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Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Commonwealth Institute
Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the Government contributed to the maintenance and running costs of the Commonwealth Institute building in each year between 1996 and 2000. [81167]
Dr. Howells: Figures for calendar years are not available. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) paid the Commonwealth Institute:
£1 million in the financial year 1996-97;
£1.1 million in 1997-98;
£600,000 in 1998-99;
£600,000 in 1999-2000.
The severance arrangements agreed between the FCO and the Commonwealth Institute in January 2000 provided for the payment of a further £8 million, about half of which was ring fenced for property maintenance.
East Timor
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley of 5 June 2006, Official Report, column 315W, on East Timor, in what way the UK has expressed concern about impunity for those responsible for human rights abuses in Timor-Leste, with particular reference to abuses committed in 1999; at what level and in which forums concerns were raised in each year since 1999; what the outcomes were in each case; and if she will make a statement. [81719]
Mr. McCartney: The UK has often expressed concern about impunity for those responsible for the human rights abuses in East Timor and we note the decision of the Government of East Timor to pursue these issues with Indonesia through their bilateral Commission for Truth and Friendship.
We have expressed these concerns on a number of occasions at various levels and in different fora. However, we are unable to provide the information requested by the hon. Member as this could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Gibraltar
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government will consider the forthcoming referendum in Gibraltar to approve the new constitution to be an act of self-determination by the people of Gibraltar. [82615]
Mr. Hoon: As my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary (Mr Jack Straw) set out in his written ministerial statement of 27 March 2006, Official Report, columns 44-46W, the new constitution provides for a modern and mature relationship between the UK and Gibraltar. I do not think that this description would apply to any relationship based on colonialism. The constitution confirms the right of self-determination of the Gibraltarian people. The realisation of that right must be promoted and respected in conformity with the provisions of the UN Charter and any other applicable international treaties. Gibraltar's right of self-determination is not constrained by the Treaty of Utrecht except insofar as Article X gives Spain the right of refusal should Britain ever renounce Sovereignty. Thus independence would only be an option with Spanish consent. Her Majesty's Government recognise that the act of deciding on their acceptance of the new constitution in the forthcoming referendum will be an exercise of the right of self-determination by the Gibraltarian people in that context.
The new constitution does not in any way diminish British sovereignty and gives Gibraltar much greater control over its internal affairs and that degree of self-government compatible with British sovereignty and the UK's continuing international responsibilities. If the new constitution is agreed the UK will retain its full international responsibility for Gibraltar, including for Gibraltar's external relations and defence, and as the member state responsible for Gibraltar in the EU. The UK's long standing commitment that the UK will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their wishes will be unchanged. This is also set out clearly in the Despatch which will be published at the same time as the Gibraltar Constitution Order and the draft of which I will place in the Library of the House. I will also send a copy to my hon. Friend.
It has also been the UK's long standing view that none of its remaining overseas territories, including Gibraltar, should remain on the UN list of non self-governing territories, despite the different circumstances affecting Gibraltar, namely the application of the Treaty of Utrecht as noted earlier. However, the criteria used by the UN are outdated and fail to take account of the way that relationships between the UK and its overseas territories have been modernised. The UK does not, therefore, engage formally to seek the removal of any of the overseas territories from the UN list.
Gurkha Regiment
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the requirements are for ex-servicemen of the Gurkha regiment to be issued with visas to visit the UK. [81511]
Dr. Howells: Gurkhas serving in the British Army are exempt from immigration control as are other Foreign and Commonwealth personnel serving in HM forces. Upon discharge, when they cease to be exempt, they may apply for settlement and subsequently naturalisation in the UK.
If ex-servicemen of the Gurkha regiment wish to visit the UK, they need to meet the visit visa requirements of the immigration rules. The requirements to be met by a person seeking entry clearance as a visitor are that he/she: is genuinely seeking entry as a visitor for a limited period as stated by him/her, not exceeding six months; and intends to leave the UK at the end of the period of the visit as stated by him/her; and does not intend to take employment in the UK; and does not intend to produce goods or provide services (including the selling of goods or services direct to members of the public) within the United Kingdom; and does not intend to study at a maintained school (exchange students may be treated exceptionally) and will maintain and accommodate him/herself and any dependants adequately, and can meet the cost of the return or onward journey. Further information on visit visa requirements can be found on the UKvisas website at:
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk
Indonesia
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the Indonesian Government on compensation for the families of victims killed in the bombings in Bali in 2002. [82104]
Mr. McCartney: Our embassy in Jakarta sent a diplomatic note to the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 2 June 2003, stating that
“Some of the relatives of those British nationals killed or injured or British nationals directly involved in the Bali bombing on 12 October 2002 intend to submit a claim for compensation under the Indonesian Government Regulation as Substitution of Law 1 of 2002, regarding Elimination of Criminal Acts of Terrorism (GRI)”.
Iran
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what military equipment has been provided by the UK to Iran to assist in counter-narcotics operations in the last three years. [58244]
Margaret Beckett [pursuant to the reply, 21 March 2006, Official Report, c.334-35W]: I regret that an inaccurate answer was given to part of the right hon. Member's question. The answer given states 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.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will assess the (a) likelihood and (b) likely effectiveness of placing sanctions on Iran in case of a breakdown of negotiations. [81579]
Dr. Howells: We remain deeply concerned that, despite repeated requests by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors and the United Nations Security Council, Iran is continuing uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activity that will enable it to develop the capability to produce fissile material suitable for use in nuclear weapons, and is not co-operating fully with the IAEA.
On 1 June, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and her French, German, US, Russian and Chinese colleagues and Javier Solana, EU High Representative, agreed a way forward that would give Iran everything it needs to develop a modern civil nuclear power industry, as well as bringing Iran far reaching political and economic benefits, while meeting international concerns. We hope that Iran will respond to these proposals soon and take the positive path offered. Ministers also agreed on 1 June that if Iran decides not to engage in negotiation, further steps would have to be taken in the Security Council.
Our efforts remain focused on securing an early, positive response to the proposals. But we cannot rule out measures against Iran, including sanctions, at some point if they become necessary to ensure that Iran complies with its obligations and takes steps to establish the peaceful intentions of its nuclear programme.
As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said in the House on 23 May 2006, Official Report, column 1314:
“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/G8FMChairmanStatement290606.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).
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.
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