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13 Mar 2006 : Column 1902W—continued
International Arms Trade
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to secure an international arms trade treaty; and what action he has taken to stop the sale of arms and equipment to countries with poor human rights records. [57700]
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Dr. Howells: In 2005, we secured EU and Commonwealth support for the start of a UN process to take forward the initiative for an international treaty on the trade in conventional arms. We will continue to take this work forward in 2006, with the aim of securing the start of a UN process at the earliest opportunity.
All relevant applications for export licences from the UK are rigorously assessed on a case by case basis against the Consolidated EU and national export licensing criteria, taking account of the circumstances prevailing at the time and other relevant announced Government policies. These criteria include provision that the Government will not issue an export licence where there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for the purpose of internal repression.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Government have had with the United Nations regarding an international arms trade treaty; and if he will make a statement. [57701]
Dr. Howells: We are committed to working towards an international treaty on the trade in all conventional arms. To ensure the widest possible participation in such a treaty, we believe this initiative should be taken forward through a UN based process. We are working with international partners to build support for the launch of such a process. In 2005, we secured EU and Commonwealth support. In 2006, we are continuing to build support, with the aim of securing the start of a UN process at the earliest opportunity.
Iran
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of (a) Russian and (b) Chinese involvement in (i) building facilities and (ii) providing technology to Iran in connection with its nuclear programme; and if he will make a statement. [57166]
Dr. Howells: Both Russian and Chinese organisations have provided assistance, including training, for Iran's nuclear programme. For example, Russia is engaged in construction of and fuel supply for the Light Water Reactor at Bushehr. China assisted Iran in the sinking of the Saghand uranium ore mine and provided designs for the uranium conversion facility and the zirconium production plant at Esfahan.
Both Russia and China were associated with my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's statement of 30 January 2006 expressing serious concerns about Iran's nuclear programme and calling on Iran to restore in full the suspension of enrichment related activities including research and development. The full text of this statement can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=Open Market/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid= l007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1136909180306%20&year= 2006&month=2006–01–01&date=2006–01–30.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of Iranian nuclear scientists residing in Iran who have received training in the UK since 1995; and if he will make a statement. [57168]
Dr. Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not, and is not required to, hold information of this nature. It is therefore not possible to answer the question.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the (a) Saudi, (b) Chinese and (c) Indian authorities about the stance of the Iranian Government on uranium enrichment. [57267]
Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and senior officials are in frequent contact with their Saudi, Chinese and Indian counterparts concerning Iran's nuclear programme. We have been working closely with them and other international partners to encourage Iran to address international concerns and to meet in full the requests of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors. China and India supported the resolution adopted by the IAEA Board on 4 February. Saudi Arabia is not presently represented on the board.
Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the (a) capability and (b) range of Iranian missiles; and which countries he assesses to be in range of such missiles. [57799]
Dr. Howells: Iran's longest range in-service missile is believed to be the Shahab-3, which entered into service in 2003. It has a claimed range of 1,300 km, with a 750 kg warhead. This range would enable Iran to target Israel, Turkey and Cyprus, as well as large parts of Saudi Arabia. Iran has ambitions to extend the range of its missiles and develop longer range missile systems, which would give it the capability to target a number of European countries.
Information relating to Iran has been made available to the International Atomic Energy Agency suggesting that Iran may be designing a missile re-entry vehicle which could have a military nuclear dimension.
Iran also has a satellite launch vehicle programme, which shares some of the same technology as a ballistic missile programme.
Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the objectives are of the Government's policy towards Iran. [57801]
Dr. Howells:
Together with France and Germany, and our partners in the EU and the rest of the international community, we have sought to encourage Iran to take steps to build international confidence that its nuclear programme is for exclusively peaceful purposes. We have also sought to encourage Iran to address our serious concerns about Iranian policy across a wide range of issues, including Iran's attitude towards terrorism; its lack of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; its approach to the Middle East peace process; and its role in Iraq.
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Iraq
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 774W, on Iraq, what Geneva Convention rights apply to the four named individuals during the time in question. [58290]
Dr. Howells: From the report provided by the Special Rapporteur, it would seem that the allegation is that these four individuals were illegally detained by one of the militia groups operating in Iraq at that time. As we do not know the full details of this incident or the status of the individuals at that time, we cannot give a definitive view on what rights they may have had under the Geneva Conventions. However, the Fourth Geneva Convention was applicable in Iraq at that time.
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in the US on the date for possible withdrawal of coalition troops from Iraq. [57418]
Dr. Howells: The UK has a regular dialogue with the US Government about a broad range of issues in relation to Iraq, including military planning. As we have made clear, the process of progressively transferring security responsibility from Coalition to Iraqi Security Forces is based on conditions on the ground, not on predetermined timelines, and will be pursued in full consultation with the Iraqi Government.
Israel (Palestinian Land)
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations the Government has made to the Israeli Government on Israel taking more Palestinian land for settlements, roads and the Wall in the West Bank and East Jerusalem; [57437]
(2) if he will make a statement on the Government's response to the stated intentions of the Acting Israeli Prime Minister to declare new borders which annex the major settlement blocks of East Jerusalem and the Jordan Valley. [57438]
Dr. Howells: Under Phase Three of the Roadmap, final status issues can only be resolved through negotiations and agreement between the parties themselves. We share the Quartet's (EU, UN, US and Russia) goal of a two-state solution with Israel secure within her borders and Palestine established as a viable, contiguous state. We shall continue to work to this end.
We will continue to raise our concerns over the settlements and the barrier with the Israeli Government at all levels.
Our ambassador in Tel Aviv last raised our concerns about settlements and impact of the barrier in East Jerusalem with the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 19 December 2005. He also raised Palestinian access to the Jordan Valley on 2 March with the Israeli Prime Minister's Special Adviser.
Settlements are illegal under international law and settlement construction is an obstacle to peace. The Roadmap is clear that Israel should freeze all settlement
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construction including the natural growth" of existing settlements, and dismantle all outposts built since March 2001.
We also fully recognise Israel's right to self-defence. A barrier is a reasonable way to achieve this. But the barrier's route should be on or behind the Green Line, and not on occupied territory. Construction of the barrier on Palestinian land is illegal. The route is particularly damaging around East Jerusalem, as it risks cutting the city off from the West Bank and dividing the West Bank in two.
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