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6 Nov 2006 : Column 832W—continued
Mr. Watson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mortality rates were for socio-economic categories (a) I, (b) II (c) III, (d) IV, and (e) V in each year since 1997. [100061]
John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 6 November 2006:
The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the mortality rates were for social classes (a) I, (b) II, (c) III, (d) IV and (e) V in each year since 1997. I am replying in her absence. (100061)
Mortality rates by social class are calculated as three year averages. It is sometimes necessary to combine social classes, and to restrict the analysis to certain age groups, to produce reliable estimates. The table below provides, for men and women aged 35-64, the mortality rates in social classes (a) I and II combined, (b) III non-manual, (c) III manual, and (d) IV and V combined, in 1997-99 (the latest period available).
Public Spectrum Sale
Mr. Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish plans for the sale and release of public spectrum. [97960]
John Healey: The Government will publish a strategic Forward Look, assessing the public sector’s current spectrum use and forecasting future needs, in March 2007.
Research Contracts
Mr. Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total value is of public sector research contracts granted to small technology intensive companies since 16 March 2005; and how many small technology intensive companies have won such contracts. [99354]
Jim Fitzpatrick: I have been asked to reply.
The Government do not collate figures regarding the total value of public sector research contracts granted to small technology intensive companies. The cost and effort involved would be disproportionate given the number and variety of authorities and organizations involved.
However, there are figures for a subset of public sector spend, namely Government expenditure on extramural R and D under the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), which is designed to stimulate and increase the demand for research and development from high tech small firms. The participating Departments purchase at least 2.5 per cent. of their extramural R and D from SMEs. The value of contracts made with SMEs was £269.1
million, representing 10.6 per cent. of the baseline budget. SBRI figures for 2005-06 will be published shortly.
Sale of Assets
Mr. Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which local authorities have retained income from the sale of assets as set out in Budget 2006, Table C16. [99352]
John Healey: In 2004-05, local authorities in the United Kingdom secured fixed asset sales of £5.2 billion as set out in Table C16, Budget 2006. Apart from certain housing land and dwellings receipts in England that are required to be pooled, local authorities are free to use the proceeds of asset sales to fund new capital expenditure, reduce indebtedness or to increase investments. The level of receipts retained by each individual authority on 2004-05 is set out in the tables that are available from DCLG, the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly and the Department for Finance and Personnel Northern Ireland and have been deposited in the Library of the House.
Terrorist Finance
Dr. Starkey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 16 February 2006, Official Report, column 2421W, on terrorist activities (financing), on which date the structure, focus and membership of the review to safeguard the charitable sector from terrorist finance was established; which other Government Departments were consulted; what the membership of the review team is; what the terms of reference of the review are; which organisations, excluding Government Departments (a) have been consulted and (b) have provided evidence to the review; when the review will be completed; when the report will be made available to Parliament; what consultation will be carried out on the report's recommendations; and whether the recommendations will be made public before the Financial Action Task Force evaluates UK money laundering and terrorist finance measures. [94273]
Mr. McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
On 13 February, the Chancellor announced that the Government would
“review how best to strengthen the safeguards to protect the charitable sector from terrorist abuse and protect donor confidence in so doing”.
The terms of reference were agreed in July 2006. The review will report to the Home Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer in November.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her most recent assessment is of the capacity of the Afghan armed forces to fulfil a role in the security and stabilisation of Afghanistan. [96354]
Des Browne: I have been asked to reply.
Developing effective Afghan National Security Forces is crucial to lasting stability in Afghanistan. So far, good progress has been made, with the Afghan Minister for Defence recently stating that there are now 34,000 officers, NCOs and soldiers in the Afghan National Army (ANA). The ANA is ethnically balanced and well trained, factors that contribute to the high regard it is held in by the population. Those troops deployed in Helmand have fought bravely and effectively alongside our own, enduring considerable sacrifice in pursuit of their own country’s security. ANA leadership and capabilities are developing well but it will take time and continued support before they are ready to take on this task independently.
Algeria
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of the Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation in Algeria, with particular reference to its application to human rights violations by the security forces. [99233]
Dr. Howells: The Algerian people voted for the ‘Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation’ in a referendum in 2005. The Charter, which came into force in February 2006, granted an amnesty to those convicted of terrorist offences or who were prepared to surrender themselves to the security services. The amnesty also extended to government security forces. More than 2,000 terrorist prisoners have since been released under the Charter. In addition the Charter provides for the families of victims of terrorism to register the disappearance or death of their relative and obtain compensation.
The EU issued a statement when the Charter was adopted welcoming the participation of the Algerian people in the referendum and expressing the hope that Algeria will achieve lasting peace and reconciliation, based on the rule of law, respect for human rights and ongoing consultations with its citizens.
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps she is taking to address human rights violations in Algeria, with particular reference to the torture of detainees accused of terrorism. [99234]
Dr. Howells: Promotion of human rights is central to the UK’s foreign policy. We aim to encourage improved standards through a constructive bilateral relationship with Algeria. We regularly raise human rights in our bilateral discussions with the Algerian Government. I did so during the inaugural UK-Algeria Ministerial Dialogue Forum held in Algiers on 7 June, which I co-chaired with the Algerian Deputy Foreign Minister, Dr. Abdelkader Messahel.
In 2005 the Algerian Government introduced legislation making torture a criminal offence. I am pleased that Amnesty International’s memorandum of April 2006 to the Algerian President, highlights that there have been fewer allegations of torture in police custody, and progress has been made on strengthening safeguards to protect detainees.
In February 2006 the UK sponsored a visit by senior Algerian judges and Ministry of Justice officials to the British judicial and penal systems. We have also funded and facilitated the International Centre for Prison Studies at King’s College London in developing links with the Algerian prison system. In September 2006 the UK established a new post of a police attaché in our embassy in Algiers to develop links with the Algerian counter terrorism and police forces.
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) assessment the UK Government have made of and (b) representations the Government have made to the Algerian authorities on the case of Majid Touati. [99239]
Dr. Howells: The Government are aware of reports about the detention and trial of Majid Touati. We have not made an assessment of the case.
Promotion of human rights is central to the UK’s foreign policy and we aim to do so through a constructive bilateral relationship with Algeria. We regularly raise human rights in our bilateral discussions with the Algerian Government. I did so during the inaugural UK-Algeria Ministerial Dialogue Forum in Algiers on 7 June, which I co-chaired with the Algerian Deputy Foreign Minister, Dr. Abdelkader Messahel.
Bolivia
Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to widen and develop relations with the government of Bolivia. [99499]
Mr. Hoon: Our relationship with Bolivia is developing all the time. We maintain a dialogue with the Bolivian government and we engage, both bilaterally and through the EU, on a range of bilateral and multilateral issues, including for example counter-narcotics and energy. The UK also supports projects at national and local government level.
Burma
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the freezing of assets of officials of the Burmese regime throughout the European Union. [98075]
Dr. Howells: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 1 November 2006, Official Report, columns 465-66W.
Mr. David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether she has had any recent discussions with the Burmese government about Aung San Su Kyi; and if she will make a statement. [99572]
Mr. McCartney: We have repeatedly called for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners in Burma.
I raised Aung San Suu Kyi’s continuing detention with the Burmese Ambassador on 15 June and in a letter to the Burmese Foreign Minister on 5 July.
I again raised the Governments concerns about the Burmese government’s human rights record with the Burmese Ambassador at a meeting with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Ambassadors on 18 September.
Most recently, our Permanent Representative to the UN called for Aung San Suu Kyi’s release during discussions at the UN Security Council on 29 September in the presence of the Burmese Permanent Representative to the UN.
Careers Fairs
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many career fairs were held by her Department in each of the UK regions in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [99488]
Mr. Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has held one career event in London every year since 1999 with the exception of 2005 when the event was cancelled due to security concerns.
In addition, the FCO attends regional career fairs organised by both educational establishments and external companies. The events attended may be linked to a specific university or region or may target specific groups, for example students from ethnic minority backgrounds.
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