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16 Oct 2007 : Column 994W—continued
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan: Opium
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government supports recent US proposals to increase the spraying of opium fields in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [157385]
David Miliband: Counter narcotics policy and implementation, including opium poppy elimination, is the responsibility of the Afghan Government. We work very closely with the US to support the Afghan Government on implementing their National Drug Control Strategy. The Afghan Government oppose the use of aerial and ground based spraying to eradicate opium poppy.
The US Government advocate spraying as one method of implementing non-negotiated forced eradication. But in their counter narcotics strategy for Afghanistan, published in August, they recognise that
“no herbicidal spray program would be implemented without the consent of the Government of Afghanistan”.
The UK continues to support the piloting of ground-based spraying, subject to the agreement of the Afghan Government, to test its efficacy and impact. It should be well explained to local populations and targeted in areas of Afghanistan where the security situation permits and there is good access to legal livelihoods for farmers. At present, we judge that the disadvantages of aerial spraying outweigh the benefits. We have made our position clear to both the Afghan Government and the US.
Burma: Arms Control
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made at the United Nations for a comprehensive and mandatory arms embargo on Burma. [157831]
Dr. Howells: The UN Security Council is fully focussed on the events in Burma. UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari has briefed the Security Council on the situation in the country and the UK supports his efforts to mediate a dialogue between the political actors.
An EU arms embargo is already in place. We judge that at present there is insufficient support on the Security Council for a UN-wide ban.
Chechnya: Politics and Government
Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of support for rebel groups in Chechnya from UK (a) assets, (b) groups and (c) individuals; and if he will make a statement. [157572]
Mr. Jim Murphy: We regularly monitor the activities of Chechen separatist groups and any possible involvement of parties based in the UK, and any implications, which this might have for the UK.
Chevening Scholarships Programme
Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Chevening scholarships were granted in each of the last three years, broken down by country of origin of recipient. [156937]
Mr. Jim Murphy [Holding answer 15 October 2007]: Details for the two academic years 2004-05 and 2005-06 are given in the Chevening Programme annual report for each year. The reports are available at: http://www.chevening.com/about/reports/. They will also be placed in the Library of the House. The annual report for 2006-07 is not yet available and so the details for that academic year are provided in the following table. The report will also be placed in the Library of the House.
| Country | Core scheme | Central jointly funded | Fellows | Total |
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