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21 Feb 2008 : Column 826W—continued
Wales
Bus Services: Concessions
Mr. Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on mutual recognition for pensioners from Wales and from England in concessionary bus travel schemes on both sides of the border. [186259]
Mr. Paul Murphy: I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on a range of issues affecting Wales.
There is provision within the current legislation for mutual recognition for concessionary bus travel. It will require secondary legislation to be put in place and at present the focus of the Concessionary Bus Travel Act (2007) is to ensure a successful introduction of the new England-wide concession when it comes into force on 1 April 2008.
Under the Act individual local authorities will be able to come to agreements with bus companies offering a cross border service to allow their residents to use their passes to travel between England and Wales.
Departmental Stationery
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent on stationery in each of the last five years. [187059]
Mr. Paul Murphy: Stationery is supplied under a general office supplies contract, and its cost within the total is not identified separately.
Departmental Temporary Employment
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what average hourly rate his Department paid to employment agencies for agency staff in each year since 1999, broken down by employment agency. [187797]
Mr. Paul Murphy: The average hourly rates paid for agency staff each year is as follows:
| Adecco | Acorn | Kelly | |
Departmental Translation Services
Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what documents his Department translates into languages other than Welsh for people in the UK who do not speak English. [187992]
Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent on translation services other than for translations into Welsh by his Department in (a) 2003-04, (b) 2004-05, (c) 2005-06, (d) 2006-07 and (e) to date in 2007-08. [187995]
Departmental Travel
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many journeys his Department's (a) Ministers and (b) civil servants made between London and Northern Ireland on official business in each month since May 2007. [187061]
Mr. Paul Murphy: My predecessor made one trip to Northern Ireland in his capacity as Secretary of State for Wales and was accompanied by one official.
Electricity
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent on electricity in each of the last five years. [187054]
Mr. Paul Murphy: The Wales Office has spent the following amounts on electricity bills:
| £ | |
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Balkans: Politics and Government
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political and security situation in the Balkans. [186176]
Mr. Jim Murphy: On 17 February the Kosovo Assembly passed a resolution declaring Kosovo to be independent. On 18 February my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary announced that the UK recognised Kosovo as a sovereign and independent state and would establish diplomatic relations in accordance with the Vienna Convention.
On 18 February the European General Affairs and External Relations Council called on Belgrade and Pristina to respect previous commitments to refrain from any activities or statements which might endanger the security situation. At a meeting of the North Atlantic Council, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) also reaffirmed that Kosovo Force (KFOR) will continue to ensure a safe and secure environment.
Since the Kosovo declaration of independence, there have been demonstrations in Belgrade and amongst the Serb communities in Kosovo. There was some damage to property caused by demonstrators outside the US and Slovenian embassies in Belgrade. There have been small explosions near the EU offices in North Mitrovica. There are no reported casualties.
The UK remains fully committed to safeguarding the region’s security and contributes to KFOR, and the EU forces in Bosnia. We remain ready to fulfil our obligations to NATO’s pan-Balkans Operational Reserve Force (ORF), and we stand ready to send the UK ORF battalion, currently at highest readiness, if requested by the NATO Commander. The UK will also contribute approximately 80 personnel to the European Security and Defence Policy Police and Rule of Law mission currently deploying to Kosovo and the International Civilian Office overseeing settlement implementation.
We will continue to work intensively with our EU and NATO partners to deliver peaceful progress towards Euro and Euro-Atlantic integration for the whole Balkan region.
British Overseas Territories
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provisions of the Bill of Rights 1689 apply to the United Kingdom’s overseas territories; and if he will make a statement. [188070]
Meg Munn: The Bill of Rights 1688 (not 1689) is a UK Act of Parliament, which is not specifically stated to extend to the overseas territories. However, it is clear that the provisions relating to the succession of the Crown, in addition to England, France and Ireland, apply to the dominions, which include all territories under the sovereignty of the Crown.
Burma: Politics and Government
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department plans to make to Burmese authorities on the inclusion of opposition parties and ethnic minorities in the process of drafting a new Burmese constitution planned for May 2008. [187080]
Meg Munn: The Government have consistently called on the Burmese authorities to include opposition parties and ethnic representatives in the process of drafting a new Burmese constitution.
The regime’s call for a referendum in May 2008, and elections in 2010, was made without consulting the opposition and ethnic representatives. For the process and any timeline to have credibility and for it to lead to genuine national reconciliation, it must include all political and ethnic groups.
On 12 February, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary reiterated our demand that the Burmese regime immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi so that she can participate fully in the drafting of a new constitution. He also called for the immediate return of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Burma, Professor Gambari, to the country to help facilitate the process of inclusive decision making and political transition. We shall continue to press the regime to recognise the need for an inclusive and transparent process. For the road map to lead to a stable, sustainable and peaceful democracy, all interested parties must have faith in its mechanisms.
Departmental Security
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the (a) special advisers and (b) Ministerial appointees in possession of a security pass enabling access to his Department’s main building in the month prior to the prorogation of Parliament for the 2005 general election. [182193]
Meg Munn: It is established practice not to provide details on pass access to Government buildings for security reasons.
Equatorial Guinea: Prisoners
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received of the imprisonment and treatment of Simon Mann; and if he will make a statement. [187341]
Meg Munn: Simon Mann is currently detained in Black Beach prison in Equatorial Guinea. Our deputy high commission in Lagos provides consular assistance to British nationals in Equatorial Guinea. Our consul in Lagos travelled to Malabo and visited Mr. Mann in prison on 12 February 2008 when his welfare was discussed. We have made clear to the Equatorial Guinean authorities that we expect Mr. Mann to be treated in line with international standards.
We have received assurances from the Equatorial Guinean authorities that Mr. Mann will be treated well while in detention.
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings officials in his Department have held on the case of Simon Mann; and if he will make a statement. [187342]
Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is aware of Mr. Mann’s case and providing consular assistance to him. Officials have met with representatives from the Equatorial Guinean authorities in London and Malabo to discuss the case.
European Council: European Commission
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the proposed relationship between the President of the European Council and officials of the European Commission. [185538]
Mr. Jim Murphy: Heads of State and Government, supported by Foreign Ministers, reached agreement on all the key institutional issues in the Lisbon treaty, including the role of full-time President of the European Council, at the 2007 June European Council.
The treaty makes clear that the President of the European Council
“shall ensure the preparation and continuity of the work of the European Council in co-operation with the President of the Commission, and on the basis of the work of the General Affairs Council”.
The Commission President provides political guidance for the Commissioners and is the Commission’s principal representative in dealings with other EU institutions and with external bodies. Significant decisions by the Commission are taken collectively by the College of Commissioners.
European External Action Service
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the European External Action Service will have overseas posts; and if he will make a statement. [186716]
David Miliband: The treaty of Lisbon provides for a European External Action Service (EEAS), whose role will be to support the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The European Commission currently has a network of over 120 delegations in third countries and international organisations. Under the Lisbon treaty, these will be placed under the authority of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The High Representative will be accountable to the member states of the Council.
Nuclear Disarmament
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 22 January 2008, Official Report, column 1354W, on nuclear disarmament, what the specific parameters are of the independent International Institute of Strategic Studies in-depth study to help determine the requirements for the eventual elimination of all nuclear weapons. [187926]
Dr. Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office funded a workshop in November 2007 on the technical challenges of complete nuclear disarmament. The study itself, however, is independent and the scope and parameters are therefore for the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) to decide. The hon. Member may wish to refer to the IISS for any further information.
Pakistan: Press Freedom
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the level of restrictions on the press in Pakistan expected in relation to the general election of 18 February 2008; and if he will make a statement. [186711]
David Miliband: I called on the Government of Pakistan to ensure that all media outlets were free to cover all aspects of the elections process so that voters could make an informed choice. Media freedom in Pakistan is approaching levels similar to those before imposition of the State of Emergency in November 2007, although the amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority ordinances and the new code of conduct remain in force. All private media broadcasters are back on air. We continue to monitor the situation closely, including through the EU Election Observer Mission, which will be reporting on the conduct of the elections.
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