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19 Feb 2007 : Column 12W—continued
China: Human Rights
Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations the Government has made to the Chinese Government to encourage the cessation of the re-education through labour programme; and what the outcome of these representations was. [121041]
Mr. McCartney: I wrote to the Chinese ambassador in August 2006 to urge China to give fresh impetus to the reform of the Re-education through Labour (RTL) system. We raised RTL with the Chinese Government at the most recent round of the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue on 5 February 2007. The Chinese authorities said China is reducing the scope and number of sentences of the RTL system but progress is slow. We continue to urge China to progress the reform of RTL and all forms of administrative detention in order to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations the Government has made to the Chinese Government on human rights violations in China; and what the outcome of these representations was. [121042]
Mr. McCartney: Engagement on human rights in China remains a Government priority. We raised a range of human rights issues with the Chinese Government at the most recent round of the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue on 5 February 2007. We held detailed discussions on the main themes of Civil Society and the role of defence lawyers, as well as wider issues of concern. We received information on China’s recent human rights developments and we offered recommendations for reform. We also raised 45 individual cases of concern and received 35 responses.
China: Press Freedom
Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government have taken in discussions with the Chinese Government to ensure freedom for Chinese national and international press during the Beijing 2008 Olympics; what the outcomes of those steps were; and what future actions she plans to take. [121036]
Mr. McCartney: We regularly raise freedom of the media with the Chinese Government. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Tessa Jowell) urged the Chinese Government to lift restrictions on foreign correspondents up to and beyond the Beijing Olympics during her visit to China in September 2006. The Chinese Government implemented new regulations on 1 January 2007 which give foreign correspondents freedom to report and travel around China up to 17 October 2008. We urged the Chinese Government to ensure freedom to domestic and international press at the most recent round of the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue on 5 February 2007. We will continue to raise this issue with the Chinese Government.
China: Tibet
Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will make representations to press for an independent investigation into the shooting of Tibetan refugees in September 2006 by Chinese border guards; and if she will make a statement. [121039]
Mr. McCartney: The EU urged the Chinese Government to investigate the incident at the Nangpa Pass, at the last round of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, held in Beijing on 19 October 2006. The Chinese Government confirmed that the incident had taken place and promised to give further information. The EU followed up on 19 December 2006 and was told by the Chinese authorities that the incident was a border management issue and there was nothing new to report. We raised the incident at the most recent round of the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue on 5 February 2007 and urged the Chinese Government to fully investigate reports of ill-treatment of the people detained during the shooting.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance she is offering to the new Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. [120470]
Mr. McCartney: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains a priority for the UK. A Department for International Development (DFID)-funded UN Development Programme (UNDP) programme will be providing immediate training and technical support to the new Parliament, Ministers, senior civil servants and provincial assemblies, to help them take on their new roles and responsibilities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is financing training on the role of political opposition for senior parliamentarians.
The UK is the biggest bilateral European donor in the DRC (£62 million available this financial year). DFID's programme focuses on providing immediate humanitarian assistance; supporting good governance, democratisation and accountability; reforming the army, police and justice sector; supporting the provision of basic services—health, education and infrastructure—to the population; tackling HIV/AIDS and promoting better management of the DRC's natural resources.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Politics and Government
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on the composition of the new cabinet in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [121060]
Mr. McCartney: President Joseph Kabila and Prime Minister Gizenga named their Government on 5 February. The new Government consists of six senior Ministers of State, 34 Ministers and 20 Vice-Ministers.
All Government members belong to the Alliance pour la Majorite Presidentielle coalition of parties which supported President Kabila's election campaign. The new Government is a mixture of new faces and politicians with experience from the transitional Government.
The new Government faces many challenges, notably reforming the security sector, dealing with corruption and improving regional relations. We are committed to working with the Government to build a stable and prosperous Democratic Republic of Congo and Great Lakes region.
Departmental Contracts
Mr. Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which public affairs firms were given contracts by (a) her Department and (b) public bodies sponsored by her Department in each of the last five years; and what the purpose was of each contract. [118495]
Mr. Hoon: In respect of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office:
Budgets for this kind of activity are devolved. The information is not held centrally and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.
In respect of the public bodies:
The BBC World Service has contracted two public affairs companies over the past five years, to provide relevant summaries of parliamentary business:
Weber Shandwick until 2003; and
Cambre Public Affairs since, to maintain an automated on-line service.
The British Council contracted three public affairs companies over the last five years:
Brunswick Arts International to manage the promotion of the British Pavilion at the Venice Biennale (August to September 2004);
Brunswick Arts Consultancy Ltd to support the British Council's arts promotion (February to April 2002, June 2002 to May 2003, August 2003 to July 2004); and Fleishman-Hillard UK to produce an audit of MP perceptions of the British Council (January 2006).
EU Constitution
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government support proposals in the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe for an EU Foreign Minister; and if she will make a statement. [112542]
Margaret Beckett: The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, including provisions for an EU Foreign Minister, was agreed by all member states on 29 October 2004. However, following the “no” votes in France and the Netherlands, there is at present no consensus among member states on the future of the Constitutional Treaty. The way forward will be discussed at the European Council in June. The Government make no presumption as to the outcome of those discussions. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe made a written ministerial statement on 5 December 2006, Official Report, column 10-11WS regarding the UK’s approach to these discussions. This remains the Government’s position.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government support proposals in the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe for an EU external action service; and if she will make a statement. [112543]
Margaret Beckett: The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, including provisions for an EU external action service, was agreed by all member states on 29 October 2004. However, following the “no” votes in France and the Netherlands, there is at present no consensus among member states on the future of the Constitutional Treaty. The way forward will be discussed at the European Council in June. The Government make no presumption as to the outcome of those discussions. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe made a written ministerial statement on 5 December 2006, Official Report, column 10-11WS regarding the UK’s approach to these discussions. This remains the Government’s position.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government support proposals in the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe for a permanent President of the European Council; and if she will make a statement. [112544]
Margaret Beckett:
The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, including provisions for a European Council President, was agreed by all member states on 29 October 2004. However, following the “no” votes in France and the Netherlands, there is at present no consensus among member states on the future of the Constitutional Treaty. On the basis of extensive consultations with member states, the German presidency will present a report on the state of discussion with regard to the Constitutional Treaty, and possible future developments, to the June European Council. The report will be examined by the European Council, but the Government make no presumption as to the outcome of those discussions. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe made a written ministerial statement on 5 December 2006,
Official Report, column 10-11WS regarding the UK’s approach to these discussions. This remains the Government’s position
Euro-Mediterranean Partnership
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with EU colleagues on (a) the restrictions on agricultural products in the Euro-Mediterranean partnership agreements and (b) a potential review of the restrictions; and if she will make a statement. [117961]
Barry Gardiner: I have been asked to reply.
On behalf of the UK Government, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon attended the 8th Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs at Tampere from 27 to 28 November 2006. At the Conference, Ministers endorsed the results of the Euro-Mediterranean Trade Ministers Conference held in Marrakech on 24 March 2006 and reiterated their commitment to achieving a Euro-Mediterranean free trade area by 2010.
Against this background, and based on the Rabat roadmap, the agenda for negotiations in 2007 will include a focus on the progressive liberalisation of trade in agricultural, processed agricultural and fisheries products, with a possible selected number of exceptions and timetables for gradual and asymmetrical implementation, taking account of the differences and individual characteristics of the agricultural sectors in different countries. Non-tariff aspects of agricultural trade liberalisation will be covered in these negotiations, along with rural development, agricultural productivity and quality, and sustainable development.
Iraq
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which officials in her Department have been formally tasked with considering the report of the Iraq Study Group; what form this consideration will take; and when it is expected to be completed. [117661]
Margaret Beckett: The Iraq Study Group’s report was commissioned by, and for, the US Government and Congress, and does not require a formal response from the Government.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and I have outlined the Government’s position on the Iraq Study Group’s report to the House on 12 December 2006, Official Report, columns 726-28, and at a joint session with the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committees on 11 January 2007, respectively.
Kosovo: Arms Control
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the prevalence of small arms in Kosovo; what support the Government is giving to arms eradication programmes in Kosovo; and if she will make a statement. [118357]
Margaret Beckett: The UK actively supports arms eradication programmes in Kosovo. In partnership with the Government of Sweden, we are managing an ongoing project through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Global Conflict Prevention Pool, worth £71,000, which aims to address the proliferation of light weapons and small arms throughout Kosovo.
Kosovo: Politics and Government
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of (a) the political situation in Kosovo and (b) the political consequences of UN Special Envoy Ahtisaari’s recommendations for the future status of Kosovo. [118358]
Margaret Beckett: The UN Special Envoy presented draft proposals to Belgrade and Pristina on 2 February. We encourage both parties to engage constructively and responsibly with the Special Envoy over these proposals. We believe that completion of the status process is important in order to provide clarity to the people of Kosovo over their future which in turn will help stabilise the political situation in Kosovo.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with her International Contact Group for Kosovo counterparts on the recommendations of UN Special Envoy Ahtisaari; what the outcome was of those discussions; and if she will make a statement. [118359]
Margaret Beckett: The UK has worked in close partnership with Contact Group partners (US, France, Germany, Italy, Russia) to assist efforts to achieve a lasting status settlement for Kosovo and the region.
Contact Group Ministers last met in New York in September 2006, where we asked UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari to prepare a comprehensive proposal for a status settlement. Contact Group officials met on Friday 26 January in Vienna, where they discussed UN Special Envoy Ahtisaari’s plans for taking the status process forward.
We will continue working closely with Contact Group partners to achieve the durable solution for Kosovo which will enhance regional stability and the region’s Euro-Atlantic prospects.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with her (a) European Union, (b) United States and (c) Russian counterparts on the European Union’s future role in Kosovo; what the outcome was of those discussions; and if she will make a statement. [118360]
Margaret Beckett: I have had several discussions on the EU’s future role in Kosovo in bilateral and multilateral fora. Most recently, I discussed Kosovo with EU Foreign Ministers at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 22 January and at the EU-NATO transatlantic lunch on 26 January. We continue to work closely with the US and Russia in the Contact Group which last met at ministerial level in September 2006.
A safe, secure and prosperous Kosovo in a stable region is vital to Europe. There is broad agreement among member states that the EU should be closely involved in the future of Kosovo and should play a leading role in the implementation of a Kosovo settlement. Planning has now started to ensure the EU is well placed to meet their responsibilities. But we should avoid prejudging the outcome of the status process.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the implications of the recent parliamentary elections in Serbia for the process to establish the final status of Kosovo. [118361]
Margaret Beckett: The UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari adjusted the timeline for the Kosovo status process to accommodate the elections in Serbia on 21 January. The official results of the elections show that pro-EU, pro-reform parties have a clear majority. We await the formation of a new government.
Meanwhile, the Kosovo final status process continues. The UN Special Envoy put draft proposals to Belgrade and Pristina on 2 February. We fully support the UN Special Envoy’s efforts to bring this process to completion as soon as possible so that Kosovo can finally have clarity over its future, enabling the Balkan region to move beyond the conflicts of the recent past towards a future with a Euro-Atlantic perspective.
We are encouraging both Belgrade and Pristina to engage positively and constructively with the Special Envoy.
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