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4 Mar 2008 : Column 2360W—continued
Sudan: China
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether progress was made during Liu Guijin’s visit to the UK on co-operation between the UK and China on issues pertaining to Darfur and Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [189993]
Meg Munn: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister agreed with Chinese Premier Wen, when they met in Beijing in January, that they would work together to advance both political talks and deployment of the UN-African Union peacekeeping force for Darfur. Since then my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has discussed the issues further with Premier Wen and Chinese State Councillor Tang, and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary with the Chinese Foreign Minister Yang, in advance of his visit to China last month.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development, along with other ministerial colleagues and officials, has also raised these points with the Chinese Special Envoy for Africa, during the envoy’s visit this week to London and in particular have encouraged him to urge restraint on all sides during his forthcoming talks in Khartoum and N’Djamena.
Tourism: Football
Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department takes to protect non-violent British football supporters when they attend football matches in other countries. [190044]
Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) plan for football matches involving British clubs, held overseas to ensure the level of consular support they provide to travelling British supporters is proportionate to the risk of disruption and violence. Officials work closely with the relevant local authorities, the Home Office (which has lead responsibility for policing and public safety issues at matches overseas), clubs, the Football Association and relevant fans’ groups to determine the level of risk. In all cases, officials will provide British supporters with consular assistance as set out in the FCO's publication “Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide”. The Home Office is working closely with football safety experts across Europe in taking forward a pan-European programme of measures designed to mitigate safety and security risks at international football matches.
Turkey: Armed Conflict
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Turkey on its decision to engage Kurdish forces in the North of Iraq. [191108]
Mr. Jim Murphy: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has urged his Turkish counterpart that Turkey should conclude this operation as quickly as possible, and then withdraw its troops from northern Iraq. We have also pressed Turkey to take all possible steps to avoid causing harm to civilians. We continue to encourage the Turkish government, the Iraqi government and Kurdish Regional authorities to work together to resolve this issue through dialogue.
Western Sahara: Human Rights
Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Moroccan counterpart on the human rights situation in Western Sahara. [190659]
Dr. Howells: The UK is concerned about the welfare of the people of Western Sahara. While my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not discussed human rights in Western Sahara with his Moroccan counterpart, I have discussed a range of issues regarding conditions on the ground in Western Sahara with the Moroccan Foreign Minister, Fassi Fihri, most recently in July 2007. Officials in Rabat, London and New York are in regular dialogue with the Moroccan authorities, civil society and other interested parties regarding Western Sahara, including on human rights.
The UK also remains concerned that the issue of the status of Western Sahara remains unresolved, with consequent problems for the people of the region. The UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1783 on 31 October 2007, which renewed the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara until 30 April 2008. The resolution also calls upon the parties to continue negotiations under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General, without preconditions and in good faith. The UK fully supports these negotiations, with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
Justice
Crown Dependencies
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on what occasions (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department or its predecessor met representatives of the government of the Isle of Man in each year since 1997; what issues were discussed; what the (i) location and (ii) duration of each meeting was; whether a record of each meeting was kept; who attended each meeting; and if he will make a statement. [190787]
Mr. Wills: There are regular meetings between officials in the Ministry of Justice and their counterparts in the Isle of Man and it would not be possible to list each one. Some of these meetings have taken place in the Isle of Man, some in the Ministry of Justice and some in other Government Departments. In general no formal or permanent record of these meetings is kept and most often action points are agreed between the respective officials.
From records and in the time available I can confirm that the following high-level meetings have taken place.
On 31 July and 1 August 2002 the then Parliamentary Secretary at the Lord Chancellor’s Department, the right hon. Member for Doncaster, Central (Ms Winterton), with officials visited the Isle of Man and held meetings with the Chief Minister, the Lieutenant Governor, the Chief Secretary, the President of Tynwald, the Speaker of the House of Keys and members of Tynwald. Among the issues discussed were international tax, the exchange of information, terrorism, the undersea gas pipeline, the euro, access to national lottery proceeds, student visas and Sellafield.
Between 26 and 28 November 2002 the Lord Chancellor and Permanent Secretary with other officials visited the Isle of Man and held meetings with the Chief Minister, the Lieutenant Governor, the Chief Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer, the President of Tynwald, the Speaker of the House of Keys, members of Tynwald and the Financial Supervision Commission. Among the issues discussed were, international tax, the euro, security issues (routes to Isle of Man), speed of response on fisheries matters, the Isle of Man aircraft register, extension of maritime conventions to Isle of Man and Sellafield.
On 4 and 5 November 2003 my hon. Friend the Member for Tottenham (Mr. Lammy) (then Parliamentary Under Secretary to Department for Constitutional Affairs) with officials visited the Isle of Man and held meetings with the Chief Minister, the Lieutenant Governor, the Chief Secretary, the President of Tynwald, the Speaker of the House of Keys, members of Tynwald and the Deputy Deemster. Among the issues discussed were, the competitiveness of the Isle of Man shipping register, airport slots and regional access, taxation and market access, fisheries, the lottery, UK higher education and top - up fees, qualified teacher status, visa applications for full time study in the Isle of Man, the inclusion of the Isle of Man in UK co-production treaty arrangements, UNESCO and the nomination of Tynwald Hill as a World Heritage Site.
On 22 and 23 September 2005 the Lord Chancellor with officials visited the Isle of Man and held meetings with the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary, the
Attorney-General, members of Tynwald, the Deemster, the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of External Relations, the Financial Services Commission and the Insurance and Pensions Authority. Among the issues discussed were relations between the Isle of Man and the UK, the Isle of Man financial services industry, the impact of EU and UK initiatives on the Isle of Man, tax information exchange agreements, development of the Isle of Man’s international profile, the Isle of Man space business, UK e-gaming regulation, the World Trade Organisation, immigration and anti-terrorism measures.
On 25 and 26 January 2007 the Permanent Secretary for the Department for Constitutional Affairs with officials visited the Isle of Man and held meetings with the Lieutenant Governor, the Chief Minister, the President of Tynwald, the Treasury Minister, the First Deemster, the Chief Secretary, Attorney-General, Chief Financial Officer, and the Director of External Relations. Among the issues discussed were the Isle of Man’s external relations, the development of the relationship between the Isle of Man and the UK and the development of an international identity framework, taxation and entrustment.
On 5 December 2007 the Isle of Man Chief Minister with officials visited the Ministry of Justice for an introductory meeting with me. Among the issues discussed by Ministers and officials was the Isle of Man’s external relations and working relations between the respective administrations.
Crown Dependencies: Legislation
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on what occasions the Privy Council consulted his Department or its predecessor on legislative matters submitted for promulgation from the Isle of Man in each year since 1997. [190784]
Mr. Wills: The Privy Council has not consulted the Ministry of Justice, or its predecessors, on any legislative matter submitted for promulgation from the Isle of Man since 1997. Isle of Man legislation is not submitted directly to Privy Council but to the Ministry of Justice so that the Secretary of State for Justice, in his role as the Privy Counsellor primarily responsible for matters relating to the Crown Dependencies may advise:
(a) His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man whether he may exercise his delegated authority to give Assent, on behalf of Her Majesty, to the legislation or
(b) that legislation dealing with defence; international relations; nationality and citizenship; the powers and remuneration of the Lieutenant Governor; the constitutional relationship between the UK and the Isle of Man; or which affects the Royal prerogative or the rights of The Queen in Her private capacity should be reserved for the signification of Her Majesty in Council and submitted to the Privy Council with the recommendation that Her Majesty in Council may properly be advised to make an assenting Order.
Records from 1997 to 2001 are not accessible in the available time but between 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2007 a total of 98 Isle of Man Bills were promulgated. Of those, only one was reserved for the Signification of Her Majesty in Council, the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2005.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what legislation introduced by the Government was considered for extension to the Isle of Man in each Session since 1997; and if he will make a statement; [190786]
(2) on what occasions the Government has consulted the administration of the Isle of Man on legislative issues since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [190785]
Mr. Wills: Since 1997 the Government have consulted the Isle of Man about extension of the Acts of Parliament listed as follows.
This list is complied by year rather than by session due to the manner in which records are held, and is not definitive as only electronic records could be accessed in the time available.
Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill
Building Societies (Funding) and Mutual Societies (Transfers) Act 2007
Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Act 2007
UK Borders Act 2007
Serious Crime Act 2007
Draft Marine Bill
Armed Forces Act 2006
Companies Act 2006
Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006
Identity Cards Act 2006
Terrorism Act 2006
Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2005
Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005
Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005
Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants etc.) Act 2004
Patents Act 2004
Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004
Civil Contingencies Act 2004
Communications Act 2003
Extradition Act 2003
Co-operatives and Community Benefits Societies Act 2003
Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002
Office of Communications Act 2002
Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001
Nuclear Safeguards Act 2000
Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Landmines Act 1998
Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998
Merchant Shipping and Maritime Security Act 1997
Special Immigration Appeals Commission Act 1997
United Nations Personnel Act 1997
Departmental Equality
Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what conclusions his Department has reached in fulfilment of the duty under section 3.111 of the statutory code of practice of the disability equality duty. [190674]
Mr. Wills: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for disabled people and welcomes its responsibilities under the Disability Equality Duty.
This Department will shortly be publishing its ‘Disability Equality Scheme, Annual Review’. The report will be published in conjunction with the first MoJ Disability Equality Scheme (DBS) for the period 2008-11.
Key priorities identified by our stakeholders with disabilities are access to justice, to buildings and information; community engagement; and training.
Related actions on these priority areas will be taken forward during the life of the forthcoming MoJ DES.
Departmental Marketing
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 5 February 2008, Official Report, column 1110W, on departmental marketing, how many (a) items of corporate display materials, (b) publications, (c) public information booklets, (d) items of building signage, (e) items of hard stationery and (f) lanyards his Department has procured since its establishment; and what its total expenditure on such products has been to date. [190585]
Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice was created on 9 May 2007. Quantities of each item procured by the Department are detailed in the following table. Records for orders are not held centrally; the answer has therefore been based on available data.
Total expenditure on these products was given in the answer on 28 February 2008, Official Report, column 1922W.
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