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24 July 2007 : Column 1057W—continued
17. Presidency of Council configurations (arrangements for rotation)
Existing areas of policy activity where there is a new specific legal base subject to QMV
18. Use of the euro (UK opt-out)
19. Measures relating to the broad economic guidelines and excessive deficit procedure (applicable only to eurozone members) (UK opt-out)
20. Border checks (establishment of integrated management system for external borders) (UK opt-in)
21. Mechanism for peer review of member states’ implementation of policies in the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) area (UK opt-in)
22. Crime prevention (UK opt-in)
23. Implementation of own resources decisions
24. Provisions enabling repeal of the aspects of an Article related to state aids policy and the effect of the past division of Germany
25. Procedure for entry into the euro
26. Provisions enabling repeal of an Article on transport policy as it affects areas of Germany affected by its past division
27. Authorisation, co-ordination and supervision of intellectual property rights protection
28. Services of general economic interest (clarification of EU rules/principles applying public services)
29. Diplomatic and consular protection
30. Humanitarian aid operations
31. Energy (measures on energy markets, energy security and energy saving)
32. Tourism (promotion of competitiveness and best practice)
33. Civil protection (assistance to prevent or protect against natural or man-made disasters)
34. Implementation of solidarity clause (assistance, if requested, in the event of a natural or man-made disaster)
35. Urgent financing of Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) measures (start up measures for ‘Petersberg’ tasks)
36. Urgent aid to third countries
37. Aspects of the Common Commercial Policy (definition of general framework for its implementation)
New areas of EU policy activity subject to QMV
38. European Research Area (removal of barriers to free flow of research)
39. Space policy (measures to promote joint initiatives and research and development)
40. Sport (incentive measures to promote sport)
41. Administrative co-operation (capacity building measures)
42. Membership of structured co-operation in defence (procedural issues relating to its establishment)
New institutional/procedural measures subject to QMV
43. Election of European Council President
44. Appointment of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
45. Council review of general rules on composition of the Committee of the Regions and European Economic and Social Committee
46. Citizens’ initiatives (petition procedure)
47. Principles of European administration (staff regulation measures)
48. Negotiation of withdrawal agreement
49. Judicial appointments panel (composition and operation)
50. Role of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in CFSP implementing measures (measures proposed by the High Representative following a specific request from the European Council)
European Council
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether a document containing proposals relating to the decisions taken at the European Council on 21 and 22 June, referred to in Presidential Conclusions (Doc. 11177/07), was available to his predecessor prior to 7 June; and if he will make a statement. [150841]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The German presidency first released a draft mandate for the Inter-Governmental Conference on the evening of 19 June. This document was discussed at the European Council.
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2007, Official Report, column 251W, on the European Council, when the Presidency Conclusions were received by the Government. [151878]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Presidency Conclusions were received by the Government at the European Council.
Iraq: Oil
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has consulted major UK oil companies on contracts for them in Iraq. [151847]
Meg Munn: The Government have not held discussions on oil contracts in Iraq with any major British oil companies.
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when officials from his Department first received a copy of the draft Iraqi oil law. [151848]
Meg Munn: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials first obtained a copy of a draft of the hydrocarbons law at the end of October 2006.
Iraq: Peace-keeping Operations
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Iraq Commission’s report on the future of British policy in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [151086]
Meg Munn: We welcome all constructive contributions to the ongoing debate on policy in Iraq. Many of the recommendations in the Iraq Commission’s report are in line with the policies we are already pursuing. We continue to work hard to support the Government of Iraq in its efforts to establish security, deliver basic services and make progress on national reconciliation. The most important figures in determining the future of Iraq are Iraqis themselves, but we believe the international community and states in the region have a key role to play in supporting the Iraqi government.
Italy: Diplomatic Service
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to (a) the answer of 16 April 2007, Official Report, column 37W, on Italy: diplomatic service, and (b) evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 17 July 2004 from former ambassador Sir Ivor Roberts, if he will now place in the Library a copy of Sir Ivor’s valedictory telegram following its circulation to about 4,000 recipients; and if he will make a statement. [152424]
Mr. Jim Murphy: As my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary (Margaret Beckett) outlined in her answer to my hon. Friend on 16 April 2007, Official Report, column 37W, Sir Ivor Roberts provided advice in his valedictory telegram on a confidential basis. Placing a copy of this telegram in the Library of the House would be likely to inhibit the frank and confidential provision of advice.
Russia: Sanctions
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to inform the House when he (a) relaxes and (b) varies any of the sanctions against Russia to which he referred in his statement on 16 July 2007, Official Report, column 22, on Alexander Litvinenko (case update). [152462]
Mr. Jim Murphy: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 23 July 2007, Official Report, column 710W.
Sudan: Sanctions
Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the current UK and EU sanctions against Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [151991]
Meg Munn: Sanctions are most successful when implemented multilaterally. The EU has an effective arms embargo in place covering the whole of Sudan. The existing UN arms embargo, established in UN Security Council Resolution 1591, applies to rebels in the whole of Sudan, but to the Government of Sudan (GoS) in Darfur only. Amnesty International and the Panel of Experts have reported that all sides are violating the UN arms embargo. Such reports highlight the limitations in the UN arms embargo.
Sanctions are an important tool for applying pressure on the Sudanese Government. We consider that it was the threat of further UN sanctions that persuaded the Sudanese Government to agree to the hybrid AU-UN peacekeeping force on 12 June. This is a significant achievement and an important step towards restoring stability, the protection of civilians and ensuring full humanitarian access in Darfur.
We will maintain pressure on the GoS and rebels, and will pursue further targeted sanctions against any party that obstructs progress on the peacekeeping force, ceasefire, political process or humanitarian access.
Taiwan: Nuclear Power
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the government of Taiwan on its plan to expand its civil nuclear energy programme. [150715]
Meg Munn: The UK does not recognise Taiwan as a state or country, nor its authorities as a government.
However, we have strong commercial, educational and cultural links with Taiwan and discussions have taken place between UK Trade and Investment, including an export promoter from London, and the Taiwanese Atomic Energy Council. No commercial prospects were found. We have a good dialogue with the Bureau of Energy on renewable sectors. We have been asked about the prospects for further nuclear development in the UK.
Tibet: Passports
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK recognised the validity of Tibetan passports for travel to the UK before the Chinese invasion of Tibet. [151001]
Meg Munn: A Tibetan trade delegation entered the UK on passports issued by the autonomous Tibetan authorities on 20 November 1948. Official records of whether other Tibetan passports were accepted by the UK during this period are not readily available.
Uganda: Politics and Government
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he made of the transition to multi-party democracy in Uganda; what reports he has received that the old one-party ideological training institute at Kyankwanzi is still used to instil the ruling National Movement Organisation political ideologies in Ugandan civil servants, police and military personnel; and if he will make a statement. [152151]
Meg Munn: In February 2006 Uganda held its first multi-party elections in 25 years. The reintroduction of a multi-party system was an important achievement. However there is still much to be done, particularly with regard to respect for the independence of the judiciary and political space for the opposition.
It is essential, therefore, that the government and the opposition parties continue to work together to embed the evolving multi-party democracy and ensure transparency. The UK, along with other international partners, has a regular dialogue with the Government of Uganda on all aspects of developing multi-party democracy.
We are aware that the Kyankwanzi National Leadership Institute remains in use and is responsible for preparing senior government officials. We have no specific reports on what training is provided.
UK Membership of EC: Ethnic Groups
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what campaigns her Department has commissioned to raise awareness of the effect of membership of the European Union for the United Kingdom among (a) ethnic minority and (b) immigrant groups in the United Kingdom. [146101]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Government are committed to engaging with the UK public on EU issues.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office hosts the www.europe.gov.uk website and has produced a “Guide to the European Union” publication. Working with colleagues across Government, we continue to support activities to generate greater public awareness of EU issues and a more mature debate about them.
Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Departments: Equality
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what response his Department has made to the Commission for Racial Equality’s assessment of its Race Equality Scheme; and how his Department plans to continue to monitor its Race Equality Scheme. [151304]
Mr. McFadden: On 31 October 2006 we responded to the Commission for Racial Equality stating that the detailed comments provided will be used to inform our work to review the race equality scheme in the future.
Progress against the action plans detailed in the race equality scheme is reviewed as part of our annual departmental report and we will publish the first report on the equality schemes in 2008.
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (1) what action his Department has taken to mainstream the impact assessment and consultation arrangements set out in the Race Equality Scheme; [151305]
(2) how race equality impact assessments and departmental consultation exercises are taken into account in his Department’s policy making process; [151306]
(3) whether any new mechanisms for (a) monitoring, (b) consultation and (c) responses to consultation in relation to the Race Equality Scheme have been put in place by his Department; [151307]
(4) how his Department ensures that existing policies are assessed in accordance with the Race Equality Duty; and whether his Department has identified any adverse implications for some racial groups resulting from departmental policies. [151308]
Mr. McFadden: BERR follows Government-wide guidance on the conduct of consultations and impact assessment. A new impact assessment process was launched in May 2007. Equality impact assessments are an integral part of that process.
Officials from across BERR are being trained in the new procedures. We aim to ensure that equality impacts are properly considered as part of the evidence base in the policy development process.
BERR and its Agencies recognise the importance of monitoring our policies and services for impacts on race equality and obtaining feedback from stakeholders.
When BERR published its race equality scheme in June 2006 we reviewed and updated guidelines first issued in 2003 and incorporated them into a ‘Toolkit for Equality Duties’. This includes advice on different monitoring methods including statistical analysis, qualitative analysis and customer surveys. No departmental policies to date have been assessed as having adverse implications for racial groups.
Progress against the action plans detailed in the race equality scheme is reviewed as part of our annual departmental report and we will publish the first report on the equality schemes in 2008.
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