN Group of Experts on the DRC arms embargo has been investigating the links between resource exploitation and the import of weapons by armed groups and militias in DRC. They have sought information from the Governments of the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda relating to cross-border trade in natural resources, but have not yet received the co-operation they hoped for.

The Group of Experts met with representatives of all three regional governments to underline its continuing concerns. The UK, along with other UN Security Council (UNSC) members, has also urged governments at the highest level during UNSC missions to Central Africa to co-operate with the Group of Experts.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the (a) levels and (b) origin of (i) financial and (ii) logistical support provided to non-governmental armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since 2003; and if he will make a statement. [56683]

Ian Pearson: Recent events indicate that militia groups operating in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo remain well-supplied. The most recent report by the United Nations Group of Experts on the UN arms embargo indicated that illegal exploitation of natural resources and cross-border trade contribute significantly to the funding of these armed groups.

The Government strongly support the UN and EU arms embargoes. In November 2005, the UN Sanctions Committee agreed a list of individuals and organisations responsible for arms embargo violations as provided for in UN Security Council Resolution 1596. These violators are now targeted with asset freezes and travel bans. We continue to work with Security Council partners to improve implementation of the arms embargo.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the level of government control and accountability of the OKIMO mining authority in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement. [56742]

Ian Pearson: The recent report by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)'s Parliamentary Commission into contracts signed during the DRC's civil war (the
 
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Lutundula Commission) concluded that the gold production company OKIMO (Office des Mines d'Or de Kilo-Moto) had been poorly managed. As a result, the report said that OKIMO had not provided the revenue to the Congolese state that it should have.

We, and international partners and non-governmental organisations, continue to press the Congolese authorities to ensure that the DRC's enormous mineral wealth be used transparently and efficiently for the benefit of the Congolese people.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of (a) the overall security situation and (b) the level of infrastructural readiness in Democratic Republic of Congo with regard to the proposed June date for elections; and if he will make a statement. [56754]

Ian Pearson: The security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains fragile. Despite the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission (MONUC)'s operations against armed groups, militias and ill-disciplined Congolese army soldiers continue to persecute civilians. We continue to support MONUC's robust approach to protecting civilians and tackling militias.

The DRC is making progress towards holding elections by June 2006. The new constitution has been promulgated, and the electoral law has been agreed by Parliament. The size of the country and its lack of infrastructure bring immense logistical challenges, but the successful referendum on 18 December shows that these are surmountable. We and EU partners will continue to contribute logistical support through the UN and to press all parties to respect the transitional process, stick to the timetable and ensure the elections are free and fair.

Departmental Telephone Numbers

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the (a) 0800, (b) 0845 and (c) 0870 telephone numbers for the public administered by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies which report to him. [56538]

Dr. Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office operate one 0845 telephone number for use by the general public. This number is used for travel advice enquiries. The number is 0845 850 2829.

Egypt

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of (a) the decision by the Government of Egypt to postpone local council elections for two years and (b) the possible impact this will have upon the transition to democracy in Egypt. [55447]

Dr. Howells: The People's Assembly approved legislation on 14 February which postponed local government elections for two years, to allow efforts to reform local government on more democratic and decentralised principles. President Mubarak pledged to undertake political reform during his election campaign for the first ever multi-party presidential elections.
 
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Gibraltar

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Spain about Gibraltar. [56820]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I are in frequent contact with our Spanish opposite numbers on a range of issues, including Gibraltar.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on negotiations over Gibraltar's constitution. [56837]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: Following the tabling of proposals to reform the 1969 Constitution by the Chief Minister of Gibraltar in December 2003, there have been two rounds of discussions between Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials and a cross-party Gibraltar delegation. Substantial progress has been made, although a number of outstanding issues remain. These remaining issues will be discussed at talks scheduled to take place in London on 15–17 March.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much is allocated to promote tourism to Gibraltar in 2005–06; and if he will make a statement. [56838]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: The UK Government does not provide funding for tourism to Gibraltar. This falls to the Government of Gibraltar, which has an official tourist office in London for this purpose.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK citizens have taken up residency in Gibraltar in each of the last seven years. [56842]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: According to the Civil Status and Registration Office of Gibraltar, the numbers of UK citizens taking up residency in Gibraltar in each of the last seven years have been as follows:

	Number
2005	360
2004	241
2003	154
2002	145
2001	158
2000	113
1999	104

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to improve indigenous industry on Gibraltar. [56851]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: None, this is a matter for the Government of Gibraltar.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the government of Gibraltar on increasing desalination capacity. [56853]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: None.
 
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Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to encourage more flights between Gibraltar and the UK. [56855]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: None. The frequency of flights between Gibraltar and the UK is a commercial matter for the airline companies concerned.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent official visits have been made by (a) members of the Royal Family and (b) Ministers to Gibraltar. [56857]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: The most recent visit to Gibraltar by a member of the Royal Family was by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal in June 2004, and by a Minister in February 2005, when the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (right hon. Adam Ingram) visited.

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