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China

Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the objectives of Government policy towards China. [57798]

Ian Pearson: The Government attach great importance to developing a strong and productive political and economic relationship with the People's Republic of China.

We are working to expand co-operation in areas of key importance to UK policy. These are set out in detail in a joint statement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao of 10 May 2004 (http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page5779.asp).

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received requesting that he include reference to the Chinese one child policy in his Department's Human Rights Annual Report; and if he will make a statement. [57589]

Ian Pearson: The Government have received representations requesting the inclusion of reference to China's one child policy in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Human Rights Annual Report in the form of one parliamentary question from the hon. Member for Southend West, and several letters from members of the public.

We continue to highlight our concerns about human rights in China in the report. While we do not question China's right or need to implement family planning policies, we are concerned about reports of enforced sterilisation and abortion. We believe that China's family planning policies should be based on the principle of consent, and not coercion, as espoused by the International Conference on Population and Development. Although we have yet to decide what subjects we will cover in this year's report, we will consider including material assessing the reform and operation of China's population policies.

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons no reference was made to the Chinese One Child Policy in his Department's Human Rights Annual Report 2006; and if he will make a statement. [57590]

 
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Ian Pearson: The Government highlights their concerns about human rights in China in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Annual Human Rights Report. We do not question China's right or need to implement family planning policies, but remain concerned about reports of enforced sterilisation and abortion. We have yet to decide what subjects we will cover in the 2006 Report. However, we will consider including material assessing the reform and operation of China's population policies, and reports of enforced sterilisation and abortion in Linyi City, Shandong Province recently highlighted by Chinese lawyer, Chen Guangcheng.

Commonwealth Day

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has in place to celebrate Commonwealth Day in the United Kingdom. [57825]

Ian Pearson: The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) is primarily responsible for organising Commonwealth Day celebrations in the UK. As in previous years, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) will again provide financial support and FCO staff will attend the RCS's principal event, a multi-faith service at Westminster Abbey in the presence of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

Congo

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made by the Lutundula Commission on the illegal exploitation of resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [57233]

Ian Pearson: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)'s Parliamentary Commission on the validity of economic and financial agreements made during the 1996–97 and 1998 wars (the Lutundula Commission) completed investigations in June 2005. It concluded that many contracts had been signed illegally or against the interest of the Congolese state, some mining companies were operating illegally and the state's resources had been poorly managed. The report has been passed to the Bureau of the National Assembly. No parliamentary debate has yet been scheduled.

We and international partners and non-governmental organisations continue to press the authorities to address the issues raised in the report and to ensure that the DRC's enormous mineral wealth be used transparently and efficiently to benefit the whole Congolese population.

Ethiopia

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Ethiopia regarding (a) respect for human rights and (b) the release of political prisoners. [52173]

Ian Pearson: We remain concerned about the internal situation in Ethiopia including human rights and the rule of law, and regularly raise this with the Government of Ethiopia at both ministerial and official level. Most recently, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister
 
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discussed developments with Prime Minister Meles on 12 February. This followed similar discussions in December 2005 between Prime Minister Meles and my noble Friend, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, and between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development, in January 2006.

In our discussions, we raised the need for the trials of those charged in the wake of the June and November 2005 disturbances to be transparent, independent and impartial. The international community is monitoring the trials and the internal situation in Ethiopia closely. In line with assurances given by Prime Minister Meles to my noble Friend Lord Triesman in December 2005, the EU have identified an independent International Jurist to monitor the trial of those charged with offences. We are discussing the terms of his appointment with the Government of Ethiopia.

Falkland Islands

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to his Argentinian counterpart on recent interference with Falkland Islands shipping. [56502]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: The fishing vessel John Cheek was detained by the Argentine authorities on 20 February. Our ambassador in Buenos Aires has discussed the matter with the Argentine authorities and passed them the data we have available which shows the vessel to have been in international waters. We await a response. We will continue to follow this case closely and remain in close touch with the owners of the vessel.

The Government make representations to foreign governments in shipping cases where there is concern that international law has been breached with regard to UK or UK (overseas territory) flagged vessels. This applies to Falkland Islands shipping.

Gymnich Meeting

Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters will be discussed at the next Gymnich meeting; and if he will make a statement. [57747]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: The informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, Gymnich on 10–11 March will discuss the Middle East; Iran, Ukraine, Belarus, Children in armed conflict, the Western Balkans, and dialogue between cultures and religions.

An informal meeting of EU and Western Balkans Foreign Ministers will take place in the margins of the Gymnich, on 11 March.

India

Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the objectives of the Government's policy towards India. [57802]

Dr. Howells: The main objectives of our policy towards India are highlighted in the UK India joint declaration signed by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, during Dr. Singh's visit to the UK in September 2004, in which
 
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they set out plans to strengthen and deepen the bilateral relationship between the two countries, through a comprehensive strategic partnership.

More background and a booklet on the joint declaration can be found at: http://www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/servelet/Front?pagename=Open Market/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid= l101400864001.

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Indian Government about the persecution of Christians in that country; and if he will make a statement. [58485]

Dr. Howells: The Government are concerned about the treatment of Christians in certain parts of India. Our high commission in New Delhi continue to monitor the situation in respect of Christians and other minority groups with officials making regular calls on Minorities Commission, National Human Rights Commission and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commissions, flagging up our concern about incidents of religious intolerance.

Our deputy high commissioner sought a call on the National Minorities Commission on 7 February to raise a number of issues including attacks on Christians and other minority groups. One particular issue focused on the concerns of the Christians in the Dangs District of Gujarat as anti-minority materials were being circulated in connection with a forthcoming Hindu festival in the area. Although this meeting was cancelled we received confirmation from the Commission that the Ministry of Home Affairs were monitoring the situation and offering police support to the state government to ensure there were no problems. The festival took place without incident on 11–13 February.

The UK, as Presidency of the European Union, also raised the issue of minority groups during a human rights dialogue with Indian Government officials in Delhi on 1 December 2005.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the rights of everyone to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The UK supports this right in international fora. We condemn instances where individuals are persecuted because of their faith or belief, wherever they happen and whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned.

Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the US decision to give India access to civilian nuclear assistance; and if he will make a statement. [57163]

Dr. Howells: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Clegg) on 7 March 2005, Official Report, column 1343W.

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