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29 Jun 2006 : Column 572W—continued
Algeria
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has received regarding the compatibility of the proposed memorandum of understanding with Algeria regarding the deportation of persons with international human rights law; and what steps she is taking to ensure that any eventual agreement will fully meet the requirements of international law. [80995]
Mr. McCartney: The Government have received a range of representations on the deportation of persons to Algeria, including from international human rights institutions and non-governmental organisations such as the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, and Amnesty International.
The Government continue to believe that memoranda of understanding or comparable arrangements provide a framework to deport foreign nationals whom we believe threaten our security, in a manner consistent with our international human rights obligations. Any decision to deport is subject to appeal through the UK court system.
In the case of Algeria, such deportation takes full account of the provisions of the Algerian Charter for Peace and Reconciliation, its accompanying provisions for clemency and the particular circumstances of each case.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what stage negotiations for a memorandum of understanding with Algeria regarding the deportation of persons has reached; and if she will make a statement. [80996]
Mr. McCartney: The deportation of persons who pose a threat to the UK's national security is a subject of discussion between the British and Algerian Governments.
The Government continue to believe that memoranda of understanding or comparable arrangements provide a framework to deport foreign nationals whom we believe threaten our security, in a manner consistent with our international human rights obligations. Any decision to deport is subject to appeal through the UK court system.
In the case of Algeria, such deportation takes full account of the provisions of the Algerian Charter for Peace and Reconciliation, its accompanying provisions for clemency and the particular circumstances of each case.
Belarus
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will adopt a total trade ban on Belarus in response to malpractice in the presidential elections. [80607]
Mr. Hoon: Our trade relations with Belarus are conducted through the EU. All EU restrictions imposed in response to the fraudulent presidential elections are designed to target the regime, not the people of Belarus. As such, a unilateral trade ban in response to the fraudulent elections is not being considered at the moment.
Separately, Belarus faces possible withdrawal of the general system of preferences (GSP)—the system of preferential trading arrangements through which the EU extends preferential access to its markets to developing countries. Eligibility for GSP benefits depends on International Labour Organisation monitoring of labour standards and an investigation last year uncovered serious and systematic violations.
Darfur
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the decision of the UN to suspend operations in part of Darfur; and what assessment she has made of the extent to which that decision was a consequence of the Government of Sudan’s reluctance to agree to the handover of security from the African Union to the UN. [81337]
Mr. McCartney: On 25 June, the Government of Sudan suspended all UN activity in Darfur apart from humanitarian assistance provided by the World Food Programme and the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF. They lifted the suspension the following day. There has been some impact on the UN’s humanitarian work in West Darfur, but minimal disruption elsewhere.
This was a provocative act by the Sudanese Government in response to the UN helping a prominent Darfur rebel. The Government of Sudan should allow all UN humanitarian agencies and non-governmental organisations unimpeded access in Darfur.
The Sudanese Government currently oppose an international force for Darfur. However the UN Secretary-General has said he hopes to see a UN force in Darfur, the Security Council has taken a strong line in favour and the African Union wants to see the UN take over in Darfur, as do many prominent African countries. We will continue to press the Government of Sudan to accept it.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the UK plans to take through the UN Security Council to put pressure on the Government of Sudan to agree to the introduction of UN troops as part of the Darfur Peace Agreement. [81338]
Mr. McCartney: The UK led the recent UN Security Council mission to Sudan. That visit was important in securing Sudanese Government agreement for a joint UN/African Union Technical Assessment Mission (TAM) to deploy to Darfur. The TAM has now made its visit. It will make detailed technical recommendations shortly to the UN Secretary-General on establishing a UN force for Darfur, who will then report to the Security Council. Once he has done so, the Security Council will debate the mandate of a future UN force. We are continuing to press the Government of Sudan to accept such a force.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the Government of Sudan on how to disarm the Janjaweed in Darfur. [81339]
Mr. McCartney: We continue to press the Government of Sudan to neutralise and disarm the Janjaweed and expel foreign fighters from Darfur as soon as possible. On Friday 23 June, the Government of Sudan publicly began disarming a small group of Janjaweed in South Darfur. We welcome this step, and call on the Government to continue this work and to present a plan for neutralising and disarming the Janjaweed/armed militias, which they are required to do under the Darfur Peace Agreement.
Ethiopia
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations her Department has made to the Ethiopian government regarding (a) the detention of prisoners of conscience, (b) freedom of expression and opinion and (c) human rights. [80620]
Mr. McCartney: We remain concerned about the internal situation in Ethiopia. We have made representations to the Government of Ethiopia on numerous occasions both at ministerial and official level. Most recently our ambassador to Ethiopia had discussions with Prime Minister Meles on 24 April.
We have also raised issues of respect for human rights, freedom of expression and the cases of those detained in connection with the political disturbances in 2005. We welcome the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the events of last June and November and look forward to its report.
Falkland Islands
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate she has made of the reserves of oil and gas in Falkland Islands waters. [79611]
Mr. Hoon: Only further exploratory drilling will allow for a dependable estimate on the size of the reserves of oil and gas in Falkland Islands waters. Initial exploratory drilling was unable to ascertain the level of oil and gas reserves and is unlikely to restart before 2007.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the potential contribution of the search for oil and gas in Falkland Islands waters to the provision of energy in the UK; and whether the Government are taking action to support such exploration. [79702]
Mr. Hoon: Only further exploratory drilling will allow for a dependable estimate on the size of the reserves of oil and gas in Falkland Islands waters. It is not therefore possible currently to assess the potential contribution to the provision of energy in the UK. Initial exploratory drilling was unable to ascertain the level of oil and gas reserves and is unlikely to restart before 2007.
The Government are committed to the offshore prospecting policy pursued by the Falkland Islands Government.
Human Rights
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with China on the human rights records of the countries in Africa with which it trades. [79433]
Mr. McCartney: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had specific discussions with China on human rights in Africa. We continue to develop our dialogue with China on Africa, and to encourage China to engage with Africa in a way that promotes human rights, conflict prevention, sustainable development and democratic and accountable governance. I raised these issues with the Chinese ambassador on 21 June and urged China to develop a wider strategic concept of its engagement in Africa commensurate with its growing economic presence. I also raised China’s engagement in Africa with the Chairman of the UK Friendship Group of the China National People’s Congress during my meeting with him on 13 June.
Iraq
Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what account will be taken of the views of the Iraqi Government when considering troop withdrawal from Iraq; and what assessment she has made of the recent comments by Iraq's (a) Prime Minister and (b) National Security Adviser on this issue. [80430]
Dr. Howells: We are committed to Iraq for as long as the Iraqi Government judge that the coalition is required to provide security and to assist the Iraqi security forces. All decisions on the presence of multinational forces in Iraq reflect regular and intense consultation with the Iraqi authorities. Recommendations on the transfer of security responsibility in each of Iraq's provinces and cities from coalition to Iraqi security forces are made jointly, with the ultimate decision being made by the Iraqi Prime Minister.
This process was reflected in Prime Minister Maliki's 19 June statement announcing the forthcoming transfer of security responsibility in Muthanna province and Mowaffak al-Rabaie's article of 20 June. We remain committed to providing what support we can to help the Iraqi authorities achieve our shared goal of a stable and democratic future for Iraq.
Libya
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she had with the Libyan Government on bringing those responsible for the death of PC Yvonne Fletcher to justice. [80331]
Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had personal discussions with the Libyan Government about WPC Fletcher's case. I raised this with the Libyan authorities during my visit to Libya on 25 to 27 June. We continue to press for progress in our contacts with Libya.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she had with her Libyan counterpart on the situation in Darfur. [80332]
Mr. McCartney: My hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Middle East, Kim Howells, raised the situation on Darfur with Abdulrahman Shalgam the Libyan Secretary of Foreign Affairs in Tripoli on 26 June. The UK's Special Envoy for Darfur also visited Libya earlier in June to hold talks about Sudan.
Student Visas
Mr. Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many student visas have been issued to students from (a) Russia and (b) the Ukraine in each of the last eight years. [79783]
Dr. Howells: The number of student visas issued in Russia and the Ukraine in each of the last eight years are as follows:
| Russia | Ukraine | |
Prior to 2001-02, entry clearance statistics were published by calendar year, rather than financial year.
Education and Skills
Every Child Matters
13. Kali Mountford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made in implementing the Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme. [80892]
Beverley Hughes: We have made good progress. 863 children’s centres are now operational. We are on track to deliver 2,500 centres by 2008. Over 1,500 schools are offering access to a core menu of extended services, and we are on track to have 2,500 extended schools in place by this September. From April this year £115 million has been available in support of our ‘Youth Matters’ reforms to radically improve opportunities and support for young people.
17. Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made in implementing the Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme. [80896]
Beverley Hughes: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Kali Mountford) earlier today.
Language Learning
14. John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what support his Department is making available to primary schools to ensure primary school pupils have the opportunity to learn a second language as early as possible. [80893]
Jim Knight: Our commitment is that by the end of this decade every key stage 2 pupil will have the opportunity to learn a foreign language.
Between 2005 and 2008 we are investing £115 million to support our National Languages Strategy, £60 million of this will specifically support primary schools in introducing language learning programmes. This includes initial teacher training for new primary teachers with a language specialism, and in service training for teaching and non-teaching staff.
Teenage Pregnancy
15. Mrs. Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress is being made on meeting the Government’s target to reduce teenage pregnancy. [80894]
Beverley Hughes: Teenage pregnancy rates are declining steadily. Between 1998 and 2004, the under-18 conception rate fell by 11.1 per cent. and the under-16 conception rate fell by 15.2 per cent. Both rates are now at their lowest level since the mid-1980s. We know from the best performing areas what works, and will be sharing these lessons with all local authorities to accelerate progress towards our target to halve the under-18 conception rate by 2010.
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