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Drugs
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made with the National Drug Strategy for Afghanistan agreed at the London conference; and if she will make a statement. [83244]
Dr. Howells: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement I made today on Afghanistan: Counter Narcotics. This includes detail on progress made to date as well as the allocation of UK funding in support of the National Drug Control Strategy.
Ethical Foreign Policy
Mrs. James: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on progress the Government are making in following an ethical foreign policy. [84489]
Mr. McCartney: The promotion of human rights, good governance and democracy is one of the foundations of British foreign policy, forming part of the Strategic International Priorities, published as a Command Paper (Cm 6762) in March this year. Respect for these rights and values underpins the global security, stability and prosperity on which the UK’s own well-being relies.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office produces an annual report on human rights. This report provides an overview of the main challenges to human rights around the world and explains the Government’s activities, policies and progress made to address those challenges. The last such report was published on 21 July 2005 as a Command Paper (Cm 6606) and laid before Parliament. A copy has also been placed in the Library of the House. We aim to publish the next report in October 2006.
European Communities (Fraud)
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) UK and (b) foreign nationals have been convicted of fraud involving European Communities funds since May 1997. [84256]
Mr. Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold a record of UK and foreign nationals convicted of fraud involving European Communities funds since May 1997.
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials of the European Commission have been (a) investigated for and (b) convicted of fraud involving European Communities funds since May 1997. [84278]
Mr. Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold a record of European Commission officials investigated for and convicted of fraud involving European Communities funds since May 1997.
Former Yugoslavia
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what operations are taking place to bring the former Bosnian Serb leaders Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic to justice. [84242]
Mr. Hoon: The Government strongly supports the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and full co-operation with the ICTY is a condition of progress towards membership of the EU for Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. The EU and NATO military missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina are also mandated to support ICTY’s work. It would not be sensible to comment on operational matters.
Human Rights
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to her answer of 27 June 2006, Official Report, columns 352-53W, to the right hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Hague), on human rights, what the Government’s position is on the establishing of a commission of inquiry to investigate possible human rights violations that transcend national borders. [84142]
Dr. Howells: As we have found no evidence of detainees being rendered through UK territory or airspace where there were substantial grounds to believe there was a real risk of torture, we do not see the case for such an inquiry. My right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary (Mr. Jack Straw) set out in his Written Ministerial Statement of 20 January 2006, Official Report, columns 37-38WS, the results of the extensive review of official records back to May 1997. We have also fully co-operated with international inquiries on this matter; the Government’s replies to the Council of Europe Secretary General’s requests for information are available in the Library of the House.
Israel/Palestine
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the likelihood of extended Israeli military action in the West Bank following the military incursions into Gaza which commenced on 27 June 2006; and what representations she is making on the issue. [82163]
Dr. Howells: We are not aware of any plans for extended military action in the West Bank by Israel. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Livni on 6 July and made clear her concern that military action was not extended into the West Bank. Our embassy in Tel Aviv and officials in London continue to engage with Israel on the issue.
We continue to urge both parties to act with restraint and end the current violence, which only make the prospect of a negotiated, peaceful resolution more distant.
We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Corporal Shalit, and for the Palestinian Authority to prevent all acts of terrorism against Israel. We urge the Israeli military to do everything in its power to avoid civilian casualties, and abide by international law. All military action should abide by the principle of proportionality.
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information she has received regarding the possible use by Israel of military aircraft containing head-up display units made in the UK during airstrikes into Gaza since the start of May. [84845]
Dr. Howells: We have no reports that UK supplied equipment has been deployed during the recent air strikes in Gaza. We continue to monitor developments in the region closely.
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 5 July 2006, Official Report, columns 1158-9W, on Israel, whether any information has come to light that military equipment or components supplied by the UK have been used in a manner inconsistent with the consolidated criteria during the military incursions by Israel into Gaza; what methods are used for such monitoring; what proactive steps the British Embassy in Tel Aviv has taken in relation to monitoring since 27 June; and if she will make a statement. [84846]
Dr. Howells: We have no reports that UK supplied equipment is being deployed by Israel in Gaza in a manner which is inconsistent with the consolidated criteria.
Relevant information from the media, civil society, our diplomatic missions and other relevant sources all form part of our monitoring of the situation in the region. Any information that UK-supplied military equipment may have been used in a manner inconsistent with our consolidated criteria is always taken fully into account when assessing any future export licence applications.
Middle East
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with which countries in the (a) Middle East and (b) Gulf region the UK engages in annual bilateral dialogue on security issues; and if she will make a statement. [84202]
Dr. Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not yet engage in annual bilateral dialogues on security issues with Gulf or Middle East countries. We participate in multilateral meetings including the International Institute of Strategic Studies Gulf Dialogue, attended by Cabinet level delegations in 2004 and 2005.
The Ministry of Defence engages in regular defence staff talks with the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt and Israel. The talks cover a number of issues including regional security.
Nepal
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the reports by the (a) United States ambassador to Nepal and (b) United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights that the Maoist rebels are breaking the ceasefire with the Government. [82658]
Dr. Howells: During the current ceasefire the Maoists have continued to carry out acts of extortion, abductions and killings as reported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
These acts of violence are a clear breach of the Code of Conduct to which the governing Seven Party Alliance and Maoists agreed to govern the ceasefire, and prepare the way for free and fair elections to a Constituent Assembly.
We believe that a third party, such as the United Nations, is needed to monitor the implementation of the Code of Conduct and to support the work of the Nepalese ceasefire monitoring committee—whose terms of reference have been agreed by both the Maoists and the Government.
Non-EU Foreign Students
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her estimate is of the number of applications from non-EU foreign students for entry to the United Kingdom to study on a non-degree course in (a) 2007 and (b) 2008. [83736]
Dr. Howells: UKvisas made assessments in March 2006 of the lowest likely demand, the highest likely demand and a best estimate of the level of demand in 2006-07, based on the provisional data for the previous financial year. We do not make separate forecasts for degree and non-degree students or for EU and non-EU students.
Using a provisional figure of 281,494 student applications in 2005-06, our low forecast estimates no growth in demand and our assessment of the highest likely demand would be an increase of 10 per cent. resulting in a total of 309,643 student visa applications this financial year. Our best prediction would be a 5 per cent. increase or 295,569 applications for student visas. We currently do not have a forecast for student demand for 2007-08.
We remain committed to supporting my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s Initiative on International Students to encourage increasing numbers of students from other countries to study in the United Kingdom and will be using marketing to encourage genuine students to apply for visas.
Overseas Territories
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution is being made by each governor to talks on the constitutional development of the UK’s overseas territories. [84149]
Mr. Hoon: The governor of each overseas territory, as Her Majesty the Queen’s representative in the territory, has been providing advice in those territories where constitutional reviews are or have been taking place with a view to promoting the successful conclusion of these talks.
Somalia
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the UK has had with the new Islamist leaders of Somalia; and whether there are plans to send UN peacekeepers to the region. [84238]
Mr. McCartney: We have received copies of letters sent by the Islamic Courts Union to the international community and officials have met representatives of the Islamic Courts Union informally. There are no plans to send UN peacekeepers to the region, but the African Union and Intergovernmental Authority on Development have drawn up plans for a Peace Support Operation in Somalia.
Sudan
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the National Redemption Front in Darfur. [84155]
Mr.
McCartney: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has
had no discussions with the National
Redemption Front (NRF) since it was formed in Asmara on 30 June 2006.
However, Ministers and officials have met leaders of the NRF on various
occasions in the past, including at the Darfur peace talks in
Abuja.
I am disappointed by the NRF’s rejection of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA). The Government believe the DPA is a good deal for the people of Darfur and we fully support it. I call on all sides to abide by the agreement and to implement it urgently.
Trade Sanctions
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to which countries the Government have applied trade sanctions since May 1997. [84221]
Dr. Howells: Since May 1997, sanctions with an element of restriction on trade, including the trade in arms, have been applied by the Government in relation to Afghanistan, Angola (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burma, China, Cote d'lvoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia/Serbia, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Libya, Rwanda (including Burundi, the DRC, Tanzania and Uganda in certain circumstances where arms are destined for Rwanda), Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe.
The UK also operates a number of destination specific control regimes which apply to certain exports of defence equipment and/or certain dual-use goods. The full list of current sanctions regimes and countries subject to destination specific control regimes can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: www.fco.gov.uk/sanctions.
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries have been discussed as candidates for trade sanctions in international fora since May 1997; and what the Government’s position was in each case. [84274]
Dr. Howells: Details of all the countries which have been discussed as candidates for trade sanctions in international fora since May 1997 and the Government’s position in each case could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
UK Agencies
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2006, Official Report, column 672W, on UK agencies, to which (a) European Community and (b) UK agencies she refers; and what the mission statements are of the former. [84206]
Mr. Hoon: As the information requested is lengthy, I will arrange for it to be placed in the Library of the House and will also arrange for a copy to be sent directly to the hon. Member.
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Mrs. James: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has she made of the impact of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. [84471]
Mr. McCartney: Whilst the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is the most widely ratified of all the core human rights conventions, implementation remains varied. It is essential that states parties have the necessary legal framework in place to be able to implement the convention effectively.
The UK continues to promote further signature, ratification and implementation of the CRC and its optional protocols, both through bilateral contacts and through multilateral channels such as the EU’s dialogues with other countries. We also continue to support the work of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in this regard. This includes OHCHR’s work to support and make as effective as possible the treaty monitoring body that examines states’ compliance with the CRC.
Mrs. James: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations her Department has made to the United Nations on encouraging more developing countries to sign up to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. [84472]
Mr. McCartney: The UK continues to promote further signature and ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and its optional protocols. We fully support the efforts of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and of her Office, to encourage states to sign, ratify and implement the UNCRC and its optional protocols. The UNCRC is the most widely ratified of all the core human rights conventions. Somalia is the only developing state that has not yet ratified the convention itself.
US-UK Diplomatic Relations
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which occasions HM Ambassador to the USA has written to members of the Senate making representations that the Senate ratify the US-UK extradition treaty. [84996]
Mr. McCartney: Our Ambassador in Washington has raised the Extradition Treaty with members of the Senate on several occasions, including in writing.
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which UK diplomats based in Washington DC have specific responsibility for relations with Congress; and if she will make a statement. [84997]
Mr. McCartney: Several officials in our Embassy in Washington deal with Congress on a regular basis.
Andrew
Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which occasions her Department has
raised with the US ambassador in London (a) in writing and
(b) at a
formal meeting the fact that the US Senate has not ratified the US-UK
extradition treaty; and if she will make a statement.
[84999]
Mr. McCartney: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised the Extradition Treaty with the US ambassador last month, and raised the issue during her visit to the US this month, including with Senator Lugar, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which occasions members of the UK Mission to the USA have formally raised with members of the US Senate the fact that the Senate has not ratified the US-UK extradition treaty with whom; and if she will make a statement. [85000]
Mr. McCartney: Staff from our embassy in Washington have raised the matter with members of the Senate and Administration on numerous occasions.
Work and Pensions
Access to Work Scheme
Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many disabled staff in his Department received support through the Access to Work scheme (a) in each of the last five years and (b) in 2006-07. [82235]
Mrs. McGuire: Up to March 2003, any DWP employee requiring equipment and adaptation support would have received the necessary support and costs would have been attributed to the national Access to Work budget. Jobcentre Plus Access to Work did not collect the numbers of departmental disabled staff accessing adaptations and equipment support.
Currently any DWP employee requiring equipment and adaptation support receives the necessary support but costs are now attributed to individual local budgets. Prior to the introduction of our new Resource Management System we are collecting clerical statistical data on numbers of reasonable adjustments undertaken each quarter. The available information is shown in the following table.
| Reasonable adjustments undertaken | |
| Quarter ending | Number |
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