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4 July 2006 : Column 934W—continued
“We all hope that it will not be necessary to move towards sanctions, but if it is necessary to do so, the sanctions will be those that people feel are capable of having an effect.”
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether the UK supplies military equipment to Iran in support of its counter-narcotics operations; and if he will make a statement; [57201]
(2) what assessment he has made of the extent to which European countries provide military equipment to Iran for use in its counter-narcotics operations; and if he will make a statement. [57203]
Dr. Howells [pursuant to the replies, 9 March 2006, Official Report, c. 1687-88W]: I regret that inaccurate answers were given to part of the hon. Member’s questions. The answers given state that the then Foreign Secretary, Lord Hurd, and the then Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister, Tony Lloyd, gave statements on 1 March 1993 and 28 September 1998 respectively. The statements were in fact written answers to hon. Members and the reply given by my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central was made on 28 January 1998.
Israel
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations (a) she and (b) her officials have made to the Government of Israel in the last 12 months regarding its detention of Palestinian children taken by Israeli forces in the Occupied Palestinian Territories; and on what occasion such representations were last made at ministerial level; [82168]
(2) what representations (a) she and (b) her officials have made to the Government of Israel in the last 12 months regarding its detention without trial of Palestinians taken by Israeli forces in the Occupied Palestinian Territories; and on what occasion such representations were last made at ministerial level. [82169]
Dr. Howells: We remain concerned by Israel’s policy of administrative detention, particularly that of minors. We last raised Palestinian prisoners with the Israeli Ministry for Foreign Affairs on 15 June and our ambassador in Tel Aviv last raised this with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert’s special advisor on 22 March.
We have not made any representations at ministerial level in the last 12 months.
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received from the UN about the numbers of (a) Palestinians and (b) Israelis (i) killed and (ii) injured during May and June 2006; how many (A) Palestinians were (1) killed and (2) injured by (x) Israeli fire and (y) internal violence, (B) Israelis were (aa) killed and (bb) injured by Palestinian fire and (C) (xx) Palestinians and (yy) Israelis were (AA) killed and (BB) injured from a disputed source; and if she will describe the disputes involved. [82173]
Dr. Howells [holding answer 3 July 2006]: We rely on a range of organisations including the UN and media reports for our figures.
The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on 27 June that, in May 2006, 30 Palestinians were killed and 100 injured by Israeli fire and Palestinian internal fighting. In June 2006, OCHA state that 57 Palestinians were killed and 196 injured. No Israelis were killed or injured by Israeli fire or Palestinian internal violence in May 2006. Two Israelis were killed and 14 injured in June 2006.
In May 2006, 20 Palestinians were killed and 28 injured from Israeli fire or a disputed source in Gaza. 43 Palestinians were killed and 114 injured in June 2006. Between 8-31 May, 10 Palestinians were killed and 72 injured from internal violence in Gaza. From 1-25 June, 14 Palestinians were killed and 82 injured.
In June 2006, OCHA reported that two Israeli defence force soldiers were killed at Kerem Shalom military post. The majority of Israelis injured by Palestinian home-made rockets occurred in Sderot and the neighbouring towns.
On 9 June, seven Palestinians were killed on Gaza beach from either incoming Israeli fire or unexploded ordinance. The circumstances of this incident have been disputed by the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli Government.
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) reports she has received from the UN and (b) estimate she has made of the numbers of Israeli air force strikes into the Gaza Strip during May and June. [82174]
Dr. Howells
[holding answer 3 July 2006]: We rely on a range of organisations including the UN and media reports for our figures. On 27 June, the UN Office for
the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, stated that there were 14 Israel air force air strikes in Gaza in May and 33 in June.
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) reports she has received from the UN and (b) estimate she has made of the numbers of Israeli defence force artillery shells fired into the Gaza Strip during May and June 2006. [82175]
Dr. Howells [holding answer 3 July 2006]: We rely on a range of organisations including the UN and media reports for our figures. The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported on 27 June, that 2,435 Israeli defence force shells were fired into Gaza in May and a total of 642 shells were fired in June.
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) reports she has received from the UN and (b) estimate she has made of the numbers of Palestinian home-made rockets fired from the Gaza Strip during May and June 2006. [82176]
Dr. Howells [holding answer 3 July 2006]: We rely on a range of organisations including the UN and media reports for our figures. On 27 June the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, reported that 132 Palestinian home-made rockets were fired from Gaza in May and 237 fired in June.
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the Government of Israel regarding the round of military incursions into Gaza which commenced on 27 June. [82177]
Dr. Howells [holding answer 3 July 2006]: Our ambassador in Tel Aviv discussed the recent Israeli military actions in Gaza with Israeli Defence Minister Peretz on 28 June. The Israeli Defence Minister emphasised that Israel had no intention of re-occupying Gaza, and that the operation would be measured and targeted and that Israel would do all it could to avoid civilian casualties. Our embassy in Tel Aviv and officials in London have continued to engage with Israel on the issue.
North Korea
Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what action the British Government (a) have taken and (b) plan to take in response to North Korea’s development and proposed testing of an intercontinental ballistic missile; [82245]
(2) what discussions she has had with her counterparts from other countries to discuss North Korea’s development and proposed testing of an intercontinental ballistic missile. [82246]
Mr. McCartney:
We are very concerned about reports of a possible test-launch of a Taepodong-2 missile/Satellite Launch Vehicle and are monitoring the situation closely. We have made clear our view to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, as have the EU, US, Japan and
others that this would be seen as a provocative act, which would add considerable tension to an already complex regional situation. We have urged them not to test, but to stick to their commitments under the 1999 moratorium and the 2002 Pyongyang Declaration and return to the Six Party Talks—a message reiterated in the Foreign Ministers’ statement following the G8 meeting in Moscow. The full text of the statement can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/G8FMChairman Statement290606.pdf. We continue to work closely with allies, including US, NATO and EU partners to ensure a co-ordinated international response if the test goes ahead.
Western Sahara
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK Government's preferred policy is (a) talks between the Polisario Front and Morocco on autonomy for the Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty and (b) a referendum on self determination for the people of Western Sahara; and if she will make a statement. [82043]
Dr. Howells: The Government's policy on the issue of the status of Western Sahara remains unchanged. The UK fully supports the efforts of the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan and his Personal Envoy to Western Sahara, Peter Van Walsum, to assist the parties to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. We continue to urge all parties involved in the dispute to engage constructively with the UN.
The UK supported UN Security Council Resolution 1675, adopted on 28 April, which extended the mandate of the UN Mission for a Referendum in Western Sahara until 31 October 2006. There are, however, no plans for a UN referendum to be held in the near future.
Scotland
Sewel Convention
10. Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to respond to the report of the Scottish Affairs Committee: “The Sewel Convention: the Westminster perspective”. [80916]
David Cairns: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Mr. Evennett) at column 636.
Foreign Students
11. Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what factors were taken into account when deciding to offer foreign students with student visas in Scotland the option to work for a period of two years following graduation; and if he will make a statement. [80917]
David Cairns: This is a matter for Scottish Ministers. The fresh talent working in Scotland scheme was launched in June 2005 to help encourage more people to live and work in Scotland.
Fuel Price Increases
12. Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of recent fuel price increases on consumers in Scotland. [80918]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: The Government and the Scottish Executive continue to monitor the impact of recent energy price increases, and to discuss with suppliers what further action might be taken to assist the most vulnerable groups.
Devolution
13. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent devolution issues the Advocate General has considered. [80919]
David Cairns: Since 3 June, 60 devolution issues have been intimated to the Advocate General. Of these 60 devolution issues, 42 arose in civil proceedings and 18 in criminal proceedings.
Gaelic Speakers
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Gaelic speakers there are in Scotland; and what proportion this represents of the Scottish population. [82242]
David Cairns: The 2001 Census showed that there are 58,652 Gaelic speakers in Scotland which represents 1.2 per cent. of the Scottish population.
Information Technology
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent on information technology (IT) sourced from outside his Department in each of the last five years; who is responsible for such projects in his Department; and what IT (a) expertise and (b) qualifications they possess. [71780]
David Cairns: The Scotland Office operates an information technology system through the Scottish Executive, which is responsible for the administration, support and maintenance of the system. Accordingly, the Executive is responsible for sourcing and awarding such contracts.
The expenditure attributable to outsourced information technology was as follows:
| Expenditure (£) | |
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the (a) originally estimated, (b) most recently estimated and (c) outturn cost was in each of the five largest information technology contracts agreed with outside suppliers over the last five years. [71781]
David Cairns: The Scotland Office has only one outsourced IT contract which is for the production and design of the Scotland Office website, on-going maintenance, and hosting of the site; consequently, it is not possible to provide estimated outturn figures. However, the following table below details the expenditure in each year;
| Expenditure (£) | |
Olympics
Mr. Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which officials in his Department (a) are responsible for Olympics-related activity and (b) sit on the Inter-Departmental Steering Group for the Olympics. [81567]
David Cairns: Olympics-related activity for Scotland is the responsibility of Scottish Ministers. However, Scotland Office officials examine Government proposals on the Olympics and how they relate to Scotland. The Scottish Executive provides representation on the Inter-Departmental Steering Group.
Northern Ireland
Assets Recovery Agency
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total value of property and possessions confiscated by the Assets Recovery Agency was in the last financial year in Northern Ireland. [77369]
Paul Goggins: Confiscation is triggered by prosecutors post-conviction. The Assets Recovery Agency is not a prosecuting body, and therefore has not confiscated any assets. However, in 2005-06 using its civil recovery powers the Assets Recovery Agency recovered assets to the value of £0.77 million in Northern Ireland.
Car Parks
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff are employed at each pay and display car park in Northern Ireland to ensure vehicles display the correct payment sticker on the windscreen. [81672]
David Cairns: The Acting Chief Executive of Roads Service, Mr. Geoff Allister, has written to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
Letter from Mr. Geoff Allister, dated 3 July 2006:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a parliamentary question regarding how many staff are employed at each pay and display car park in Northern Ireland to ensure vehicles display the correct payment sticker on the windscreen. I have been asked to reply as these issues fall within my responsibility as Acting Chief Executive of Roads Service.
Roads Service is responsible for the management of 82 Pay and Display car parks across Northern Ireland. Forty of these are operated through private contractors and as such no Roads Service staff are involved in patrolling these car parks. Roads Service employs 15 car park attendants to patrol around the remaining 42 car parks and take appropriate action when a vehicle fails to display evidence that the required fee has been paid.
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