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6 Dec 2006 : Column 474W—continued
Mr. Woolas: The (a) existence of on-street parking and (b) number of (i) garage spaces and (ii) off-street parking spaces (A) may be value significant and (B) can be captured as property attribute codes for possible use within the Valuation Office Agency’s automated valuation model.
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many domestic properties in England are classified by the Valuation Office Agency with a dwellinghouse code of (a) Conservatory Type: D, (b) Conservatory Type: S, (c) Conservatory Type: G and (d) Conservatory Type: U. [104087]
Mr. Woolas: The information requested is as follows:
| Domestic properties—England | ||
| Conservatory type dwellinghouse code | Number | |
| Note: As at 3 November 2006. | ||
Volunteering
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the impact of Government policies on the availability of early-retired people to assist the voluntary sector in future years; and if she will make a statement. [101613]
Edward Miliband: I have been asked to reply. The Government’s Opportunity Age strategy, published in March 2005 and available online at www.dwp.gov.uk/opportunity_age, sets out a number of programmes to enable older people to play a full and active role in society, including ensuring that they have access to volunteering opportunities locally. Copies have been placed in the Library for the reference of Members.
While no specific information is collected on the availability of early-retired people to assist the voluntary sector, data from the 2005 Citizenship Survey shows that 30 per cent. of those aged 50 to 64 volunteered for a group, club or organisation at least once a month, making this age group among the most active of all volunteers. Specific advice on volunteering opportunities in retirement for the over 50s is available on the Directgov website at:
www.directgov.gov.uk/Over50s/RetirementAndPensions/OpportunitiesInRetirement/fs/en
Waste Disposal: Charging
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what representations her Department has received advocating the introduction of variable rate charging for domestic rubbish. [103859]
Mr. Woolas: Local taxation issues are being considered as part of Sir Michael Lyons’ inquiry into local government funding.
Prime Minister
Afghanistan
10. Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effects of the suppression of the Afghan poppy trade on the level of insurgency in that country. [107809]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the press conference I held with President Hamid Karzai on 20 November 2006. A transcript of this is available on the No. 10 website and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.
Consultants
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister which 10 consultancy fees charged to his Office since May 1997 were the most expensive. [107169]
The Prime Minister: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster, North (Edward Miliband), Cabinet Office today.
Departmental Staff
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister how many temporary employees were contracted to work in No. 10 Downing street in 2005-06; and what the total cost of such employees was in (a) 2005-06 and (b) 1997-98. [106703]
The Prime Minister: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster North (Edward Miliband), the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office today.
Departmental Studies
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister which studies have been commissioned by his Office from (a) external agencies, (b) companies, (c) academics and (d) individuals in 2006. [107155]
The Prime Minister: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster North (Edward Miliband), the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office today.
Procurement Projects
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister what the 20 largest procurement projects initiated by his Department since May 1997 were; what the (a) original budget, (b) cost to date and (c) consultancy fees were; and what the final cost was of each project which has been completed. [106603]
The Prime Minister: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster North (Edward Miliband), the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office today.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report Afghanistan’s Drug Industry; and what effect she expects this report to have on the counter-narcotics benchmark in the London Compact. [104673]
Mr. Hoon: The UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Report highlights the impacts of the opium economy on Afghanistan’s economy, society and political institutions. It underscores the need for a balanced approach to addressing the problem. The Afghan Government’s National Drug Control Strategy (NDCS) with its four priorities of targeting the trafficker, strengthening livelihoods, reducing demand and developing effective institutions, represents a balanced approach. The NDCS provides a framework for meeting the Compact benchmarks. The UK and the international community must continue to support the Afghan Government to sharpen the delivery of their strategy so that progress towards the Compact benchmarks continues.
Bolivia and Venezuela
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment she has made of (a) political freedom, (b) media freedom and (c) freedom of assembly in (i) Bolivia and (ii) Venezuela. [107100]
Mr. Hoon: We follow events closely in Bolivia through our embassy in La Paz and with our EU partners. We welcomed the democratic election of the Government of President Morales last December, and recognise the clear mandate for change this signalled. Bolivia faces many challenges as it approaches this process of change and we are aware of opposition within Bolivia to some of Morales’ policies. It is important that political and economic reforms fully respect the democratic process. We hope that all parties will work together, maintaining an open and constructive dialogue, to ensure the future prosperity of Bolivia within a democratic system. We are not aware of significant constraints on media freedom or the freedom of assembly in Bolivia. We will continue to monitor the situation. Where we have specific concerns about political freedom, media freedom and freedom of assembly, we will make representations to the Bolivian Government.
We also monitor developments in Venezuela. We continue to encourage the Venezuelan Government, both bilaterally and through the EU, to ensure that the right to political freedom and freedom of assembly is fully respected. The Bolivarian Constitution protects the right of those working in the public sector to such freedoms, free from pressure to support a particular party or person. Embracing political pluralism, also enshrined in the Constitution, is the best path to full protection of political freedom. While the Venezuelan media generally has the freedom to act without undue interference, a number of international organisations
have expressed concern recently about the law on social responsibility in radio and television. Some elements of the law were undoubtedly necessary, but we share concerns that the law also gives the state greater powers to control the Venezuelan media. We also have concerns relating to the draft international co-operation law, which governs the activities of non-governmental organisations, and have made representations to the Venezuelan Government, with our EU colleagues.
Chinese Executions
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on the recent execution of the three religious leaders Mr. Xu Shuangfu, Mr. Li Maoxing and Mr. Wang Jun in China in October; and if she will make a statement. [104743]
Mr. McCartney: The Government understands that Xu Shuangfu, Li Maoxing and Wang Jun were executed in China on 22 November 2006 and that their families and lawyers were notified of their execution on 29 November 2006. The Chinese Government have stated that they were executed for criminal activities, not their religious beliefs. The Government do not take a position on the nature of the Three Grades organisation. We are concerned at reports that the defendants were subjected to torture and that the trial did not respect international fair trial standards. We continue to lobby the Chinese Government to limit, and ultimately abolish, its use of the death penalty, to combat torture and to meet international fair trial standards. Most recently, my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor raised the death penalty with the Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference on 24 October 2006.
Delivering as One: UN Programme
Mr. Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the United Nations programme of reform Delivering as One; and if she will make a statement. [104715]
Dr. Howells: The Government strongly support the recommendations put forward by the United Nations High Level Panel report, “Delivering as One”. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer—in his personal capacity—played an active role on the panel and the final report provides a vision for a coherent and reinvigorated UN at the centre of the international development system. The Government also welcome the recommendations on environment and humanitarian assistance activities. These recommendations are ambitious yet realistic.
The report is consistent with UK and EU efforts to promote management and administrative reform in the UN system including the implementation of modern business practices.
The Government look forward to the formal presentation of the report to the United Nations General Assembly by the Secretary-General, and welcomes the enthusiasm from many developing countries for an improved UN effort at country level.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on the elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and whether she has seen evidence indicating vote-tampering or other electoral irregularities. [107732]
Mr. McCartney: Both polling days in the Democratic Republic of Congo were generally well conducted under the guidance of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) with significant international support. Reports from Congolese and international observer missions, such as the Carter Centre and the European Union, identified some isolated technical problems and irregularities in the process. These irregularities included inflation of turnout and discrepancies between votes cast and scores published in some constituencies. However, their reports indicate that both presidential candidates benefited and that these irregularities had no significant effect on overall results. We share the observer missions’ belief that the results published by the CEI and endorsed by the Supreme Court of Justice on 27 November are credible and reflect the will of the Congolese people.
Extradition
Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information the Department collects on (a) extradition treaties between other nations and (b) international arrest warrants affecting UK citizens. [107587]
Dr. Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not collect information on extradition treaties between other states but obtains relevant information as the need arises. Nor does it collect information on international circulations of UK citizens wanted for criminal offences in third countries. This is the responsibility of the Serious Organised Crime Agency.
French Troop Deployment
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will seek from her French counterpart information on the reasons for recent French troop redeployments in (a) the Central African Republic and (b) Chad. [107752]
Mr. McCartney: We are seriously concerned about rising instability in both Chad and the Central African Republic and are in close touch with the French and other Governments about restoring stability to the region.
The French military have long-standing military ties with both Chad and the Central African Republic. The French Government have said in public statements that the recent activity by French troops is to assist the Governments of Chad and the Central African Republic to restore stability in those countries.
General Salah Abdallah
Mr. Andrew Mitchell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what
programme of meetings and events was organised for General Salah Abdallah (also known as Al Ghosh) on each of the two occasions he visited the UK in 2006. [107330]
Mr. McCartney: General Salah Abdallah Al Ghosh came to the UK for urgent medical treatment. The Government did not organise any programme of meetings or events during either visit.
However, while he was here, UK officials took the opportunity to discuss Darfur with him.
Hezbollah
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the threat posed to regional stability by Hezbollah. [107289]
Dr. Howells: Hezbollah poses a serious threat to regional stability. The major outbreak of hostilities this summer between Israel and Hezbollah started on 12 July 2006 when Hezbollah launched an attack into Israeli territory and kidnapped two Israeli soldiers. The repercussions of Lebanon’s instability continues to be felt throughout the region. Hezbollah organised street demonstrations in the centre of Beirut are adding to Lebanon’s political instability, with implications for the region as a whole.
Horn of Africa
Mr. Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment her Department has made of the security situation on the Somalia and Ethiopia border; and if she will make a statement. [106566]
Mr. McCartney: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the right hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Hague) on 27 November 2006, Official Report, columns 469-70W.
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