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Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the likely impact on (a) waiting lists, (b) bed availability and (c) out-patient care of the financial (i) position and (ii) action announced by Winchester and Eastleigh healthcare NHS trust. [91091]
Ms Rosie Winterton: It is for primary care trusts in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services.
Worthing Hospital
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who instructed Tribal MGB of Chislehurst to carry out a valuation of the Worthing hospital site. [90775]
Ms Rosie Winterton: This is a local matter. The NHS South East Coast has advised that neither it nor national health service organisations in West Sussex have commissioned a valuation in respect of this property.
Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from (a) within the NHS and (b) the public about the future of Worthing Hospital and its services. [90829]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The Department has received approximately 52 letters from members of the public on the future of Worthing Hospital and its services. It is not possible to determine how many of these letters might have been from national health service employees.
Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information has been sent by her Department to the Prime Minister's Office on the future of Worthing's hospital. [90968]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The future of Worthing hospital is an issue for the local national health service.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Algeria
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether under the Memorandum of Understanding she reached with the Algerian Government on the use of torture those deported from the UK to Algeria will be treated as if the UN Convention on Torture applied to them in Algeria. [91074]
Dr.
Howells: There is no Memorandum of Understanding with the
Algerian Government nor are we seeking one. A framework for
deportations to Algeria was concluded during President Bouteflika's
visit to London on 11 July 2006. My right hon. Friend
the Prime Minister and President signed an Exchange of Letters on
deportation—the letters have been placed in the Library of the
House. This exchange will be supplemented by individual assurances in
each case.
The Government are satisfied that these arrangements and the changing circumstances in Algeria allow the UK to deport individuals in a manner consistent with its domestic and international human rights obligations. The Special Immigration Appeals Commission recently dismissed an appeal against deportation by terrorist suspect ‘Y’, ruling that he would not face a real risk of inhuman or degrading treatment if he were returned to Algeria.
Algeria is a signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Torture.
Arms Trade
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what enquiries have been made into the way in which British export restrictions were evaded in the case of British made night sight equipment found in the hands of Hezbollah forces in South Lebanon; and what findings have resulted. [91045]
Dr. Howells: We have been in close touch with the Israeli Defence Force who have confirmed that British made night vision goggles were not found in Lebanon, as media reports have suggested. There were however two pieces of British equipment found. One was a commercially available remote video camera for which no export licence was required. The other was a thermal imaging system that was exported under licence in 1999. Proper procedures were followed at the time, including making a careful risk assessment. This concluded there was no reason to suspect that the equipment would be used for anything other than its described purpose.
All applications are assessed against the Consolidated EU and National Export Licensing Criteria and other prevailing circumstances at the time of application. If there is any risk that the equipment will be diverted from its stated end use, a licence will not be issued. If information comes to light about possible diversion of equipment after export, this will be taken into account when assessing future applications.
Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the Chinese Government's request for the lifting of the EU-China arms embargo; and if she will make a statement. [91070]
Mr.
McCartney: The EU has a common approach on this
issue. The European Council announced a review of the EU arms embargo
in December 2003, which is ongoing. As set out in the December 2004
European Council Conclusions, the result of any decision on the embargo
should not be an increase in arms exports from EU member states to
China, either in quantitative or qualitative terms. EU leaders also
recalled the importance of the criteria of the Code of Conduct on arms
exports, in particular criteria
regarding human rights, stability and security in the region and the
national security of friendly and allied countries. The Government
continue fully to implement the arms embargo.
British Nationals (Foreign Prisons)
Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for which British nationals in foreign prisons the Government has asked for clemency or for release in the past 15 years; and what the reasons were in each case. [90830]
Mr. McCartney: We do not ask for clemency or release for British nationals in foreign prisons but will support a plea for clemency made by a prisoner in certain circumstances. Our clemency policy is outlined in an answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) by my hon. Friend the then Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister of State (Brian Wilson) on 2 May 2001, Official Report, column 629W. Specific details on cases for which we have supported pleas for clemency are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Additionally, for data protection reasons, we cannot give out names of individuals for whom we have supported clemency pleas.
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.
Carbon Emissions
Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps her Department is taking towards being carbon neutral. [91022]
Mr. Hoon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 July 2006, Official Report, columns 490-91W, to the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne). The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is committed to achieving carbon neutrality on our estate by 2012.
Child Abduction Unit
Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many new cases were handled by the Child Abduction Unit in each of the last five years; and what its operating budget was in each year. [90889]
Mr.
McCartney: The Child Abduction Section at the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office (FCO) records statistics on cases of international
parental child abduction or retention brought to its attention and
where it has offered consular assistance to British
nationals, rather than recording the total number of abductions from the
United Kingdom. The FCO usually provides assistance in abduction and
retention cases in countries which are not party to the 1980 Hague
Convention on International Child Abduction. The Child Abduction
Section was established in 2003 so statistics are not available before
then.
| Cases recorded | |
The operating budget for the section was as follows:
| Financial year | Total budget (£) |
Child Protection
Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of protocols and the aspects of the Hague Treaty regarding reciprocal recognition by foreign courts of custody and residence and contact orders made by UK courts. [90890]
Mr. McCartney: Since the UK-Pakistan Protocol was signed in 2003, the Child Abduction Section in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has recorded 72 cases of child abduction to Pakistan. Although we do not have statistics on cases prior to that time, we believe that the protocol has proven instrumental in concluding many child abduction cases and broader policy issues between the two countries that may otherwise have not been resolved. As far as Hague Convention signatory countries are concerned, the Hague Convention Special Commission in November will provide an opportunity for further assessment to be made on how the convention is working in practice.
Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what international police liaison and intelligence arrangements are in place to assist efforts to ensure the location and legally mandated return from overseas of children or minors removed from, or encouraged or facilitated to leave, the jurisdiction of the UK courts in contravention of valid awards of custody or residence; and which countries are engaged in dialogue with the Department on securing improved co-operation and recognition of reciprocal agreements. [90891]
Mr.
McCartney: When minors are removed from the UK in
contravention of existing UK court orders, the UK police will work
through Interpol to determine their location overseas. If the minor has
been taken to a country that is a signatory to the Hague Convention,
the normal procedures will be taken under the Hague Convention through
the relevant central authority.
When a non-Hague Convention country is involved, the matter has to be
resolved through the courts in the respective countries. We encourage
those countries not already signed up to the Hague Convention to
consider becoming signatories. We are in regular dialogue with a number
of non-Hague Convention countries on international child abduction,
including Pakistan with which we have a bilateral judicial protocol in
place which serves to return children to their country of habitual
residence for matters of custody to be resolved
there.
Cyprus
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings she has had with the Government of Turkey to discuss that country’s occupation of part of Cyprus. [90962]
Mr. Hoon: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last met the Turkish Foreign Minister on 18 July 2006, when she discussed Turkey’s continued support for a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus. During my visit to Turkey on 11 September 2006, I also discussed prospects for progress towards a Cyprus settlement. We continue fully to support the efforts of the UN.
Darfur
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in establishing a multilateral force to take over from the African Union in Darfur; what recent assessment she has made of the situation in Darfur; and if she will make a statement. [90753]
Mr. McCartney: UN Security Council Resolution 1706, which the UK sponsored, was passed on31 August and calls for a UN force to take over from the African Union (AU) in Darfur. This resolution demonstrates our continued commitment to practical and viable steps to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. The security situation in Darfur is deteriorating and there is an increase in violent attacks. We condemn the Government of Sudan's attempts to resolve the situation through military action, which is completely at odds with the Darfur Peace Agreement. The Sudanese Government must now move to co-operate with the UN and enable a UN force to succeed the AU force in Darfur.
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 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. Member 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 wouldtake 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 its 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.
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