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28 Feb 2007 : Column 1369W—continued
“It welcomed preliminary ideas put forward by the European Commission to meet the need to better co-ordinate and mobilise international assistance in support of the political process and to meet the needs of the Palestinian people”.
We fully support the Temporary International Mechanism (TIM), which was set up by the EU to help meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable citizens in Palestinian society. There are lessons to be learned from the TIM, for example on aid co-ordination, which we hope will be incorporated into any longer-term programme of support for capacity building.
The European Commission is leading efforts to form an international support mechanism for the Palestinian people. We fully support their efforts.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any change will take place in the United Kingdom’s contract with President Mahmoud Abbas following the February 2007 Mecca Agreement; and if she will make a statement. [123954]
Dr. Howells: We welcome President Mahmoud Abbas’ efforts to achieve inter-Palestinian reconciliation. We welcome Saudi Arabia’s efforts to broker an agreement between Fatah and Hamas in Mecca.
It is essential that all sides comply with the principles set out by the Quartet, in particular that the new national unity government upholds previous international agreements, recognises Israel and renounces violence.
President Abbas has always made clear his full commitment to these principles and his desire to work for a peaceful two-state solution. We will continue to work closely with the President. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I met President Abbas on 21 February.
Papua
Mr. Walter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment she has made of progress towards the autonomy of Papua within the Republic of Indonesia. [122937]
Mr. McCartney [holding answer 27 February 2007]: Special Autonomy legislation for Papua was passed in 2001, following consultations with local community groups, academics and political representatives.
Of the key elements of the legislation, the establishment of the MRP (Papuan People’s Council) took place in 2005 and provincial governors were elected in 2006. Papua is also receiving 70 per cent. of oil and gas royalties originating in Papua, as well as 80 per cent. of royalties from the forestry, fishery and mining industries.
Special Autonomy devolves responsibility to the Papuan Regional Parliament (DPRP), MRP and Governor for implementation in all but five areas (defence, tax, internal security, macro-economic development and national development planning). Local legislation has been or is in the process of being approved by the DPRP on:
the use of Papuan symbols;
the Special Autonomy budget;
forestry issues (relating to logging revenues and customary (“adat”) rights);
protection of customary rights; and
health and education.
Key elements not yet being implemented are the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the development of human resources as a formal element of Special Autonomy and the development of local political parties.
Rendition
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions British officials appeared before the temporary committee on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners; which officials appeared; and when the meetings were held. [122947]
Dr. Howells: The Government co-operated fully with the European Parliament’s Temporary Committee on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners throughout its proceedings. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe met with the representatives from the Committee on 5 October 2006, accompanied by officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Home Office, Ministry of Defence and Department for Transport.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her Department’s response is to the allegations concerning the UK in the November 2006 report of the Temporary Committee on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners. [122948]
Dr. Howells: The European Parliament report on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners provides no new evidence in respect of the UK.
The Government have not, and will not, facilitate the transfer of individuals through the UK to places where there are substantial grounds to believe they would face a real risk of torture. Nor would we assist another state in doing so were it to put us in breach of UK laws or our international obligations.
We have found no evidence of detainees being rendered through the UK or the Overseas Territories since 1997 where there were substantial grounds to believe there was a real risk of torture. Additionally, we have no evidence that the US Government have rendered any detainee through UK territory or airspace (including the Overseas Territories) during the present US Administration, ie since January 2001. We are clear that the US would not render a detainee through UK territory or airspace (including the Overseas Territories) without our permission. We would grant such permission only if we were satisfied that the rendition would accord with UK law and our international obligations.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance was given by the Minister for Europe to the work of the Temporary Committee on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners. [122987]
Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe co-operated fully with the European Parliament’s Temporary Committee on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners throughout its proceedings. He met with the Committee in October 2006, when he explained the Government’s position on rendition and answered all the questions put to him.
Serbia
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what issues were discussed at the meeting between the Minister for Europe and the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary of Serbia on 7 February 2007; what the outcome was of those discussions; and if she will make a statement. [121120]
Mr. McCartney: My right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe discussed Serbia’s EU perspective and the Kosovo Final Status Process with President Tadic, Prime Minister Kostunica and Foreign Minister Draskovic in Belgrade on 7 February 2007.
My right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe confirmed that the UK is keen to see the quick formation of a government committed to Serbia’s European course and prepared to tackle the challenges ahead, including by engaging constructively in the Kosovo Final Status process and by fully co-operating with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.
Somalia
David T.C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what model of aeroplane was chartered by her Department to extract British citizens from Somalia to Kenya in early February; and at what cost. [122894]
Dr. Howells: The Government chartered a Beechcraft 19 plane between Baidoa (in Somalia) and Nairobi in response to a request from the Somali Transitional Federal Government to deport the four British nationals to the UK via Nairobi. The men were then flown to the UK on a routine RAF flight. There are no direct flights from Somalia to the UK. The cost of the charter flight was US$19,400 (approximately £10,200), which was paid for by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Sudan: Peace Keeping Operations
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what time scale is envisaged for the phased deployment of UN peacekeepers to Darfur; and if she will make a statement. [122950]
Dr. Howells: UN action on Darfur is already under way with provision of a light support package to the African Union (AU) Mission in Sudan (AMIS).
The AU and the UN have agreed a second, “heavy”, support package (HSP). They await a reply from Sudanese President Bashir to the UN Secretary-General’s letter of 24 January requesting agreement to the HSP, which is crucial for the deployment of troop contributing countries forces for the HSP. The UN consider this second phase of support will be deployed three to four months after President Bashir’s agreement.
The UN will later deploy a hybrid peacekeeping force (AU/UN) of around 20,000 troops. Planning for this new type of force is under way. Deployment will begin once most of the HSP is in place.
The UK is working actively with the UN and other member states to speed up delivery of these arrangements as much as possible. We will also continue to monitor the Sudanese Government’s actions closely to ensure they support AMIS’ actions and UN reinforcement.
Sudan: Peace Negotiations
Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the Chinese contribution to the Sudanese peace process; and if she will make a statement. [123042]
Mr. McCartney:
China supported the agreement reached in Addis Ababa on 16 November 2006 which has paved the way for renewed UN support to the
African Union (AU) in Darfur, including revitalising the political process and UN strengthening of AU peace keepers. President Hu raised the situation in Darfur with President Bashir when he visited Sudan in early February. In addition, China has contributed approximately 450 troops to the UN Mission in the Sudan (the force set up to monitor the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between north and south Sudan).
We continue to encourage China to use its influence to persuade the Government of Sudan to stop bombing rebel positions in Darfur, to engage fully in the political process; to co-operate in the deployment of the UN reinforcements of the AU Mission in Sudan; and fully to implement the CPA.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made on the Darfur talks in Tripoli between President Deby, President al-Bashir and Darfur rebels. [124058]
Mr. McCartney: The Presidents of Sudan, Chad, Libya and Eritrea met in Tripoli on 20-22 February. The summit focused primarily on Sudan-Chad relations and how to resolve the continuing cross-border dispute. Some of the Darfur rebel groups were present at the summit for discussions on re-launching political discussions on the Darfur peace agreement.
We take every opportunity to press both Sudan and Chad to stop supporting each others' rebels and to fulfil their obligations under the Tripoli agreement. The UK continues to support an inclusive and transparent process to resolve the crisis in Darfur. The African Union (AU) and UN are leading on this. We encourage the AU, UN, Libyans and Eritreans to co-ordinate their efforts to take this process forward. The UK's special representative for Sudan made these points during his visits to Chad and Libya last week.
Thailand
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made is of the level of Islamic terrorist activity in Thailand. [124059]
Dr. Howells: Islamic terrorist activity in Thailand stems largely from separatist groups in the southern provinces. There have been numerous attacks since 2004, which have been aimed at the majority Buddhist population. As public places are frequently targeted, there is a risk that westerners can get caught up in the violence. Our travel advice is that tourists should avoid all but essential travel through or to the far southern provinces of Thailand. We have a good relationship with the Thai Government on issues relating to counter terrorism and where appropriate we have provided them with advice and assistance to help them combat the terrorist threat.
House of Commons Commission
Freedom of Information
Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what the total legal costs to the House were of responding to the application under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 submitted by the hon. Member for Lewes in respect of hon. Members' travel expenses. [122882]
Nick Harvey: The House appealed to the Information Tribunal in respect of two similar requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in respect of hon. Members’ travel expenses. One was submitted by the hon. Gentleman and the other by another individual. The total external legal costs of two consolidated appeals was £17,372, of which half (£8,686) can be attributed to the hon. Gentleman's request. Other legal costs including those relating to advice from the House's Legal Services Office are not separately available.
Communities and Local Government
Advertising
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what measurable change in people's attitudes or actions in each relevant area followed the advertising campaigns to which she referred to in the answer of 10 July 2006, Official Report, column 1536W, on advertising campaigns. [121588]
Angela E. Smith: The information is as follows:
In the financial year 2004-05: the Fire Safety campaign delivered a rise in recognition of the new fire prevention advertising from 23 per cent. in August 2004 to 46 per cent. in November 2004 and 52 per cent. in March 2005; and the elected regional assemblies campaign delivered a rise in public awareness from 41 per cent. in April to 54 per cent. in September 2004.
In the financial year 2005-06: the ongoing fire safety campaign delivered a rise in recognition of the new fire prevention advertising from 13 per cent. in August 2005 to 55 per cent. in February 2006; and the campaign supporting the registration of landlords of houses of multiple occupancy is being measured by the ongoing number of landlords registering with local authorities and figures are not yet available.
In the financial year 2006-07: the ongoing fire safety campaign delivered a rise in recognition of the new fire prevention advertising from 27 per cent. in July/August 2006 to 45 per cent. in October/November 2006; the research into the local e-gov advertising campaign showed that 51 per cent.. of those who recognised the campaign intended to visit their local council website in the next 12 months; the campaign to encourage women to apply for posts in the fire and rescue service delivered a 20 per cent. increase in the number of applications from women when the campaign was running; the campaign to inform business of their new responsibilities
under the Fire Order Reform delivered a rise in recognition from 14 per cent. in April to 61 per cent. awareness in September 2006; and the home information pack trade sector campaign is delivering over 80 per cent. awareness of the introduction of the packs amongst those in the industry.
The reduction in the number of fire deaths is also significant, since these are at their lowest since 1959. The most recent figures (for 2005) show a fall of 8 per cent. on the previous year, from 230 to 212. The Fire Kills campaign is one part of the strategy which has achieved this, supporting the proactive community fire safety work of the fire and rescue service at the national level.
Community Relations
Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the estimated cost to the public purse is in 2006-07 of the promoting cohesion through effective media management programme run under the auspices of the Institute of Community Cohesion; what other public funding has been allocated to that Institute in 2006-07; and if she will make a statement. [122726]
Mr. Woolas [holding answer 23 February 2007]: In the financial year 2006-07 the Institute of Community Cohesion has received £45,000 from the Department for Communities and Local Government. We have also allocated £6,393 for expenses related to an interfaith research project for payment to the institute in 2006-07 (the research project took place in the 2005-06 financial year).
The Institute of Community Cohesion is part of Coventry university which, as an autonomous body, is free to determine how funding received from either public or private bodies is allocated, providing they meet the conditions of such grants.
Departments: Contracts
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the reasons were for the termination of her Department’s contract with Scout Solutions Project Ltd; what the annual value was of that contract in each of the three years prior to its termination; and if she will make a statement. [123520]
Angela E. Smith: I refer the hon. Gentleman to my written ministerial statement of 18 September 2006 a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
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