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7 Dec 2006 : Column 660W—continued
Bolivian Land Reform Bill
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of the Bolivian Land Reform Bill on British investments in that country; what representations she is making to the Bolivian Government on honouring contractual obligations with British companies; and what representations she has received from British companies with interests in Bolivia. [107733]
Dr. Howells: We follow events closely in Bolivia through our embassy in La Paz and with our EU partners, including developments in the Land Reform Bill and the hydrocarbons nationalisation process. It is too early to assess the effects of the Land Reform Bill, but we do not expect it to have a considerable impact on British investments. We have underlined to the Bolivian Government the need to adhere to contractual obligations with British companies and to the terms of the UK/Bolivia Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement. It is important for Bolivia's long-term development that foreign investors are able to operate in a viable and equitable framework. We are in regular touch with British companies operating in Bolivia. Where necessary we will continue to make representations to the Bolivian Government, both bilaterally and through the EU, to emphasise the importance of long-term investment security.
Cluster Munitions
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had at the United Nations on cluster munitions. [105180]
Dr. Howells: None. However, at the recent Review Conference of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Ministry of Defence helped secure agreement among all CCW states, including the major users and producers, for experts urgently to address the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions. I made a written ministerial statement on this issue on 4 December 2006, Official Report, columns 1-2WS, explaining our policy in detail.
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will support steps being taken in international forums on restricting the use of cluster munitions. [105181]
Dr. Howells:
We fully recognise the humanitarian concerns about the use of cluster munitions. That is why we led efforts to secure agreement at the recent Review Conference on the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) for experts urgently to address their humanitarian impact. This is an essential preliminary step towards any future negotiations for a new legally binding instrument, and is consistent with the call by UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, to use the existing (CCW) framework. As this inclusive approach involves all the major users and producers,
we believe that it offers the best way forward to reduce the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions. I made a written ministerial statement on this issue on 4 December 2006, Official Report, columns 1-2WS, explaining our policy in detail.
Cyprus
Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the implementation of the Annan plan for Cyprus. [104834]
Mr. Hoon: In 2004, the UN plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem was approved by the Turkish Cypriots, but rejected by the Greek Cypriots. Since then, the UK has supported the UN’s efforts to restart settlement negotiations. In particular, the UK welcomes the agreement of the two leaders to the proposals put forward by the UN Under-Secretary- General for Political Affairs, Ibrahim Gambari, on 15 November. These are designed to lead to a resumption of comprehensive negotiations. With other members of the P5, we have urged both sides to now show the flexibility and political courage required to bridge the gap between words and deeds. The UK will continue to offer all support as necessary in the coming months.
Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has received regarding recognition for Turkish Northern Cyprus. [104835]
Mr. Hoon: The Government maintain our long-standing policy of non-recognition of the self-declared “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” and have not received representations in this regard. However, we maintain an open and constructive dialogue with the leadership of the Turkish Cypriots on all aspects of the situation in Cyprus. We continue to support measures to lift the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community in line with the commitment made by EU Foreign Ministers in 2004. In this context, we welcome the agreement and implementation of a package of EU financial aid worth €259 million. However, we recognise that more needs to be done, particularly in relation to direct trade between the Turkish Cypriots and the EU. Progress in this area will help bring the Turkish Cypriots closer to the EU and, by reducing economic disparities between Turkish and Greek Cypriots, will make a future settlement easier to achieve.
Departmental Statistics
Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much her Department spent on statistics relating to the work of her Department in each of the last five years. [107272]
Margaret Beckett: This information is not held centrally by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Studies
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which studies have been commissioned by her Department from (a) external agencies, (b) companies, (c) academics and (d) individuals in 2006. [107159]
Margaret Beckett: This information is not held centrally by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Devolved Administrations
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times the devolved Administrations have been represented (a) at EU Council of Ministers’ meetings and (b) in preparatory meetings of the Committee of Permanent Representatives in (i) 2006 and (ii) the last five years. [104802]
Mr. Hoon: The following table details the number of ministerial attendance from the devolved Administrations at EU council meetings between 2006 and 2001:
| Scottish Executive | Welsh Assembly Government | Northern Ireland Executive | |
No members of the devolved Administrations are represented at the Committee of Permanent Representatives. Only staff from the member states’ permanent representation, the Commission and Council Secretariat attend.
Jayantilal Keshavji Chande
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons Jayantilal Keshavji Chande was awarded a knighthood in 2003; which Government department nominated Jayantilal Keshavji Chande for a knighthood; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the citation drawn up for Jayantilal Keshavji Chande when he was awarded his knighthood. [106925]
Margaret Beckett: Jayantilal Keshavji Chande was awarded an honorary British knighthood (KBE) in 2003 for his services to British interests in Tanzania and East Africa. He was nominated for an award by a member of the public. There is no citation drawn up at the time honorary awards are made.
Kashmir
Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on the influence of militant groups in (a) Azad Kashmir and (b) Indian-held Kashmir during and since the earthquake; and if she will make a statement. [105251]
Dr. Howells: The UK welcomes the efforts by the Pakistani government to prevent infiltration across the Line of Control into Indian-administered Kashmir. However, it is clear from media reporting that, despite these efforts, militant groups continue to operate in both Pakistani and Indian-administered Kashmir.
Kosovo
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with her Contact Group counterparts on the final status of Kosovo; and if she will make a statement . [103408]
Margaret Beckett: I have had numerous and varied discussions with Contact Group counterparts on the final status of Kosovo. Contact Group Ministers last met together at the United Nations General Assembly in September. The UK was represented by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe. The Government remain in close touch with other members of the Contact Group during the Kosovo final status process at both official and ministerial level.
Middle East
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the Middle East peace initiative launched by France, Spain and Italy; and if she will make a statement. [106288]
Margaret Beckett: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister for the Middle East, my hon. Friend the Member for Pontypridd (Dr. Howells) gave to my hon. Friend the Memberfor Birmingham, Northfield (Richard Burden) on28 November 2006, Official Report, columns 611-12W.
Mr. Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip; what action the Government are taking to promote active engagement by all parties in the peace process; and if she will make a statement. [104840]
Dr. Howells: We welcome the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians and hope it paves the way for further dialogue and a return to negotiations. We remain concerned at the firing of Qassam rockets from Gaza into Israel but welcome President Abbas’s call for the firing of these rockets to stop. We must make progress towards a comprehensive peace and two-state solution, and an end to the cycle of violence. This remains at the core of peace and stability in the Middle East.
We continue to work with both parties as well as our international partners to move the peace process forward. All sides need to use this opportunity to take measures to restore confidence and return to the road map. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made progress in the Middle East one of his top priorities. He has consistently made it clear that moving towards a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, as set out in the road map, is the central plank for achieving peace.
I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry South (Mr. Cunningham) on 5 December 2006, Official Report, columns 152-54.
Mr. Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations she has made to the European Union on the Israel-Palestine peace process. [104841]
Dr. Howells: We continue to discuss the peace process with our EU partners. We last discussed this with them on 13/14 November at the General Affairs and External Relations Council. EU Foreign Ministers will next discuss the peace process in Brussels at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 11 December.
Mr. Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations she has made to Israel on the detention of Hamas parliamentarians. [104842]
Dr. Howells: We have made no recent representations to the Government of Israel on behalf of the detained Palestinian Government and Legislative Council Members. We support the call in the 13/14 November EU General Affairs and External Relations Council Conclusions for the immediate release of Palestinian Ministers and legislators detained in Israel, a fact that I have repeated on a number of occasions in the House of Commons.
Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken in Lebanon under UN Resolution 1701 (a) to disarm Hezbollah and (b) to release the Israeli soldiers held hostage. [105021]
Dr. Howells: Disarmament of Hezbollah is likely only as part of a political process. Talks amongst Lebanese parties began but have broken down. The parties differ on how to form a representative Government that can exercise sole authority. We continue to urge resumption of this dialogue.
The United Nations is negotiating with the parties on several issues including release of captured Israeli soldiers. We hope to see progress soon.
Official Cars
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many cars run (a) by her Department and (b) by each UK embassy were manufactured (i) in the UK and (ii) abroad. [104809]
Mr. Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in the UK operates 21 cars. These are utilised by FCO Services staff in both the Hanslope Park Fleet Operations area and by London Car Service/London External Messengers operating from King Charles street. Details are as follows:
Seven Fords manufactured in Portugal;
two Rovers manufactured in the UK; and
12 Vauxhalls manufactured in Germany and Spain.
Since the acquisition of vehicles in the Overseas Fleet is the responsibility of the individual Posts, and detailed records are not held centrally, it would incur disproportionate cost to collate information requested for cars in every UK Mission overseas. We are, however, aware of 381 Land Rovers operated by FCO Posts overseas. All of these vehicles were manufactured in the UK.
Pakistan
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps were taken by the UK High Commission in Pakistan to facilitate the Prime Minister of Jannu and Kashmir’s inclusion amongst those officially invited to join HRH Prince of Wales during his tour of Pattika; and if she will make a statement. [107515]
Margaret Beckett [holding answer of 5 December 2006]: His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales visited Pakistan as a guest of the Government of Pakistan. The visit to Pattika was facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, the Earthquake Relief and Reconstruction Authority of Pakistan, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. All arrangements with the local authorities were made by them. Pattika is one of the areas that had suffered particularly badly in last year’s earthquake.
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advance risk assessment was made by the UK High Commission in Pakistan of the (a) route and (b) transport mode of the official press party travelling to Pattika during the visit by HRH the Prince of Wales; and whether the UK High Commission hired the vehicles used to convey the press. [107516]
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