| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
RAF Machrihanish
Mr. Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of RAF Machrihanish. [79496]
Mr. Watson [holding answer 22 June 2006]: Ministry of Defence officials are discussing with other public sector agencies, including the Scottish Executive, alternative future uses of the site and how best to manage any disposal, to protect the longer term interests of the local community and other stakeholders.
Once these discussions have concluded I will make an announcement on how the Department plans to proceed.
Sergeant BB
Mrs. Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what date the case conference relating to the case of Sergeant BB took place; how many persons attended; what (a) disciplines, (b) fields of expertise, (c) military agencies and (d) external bodies were represented; and what measures were taken to hear evidence from (i) victims and (ii) their families; [79871]
(2) what recommendations were agreed following the case conference relating to the case of Sergeant BB; [79872]
(3) what legal expertise was available to the case conference relating to the case of Sergeant BB. [79873]
Mr. Ingram: A case conference relating to Sergeant BB was convened by the Director of Personal Services (Army) on 11 May 2006. 12 individuals attended the conference representing Policy, Welfare, Military Discipline, Training, Military Postings, Legal and Police disciplines, from the Director of Personal Services (Army), Army Training and Recruiting Agency, Headquarters Adjutant General, Provost Marshal (Army), Headquarters Land Command and the Directorate of Army Legal Services. No external agencies were present and no evidence was taken.
A number of recommendations were agreed following the case conference, which relate to an individual's suitability for employment with under 18s: the selection process; career management; standards of reporting; and awareness of the complaints process. The Army is currently considering how best to take these recommendations forward.
Trainees Accommodation
Mrs. Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his timetable is for (a) planning, (b) commissioning, (c) construction and (d) opening 4,000 new accommodation units for phase two trainees by 2012. [79847]
Mr. Watson: The arrangements for new accommodation units to be supplied to phase 2 trainees are currently being evaluated as part of the Defence Training Review (DTR) Rationalisation programme. Very different bid proposals have been received for both DTR packages and until evaluation has concluded, and a preferred bidder for each package identified, the specifics of the solutions in terms of planning and execution of accommodation units cannot be confirmed. I anticipate announcing preferred bidders and their solutions later this year.
Trident
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where and how often the UK carries out tests to ensure the accuracy of Trident nuclear missiles. [79086]
Des Browne: The UK carries out unarmed Trident missile firings at the United States of America's Eastern Test Range after each submarine's build and Long Overhaul Period. The information collected includes accuracy data.
The following table shows the details of previous unarmed firings:
| Date | Vessel | Purpose | Number of unarmed missiles |
The frequency of test firings is dependent on the Long Overhaul Period programme.
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what components of the Trident missile system are (a) on loan or (b) have been purchased from the United States of America. [79087]
Des Browne: The UK has no Trident missile system components on loan from the US. The UK purchased the rights to 58 Trident missiles and removable missile components under the Polaris Sales Agreement (as amended for Trident). The warheads were procured separately by the UK.
United States Bases (Jurisdiction)
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which police force is responsible for investigating a serious crime committed against a British citizen where such a crime occurs on a base where US personnel outnumber UK personnel. [76292]
Mr. Watson: In accordance with the Visiting Forces Act 1952, and depending on the circumstances of the case, either the local Home Department Police or the Ministry of Defence Police, can investigate a crime committed against a British citizen on a base utilised by the United States Visiting Forces.
Uranium Production Facilities
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what consultation (a) his Department and (b) the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston have held with representatives of the Y-12 plant in the United States of America on the construction of uranium production facilities; [79092]
(2) what discussions he has had with US officials on the development of a uranium production facility at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston. [76769]
Des Browne: Discussions on a range of nuclear issues take place on a regular basis between my officials and their US counterparts under the auspices of the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement.
Warhead Option Studies
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are employed (a) by his Department and (b) at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston on warhead option studies; what the purpose is of these studies; and what their cost is. [79088]
Des
Browne: There is no programme to develop a new UK nuclear
warhead. As was stated in the 1998 Strategic Defence Review, we retain
a minimum capability to design and manufacture a new warhead, should
one be required. Work by officials is under way
to prepare for decisions on the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent and
also to keep options open in advance of these
decisions.
A number of people are involved in this work but it is not possible precisely to distinguish between staff employed in support of this work and those involved in sustaining the existing Trident warhead, and neither it is possible separately to identify costs.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan
Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate she has made of the number of Taliban fighters operating in Afghanistan; and if she will make a statement. [79924]
Dr. Howells: It is not easy to distinguish between the Taliban and other groups hostile to the current political process in Afghanistan. We estimate that at any one time the Taliban may be able to call upon up to a thousand fighters in the south of Afghanistan, a primary operating area. Some groups can temporarily augment their numbers by leveraging tribal, personal and criminal networks.
According to an Afghan spokesmen for the 'Strengthening Peace Programme', the Afghan-led programme aimed at reconciling insurgent fighters, which is led by the Senate Speaker and former President, Sibghatullah Mojadeddi, around 1,200 former insurgents have entered the programme as of early June 2006.
Africa
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of (a) the change in the volume of China’s trade with Africa since 2005 and (b) its effect on (i) standards of living and (ii) democracy in those states in Africa. [79428]
Mr. McCartney: The volume of trade between China and Africa has quadrupled since 2001, standing at almost US$40 billion in 2005, with the balance marginally in favour of Africa. Growth in trade looks set to continue, and is helping to fuel economic growth in Africa of more than 5 per cent., which should help to reduce poverty and improve standards of living. China has a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states. We continue to encourage China to engage with Africa in a way that promotes human rights, conflict prevention, sustainable development and democratic and accountable governance, in line with the principles set out in the New Partnership for Africa’s Development.
I raised these issues with the Chinese ambassador on 21 June.
Algeria
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the recent bilateral meeting between the Government and the Government of Algeria; and what agreements on extradition and penal issues were made at the meeting. [79987]
Dr. Howells: I visited Algeria on 7-8 June to co-chair the inaugural meeting of the UK/Algeria Joint Commission which aims to further the growing bilateral ties between the two countries. We discussed a range of issues including bilateral trade, support for Algeria's reforms, co-operation in areas such as counter-terrorism and illegal migration, and regional issues. We also discussed UK representation in Algiers, including the British Council. I was pleased to be able to announce that President Bouteflika will visit the UK on 11-12 July.
During the visit the UK initialled four treaties with Algeria on Extradition, Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Judicial Co-operation in Civil and Commercial Matters, and the Re-admission and Circulation of Persons.
Burma
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions have been held with the Government of Peru regarding a United Nations Security Council resolution on Burma; [79252]
(2) what discussions have been held with the Governments of (a) Congo, (b) Tanzania and (c) Ghana regarding a United Nations Security Council resolution on Burma. [79257]
Mr. McCartney: There are on-going informal discussions regarding a resolution with UN Security Council members including Peru, Congo, Tanzania and Ghana, at official level.
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether the Government have the legal authority to ban imports from Burma; [79254]
(2) whether World Trade Organisation rules prevent the United Kingdom from unilaterally imposing trade and investment sanctions on Burma. [79255]
Mr. McCartney: Controls on imports into the European Community, including the UK, fall within the scope of the Community's Common Commercial Policy which is an area of exclusive Community competence. Member states can unilaterally adopt measures but these are limited to strictly defined and exceptional circumstances. Furthermore, any such measures would have to be notified and justified under these exceptions to the European Commission.
Any
unilateral measures taken by the UK against Burma would also have to
satisfy relevant World Trade Organisation rules on imports of goods and
services. For example, a ban on imports of goods from Burma would be in
breach of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) rules and
therefore would, if
challenged by Burma, have to be justified under either the general or
security exceptions set down in the GATT
Agreement.
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Government have taken to ascertain whether genocide or attempted genocide is being committed in Burma. [79256]
Mr. McCartney: In co-operation with other Governments, the UN, other humanitarian organisations and non governmental organisations, we scrutinise evidence of human rights abuses we receive from a wide range of sources. There are credible reports of large-scale human rights abuses in Burma.
Our assessment is that there is currently insufficient evidence to establish that the intent to commit genocide exists. We shall continue to confer with the UN and international partners to ascertain whether genocide or attempted genocide is being committed in Burma.
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when she (a) last met and (b) next expects to meet with representatives of the democratically elected government of Burma. [79546]
Mr. McCartney: Burma has no democratically elected government. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no meetings with members of the Burmese Parliament elected in 1990. However, Ministers, our ambassador in Rangoon and senior officials have met members elect of the Burmese Parliament.
Officials are in regular contact with representatives of the Burmese democratic opposition.
China
Mr. Walter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the Chinese Government on its policy towards Burma. [80157]
Mr. McCartney: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Portsmouth South (Mr. Hancock) on 22 June 2006, Official Report, column 2145W.
Departmental Websites
Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many websites there are within her responsibilities; and what the total cost of maintaining such websites was in the last year for which figures are available. [79074]
Mr. Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has responsibility for some 211 websites, which cost £670,000 to maintain in the financial year 2005-06. These websites include the main FCO website, Ukvisas website, more than 180 embassy and High Commission websites and the i-UK.com portal website. A full list of the websites will be placed in the Library of the House and a copy of the list will be sent to the hon. Member.
Flags
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Union Flag will be flown from 8 a.m until sunset above Government buildings in all Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies on Her Majesty The Queen's official birthday on 17 June 2006. [78939]
Mr. Hoon: The Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies are constitutionally not part of the United Kingdom and they all have their own flags. All of the Territories and Crown Dependencies marked Her Majesty the Queen's Official Birthday by flying their own flag and/or the Union Flag above government buildings, except for Pitcairn Islands. Turks and Caicos Islands chose to celebrate the occasion on 10 June in line with their standard practice.
Foreign Travel
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on foreign travel by her Department in each of the last eight years. [76059]
Mr. Hoon: The following amounts were spent on foreign travel by Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and officials in each of the last eight financial years:
| £ million | |
Since 1999 the Government have published, on an annual basis, the total costs of all ministerial overseas travel and a list of all visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500. This information is available in the Library of the House. Information for the financial year 2004-05 was published on 21 July 2005, Official Report, column 158WS. Information for the financial year 2005-06 is in the process of being collated and will be published shortly.
All foreign travel undertaken by Ministers and civil servants is undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the “Ministerial Code” and the “Civil Service Management Code”. Since 2004 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has followed a policy of offsetting carbon dioxide and other emissions generated by air travel of Ministers and officials based in the UK.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |