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26 July 2007 : Column 1468W—continued
4. Eurojust (structure, operation, field of action and tasks) (UK opt-in)
5. Police co-operation (data sharing and training) (UK opt-in)
6. Europol (structure, operation, field of action and tasks) (UK opt-in)
7. Social security measures to facilitate free movement of workers (emergency brake including a veto power)
8. Co-ordination of measures to facilitate self-employment in other member states
9. Measures implementing the common transport policy (removes existing limited derogation on the common transport policy)
10. Incentive measures to promote cultural awareness and diversity
Existing institutional/procedural measures moved from unanimity to QMV
11. Appointment of European Central Bank (ECB) executive board (UK opt-out)
12. The procedures for Comitology processes (rules enabling member states to oversee the Commission’s exercise of its implementing powers)
13. Adoption of detailed financial rules for the establishment and implementation of the budget (including accounting and budgetary principles)
14. Specialised courts (establishment of specialised first instance courts)
15. Proposals for amending the statute of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) (the statute governs the terms of appointment, organisation and procedures of the ECJ)
16. Proposals from the Commission for amendments to certain parts of the statute of the European System of Central Banks
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. Measures necessary for the use of the euro (UK opt-out)
19. Measures relating to euro group co-ordination and surveillance (applicable only to eurozone members) (UK opt-out)
20. 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. Measures to promote 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 (applies only to recommendations from eurozone
members to the Council on authorising entry)
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 EU-level intellectual property rights protection
28. Clarification of how EU rules and principles apply to services of general economic interest (broadly, public services)
29. Measures to facilitate diplomatic and consular protection
30. EU 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 (promoting co-operation among member states 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. Creation of a ‘start-up fund’ for urgent Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) measures (for ‘Petersberg’ tasks)
36. Urgent EU aid to third countries
37. Definition of a general framework for implementing the existing Common Commercial Policy
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. Incentive measures to promote sport
41. Administrative co-operation (capacity-building measures in new member states)
42. Membership of structured co-operation in defence (procedural issues relating to its establishment)
New institutional/procedural measures subject to QMV
43. Appointment of European Council President by the European Council
44. Appointment of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy by the European Council
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. Ensuring an open, efficient and independent European administration
48. Negotiation of withdrawal agreement
49. Operating rules for a consultative EU Judicial appointments panel (including
composition)
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 Union: Constitutions
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what definition he uses of (a) constitutional concept and (b) constitutional treaty in relation to the European Union. [151143]
Mr. Jim Murphy: As the then Prime Minister (right hon. Tony Blair) set out in his statement to Parliament on 25 June, the Reform treaty will differ fundamentally from the Constitutional treaty in both form and substance.
The Reform treaty rejects the Constitutional treaty approach. The mandate for the Reform treaty agreed by the European Council states clearly:
“The constitutional concept, which consisted in repealing all existing Treaties and replacing them by a single text called ‘Constitution’, is abandoned”.
Guatemala: Trade Unions
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he made to the government of Guatemala on the safety of trade union activists in that country; and if he will make a statement. [153459]
Meg Munn: Our embassy in Guatemala City lobbied the government of Guatemala in conjunction with our EU partners on 20 February and bilaterally on 16 May, to carry out a full investigation into the death of a trade union activist, Pedro Zamora. We regularly encourage the government of Guatemala to improve the security situation for all Guatemalans.
Iraq: Documents
Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the draft Iraq dossier written by Mr. John Williams of 9 September 2002 was requested by the chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee; and what purpose the draft served. [152956]
Mr. Jim Murphy: As my hon. Friend the Minister for the Middle East (Dr. Howells) told the House on 13 June 2007, Official Report, column 293WH, John Williams's draft was prepared on his own initiative and not commissioned as part of the formal drafting process overseen by the then Joint Intelligence Committee chairman, John Scarlett.
Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what formal mechanism the final version of the Iraq dossier was agreed by the members of the Joint Intelligence Committee; and on what date agreement was reached. [152957]
Mr. Jim Murphy: John Scarlett, then chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), explained the process through which the Government's draft dossier was drafted and cleared with the JIC in his evidence to Lord Hutton of 23 September 2003 (www.the-hutton-inquiry.org.uk, paragraphs 76-77). In his minute to the then Prime Minister (Mr. Blair) of 4 June 2003, also available on the Hutton inquiry website, Mr. Scarlett stated that the final draft was circulated to JIC members on 19 September and subsequently agreed by them.
Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether a copy of the draft Iraq dossier written by Mr. John Williams dated 9 September 2002 and given to the Hutton inquiry on 12 September 2003 was given to (a) the BBC and (b) other parties to the inquiry. [152958]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Cabinet Office provided a copy of John Williams's draft to Lord Hutton's inquiry in September 2003. Copies were not sent to either the BBC or other parties to the inquiry.
Iraq: Hezbollah
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of Hezbollah activity in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [148960]
Mr. Jim Murphy: We are analysing the extent of Hezbollah’s involvement in Iraq and will take firm action against any armed groups in Iraq that attack our forces or otherwise seek to undermine the country’s stability or the democratically elected government.
Iraq: Local Government
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will give support to the establishment in the Nineveh Plains and the Al-Shikhan and Al-Handaniya districts of Iraq of a province linked to the central government in Baghdad for the Chaldo Assyrians and others historically connected to that area; and if he will make a statement. [153461]
Meg Munn:
Any decision regarding the establishment of new provinces in Iraq is a matter for the democratically elected Iraqi Government and the Iraqi people themselves. We remain opposed to dividing the country or creating enclaves along ethnic or sectarian lines. Many cities and areas of Iraq, including in Ninawa province, have strongly mixed
ethnic and religious communities. While creating enclaves may hold superficial appeal, in practice this would be difficult to arrange and carry a significant risk of worsening, not alleviating violence.
Iraq: Religion
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will provide support to the Christian community of Iraq against attempts forcibly to Islamicise them; and if he will make a statement. [153462]
Meg Munn: We are aware of recent reports about the threats faced by Christians in the Dora area of Baghdad. We have raised this with the Iraqi Government who have told us the security force presence in the area has been increased to counter this threat. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and press, and support, the Iraqi Government in taking action to ensure all Iraqis are protected from such threats.
A sustainable improvement in security will only be possible if Iraq's political, ethnic and religious communities can work and live together in harmony. We will continue to support the Iraqi Government's efforts to promote reconciliation and national unity in this regard.
Israel: Nuclear Weapons
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 23 July 2007, Official Report, column 708W, on Israel: Non-Proliferation Treaty, whether Israel is a non-nuclear weapon state. [153705]
Meg Munn: The Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) defines a nuclear weapon state as: any state which has manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device prior to 1 January 1967. This definition is exclusive to the following states party: the People’s Republic of China; the French Republic; the Russian Federation; the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and the United States of America.
As the State of Israel has never signed the NPT, it is classed as neither a Nuclear Weapon State, nor a Non-Nuclear Weapon State.
NATO: Information and Communications Technology
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on steps to be taken by the UK following the content of the final communiqué of the NATO Defence Ministers meeting of 14 and 15 June 2007 relating to work needed to enhance the ability to protect information systems of critical importance to the alliance against cyber attacks. [152306]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Government's Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) is key to the UK's work on cyber defence. Since its formation on 1 February, CPNI has made an ongoing contribution to the cyber security of NATO and allies.
Pakistan: Violence
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of recent violence in north Waziristan for the security situation in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [152307]
Mr. Jim Murphy: Since July 15 there has been a surge of violence in north Waziristan following the breakdown of the peace agreement negotiated between local tribal and religious leaders and the government of Pakistan in September 2006. The attacks have mostly been directed at members of the Pakistani army and security forces. Last week, President Musharraf described blocking the “rising tide of Talibanisation” as the biggest challenge facing his government and moved a further two army divisions to north and south Waziristan.
Pakistani support is central to our attempts to defeat the Taliban in Afghanistan and we recognise the significant steps Pakistan has taken, at considerable loss of life, to improve the rule of law in its border areas. We are encouraging both governments to intensify their security dialogue and to agree further measures to combat the Taliban and other insurgent groups opposing Afghanistan's peaceful reconstruction.
The security forces continue to monitor all the border areas including north and south Waziristan.
Prince Charles: Gifts and Endowments
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what basis Mr. Michael Fawcett was included in the process for the selection and purchase of official gifts given by HRH the Prince of Wales during his official visit to the US in 2005, as noted by Sir Michael Peat during his briefing to the press on Tuesday 26 June 2007 on the launch of the Prince of Wales’s Review; and if he will make a statement. [152971]
Mr. Jim Murphy: Gifts are selected by the Royal Household under guidelines set by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether official gifts presented by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall during their visit to the USA in 2007 were paid for by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; to whom they were given; what the gifts were; what the value was; which of the gifts’ selection or purchase was the responsibility of Mr. Michael Fawcett; and if he will make a statement. [152972]
Mr. Jim Murphy: Official gifts presented by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall during the visit to the USA in January were paid for by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). They were given to their hosts and those who played a major part in the organisation of the visit. The gifts consisted mainly of signed photographs of their Royal Highnesses and other mementoes.
Regarding the cost of gifts, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary (Margaret Beckett) gave to him on 16 April 2007, Official Report, columns 49-50W. A copy of the letter referred to in the reply has been placed in the Library of the House.
Gifts are selected by the Royal Household under guidelines set by the FCO.
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