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Pakistan

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with the Pakistani authorities the progress made in recovering foreign nationals from madrassas in Pakistan. [56347]

Dr. Howells: We already discuss this important issue with the Government of Pakistan. We welcomed the announcement made by President Musharraf in July 2005 to expel foreign students from Pakistani madrassas. We will continue to encourage him and the Pakistani Government to maintain their efforts in this respect and to promote a tolerant society, devoid of extremism. The UK continues to assist with this: education remains a core focus of our expanding development presence in Pakistan. Our ongoing discussions with the Pakistani authorities regularly include the role of madrassas and inter-faith relations.

People Trafficking

Mrs. James: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with Germany on a possible rise in prostitution and trafficking of women during the football World Cup. [56588]

Dr. Howells: The matter was discussed at the Council of Justice and Interior Ministers on 21 February. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs (Baroness Ashton of Upholland) and my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Home Affairs (Tony McNulty) attended. EU member states are examining ways to tackle the potential rise in prostitution and trafficking of women problem through increased co-operation. As a first step the EU Presidency will prepare a paper for discussion at the next Council of Justice and Interior Ministers in April.

Mrs. James: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the possible impact on the trafficking of women of the incidence of major international (a) sporting and (b) other events. [56593]

Dr. Howells: Given the clandestine nature of the crime, it is hard to assess the extent of trafficking of women, particularly in relation to specific events.
 
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However, the Government are committed to tackling the serious problem of trafficking wherever and whenever it occurs. We are working hard to improve our understanding of the problem and its relationship with other events.

Russia

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Russia on the exporting of arms where there is a risk that they might be used to commit human rights abuses. [55505]

Dr. Howells: We have a wide-ranging dialogue with Russia both bilaterally and through the EU, on both human rights and export control issues. Most recently, a cross Whitehall delegation visited Moscow on 20 February to discuss building support for an international treaty on the trade in all conventional arms, which included how such an instrument might prevent transfers where there is a clear risk that they might be used to commit human rights abuses. These contacts will continue.

Somaliland

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with representatives of Somaliland. [55507]

Ian Pearson: My noble Friend, the Foreign and Commmonwealth Office Minister for Africa, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, met the Somaliland authorities' Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Her Excellency Edna Adan, in London on 20 May 2005. Foreign and Commonwealth Officials visit Somaliland regularly, most recently Hargeisa from 31 January to 2 February 2006 to observe the operation of Parliament following the successful elections in Somaliland of September 2005. We have also had discussions with representatives of the Somaliland authorities, international community and civil society on practical issues of mutual interest. Our ambassador in Addis Ababa met with the Head of the Somaliland authorities His Exellency Dahir Rayale Kahin on 27 January.

Sri Lanka

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution he is making to the process of Sri Lankan peace talks. [56819]

Dr. Howells: The Government continue to work with EU and international partners in support of the Norwegian facilitation effort to strengthen the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka, and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). My hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Trade (lan Pearson), met representatives of the Sri Lankan Government and Tamil Parliamentary parties during his visit to the island on 19–20 January. He advocated to all the need for a constructive approach to the talks. We seek to maintain a regular dialogue with the Government of Sri Lanka and Tamil parliamentary
 
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representatives, and encourage all sides to improve implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement, and indeed the wider peace process.

Sudan

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans have been presented to the UN Security Council regarding the (a) size and nature and (b) mandate of a UN mission to Darfur; and if he will make a statement. [56439]

Dr. Howells: The UN Security Council has yet to be presented with any plans regarding the size and nature or mandate for a UN Mission in Darfur. On 3 February, the Security Council requested the UN Secretary-General to initiate contingency planning jointly with the African Union (AU), the Security Council, and the parties to the Abuja Peace Talks, including the Government of National Unity, on a range of options for a possible transition from the AU Mission in Sudan to a UN operation. This planning is in its early stages. The UK is contributing one military and one police planner to the UN team. Once the planning process is complete, options will be put before the UN Security Council.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the UK's contribution to the planned UN mission to Darfur; and if he will make a statement. [56440]

Dr. Howells: My noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, have regular discussions about all aspects of the situation in Darfur with colleagues in the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development. There are also regular and comprehensive discussions between Government officials on how any transition from the African Union Mission in Darfur to a UN Operation would be managed and how we and other international partners could assist, including through provision of planning and logistical support.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contingency plans have been drawn up by the United Nations for the planned handover of the African Union mission to Darfur to the United Nations; and if he will make a statement. [56469]

Dr. Howells: On 12 January 2006, the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) expressed its support, in principle, for a transition from the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to a United Nations operation. Consequently, on 3 February, the Security Council requested the Secretary General to initiate contingency planning on a range of options for a possible transition from AMIS to a UN operation jointly with the African Union, the Security Council, and the parties to the Abuja Peace Talks, including the Government of National Unity. The Secretary-General has initiated this planning, which is now in its early stages. An options paper has yet to be presented to the
 
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Council. A final decision by the AU PSC on whether to request a transition of the mission to UN command is expected on 10 March 2006.

Thailand

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of the (a) security and (b) political situation in Thailand; and if he will make a statement. [56752]

Ian Pearson: We monitor and regularly review security issues and significant political developments in Thailand, as in all countries. As far as the political situation is concerned, the Thai Prime Minister Thaksin has recently announced the dissolution of Parliament. A general election is set for 2 April. Opposition groups and the Government have organised several political rallies in Bangkok. All have passed off peacefully to date. We regularly update our Travel Advice to warn when and where the rallies are due to take place.

On security, the main concern is the continuing violent insurgency in the far south of Thailand. Our Travel Advice recommends against all but essential travel to the four provinces affected.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) members and (b) representatives of the government in Thailand on the on-going protests against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra; and if he will make a statement. [56753]

Ian Pearson: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had the opportunity for discussion with members, or representatives, of the Royal Thai Government on the on-going political demonstrations in Thailand. Officials in the embassy in Thailand, however, have regular discussions with the Royal Thai Government and others on this and a wide range of other issues.

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