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12 Dec 2006 : Column 993W—continued
Mr. David Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any
corrupt data have been detected on her Department's computer systems. [108470]
Mr. Hoon: Data corruption has been detected on Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) computer systems. Analysis of the circumstances leading to such events indicates two main causes: hardware failure; and software that does not conform with the specified data structure. There are several methods available to the FCO to repair data corruption, with recovery of the data file from tape available as the last resort.
Departmental Energy Policy
Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether she plans to make her Department carbon neutral. [105745]
Mr. Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is committed to achieving carbon neutrality on our UK estate by 2012 and is taking the following actions:
We are preparing to implement the Carbon Trust’s Carbon Management Programme to help us identify opportunities to reduce our carbon emissions and use of energy;
in 2006 we upgraded the energy control systems on our UK estate and commenced a programme of replacing inefficient light fittings. As a result of this, and awareness raising among staff, we have achieved a cumulative reduction in electricity consumption so far this financial year on our London estate;
we monitor our performance against targets for energy and carbon emission reduction, among other environmental issues, through an externally certified Environmental Management System;
we apply the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, which includes forecast energy consumption, to new builds and major refurbishments;
the FCO’s new IT network, due to start roll out in 2007, will power down workstations automatically out of hours; and
we are offsetting the carbon dioxide and other emissions generated by the air travel of Ministers, and officials based in the UK.
Departmental Staff
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) marketing officers, (b) communications officers and (c) press officers are employed in her Department; and what the total expenditure on communications for her Department was on (i) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (ii) other (A) press officers, (B) special advisers and (C) staff in the last year for which figures are available. [104354]
Mr. Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has 62 communicators in the UK, which include people working in e-media, UK Outreach, Consular and European communication, speech writers and stakeholder outreach. We have the equivalent of 50 webmasters working in the overseas network. There are 35 press officers in London working with domestic, international, foreign and foreign language media and around 300 staff overseas whose duties include press and public affairs. We have seven marketing officers who work for FCO Services and are responsible for developing and implementing FCO Services marketing strategy.
The FCO operates a devolved budgeting system for each department/post and there are no central records covering the total expenditure on communications.
Ethical Foreign Policy Initiative
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the application of her Ethical Foreign Policy initiative in the course of 2006. [108373]
Mr. McCartney: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Swansea, East (Mrs. James) on 13 July 2006, Official Report, columns 2001-02W.
As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made clear at the launch of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office 2006 Annual Human Rights Report in October, the promotion of human rights, good governance and democracy goes to the heart of our foreign policy. A copy of the 2006 report has been placed in the Library of the House.
Ethiopia and Eritrea
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the (a) observance of human rights and (b) extra-judicial killings by government agencies in Ethiopia. [105184]
Mr. Hoon: The UK and other partners, including the EU, continue to monitor closely the human rights situation in Ethiopia. Where appropriate we raise our concerns with the Ethiopian Government at both ministerial and official level. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development have raised these issues at the highest level. We do not have any evidence of extra judicial killings by agencies of the Ethiopian Government.
We continue to urge the Government of Ethiopia to comply with international human rights standards and respect individual human rights and are supporting the capacity building of the recently established Human Rights Commission.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what part the UK played in the United Nations Commission to demarcate the borders of Ethiopia and Eritrea. [104783]
Mr. Hoon: Under the Algiers Agreement, Ethiopia and Eritrea agreed to binding international arbitration to determine their common border and the Boundary Commission was established for that purpose. It is not a United Nations Commission. The UK was not a Witness to the Algiers Agreement and plays no part in the Boundary Commission. We continue to urge Ethiopia and Eritrea to demarcate the border in accordance with the Boundary Commission’s decision.
Fiji
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to (a) the United Nations and (b) Australia regarding the conflict in Fiji; and what assistance the Government are prepared to commit to ensure the continuance of democratic government in Fiji. [104793]
Dr. Howells: On 28 November, the UN Secretary-General issued a statement expressing his concern over the possibility of a military coup in Fiji. On 29 November, the United Kingdom and the United States raised the situation in Fiji in UN Security Council consultations. The Security Council subsequently issued a statement urging the Fiji military to exercise restraint.
We are liaising closely with Australian officials in Suva, Canberra and the UK. We have also met with New Zealand officials in Suva, Canberra and the UK to discuss the situation in Fiji.
On 2 November, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Trade issued a statement calling for a peaceful end to the dispute. A full copy of the statement can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website at:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarkct/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1161593120968%20&year=2006&month=2006-11-01&date=2006-11-02
The FCO will continue to monitor the situation in Fiji closely.
On 27 November, the EU issued a statement expressing concern, which we strongly supported. A full copy of the statement can be found on the FCO website at:
http://wwv.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391638&a=KArticle&aid=l163675899734
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on (a) the talks between Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and military leaders in Fiji and (b) the military exercises being carried out in Suva by the Fijian army. [107734]
Dr. Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has received no official reporting on the meeting between Prime Minister Qarase and Commander Bainimarama on 29 November.
We are in regular contact with our high commission in Suva regarding the current situation in Fiji and did receive reports on the military exercises which took place in Fiji between 29 November to 1 December.
On 5 December Commander Bainimarama announced that the military had assumed control of Fiji. Commander Bainimarama has taken on the role of President and appointed a caretaker Prime Minister. The FCO is monitoring the situation in Fiji closely and is continually reviewing the travel advice, which was last updated on 5 December to reflect the most recent developments. Our high commission in Suva remains in close contact with the British community in Fiji.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution her Department is making to the restoration of democracy in Fiji. [108041]
Mr. Hoon: On 5 December my right. hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary issued a press statement condemning the military coup in Fiji and calling for a return to democracy in Fiji as quickly as possible. A full copy of the statement can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website at:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391638&a=KArticle&aid=1163678514483.
My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, will attend a meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group in London on Friday 8 December. The meeting will discuss the situation in Fiji and the Commonwealth's response. The Commonwealth Secretary General issued a statement on 5 December on the situation in Fiji, a full copy of which can be found on the Commonwealth Secretariat website at:
http://www.thecommonwealth.org/press/31555/157459/secretary_general_condemns_the_military_takeover_i.htm.
Britain is taking steps to suspend bilateral military assistance to Fiji and is considering further measures with EU and Commonwealth partners. The FCO is also liaising closely with the governments of Australia and New Zealand in support of efforts to bring about a restoration of democracy and constitutional government in Fiji.
Gershon Review
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been spent by her Department in order to achieve Gershon efficiency savings; whether these costs have been included in reports of headline efficiency savings; and if she will make a statement. [108343]
Mr. Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) spent £43 million on restructuring costs to enable two major efficiency projects. The remaining efficiency projects are being delivered largely using existing resources.
Sir Peter Gershon’s independent report into public sector efficiency recommended that efficiencies be recorded gross of up-front investment costs and the FCO has followed this advice.
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much efficiency savings have been made in her Department as a result of the Gershon Review; and if she will make a statement. [108346]
Mr. Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Gershon efficiency gains to date will be available in the forthcoming autumn performance report due to be published in December 2006.
Government Communications
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the plans of Government Communications to appoint a European Union press co-ordinator in each Government department. [108494]
Mr. Hoon: There are no plans to appoint EU press co-ordinators in each Government Department. However, the Government have always been committed to engaging with the UK public to generate greater awareness and a mature debate about EU issues. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Cabinet Office have therefore been working closely with colleagues across Government to improve co-ordination and effectiveness of this work.
Human Rights and Torture
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Government of the United States on (a) human rights and (b) torture. [105311]
Mr. Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office regularly discusses the broad range of human rights issues, including torture, with counterparts in the United States.
Indonesia
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action she has taken on the imprisonment of (a) Yusak Pakage and (b) Filep Karma by Indonesia; and if she will make a statement. [104828]
Dr. Howells: The appeal entered by the legal representatives of Pakage and Karma was rejected by the District Court in Jayapura in December 2005. The Supreme Court of Indonesia issued a letter of support for the decision of the District Court in March 2006 and we are not aware of any further legal representations made by either Pakage or Karma.
We have not raised this case specifically with the Government of Indonesia. However, we continue to urge the Government of Indonesia to uphold the rights guaranteed through the International Conventions on Civil and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ratified by Indonesia in September 2005.
Middle East
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards encouraging Israelis to withdraw from the West Bank. [105616]
Dr. Howells: Negotiations between the parties are the best way to move this process forward. We have made our concerns clear about Israeli actions in the West Bank, including restrictions on freedom of movement, the routing of the barrier and settlement construction.
Nigeria: Elections
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the Government of Nigeria on the arrangements which are in place to ensure that the (a) forthcoming elections in that country and (b) voter registration system to be used are fair; and if she will make a statement. [105684]
Mr. Hoon [holding answer 11 December 2006]: Our high commission and Department for International Development (DFID) staff in Abuja are working closely with the Nigerian Government, including the chair of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Iwu, to press the need for credible non-violent elections in April 2007. At their meeting with Professor Iwu on 7 November 2006, the high commissioner and members of the visiting All Party Parliamentary Group on Nigeria, emphasised the need for an effective voter registration system and voter education programmes.
DFID has established a £7 million elections programme in Nigeria. £4.5 million is being donated to civil society organisations and the INEC, much of it focusing on voter education. £2.5 million is being placed in a joint donor fund to support the INEC in implementing critical elements of the elections process including: voter registration; training and capacity building for ad-hoc INEC staff; and support for civil society work on voter registration, gender monitoring, media monitoring and domestic monitoring.
Through our high commissioner in Abuja and senior British visitors to Nigeria we take every opportunity to remind the Nigerian Government that we expect the elections scheduled for April 2007 to be held on time and to be freer and fairer than those in 2003.
Official Gifts
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what equipment was gifted to the Palestinian Authority as referred to in Unprinted Command Paper 15 of session 2005-06; what their whereabouts are; and if she will make a statement; [108388]
(2) what equipment was gifted to the Palestinian Central Intervention Force as referred to in Unprinted Command Paper 11 of session 2004-05; what their whereabouts are; and if she will make a statement. [108389]
Dr. Howells: The equipment delivered was as set out in the relevant command papers. The equipment continues to be used by the Palestinian Authority Security Forces (PASF). The EU policing support mission to the Palestinian Authority has recently employed a communications specialist to conduct an audit of the communications capacities of the PASF. He will include communications equipment gifted by the UK to the PASF as part of this task.
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