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25 July 2006 : Column 1277W—continued
Diplomatic Posts (Expense Allowances)
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the levels of expense allowances which are permitted at each of the diplomatic posts within the NATO Alliance and the European Union are; and what they were in May 1997. [87104]
Mr. Hoon: The following figures reflect entertainment expenditure for Heads of Mission in NATO and European Union capitals for the 1996-97 and 2005-06 financial years. Entertainment expense allowances (Frais) paid to Heads of Mission cover the cost of official entertainment and other representational expenditure (principally the running of the Head of Mission residence).
Frais allocations are based on the anticipated entertainment obligations of each Head of Mission job in the year ahead and evidence of expenditure in previous years.
| NATO only | 1996-97 total | 2005-06 total |
| EU only | 1996-97 total | 2005-06 total |
| EU and NATO posts | 1996-97 total | 2005-06 total |
Doha Round
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action she is taking to encourage the revival of the Doha round of trade talks. [86769]
Mr. Hoon: The World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations remain high on the agenda for the Government and are discussed regularly in contacts with EU partners, the European Commission and other WTO Members. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister attended the G8 summit in St. Petersburg from 15-17 July and raised this issue with leaders from G8 and "+5" countries (Brazil, India, China, South Africa and Mexico). We welcome Pascal Lamy's attendance at the G8 summit and the statement by G8 leaders on the WTO negotiations and the process that has been agreed to take negotiations forward over the next month. The G8 Statement on Trade is available on the internet at the following address: http://en.g8russia.ru/docs/16.html.
The WTO Round was also discussed at the EU's General Affairs and External Relations Council on 17 July and in the Agriculture Council on 18 July, where my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spoke in favour of an ambitious, pro-development outcome to the Round. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also raised the issue during her recent visits to the United States and Brazil.
We will continue to work with our EU partners, the Commission and other WTO members to ensure a successful outcome to the Round.
Falkland Islands (Sovereignty)
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Argentine Government on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. [87880]
Mr. Hoon: The UK has had no discussions with Argentina on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. We will not discuss the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands with Argentina unless and until such time as the Falkland Islanders so wish.
FIFA World Cup
Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which matches (a) she and (b) other Ministers in her Department attended at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany in their ministerial capacity; at what cost to public funds; and with what contributions from third party organisations. [83619]
Mr. Hoon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today (UIN 73630).
Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans (a) she and (b) Ministers in her Department have to attend matches at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany. [73630]
Mr. Hoon: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did not attend any games at the FIFA World Cup 2006.
My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, and I as the Minister for Europe, attended one game each during the World Cup in Germany.
My noble Friend Lord Triesman attended England v. Sweden Group B match on 20 June 2006 in Cologne. I attended the England v. Ecuador second round match on 25 June 2006 in Stuttgart. Tickets for both matches were provided by the local state authorities. During their visits to Germany they also met with Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials providing services for British nationals travelling to the World Cup.
All travel and accommodation was arranged in accordance with the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers. The total cost of the visits to Germany including officials was £2,940.60.
Immigration
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with her counterparts in (a) Libya, (b) Tunisia and (c) Algeria on their plans to tackle illegal immigration from North Africa to Europe. [80333]
Dr. Howells: [pursuant to the reply, 12 July 2006, Official Report, c.1912W]: I regret that an inaccurate answer was given to part of the hon. Member’s question. The answer given states that my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe, visited Algeria and Libya on 7-8 June and 25-27 respectively. In fact, I visited both countries on the specified dates.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Department will reach a decision of the immigration application of Shaid Ian, ref: 3107 2668. [88323]
Dr. Howells: UKvisas does not have a record of any entry clearance application lodged by Shaid Ian, but would be pleased to follow this up with the hon. Member’s office if he is able to provide further information.
Israel
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what defence equipment has been provided to Israel from the (a) UK and (b) EU in the last five years. [87144]
Mr. Hoon: The UK publishes details of all export licences issued in its Annual (and now Quarterly) Reports on Strategic Export Controls. This includes a summary of goods by destination. All reports from 1997 can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename= OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Pagc&cid= 1007029395474. The Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls for 2005 will be published later this month.
The EU also publishes an annual report on arms exports from EU member states.
This information is available on the EU’s website at: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showpage .asp?id=408&lang=en&mode=g .
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make it her policy to impose an embargo on arms exports to Israel. [88749]
Dr. Howells: With regard to Israel, as to all others countries, we will continue to assess rigorously all relevant export licence applications on a case by case basis against our EU and national arms export licensing criteria taking full account of the prevailing circumstances at the time of application and other announced Government policies. A licence will not be issued where to do so would be inconsistent with the criteria. The Government are proud of the UK's robust and transparent export licensing regime, which is among the best in the world.
Kosovo
Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what plans have been made to establish an EU mission in Kosovo; and what recent discussions she has had with her EU counterparts on such a mission; [87907]
(2) what plans have been made for the phasing out of the UN mission in Kosovo. [87908]
Mr. Hoon: The international presence in Kosovo after a status settlement will partly depend on the settlement itself. However, there is a broad consensus that when the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) closes, the EU will take on a more substantive role. As a result, an EU Planning Team was established in April composed of experts in the fields of justice, police, civilian administration and general administrative issues. They will continue to prepare for a possible European Security and Defence Policy Mission in Kosovo and continue to report to the Council on a monthly basis.
The General Affairs and External Relations Council on 17 July, at which my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary was present, reviewed progress on this work.
Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what preparations have been made to allow for contractual relations between Kosovo and the EU. [87911]
Mr. Hoon: A UN-led process is currently under way aimed at achieving a final status settlement for Kosovo. However, the Contact Group Guiding Principles for a settlement on Kosovo's status envisage a settlement that contributes towards realising the European Perspective of Kosovo, in particular Kosovo's progress in the Stabilisation and Association Process, as part of the integration of the entire region in Euro-Atlantic institutions.
I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him today (UIN 87912).
Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are to establish a European Commission office in Pristina; and if she will make a statement. [87912]
Mr. Hoon: The European Commission has plans to establish an office in Pristina that will absorb the functions of the European Commission Liaison Office and the European Agency for Reconstruction already established there. The office will work closely with the local authorities and civil society to assist them with the European integration and reform agenda. It will also need to work closely with whatever international civilian presence is established following a status settlement.
Ministerial Offices
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times her ministerial office has been decorated in each of the last five years. [87650]
Mr. Hoon: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary’s office has not been redecorated in the last five years.
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