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13 Sep 2006 : Column 2312W—continued
Delwar Hossain Sayeedi
Mr. Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether she received advice from Mockbul Ali in respect of the admission to the United Kingdom of Delwar Hossain Sayeedi. [90638]
Mr. McCartney: It is not Foreign and Commonwealth Office policy to comment publicly on named civil servants, nor to comment on individual entry clearance applications.
Mrs. Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when she made a decision on issuing a visa for the recent visit of Delwar Hossain Sayeedi to the UK. [90669]
Mr. McCartney: I cannot comment on individual cases. However, all applicants must meet the entry clearance criteria immigration controls, as set out on the UKvisas website at www.ukvisas.gov.uk.
EU (Accession)
Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her Department's policy is on the suspension of any part of negotiations for Turkish accession to the EU in response to Turkey's refusal to open its ports and airports to Cypriot vessels and aircraft. [90768]
Mr. Hoon: The UK wholeheartedly supports Turkey’s EU accession and was delighted that the EU opened negotiations with Turkey under the UK’s presidency. The hon. Gentleman rightly raises the important issue of Turkey’s implementation of the Ankara Agreement Protocol, and we continue to convey to the Turkish government the need to implement this obligation. We continue to support the EU's declaration of 21 September 2005, which inter alia said that
“the EU would evaluate full implementation in 2006”.
Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the state of readiness of (a) Bulgaria and (b) Romania to join the EU in January 2007. [90769]
Mr. Hoon: Bulgaria and Romania have made considerable progress in their preparations for EU membership. The European Commission report of 16 May 2006 showed in detail where both countries had met EU standards and where they needed to make further progress.
We agree with the Commission’s assessment. Particular concerns were raised for both countries regarding corruption, organised crime and agriculture. We hope to see a positive assessment of progress in these areas in the Commission’s next report on 26 September and a recommendation that both countries accede to the EU on 1 January 2007.
Iran
Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is her policy that the recent Iranian report regarding that country’s nuclear programme should be made available to all EU foreign Ministers. [90767]
Dr. Howells:
EU High Representative Javier Solana presented Iran with a set of far-reaching proposals on behalf of the ‘E3+3’ (France, Germany, UK + China, Russia, US) on 6 June 2006. The proposals would give Iran everything it needs to develop a modern civil nuclear power generation industry, and other benefits, while meeting international concerns about Iran's nuclear programme. On 22 August 2006, the Secretary General of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, met E3+3 representatives in Tehran. Disappointingly, he did not say that Iran would take the steps required for negotiations to begin, including a full suspension of all uranium enrichment related and reprocessing activities as required by the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors and the UN Security Council. We have briefed our EU partners in detail on Dr. Larijani's comments. EU Foreign Ministers discussed next steps
when they met on 1-2 September 2006, and will do so again on 15 September 2006. We continue to urge Iran to take the positive path on offer.
Iraq
Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action her Department is taking to assist the Assyrian community in Iraq. [90823]
Mr. McCartney: The Government continue to promote the rights and freedoms of minorities in Iraq through their regular contacts with the Government of Iraq, political and religious leaders, including Assyrians, and civil society. We welcome provisions in Iraq's constitution, which guarantee democratic principles and rights and freedoms of all individuals, including the freedom of worship. We continue to encourage the Iraqi Government to ensure these rights are protected and enforced, and we raise with them any issues of concern that come to our attention.
Israel
David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when officials from her Department last discussed the amount of military aid provided to the Israeli Government by the United States since 1979 with their counterparts in the United States Administration; and if she will make a statement. [90945]
Dr. Howells: We frequently discuss Middle East issues with the US Government. The amount of US military assistance to Israel is a bilateral matter between the two Governments.
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many hours each week are spent by UK officials in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem monitoring the use of UK exported military equipment; how many officials are involved in this work; and what steps are taken to ensure all equipment is used in conformity with international law. [91008]
Dr. Howells: In common with all of our diplomatic posts, our embassy and consulate officials in Israel and the occupied territories monitor local developments closely, and note any information which comes to light that military equipment supplied by the UK has been used in a manner inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria. The Government will take this into consideration when assessing any future export licence applications. The Government may also revoke relevant licence(s) and ask the authorities in the country concerned to investigate.
Given the case by case nature of the monitoring work it is not possible to provide accurate figures for the amount of hours and the number of officials involved.
All export licence applications from the UK are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Export Licensing Criteria, taking full account of the prevailing circumstances at the time of application.
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with Israeli officials regarding the use of (a) M483A1 Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions and (b) other cluster munitions. [91009]
Dr. Howells: All countries must ensure their usage of cluster munitions is consistent with International Humanitarian Law. Our embassy in Tel Aviv has recently sought clarification from the Israeli Government about their current policy on the use of these munitions.
Krishna Maharaj
Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions in the past two years Krishna Maharaj has had a consular visit; and at which correctional institution in each case. [90831]
Mr. McCartney: A Consular official from our vice-consulate in Orlando last visited Mr. Maharaj at the Columbia Correctional Institute on 8 November 2005. Prior to this he was visited at the Union Correctional Institute on 19 May 2004. We continue to monitor Mr. Maharaj's case closely.
Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will make representations to the authorities at state and at federal level for steps leading to the ending of the period in prison of Krishna Maharaj in the USA. [90965]
Dr. Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has already lodged three “amicus curiae” briefs on a point of international law in Mr. Maharaj’s case. We understand that Mr. Maharaj still has appeals pending in both state and federal courts. Other than this, we have no remit to interfere in the due judicial process of the United States, either at state or federal level.
Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long Krishna Maharaj has been incarcerated in the USA. [91040]
Dr. Howells: Krishna Maharaj was arrested on 16 October 1986. On 16 October 2006, he will have been incarcerated for 20 years.
Middle East
Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many civilian British nationals were evacuated from Lebanon during the recent conflict; and how many chose to remain. [90554]
Mr. McCartney:
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) conducted a phased evacuation of some 4,600 people, of which 2,230 were British passport holders, from Beirut to Cyprus. The remainder were family members of British passport holders and nationals of EU, Commonwealth and other countries.
Of the total number, we transported 2,250 from Cyprus to the UK. Many others left Lebanon independently.
Despite a major communication effort through the media, the FCO website and the Know Before You Go Campaign to encourage British nationals to register with our embassy in Beirut, many British nationals in Lebanon chose not to tell the embassy of their presence in the country. We can therefore only estimate that a maximum of 2,000 British nationals remained in Lebanon after our evacuation ended.
Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many civilian British nationals have (a) died and (b) been injured in the recent Middle East conflict in Israel and Lebanon. [90555]
Mr. McCartney: No deaths or injuries that were directly attributable to the conflict have been reported to our embassy in Beirut. One British national died of natural causes in a hospital in Tyre sometime after it was bombed.
Our embassy in Tel Aviv has reported that a dual British-Israeli citizen was killed serving with the Israeli Defence Forces in Lebanon.
Neither embassy has received reports of injuries to British nationals.
Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many businesses owned by British citizens were damaged in the recent Middle East conflict in Israel and Lebanon. [90556]
Mr. McCartney: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not received any reports of British owned businesses that have been damaged.
Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice and assistance is being given by the British Government to British citizens who have suffered personal or business losses in the recent middle east conflict in Israel and Lebanon. [90557]
Mr. McCartney: We advise British nationals to seek private professional advice to ascertain whether there is any compensation available for their losses and how best to pursue the award of any such compensation.
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to her oral answer of 25 July 2006, Official Report, column 720, to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs. Ellman), on the middle east, what definition she uses of Islamic nation. [90578]
Mr. McCartney: Islamic countries or nations can be defined as those where a majority of the population are Muslims—or a nation that regards itself as Islamic. The Organisation of the Islamic Conference Membership list presents a useful reference point towards defining Islamic nations, since many of those countries regard themselves as such.
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government plan to carry out a review of Israel’s compliance with Criterion 2 of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria following the conflict in Israel and Lebanon. [90820]
Dr. Howells [holding answer 11 September 2006]: Licence applications are assessed on a case by case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Export Licensing Criteria taking into account prevailing circumstances. Therefore there is in effect a review of compliance each time an application is considered. Where there are concerns about any of the Consolidated Criteria, a licence will not be issued. Should any information come to light that military equipment supplied by the UK has been used in a manner inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria, the Government will take this into consideration when assessing any future export licence applications. The Government may also revoke relevant licence(s) and ask the authorities in the country concerned to investigate.
Pakistan
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the current position is with regard to Mr. Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, imprisoned in Pakistan; what involvement the Department has had in this case; and if she will make a statement. [90880]
Mr. McCartney: Omar Sheikh is a British-Pakistani national convicted and sentenced to death for involvement in the murder of the journalist Daniel Pearl. We continue to request consular access to Mr. Sheikh, most recently on 4 August 2006. In response to this latest request, the Sindh Home Minister told the British deputy high commissioner in Karachi to seek the permission of the court to visit Mr. Sheikh. The deputy high commissioner has since written to Mr. Sheikh's lawyers asking for their assistance in requesting the permission of the court.
Palestine
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has received on the arrest of Abdel Aziz Dweik; what representations she has made about his arrest; and if she will make a statement. [90595]
Mr. McCartney: We continue to have concerns about the detention of members of the Palestinian Government and Legislature including Palestinian Legislative Council Speaker Abdel Aziz Dweik. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and EU Foreign Ministers have called for their immediate release. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv has raised the detentions with the Israeli Government.
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has received about the arrest of Palestinian parliamentarians; what representations she has made about the arrests; and if she will make a statement. [90596]
Mr. McCartney:
We continue to have concerns about the detention of members of the Palestinian
Government and Legislature. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and EU Foreign Ministers have called for their immediate release. Our embassy in Tel Aviv has raised the detentions with the Israeli Government.
Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her Department's policy is on (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the European Union entering into dialogue with Hamas. [90766]
Mr. McCartney: The UK suspended contacts with Hamas in June 2005. At the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 10 April 2006, EU foreign Ministers agreed that there should be no contacts at a political level with the new Hamas led Palestinian Authority Government.
Hamas know what they have to do for the international community to engage with them: renounce violence, recognise Israel and accept previous agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap. Hamas need to start implementing these principles and make clear the path they intend to take.
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the Israeli Government on the release of the Palestinian Members of Parliament taken prisoner by the Israeli military. [90838]
Mr. McCartney: We continue to have concerns about the detention of members of the Palestinian Government and Legislature. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and EU Foreign Ministers have called for their immediate release. Our embassy in Tel Aviv has raised the detentions with the Israeli Government.
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the Palestinian Government with respect to its needs in ensuring safety and prosperity for its people. [91075]
Dr. Howells: The UK suspended contacts with Hamas in June 2005. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has therefore had no discussions with the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority (PA) Government.
We have continued to stay in regular contact with the President of the PA, Mahmoud Abbas. Most recently my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met with President Abbas on 10 September during his visit to the Middle East when of course the safety and prosperity of the Palestinian people was a central theme to their discussions.
We have been working for some time with the PA to improve the security apparatus in the West Bank and Gaza, through technical assistance and provision of equipment. We co-ordinate our work with US Security Co-ordinator General William Ward’s team to assist the PA in consolidating and expanding their efforts on security. We are also working closely with EU partners on a significant assistance project for Palestinian civil policing.
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