Written Answers to Questions
The following answers were received between Tuesday 19 September and Friday 29 September 2006
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with her NATO counterparts on the situation in Afghanistan; and what requests have been made for additional support from NATO allies for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. [91222]
Dr. Howells [holding answer 13 September 2006]: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had regular and wide ranging discussion with colleagues from a number of NATO member states. These discussions have included the situation in Afghanistan. As a NATO-led operation, it is for the Alliance to find collectively the forces the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) needs. As the NATO Secretary-General has said, nations should deliver what they have all agreed ISAF ought to have. Work is of course ongoing to ensure that the necessary capabilities are in place.
Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether officials from her Department will be seeking agreement on a mandate for future negotiations on cluster munitions at the Review Conference to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons in November. [91192]
Mr. McCartney [holding answer 18 September 2006]: No. The UK’s priority for the 3(rd) Review Conference to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) in November is to finalise a Protocol on Mines Other Than Anti-Personnel Mines (Anti-vehicle mines). We believe that the work on Explosive Remnants of War should continue on the basis of the current mandate. If achieved, progress on these two areas should ensure the continued success of the CCW. On cluster munitions, a recent study commissioned by CCW member states concluded that International Humanitarian Law is adequate.
Falkland Islands
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government have taken to meet its commitment under article 5 of the Mine Ban treaty to clear minefields in the Falkland Islands by 1 March 2009. [91190]
Mr. McCartney [holding answer 18 September 2006]: The UK is committed to its obligations under the Ottawa convention (Mine Ban treaty). In 1999 the United Kingdom and Argentine Governments agreed as a confidence-building measure to
“work together to evaluate the feasibility and cost of clearing the land mines still present in the Falkland Islands”.
This co-operation has been welcomed by other states parties to the treaty. The feasibility study is largely to be funded by Argentina, on the principle that almost all the mines are theirs. Against the background of the sovereignty dispute and the Argentine financial crisis in 2001, the negotiations have been long and complex. After much hard work they resulted in July 2006 in agreement on the modalities for completing a survey of the Falkland Islands and the final report of the feasibility study during the next austral summer. Only when the feasibility study has been completed will we be in a position to decide on the best option available to enable us to meet our Ottawa obligations.
Iraq
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has (a) made and (b) received from coalition partners of the likelihood of a civil war in Iraq. [91219]
Margaret Beckett [holding answer 18 September 2006]: The potential danger of a slide into civil war in Iraq is something that concerns us all, but while there is a high level of sectarian conflict in the country, civil war is neither imminent nor inevitable. Our coalition partners and the Government of Iraq agree with this assessment.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of progress in the political, economic and social conditions in the Iraqi provinces of (a) Al Basra, (b) Al Muthanna, (c) Dhi Qar and (d) Maysan. [91220]
Dr. Howells [holding answer 13 September 2006]: Progress is being made on the political, economic and social fronts in the four southern provinces but is inevitably linked to and dependent on progress in security.
The handover of security responsibility to Iraqi security forces has started in the South, demonstrating Iraq’s progress in building up its political institutions, its security capacity and its commitment to economic development and delivery of basic services. Transition to Provincial Iraqi control took place in Al Muthanna on 13 July 2006, and the Governor and elected local authorities in Dhi Qar will take over responsibility for security before the end of this month. The political situation in Maysan has improved, with the Governor and Provincial Council working with the multi-national force to ensure the province is ready to transition as soon as possible.
In Basra, despite some difficulties in relations with the Governor, co-operation with the Provincial Council and the Governor himself has continued, particularly in building the capacity of the security forces and the civil authorities. We are working with the Iraqi security forces to implement Prime Minister Maliki’s Basra
Security Plan, led by General Ali Hammadi. The training and mentoring of the Iraqi Police Service remains a priority in Basra with a focus on developing better leadership capacity, Command and Control structures, and specialist skills. The Basra Provincial Reconstruction Team is working with the Basra authorities to develop and implement economic, governance and reconstruction projects. Improved security would help deliver a range of investment, employment and economic opportunities.
Data on social conditions in Iraq are patchy and often only available at a national level. Major surveys due shortly from the UN and from the World Bank will add to our understanding. However the UK is working closely with the Government of Iraq and international organisations to improve the infrastructure, including electricity and water supply. Further information can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename =OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=105 782556187.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 25 July 2006, Official Report, column 1267W, on Iraq, what further progress has been made by the Joint Committee to transfer security responsibility in Iraq; and what discussions the Government have had with (a) United States and (b) Iraqi counterparts on the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq. [91221]
Margaret Beckett [holding answer 18 September 2006]: Following the transfer of security of Al Muthanna province to Iraqi control on 13 July, the Joint Committee to Transfer Security Responsibility recommended to the Prime Minister of Iraq and the Iraqi Ministerial Committee on National Security, that the Province of Dhi Qar transfer to Iraqi security responsibility. On 31 August 2006, the Government of Iraq announced that this transfer would go ahead. We expect a formal handover ceremony before the end of this month. The assessment process continues and the committee makes regular recommendations in respect of the transfer of further areas to Iraqi provincial control.
The UK has regular discussions with all coalition partners in the Multinational Force (MNF), including the US, and meets regularly to discuss all aspects of MNF issues with the Iraqi Government. UK troops will remain in Iraq until the conditions for drawdown are right.
Israel
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the (a) Israeli Government and (b) US Administration about the use of (i) cluster munitions and (ii) other weapons, components and military equipment in the (A) recent conflict in Israel and Lebanon and (B) Occupied Territories over the past three months. [91194]
Mr. McCartney
[holding answer 18 September 2006]: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had discussions with the Israeli or US Governments about the use of cluster munitions or
other military equipment in Lebanon, Israel or the Occupied Territories. Our embassy in Tel Aviv has recently sought clarification from the Israeli Government about their current policy on the use of cluster munitions. All countries must ensure their usage of all weapons is consistent with International Humanitarian Law.
Sudan
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with her (a) United Nations, (b) European Union and (c) United States counterparts on the situation in Darfur; what assistance the UK has offered in support of the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1706; what representations she has made to the Sudanese authorities on accepting resolution 1706; and if she will make a statement. [91047]
Margaret Beckett [holding answer 13 September 2006]: The UK played a leading role in the UN Security Council’s decision to adopt UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1706 on 31 August. A UK military officer has been seconded to the UN Secretariat to assist in planning for the deployment of a UN force. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, has spoken to the Sudanese Foreign Minister and publicly called on the Sudanese Government to accept UNSCR 1706. Both my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development and our ambassador in Khartoum have met with representatives from the Sudanese Government to press them to accept a UN force for Darfur. We have discussed the situation in Darfur with other members of the Security Council, the EU, the African Union, the Arab League and other key international actors, and urge all those with influence over the Sudanese Government to help persuade Khartoum to accept UNSCR 1706. I raised this personally with the Egyptian Government and the Secretary-General of the Arab League during my recent visit to Cairo.
UN Small Arms & Light Weapons Review Conference
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with representatives from the Canadian Government regarding an inter-sessional meeting of states next year following this year’s UN Small Arms and Light Weapons Review conference. [87175]
Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no discussion with the Canadian Government about their proposal for an informal inter-sessional meeting of states next year on Small Arms and Light Weapons transfer controls. However, we are ready to consider proposals that strengthen implementation of the UN Programme of Action.
Health
Civil Servants
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many civil servants are employed by the Department (a) in and (b) outside London. [73186]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The information requested is shown in the following table, as at 1 April 2005.
| Full-time equivalent | |
| Number | |
Road Accidents (Compensation)
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was recovered by hospitals from insurers towards the cost of treatment of persons injured in road accidents in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [83767]
Ms Rosie Winterton [pursuant to the reply, 24 July 2006, Official Report, c. 1122W]: I regret the costs of providing treatment to victims of road traffic accidents recovered in 2005-06 given in my previous reply is incorrect. It should read £121,500,568 not £121,500.
Letter from Rosie Winterton, dated 23 September 2006:
I regret that the information in my reply to your Parliamentary Question on 24 July 2006 (UIN 83767) about the costs of providing treatment to victims of road traffic accidents (Official Report Volume 449 Column 1122W - copy attached) was incorrect. This was due to an administrative error.
The table in the answer indicated that the amount recovered for the cost of providing treatment to victims of road traffic accidents for 2005-06 was £121,500. This figure should read £121,500,568.
I attach the correct table and am arranging for the Official Report to be amended.
I apologise for the inconvenience caused.
| Amount recovered (£) | |
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of (a) HIV, (b) chlamydia, (c) gonorrhoea, (d) syphilis, (e) genital warts and (f) genital herpes there have been in England in each year since 1979. [90991]
Mr. Ivan Lewis
[holding answer September 2006]: The number of cases of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital warts and genital herpes diagnosed in genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in England
from 1979 to 2005, are shown in table one. The numbers of individuals newly diagnosed with HIV in England, by year of diagnosis, are shown in table two. HIV diagnoses include those made in GUM clinics as well as other settings such as infectious disease units and general practice. The following documents have also been placed in the Library:
Communicable Disease Report: Sexually transmitted diseases in England and Wales: 1981-1990;
Trends in sexually transmitted infections in the United Kingdom 1990-1999: New episodes seen at genitourinary medicine clinics; and
Sexually Transmitted Infections in the UK: New episodes seen at Genitourinary Medicine Clinics 1991-2001.
| Table 1: Number of diagnoses for selected conditions made at genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in England; 1979-2005 | |||||
| Condition | |||||
| Syphilis( 1) | Gonorrhoea | Chlamydia( 2) | Herpes( 3) | Warts( 3) | |
| (1) Data for 1979 to 1994, marked with * are for primary, secondary and early latent syphilis and cannot be separated. From 1995, data are for primary and secondary syphilis only. (2) Data for chlamydia is available from 1988 onwards. Prior to 1988, chlamydia was recorded as part of the non-specific genital infections (3) The numbers for genital warts and herpes infections from 1988 are for first attack cases. Prior to 1988 data was collected for first attack and recurrent cases together. Source: Health Protection Agency, 1979 to 1987: SBH60 return, 1988 to 2005: KC60 return | |||||
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