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6 May 2008 : Column 798W—continued
Olympic Games 2012: National Lottery
Pete Wishart: To ask the Minister for the Olympics (1) how much has been raised to date from all dedicated London 2012 Olympic Lottery games; [203645]
(2) how much was raised in 2007-08 from all dedicated London 2012 Olympic Lottery games; [203646]
(3) how much was raised in each quarter of 2007-08 from all dedicated London 2012 Olympic Lottery games. [203649]
Tessa Jowell: By 31 March 2008, £275 million had been raised for the Olympic Lottery Distribution Fund from the dedicated Olympic Lottery games. The following table gives the figures for each financial year. The figures include proceeds from Olympic Lottery games, unclaimed prizes and other operator-related income, net of operational costs. They exclude investment earnings on the balance held in the Olympic Lottery Distribution Fund.
| £ million | |
| (1) Provisional figure, subject to audit. | |
The quarterly breakdown in 2007-08 is shown in the following table:
| 2007-08 | £ million |
| Notes: 1. All the figures in the table are subject to audit. Numbers are based on the quarter that DCMS brought figures to account, and each quarter’s data may not include income for an equal number of weeks for lottery sales across all games. 2. Both tables include provisional proceeds figures for the final quarter of 2007-08 which have not yet been validated by the National Lottery Commission. | |
Pete Wishart: To ask the Minister for the Olympics (1) how much has been raised to date from the Dream Number Lottery game to support the London 2012 Olympic Games; [203647]
(2) how much was raised in 2007-08 from the Dream Number Lottery game to support the London 2012 Olympic Games; [203648]
(3) how much was raised in each quarter of 2007-08 from the Dream Number Lottery game to support the London 2012 Olympic Games. [203650]
Tessa Jowell: I am advised by the National Lottery Commission that the sale proceeds going to the Olympic Lottery Distribution Fund (OLDF) are not available on a game by game basis. Returns to the good causes from the sale of all national lottery games are calculated in accordance with a formula set out in the national lottery operator's licence. In line with that formula, proceeds to the OLDF are based on the proportion of the total national lottery sales attributable to designated Olympic lottery games.
Olympic Games 2012: Schools
Harry Cohen: To ask the Minister for the Olympics whether local schools have been consulted as part of the preparation of the Olympic Legacy Action Plan; and if she will make a statement. [202683]
Tessa Jowell: The Government Olympic Executive (GOE) is developing the Olympic Legacy Action Plan (LAP) in consultation with stakeholders including the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the five host boroughs.
The DCSF is the Department leading on the education legacy of the games as part of the preparation of the Legacy Action Plan. Working closely with LOCOG who are leading on the development and delivery of the London 2012 Education Programme, the following organisations have been consulted between them on how best to use the 2012 games to drive change within schools, colleges and other education providers.
DCSF’s 2012 advisory group, (which includes organisations representing schools and head teachers);
the implementation review unit (IRU) (a group of school practitioners with a remit to challenge and support the DCSF);
Government regional offices;
national agencies such as the Independent Schools Association, the Girls School Association, etc.;
local authorities;
head teachers, teachers, other members of staff and young people from over 100 schools and colleges across the UK;
the Youth Sport Trust 2012 Headteacher Advisory Group;
the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust Advisory Group; and
the Podium Opportunities groups for colleges and universities.
LOCOG also delivered a series of workshops across the UK to encourage schools and young people to explore the opportunities provided by the London 2012 Education Programme. Representatives from Waltham Forest attended a number of these meetings.
LOCOG also works closely with colleagues in each of the five host boroughs to develop their education
offer. Young people from Waltham Forest (‘Waltham Forest Young Ambassadors’) have also attended a consultation workshop at LOCOG to discuss plans for the London 2012 Education Programme.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan: Drugs
Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to tackle opium poppy cultivation in the provinces of Afghanistan where it is taking place; and what assessment he has made of the impact of drug-trafficking on the stability of the region. [201665]
Dr. Howells: The UK is supporting the Afghan Government in implementing its National Drug Control Strategy (NDCS). This includes work at a national level, through the Ministry of Counter Narcotics, and provincially, through the Independent Directorate for local governance and through provincial governors. Our efforts are focused on those areas where opium poppy cultivation is concentrated, notably in Helmand province. In support of the NDCS, UK assistance aims to: raise public awareness; promote international and regional co-operation; promote alternative livelihoods; reduce demand for drugs; support law enforcement; establish an effective criminal justice system; support targeted eradication of opium cultivation; and build effective Afghan Government institutions.
We remain concerned about the potential for Afghan drug-trafficking to undermine regional stability and are encouraging Afghanistan and its neighbours to take forward further regional counter narcotics coordination and cooperation. The UK will be participating as an observer in the Good Neighbourly Relations Declaration meeting scheduled to take place later this year, which is integral to this process.
Cuba: Sanctions
Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the Government supports EU sanctions against Cuba; and what representations he has received on the Government’s position on EU sanctions against Cuba in the last 12 months. [199523]
Dr. Howells: The UK’s policy on Cuba has been based on the EU Common Position since 1996. The Common Position is a policy framework which aims to encourage transition to pluralist democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Common Position is reviewed each year in June and member states take into account any changes over the past 12 months.
Over the last year, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has received representations from the Cuban Government. As Cuba is of interest to many groups in society, my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary regularly receive letters, emails and petitions from many groups including; trade unions, members of the public and non-governmental organisations. Parliamentarians have asked questions on the subject throughout the year.
Food: Prices
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on rising food prices internationally, with particular reference to staples such as rice; and if he will make a statement. [202581]
Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is acutely aware of the impact of rising food prices globally. He understands this is a critical issue for both the global economy and the UK economy. To date my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not directly received international representations on the issue. However, global economic issues, and their interface with foreign policy, remain a key theme in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) dialogue with partner governments and international institutions globally. Given the potential links between rising food prices and a number of foreign policy issues such as social stability, poverty reduction and conflict, the FCO will continue to monitor the situation closely. We are clear that an international solution is required and to that end my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has written to the chair of the G8 group of industrialised nations and the heads of relevant international organisations calling for co-ordinated action. The letter is available at: http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page15234.asp. FCO posts will keep discussing the situation regularly with key countries and international organisations.
Iran: Arms Trade
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received recent reports on British arms dealers trading with the government of Iran. [202489]
Dr. Howells: The export of arms and other related material to Iran is subject to UN, EU and national sanctions. We rigorously apply these controls to all export licence applications destined for Iran.
We are aware of recent media reports about British arms dealers attempting to trade with the Government of Iran. We take these reports very seriously. Where the Government receive information that an exporter has attempted to circumvent export control rules, the relevant Government Departments and agencies will take appropriate action. This was the case with the arms brokers John Knight and Mehrdad Salashoor. In both cases, the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) mounted successful prosecutions, which led to both individuals being given extended prison terms and large confiscation orders for breaches of export control rules.
These media reports also highlighted a number of on-going investigations. The relevant authorities are looking into these cases and if they uncover evidence of attempts to breach export control rules, they will refer appropriate cases to RCPO to consider prosecutions. This work, and the recent successful prosecutions, demonstrates that our export controls are robust. We will continue to take action against those who attempt to circumvent UK controls.
Iran: Politics and Government
Mrs. James: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Iran; and if he will make a statement. [202774]
Dr. Howells: Since I last made a statement to the House on the political situation in Iran on 26 November 2007, Official Report, columns 220-21W, the parliamentary elections have taken place. As feared, a large proportion of reformist candidates were prevented from standing. Altogether, a third of all prospective candidates who registered to stand were disqualified by Iran’s Interior Ministry and Guardian Council, denying the Iranian people a genuine democratic choice about their country’s future.
Following the elections, the EU expressed
“deep concern that election procedures in the Islamic Republic of Iran have fallen below international standards and that the electoral process did not allow for truly competitive elections”.
The new Parliament will start sitting on 27 May.
Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements exist for any UK-based law enforcement agency to investigate allegations of misconduct by (a) British nationals and (b) nationals of other countries, other than Iraqis, who are employees of private military or security companies contracted to work in Iraq by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [203692]
Dr. Howells: If any personnel employed by organisations contracted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) were suspected of committing a crime in Iraq but appeared to be immune from Iraqi legal process, the FCO would refer them to the disciplinary authority of their employing organisation with a view to having them removed from our contract in Iraq and would also bring the matter to the attention of the UK police and/or the authorities of the individual's nationality. The decision whether to pursue a criminal investigation and ultimately whether a prosecution should be undertaken in an individual case would be a matter for the police and prosecuting authorities, acting independently from the Government.
In the case of suspected non-criminal misconduct, we would take up the matter with the employing organisation, and either investigate the matter or have the employing organisation do so and report back to us, depending on the circumstances and the nature of the allegations.
Pakistan: Asylum
Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) HM Ambassador in Kabul and (b) the High Commissioner in Islamabad on UK immigration applications from Pakistanis claiming status as refugees fleeing Afghanistan. [201630]
Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had discussions with our ambassador in Kabul or our high commissioner in Islamabad on UK immigration applications from Pakistan claiming status as refugees fleeing Afghanistan.
We take issues of immigration from Pakistan, and the refugee situation within Pakistan, seriously. Senior officials recently visited Pakistan to discuss the UK’s engagement with Pakistan on migration and we continue to support the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ Tripartite process to tackle the long-term problem of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
Mr. Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had discussions with the government of Pakistan on the repatriation of Afghan refugees in that country. [202577]
Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had discussions with the Government of Pakistan on the repatriation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. However we take the issue of the approximately 2 million Afghan refugees, many of whom have been in Pakistan for over 20 years, seriously. Last year the Department for International Development supported the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) repatriation programme with £500,000. We continue to work with the UNHCR Tripartite process to find a sustainable solution to this long-standing problem.
Pakistan: Blasphemy
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made in the case of Qamar David on trial in Karachi, Pakistan. [201919]
Dr. Howells: We have not made specific representations in the case of Qamar David. But we strongly support freedom of religion, and condemn instances where individuals are persecuted because of their faith or belief, wherever this occurs and whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned. Both bilaterally and together with our EU partners, we have raised our concerns over the situation of religious minorities in Pakistan, and the excessive punishments prescribed in cases of blasphemy, and the frequent abuse of the blasphemy legislation. The UN Human Rights Council is undertaking a universal periodic review on the human rights records of a number of countries including Pakistan in May. The UK is participating in this dialogue and will raise the treatment of minorities during the process.
We will continue to raise the concerns of minorities with the new government and encourage reform or repeal of discriminatory legislation through the newly formed National Assembly.
Pakistan: Human Rights
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Pakistan on the situation of the human rights lawyer Parvez Aslam Choudhry in Lahore. [201917]
Dr. Howells: We have not made specific representations on behalf of Mr. Parvez Choudhry but officials in our high commission in Islamabad and in London are aware of him through contact with Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Legal Aid for Destitute and Settlement about his situation.
The UK supports freedom of religion and condemns instances where individuals are persecuted because of their faith or belief. Through our regular contact with organisations working on behalf of religious minorities we continue to monitor and raise concerns about the treatment of minorities with the Government and encourage reform or repeal of discriminatory legislation through the National Assembly.
The UN Human Rights Council is undertaking a universal periodic review on the human rights records of a number of countries including Pakistan in May. The UK is participating in this dialogue and will raise the treatment of minorities during the process.
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