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10 May 2007 : Column 398W—continued
Margaret Beckett:
A broad base of support within Somalia’s complex clan structure is crucial to a lasting peace in Somalia. Therefore, it is vital that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) reaches out to all the clans and lends a fully inclusive political process. We are stressing this in our contacts with the TFG, for example when my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, met President Yusuf in London on 22 February. We are urging the TFG to convene as soon as possible the National Reconciliation Congress, to involve all clans. We are encouraging other members
of the international community to do likewise and we strongly endorse the Communiqué of 3 April from the International Contact Group on Somalia, of which the UK is member. The Communiqué emphasises the paramount importance of establishing an inclusive and genuine political process reaching out to all parts of Somali society.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress was made towards securing financial and logistical support for the African Union Mission in Somalia at the April meeting of the International Contact Group in Somalia (ICGS); what contributions (a) the United Kingdom and (b) other ICGS countries have pledged; and if she will make a statement. [132460]
Margaret Beckett: At its meeting in Cairo on 3 April, the International Contact Group emphasised the role of the African Union (AU) Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the training of all-inclusive Somali security forces and reiterated the need for funding and logistical and technical support to the AU and troop contributing countries.
The UK has provided a range of logistical and planning assistance to the AU. We have also offered financial and logistical support to several countries which intend to contribute troops. With strong support from the UK, the European Union has agreed to provide €15 million. Consistent with the conclusions of the International Contact Group, the UK is encouraging other countries to support AMISOM both financially and logistically.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the humanitarian impact of the recent violence in Somalia; and if she will make a statement. [132461]
Margaret Beckett: The Government are very concerned about the humanitarian situation in Somalia and continues to monitor the situation closely.
In its Communiqué of 3 April, the International Contact Group on Somalia, of which the UK is a member, demanded that all parties in Somalia guarantee the safety and security for all humanitarian agencies and relief work in Somalia. The UK continues to stress this point in its contacts with parties in Somalia.
The UK was the second largest bilateral humanitarian donor to Somalia in 2006 and committed £16 million towards emergency relief activities through the UN and non-governmental organisation partners.
Somalia: Refugees
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of refugees leaving Somalia; what discussions she has had with her (a) Kenyan and (b) Ethiopian counterparts about the treatment of refugees from Somalia; what the outcome was of those discussions; and if she will make a statement. [132456]
Margaret Beckett:
We are very concerned about the plight of Somali refugees and internally displaced
persons in Kenya and on the Kenya/Somalia border. I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe gave to him on 16 April 2007, Official Report, column 45W, for our estimate on those displaced by the current upsurge in violence.
We understand that the Kenyan border remains closed to Somalis seeking to leave the country. Our high commissioner in Nairobi has raised the issue with the Kenyan Foreign Minister, emphasising the need to allow humanitarian access across the border, while recognising Kenya’s legitimate security concerns. We are maintaining close contact with the Kenyan Government and with the United Nations and other international agencies in Kenya on this issue.
We are not aware of significant numbers of Somali refugees in Ethiopia and therefore have not raised this issue with the Ethiopian Government.
Sudan: Armed Conflict
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what UK policy is on the creation of a no-fly zone over Darfur; and if she will make a statement. [132712]
Margaret Beckett: We remain deeply concerned by the situation in Darfur. We are discussing new measures in the UN Security Council which include targeted sanctions against individuals engaged in violence or responsible for authorising it, an extension of the arms embargo to cover the whole of Sudan and measures to allow better air monitoring of the violence in Darfur. We continue to consider the possibility of imposing a no fly zone.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made by the UN Panel of Experts in identifying individuals responsible for breaching the arms embargo against Darfur. [132777]
Margaret Beckett: The UN Panel of Experts for Sudan was established by UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1591 (2005). The panel is mandated to assist the Security Council’s Sanctions Committee for Sudan in monitoring implementation of the travel ban, assets freeze and arms embargo. The panel reports to the Sanctions Committee on a regular basis.
The panel has gathered information on individuals who have impeded the peace process according to the criteria it sets out in Annex II of the Panel’s Interim Report of 16 March for monitoring pursuance of UNSCR 1591. The panel provides this information confidentially to the UN Sanctions Committee for consideration.
The UK is supportive of the principle of extending targeted sanctions, as part of a package of further sanctions, to pressure the Government of Sudan and rebel movements to abide by their agreements, including for breach of the arms embargo.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with her US counterparts on proposals to impose a no-fly zone over Darfur; and what the outcome was of those discussions. [132778]
Margaret Beckett: We remain deeply concerned by the situation in Darfur. We are discussing new measures with the US and others in the UN Security Council which include targeted sanctions against individuals engaged in violence or responsible for authorising it, an extension of the arms embargo to cover the whole of Sudan and measures to allow better air monitoring of the violence in Darfur. We continue to consider the possibility of imposing a no-fly zone.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with her European counterparts regarding the possibility of imposing restrictions on Euro transactions in Sudan; and if she will make a statement. [132779]
Margaret Beckett: I have had no discussions with my European counterparts on the possibility of imposing restrictions on Euro transactions in Sudan. I am concerned that any coercive measures should impact on those in Sudan who have responsibility for violence in Darfur. I am considering further targeted sanctions against individuals and an extension of the UN arms embargo for Sudan in line with the EU arms embargo.
Sudan: Human Rights
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the UK is advocating at (a) European and (b) UN level on the recommendations of the report of 12 March of the UN Human Rights Council Mission to Sudan. [132780]
Margaret Beckett: The situation in Darfur remains characterised by gross and systematic violations of human rights and breaches of international humanitarian law. This was reaffirmed by the report of the High Level Mission on Human Rights in Darfur. The report also recommended more effective protection through the deployment of the UN/African Union peacekeeping force and more human rights monitors; a ceasefire and negotiated peace; effective delivery of humanitarian assistance and ongoing donor support; and tackling impunity, including through Government of Sudan co-operation with the International Criminal Court.
The United Kingdom, along with our EU Partners, played a key role in ensuring the adoption of a resolution by the UN Human Rights Council on 30 March supporting the implementation of the mission’s recommendations. The resolution also created an implementation mechanism to work to ensure that the Government of Sudan implements all existing UN recommendations on human rights in Darfur. This mechanism will report to the fifth session of the Human Rights Council, 11-18 June 2007.
The EU, through the General Affairs and External Relations Council, has welcomed the report of the UN’s High Level Mission and has urged the Government of Sudan to fully co-operate with them.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what UK policy is on (a) UN measures against individuals or groups committing human rights violations and (b) the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement as set out in paragraph 14 on UN Security Council Resolution 1706. [134008]
Margaret Beckett: The UK pressed for the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1591 in 2005 which declared that all states shall freeze assets of, and refuse travel to, individuals identified by the Security Council to have committed human rights violations or impeded the peace process. UNSCR 1672 imposed sanctions against four individuals.
Only a political process can solve the crisis in Darfur. We have been funding work to help the African Union (AU) explain the benefits of the Darfur Peace Agreement to the people of Darfur. And we are funding an expert to support the AU in preparing the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation. A renewed political process led by the AU-UN, which brings in as broad a range of the Darfur population as possible, is needed.
The Government of Sudan and rebel movements must abide by their agreements urgently, which include accepting the rapid deployment of a full AU-UN hybrid force, an immediate ceasefire and a resumption of the political process. If they do not, we will be forced to press for tougher measures, including further targeted sanctions.
Sudan: Peace Keeping Operations
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether she expects the deployment of the United Nations assistance to the African Union Mission in Sudan to take place following the letter from the Government of Sudan confirming their agreement. [132775]
Margaret Beckett: I welcomed the Sudanese Government’s acceptance of the UN’s Heavy Support Package for Darfur at a Security Council meeting on Darfur on 16 April. However, it is only a step towards the full African Union (AU)-UN hybrid operation that was agreed last November in Addis Ababa. We are pressing the AU and UN to deploy as soon as possible, and expect the Sudanese to honour their commitments throughout implementation of both the Heavy Support Package and hybrid force.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether her policy has changed on pursuing a UN Security Council Resolution on Sudan following the letter from the Government of Sudan confirming its agreement on the UN heavy support package to the African Union Mission in Sudan. [134002]
Margaret Beckett:
I chaired an informal meeting of the UN Security Council on 16 April which welcomed the Sudanese Government’s agreement to the UN’s Heavy Support Package. However, this is only a step forward and now is not the time to ease off the pressure. We will test the Sudanese Government’s commitment to implement the Heavy Support Package and are pressing them to agree to a joint African
Union/UN hybrid force. If the Sudanese Government and rebels do not co-operate, we must be prepared to introduce tougher sanctions.
Zimbabwe
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government plans to raise Zimbabwe at the UN Security Council in light of recent violence against the Zimbabwean opposition; and if she will make a statement. [129977]
Margaret Beckett: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply that I gave on 29 March 2007, Official Report, column 1779W to the hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Mr. Moore).
Further to this, I can confirm that the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs briefed the UN Security Council in New York on the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe on 29 March.
On the same day, the UK and EU made statements at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva expressing deep concern at events in Zimbabwe and urging the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and Expression and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture to visit Zimbabwe and report back to the Human Rights Council at its sixth session.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 29 March 2007, Official Report, column 1779W, on Zimbabwe, when the UK plans to propose to EU partners that the key perpetrators of the violence on 11 March 2007 should be added to the list of those subject to a visa ban and assets freeze. [132705]
Margaret Beckett: The EU visa ban and assets freeze list was extended by five names on 16 April. The UK proposal to EU partners to add certain identified key perpetrators of the violence on 11 March to the EU list was discussed by EU Foreign Ministers on 23 April. It was agreed that a further two names would be added.
Health
Alzheimer’s Disease: Drugs
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the evidential basis was for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence’s decision that anti-dementia medicines should not be made available for NHS patients with newly diagnosed mild Alzheimer’s disease. [131676]
Caroline Flint: Full details of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s (NICE) appraisal of anti-dementia treatments is published at:
NICE’s appraisal methodology is also published at:
Autism: Research
Martin Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to provide funding for biomedical research into autistic spectrum disorders; and if she will make a statement. [131137]
Caroline Flint: The Department's National Institute for Health Research intends this year to award a programme grant to support research aimed at developing better services and treatments for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at the point of transition from childhood to adulthood. Research on ASD will also form part of the work programme of the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust and Institute of Psychiatry Biomedical Research Centre that the Department is funding from April 2007.
The Medical Research Council (MRC) is one of the main agencies through which the Government support biomedical research. The MRC is an independent body funded by the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Innovation.
The MRC has recently expanded its research portfolio in ASD. For example, it has recently funded research that will explore the link between individual differences in fetal testosterone levels and factors of postnatal behavioural development that in extreme form can be thought of as autistic traits.
Along with other agencies, the MRC has also agreed funding for the Autism Genome Project that will be led by an international consortium headed by Professor Tony Monaco. As well as progressing understanding of the molecular genetic basis of ASD, this research might benefit international autism research by generating possibilities for other genetic epidemiological approaches, neuroimaging and behavioural studies.
Chester-le-Street Community Hospital
Mr. Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 23 April 2007, Official Report, column 956W, on Chester-le-Street community hospital, for what reasons her Department was able to inform the office of the hon. Member for North Durham on 6 March that the visit was to take place; and for what reasons her answer did not include the cost of the visit. [134469]
Mr. Ivan Lewis [holding answer 27 April 2007]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 23 April 2007, Official Report, column 956W. On 7 March County Durham primary care trust (PCT), having been approached by NHS North East, suggested that Secretary of State visit Chester-le-Street community hospital. Shortly after that, on the same day, the Department informed the office of the hon. Member for North Durham that the Secretary of State would visit County Durham on 9 March and stated that we would contact the office of the hon. Member for North Durham should the situation change. The Secretary of State confirmed the programme and final details for the visit on 8 March and the PCT was subsequently notified. She undertook the visit on 9 March. The cost of the visit was in accordance with the “Ministerial Code” and Travel by Ministers.
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