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23 July 2007 : Column 706W—continued
Terrorism: Detainees
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 12 July 2007, Official Report, column 979W, on Terrorism: detainees, if she will seek the information requested from each police force. [150787]
Mr. McNulty: As part of the consultation on forthcoming counter-terrorism legislation, we are looking, in conjunction with the police, at how the existing maximum period of pre-charge detention has operated in practice and whether there are any lessons to be learnt from that.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Asylum and Immigration Tribunal
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether HM High Commission Harare has received notification of the judgement of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal in the case of Ms L.K., wife of Mr P.H. of Aylesbury (post reference 115884; AIT reference OA/44119/2006); and if he will make a statement. [152003]
Dr. Howells: Our embassy in Harare received their copy of the Immigration judge's determination in the case of Mrs. L. K., wife of Mr. P. H. of Aylesbury, on 19 July. Following her allowed appeal, the embassy will contact Mrs. L. K. to request her passport, so that her entry clearance can be issued as soon as possible.
Chile: Human Rights
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received on Chile's observance of human rights with regards to the Mapuche population; and if he will make a statement. [150494]
Dr. Howells: Our embassy in Santiago has not received any recent representations on the Mapuche.
However, the Government believe firmly that the individual rights of indigenous people should be recognised and protected. All indigenous people are entitled to full respect of their human rights, both within and without their communities. We continuously monitor all human rights in Chile, as we do in other countries. We also work with other EU members on human rights issues, such as minority rights, and in 2005 we co-drafted a report on the steps Chile had taken to implement the Stavenhagen report recommendations regarding indigenous people.
The Government have funded a number of projects to support and promote the rights of indigenous people. We have financed a Minority Rights Group project to help minority and indigenous groups participate effectively at the UN. We also provide support to the Inter-American Development Bank's Indigenous Strategy and fund programmes in Latin America that target indigenous groups. We will continue to monitor the situation of indigenous people, including the Mapuche, in Chile.
European Court of Justice
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which institutions of the European Union do not fall within the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. [150843]
Mr. Jim Murphy: All the EU institutions, as defined in article 7 of the treaty Establishing the European Community, are subject to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.
India: Embassies
Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of Indian citizens employed by his Department in India are Dalits. [149612]
Dr. Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not hold such records. In line with global FCO policy, all our recruitment and employment practices at our posts in India are competency based, and focused on valuing diversity. Discrimination in any form is unacceptable.
Iran: Foreign Relations
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the review of UK relations with Iran announced in April 2007. [147483]
David Miliband: The review of relations with Iran is continuing, but the principles underpinning our policy towards Iran have not changed.
Iran has every right to develop its own economy and society. We welcome dialogue and engagement with Iran as it does so, but it must also accept that it has responsibilities to the region and the wider international community. It cannot violate the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty nor undermine regional stability.
Iran: Nuclear Power
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the multilateral enrichment of uranium for the production of nuclear power in Iran; and if he will make a statement. [151636]
Dr. Howells: The generous offer made by the E3+3 in June 2006, and annexed to UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1747, includes active support for the building of new light water power reactors in Iran and the provision of legally binding multi-layered fuel assurances to Iran. These would be based on: participation as a partner in an international facility in Russia to provide enrichment services; establishment on commercial terms of a buffer stock to hold a reserve of five years' supply of nuclear fuel dedicated to Iran; and development with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of a standing multilateral mechanism for reliable access to nuclear fuel, based on ideas currently being considered by the IAEA and Board of Governors.
But before negotiations can begin Iran needs to suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, as required by three successive UNSCRs.
Iraq: Weapons
Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the adjournment debate in Westminster Hall of 13 June 2007, Official Report, column 288WH, on the Iraq Dossier (September 2002), when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Billericay, dated 18 June, on John Williams's draft Iraq dossier. [151824]
Dr. Howells: I replied to the hon. Member on 19 July.
Israel: Arms Trade
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it Government policy to sell arms to Israel to assist that country in fighting terrorism; and if he will make a statement. [150950]
Dr. Howells: The UK recognises that all countries, including Israel, have a legitimate right to purchase conventional arms for their defence and security needs. However, UK policy dictates that all licences are assessed on a case by case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Export Licensing Criteria. This takes into account respect for human rights and the preservation of regional peace, security and stability. If there is a clear risk that the equipment will be used in a manner inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria, a licence will not be approved.
Isreal: Non-Proliferation Treaty
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage Israel (a) to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and (b) to allow entry to International Atomic Energy Agency monitoring personnel. [151415]
Dr. Howells: The Government have on a number of occasions called on Israel to accede to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty as a non-nuclear weapon state, and to conclude a full scope safeguards agreement and additional protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). We continue to take appropriate opportunities to discuss all aspects of non-proliferation with representatives of the Israeli government.
Israel has a site-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA, which gives the IAEA access to the Soreq nuclear site for monitoring purposes. Details of this can be found on the IAEA website at:
Members: Correspondence
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to reply to the letter to his predecessor dated 7 June from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on Ms L. Lavell. [152282]
Dr. Howells: I replied to my right hon. Friend on 19 July.
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to reply to the letter to his predecessor dated 4 June from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on Mr. Farooq Ahmed. [152283]
Dr. Howells: I replied to my right hon. Friend on 19 July.
Mercenaries
Mr. Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to introduce measures to control and regulate UK-based private military and security companies working abroad. [151756]
Dr. Howells: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 12 March 2007, Official Report, column 93W.
Mordechai Vanunu
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Israeli government on Mordechai Vanunu. [151414]
Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no such discussions with the Israeli government.
We are aware that Mr. Vanunu was re-convicted on 30 April of breaching an order barring him from contacts with the foreign press. The Government raised Mr. Vanunu's case with the Israeli government on a number of occasions during his detention. After Mr Vanunu was released, we then raised the conditions of his release with the Israeli government. We have made our concerns clear to the Israeli government.
Rizana Nafeek
Mr. Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Saudi Arabia on the execution of Rizana Nafeek; and if he will make a statement. [151251]
Dr. Howells: No representations have been made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the Government of Saudi Arabia on behalf of Rizana Nafeek, a Sri-Lankan national.
Representatives for Rizana Nafeek filed an appeal against the conviction on 15 July. The judicial process around the case is therefore ongoing. Our embassy in Riyadh will continue to monitor developments.
Russia: Diplomatic Service
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many diplomats Russia was authorised to have in the United Kingdom or accredited to the Court of St James on 13 July; and how many there will be following the decision, announced on 16 July 2007, Official Report, column 22, to expel diplomats. [151252]
Mr. Jim Murphy: Seventy-seven Russians are currently notified to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) as being posted to the UK with diplomatic rank and are registered on the FCO Protocol database. I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 16 July 2007, Official Report, columns 27-22, in which he informed the House that four of these individuals have been asked to leave.
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will undertake to make a written statement to the House should the number of authorised Russian diplomats in London vary from the levels permitted following the decision to expel four Russian diplomats which he announced on 16 July 2007, Official Report, column 22. [151253]
Mr. Jim Murphy: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to him today (UIN 151252). I would also remind my hon. Friend that I provided an undertaking to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee that I would inform Parliament of any changes to the measures set out in my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's statement to the House on 16 July 2007, Official Report, columns 21-22.
UN Resolutions
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701; and if he will make a statement. [150947]
Dr. Howells: There has been significant progress towards the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has successfully helped to bring peace and stability to south Lebanon. Their efforts, in conjunction with the Lebanese army, have ensured that the cessation of hostilities has been maintained with few significant breaches. There has also been steady progress on the clearance of unexploded munitions from the conflict last year. With significant UK support, UN and Lebanese teams have cleared approximately 17.5 square kilometres of contaminated land. This amounts to half of the total contaminated land.
However, the ongoing political crisis in Lebanon is hindering progress towards full implementation of UNSCR 1701. In particular, we continue to be concerned by reports of arms smuggling across the Syria/Lebanon border. We are working with international partners and the Government of Lebanon to address this issue. As part of this we are supporting a German-led project aimed at strengthening the border.
We are also deeply concerned by the firing of three rockets from south Lebanon into Israel on 17 June and an attack on a UNIFIL vehicle on 24 June that killed six soldiers. Such attacks are unacceptable and serve only to destabilise Lebanon. The UK will continue to work for the full implementation of UNSCR 1701.
The UN Secretary-General’s most recent report on the implementation of UNSCR 1701 was published on 28 June. I will arrange for copies of this report to be placed in the Library of the House.
Culture, Media and Sport
Blackpool
8. Mr. Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimates his Department has made of likely visitor numbers to Blackpool in the next five years. [151102]
Margaret Hodge: VisitBritain only makes forecasts of visitor numbers for the year ahead, and at a national level. No predictions have been made for visitors to Blackpool.
However, there were around 1.8 million overnight visits to Blackpool in 2006, making it the fifth most visited destination in England for domestic overnight visitors.
Playing Fields
11. Mr. Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to secure further provision of playing fields. [151105]
Mr. Sutcliffe: The most recent data from planning applications relating to playing fields show that for two consecutive years more playing fields have been created than lost.
We now have tough measures in place to protect playing fields and planning guidance is clear that no field needed by the community should be removed.
Since 2001, over £1 billion of Lottery and Exchequer funding has been invested in community sports facilities, including playing fields and outdoor all weather pitches. The active places database shows that 93 per cent. of the population is currently within 20 minutes travel time of a playing field.
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