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13 Mar 2008 : Column 639W—continued
Cyprus
Dr. Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Greek and Turkish governments to encourage reconciliation in Cyprus following the Cypriot presidential election. [193082]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The new Government in Cyprus, and its declared aim of making rapid progress towards a negotiated settlement which reunifies the island, has inspired hope in both communities in Cyprus, and sympathetic interest worldwide. Our contacts with the Governments of Greece and Turkey confirm that they too wish to capitalise on this sense of hope. We will continue to urge all parties with an interest in Cyprus to support the efforts of the UN, and to seize the opportunities presented this year.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Politics and Government
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the possible impact of the International Criminal Court's investigations of (a) Mathieu Ngudjolo, (b) Germain Katanga and (c) Thomas Lubanga on the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement. [192977]
Meg Munn: The arrests of Mathieu Ngudjolo, Germain Katanga and Thomas Lubanga send a strong message that the international community is determined to hold those guilty of atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to account for their actions. Efforts to prosecute militia leaders who commit the most serious abuses against the civilian population in DRC should continue, both as a matter of justice for their victims and to serve as a deterrent against future acts of violence. There is no evidence that the inquiries into Ngudjolo, Katanga and Lubanga by the International Criminal Court have had any impact on security in DRC.
Departmental Databases
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) companies based in the United States and (b) UK subsidiaries of US companies have been contracted by his Department and its agencies to provide services involving the use, storage, processing or analysis of databases of personal information held by the Government on UK citizens in the last five years. [188220]
Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), including its agencies, has engaged US registered service providers and subsidiaries of US registered service providers to manage aspects of the storage, processing or analysis of personal information.
The Data Protection Act 1998 includes provisions to ensure that personal data benefits from adequate protection when it is transferred outside the European economic area by UK data controllers, FCO guidance is designed to ensure that contracts are consistent with UK contract law with the applicable statutory safeguards.
Departmental Official Cars
Mr. Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what make and model of car (a) he and (b) each Minister in his Department selected as their official ministerial car; and what criteria were applied when making the decision in each case. [192378]
Meg Munn: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Jim Fitzpatrick) gave to him on 10 March 2008, Official Report, column 8W.
Departmental Property
Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many residential properties his Department owns in the United Kingdom; how many of these are vacant; and how many of these have been vacant for longer than (a) three, (b) six and (c) 12 months. [192999]
Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not own any residential property in the United Kingdom.
Departmental Public Expenditure
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether consideration has been given to applying gender responsive budgeting to his Department's budget. [192113]
Meg Munn: The Government are supportive of efforts to achieve gender equality and continue to work very closely with both the Women's National Commission and the Women's Budget Group on promoting gender equality within the UK.
In 2004, HM Treasury undertook a pilot project on gender analysis of expenditure with the Women's Budget Group. The project demonstrated the value of gender analysis in some areas and identified what tools
and expertise were necessary within Government to carry out gender analysis, but that further work was needed before gender responsive budgeting could be implemented.
In 2008, HM Treasury will be conducting further work that will determine whether it is prudent and feasible to disaggregate departmental expenditure statistics by gender.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), for its part, supports a wide range of global initiatives—bilateral and multilateral—to tackle the barriers to gender equality including gender stereotyping, violence against women, social and cultural attitudes and discriminatory laws and practices. These initiatives include funding projects overseas which protect and promote women's rights, playing an active role as an elected member of the UN Commission on the Status of Women and in other international forums including the EU and the Council of Europe, supporting their respective initiatives on gender equality, and maintaining a regular dialogue with Governments to help improve the human rights situation for women world-wide.
As part of the FCO's gender equality scheme, published in April 2007, the FCO is considering how best to champion world-wide the convention on the elimination of discrimination against women and the UN General Assembly resolution (A/RES/61/143), adopted in December 2006, on violence against women.
The FCO's view is that gender should not always be seen as an isolated policy area, unconnected to our other work. As such we have sought to mainstream gender into foreign policy, wherever possible and appropriate, by—for example—supporting and encouraging the involvement of women in peace negotiations, reconciliation work and in political and public life more broadly.
In all its work to promote gender equality the FCO works closely with other Government Departments, particularly the Department for International Development and the Department for Communities and Local Government, as well as non- governmental organisations active in this sector and the Women's National Commission.
Departmental Sick Pay
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost of sickness pay to staff within his Department was in the most recent year for which figures are available. [187521]
Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) pays staff who are absent due to sickness their normal salary initially. Once staff have been absent for six months, within a rolling period of 12 months, they are paid half their normal salary. Staff on sick leave may continue to receive salary at half rate for up to six months in a four-year period before they cease to receive any salary.
In 2007 the FCO paid an estimated total of £2,152,183 in salary to UK-appointed staff during periods when they were absent from work due to sickness. This figure does not include statutory sick pay.
Embassies: Waste Management
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) foreign embassies which are composite hereditaments and (b) domestic properties which are solely occupied by diplomats will be liable to pay charges for the collection of household waste. [193185]
Meg Munn: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is responsible for the Climate Change Bill, including proposed charges for the collection of household rubbish.
Diplomats’ liability to pay dues, taxes and charges is dependent on the exact terms of any relevant legislation and our obligations under the 1961 Vienna convention on diplomatic relations. This will be considered at the appropriate stage.
Iran: Oppression
Dr. Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Iranian government to encourage that government to lift the ban on democratic opposition organisations; and if he will make a statement. [193078]
Meg Munn: Encouraging respect for fundamental human rights and political freedoms is a key element of our approach towards Iran. We do not take sides in Iran's internal political debates—these are for Iranians themselves to resolve—but together with the EU we seek to promote the internationally recognised principles to which many Iranians aspire including freedom of speech and transparent, genuinely democratic and accountable government. Our work to assist the development of civil society around the world will continue in support of this goal. The Iranian people should be given a genuine democratic choice about their country's future.
Iran: Trade Unions
Dr. Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Iranian government in support of the rights of Iranian trade unionists; and if he will make a statement. [193076]
Meg Munn:
We remain concerned about the Iranian Government’s action against trade unionists defending workers’ rights in Iran. The Government and the EU consistently raise concerns about the repression and detention of labour rights activists with the Iranian authorities. My hon. Friend the Minister for the Middle East, (Dr. Howells) expressed our serious concerns to the Iranian ambassador when prominent trade unionist Mansour Ossanlou was arrested last July, The EU presidency, with strong UK support, also expressed concerns about Mr. Ossanlou’s situation with the Iranian authorities in Tehran on at least five occasions last year. The EU presidency raised labour activist Mahmoud Salehi’s detention at least four times. Mr. Salehi was the subject of a further EU demarche on 22 January and an EU presidency declaration on 28 January. Most recently on the International Trade Union Confederation global day of action in support
of Iranian workers on 6 March, my hon. Friend the Minister for the Middle East (Dr. Howells) issued a statement calling on the Iranian Government to immediately release Mr. Ossanlou and Mr. Salehi, and urged Iran to
“respect fully the right to form or join trade unions, in accordance with its commitments as a member of the International Labour Organisation and the international human rights conventions it has ratified”.
Middle East: Armed Conflict
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of chemicals used to make explosives and propellants for rockets and bombs being smuggled into Gaza disguised as EU aid; and if he will make a statement. [191137]
Meg Munn: We are aware of reports that attempts were made to bring potassium nitrate into Gaza in sugar bags labelled as European Union Aid. The UK welcomes the European Commission’s statement on this issue on 30 December 2007 that:
“Based on the information received, it appears that these bags cannot be confused with any kind of European Union humanitarian aid. We would consider it an isolated criminal act and we condemn it.”
The European Union distributes its food aid through UN agencies, rather than directly.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the recent conflict between Israel and Palestine in Gaza and consequent civilian deaths; and if he will make a statement. [192212]
Meg Munn: The Government remain deeply concerned about the recent escalation of violence in Gaza and southern Israel. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary issued a statement on 2 March, regarding the rise in the number of rocket attacks into Israel. The statement stressed the need for all sides in the conflict, and the international community to keep the political process alive. We also support the UN Secretary-General's call for all parties to step back from the brink of even deeper and more deadly clashes.
The full text of the statement is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Fron?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&;c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid= 1203947188494.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which occasions his Department issued criticisms of (a) Hamas and (b) Hezbollah for firing rockets into the State of Israel; and if he will make a statement. [192473]
Meg Munn:
My hon. Friend the Minister for the Middle East (Dr. Howells) issued statements on 27 and 28 February condemning unreservedly the barrage of rockets on southern Israel from Gaza, that left one man dead and several others injured. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary issued a statement condemning the rocket attacks on 2 March. There can be no justification for the almost daily rocket and mortar attacks on Sderot and the surrounding
area. The Government continue to call on all Palestinian factions to stop attacks, including rocket attacks, which target civilians and only escalate an already tense situation. At the same time, Israel must ensure its actions are in accordance with international law. It is important that all parties find a way to restore calm, for the sake of the populations on both sides. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to the Israeli Defence Minister, Ehud Barak, conveying his deep concerns and condolences on 28 February.
During the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel the UK issued numerous statements condemning the firing of rockets by Hezbollah into Israel. During the 2006 conflict we also repeatedly called on Israel to ensure its response was proportionate and avoided civilian casualties. Since the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, we are not aware of any instances when Hezbollah has fired rockets into Israel.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which occasions his Department issued criticisms of the response of the government of Israel to rocket attacks by (a) Hamas and (b) Hezbollah in each of the last two years; and if he will make a statement. [192474]
Meg Munn: We have issued numerous statements on rocket attacks from Gaza. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary’s statement on 2 March made clear, Israel must ensure its actions in response to rocket and other attacks are in accordance with international law. It is important that all parties find a way to restore calm, for the sake of the populations on both sides. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to the Israeli Defence Minister, Ehud Barak, conveying his concerns on 28 February.
During the 2006 conflict we also repeatedly called on Israel to ensure its response was proportionate and avoided civilian casualties. Since the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, we are not aware of any instances when Hezbollah has fired rockets into Israel.
Details of official statements issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), including an archive, are available in the news section of the FCO website:
Dr. Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) the UK and (b) other countries through the UN have organised medical aid to assist the casualties in the recent Gaza-Israel conflict; and if he will make a statement. [193077]
Meg Munn:
We are deeply concerned about the recent escalation of violence in Gaza and Southern Israel. In the Gaza strip, emergency medical assistance is mainly provided by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the Palestinian Medical Relief Society and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. The Government support the Ministry of Health through the European Commission's funding mechanism known as PEGASE (Palestine European De Gestion Et D’aide Socio-Economique). The Department for International Development has provided £41.6 million to Palestinians in 2007-08 with £18.45 million going through the PEGASE
and the temporary international mechanism this financial year. In addition, the International Committee of the Red Cross, World Health Organisation and the UN Relief and Works Agency regularly import medicines into the Gaza strip.
Dr. Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the parties concerned to bring about a Gaza-Israel ceasefire; and if he will make a statement. [193079]
Meg Munn: My hon. Friend the Minister for the Middle East, Dr. Howells, issued statements on 27 February and 28 February about the situation in Gaza and southern Israel. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also issued two statements on 2 March and 6 March condemning the recent violence in Gaza and southern Israel.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has spoken with the Israeli Foreign and Defence Ministers and the President of the Palestinian Authority to convey his deep concerns and condolences. Despite recent difficulties, we urge both parties to resist efforts to derail the peace process and are committed to supporting them in meeting their obligations. We hope to see a swift resumption of negotiations under the Annapolis process.
Dr. Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to support international action through the United Nations to bring about a Gaza-Israel ceasefire. [193080]
Meg Munn: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke with the UN Secretary-General on 7 March to discuss the recent violence in Gaza and southern Israel. A long-term solution to the crisis in Gaza can only come from a political process. Recent events make it all the more important for the parties, and the international community, to support the Annapolis process. All our efforts are behind this. We are working with all parties who support the two-state solution.
Dr. Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to encourage the European Union to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict. [193081]
Meg Munn: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed this issue with his European ministerial colleagues at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council on 10 March 2008. The EU continues to play an important political role through its membership of the Quartet (US, UN, EU, Russia) providing political and economic support to the Annapolis process. The EU has consistently called for an end to violence and a peaceful, negotiated two-state solution.
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