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9 May 2008 : Column 1249Wcontinued
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the progress of Sudans fifth census which began on 22 April; and what help he is offering to ensure its successful completion. [203830]
Dr. Howells:
My right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for International Development discussed progress on the census in their meeting on 28 April with Sudanese Foreign Minister Deng Alor. Officials from both the Government of National Unity and the Government of South Sudan have reported that the census is going well, although there have been some logistical difficulties and some communities have not co-operated with enumerators. Movements in Darfur have spoken out against the census, although initial reports suggest that enumeration
has taken place in many areas of Darfur. At the UKs suggestion, language in support of the census and all parties acceptance of the results was included in UN Security Council Resolution 1812 of 30 April for renewal of the UN Mission in Sudan mandate.
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of China to provide access for human rights organisations to monitor the human rights situation in Tibet. [203473]
Dr. Howells: We believe that the Chinese Government should lift restrictions on access to the region which would aid an independent assessment of the situation. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister raised the issue of access to Tibet in his telephone call to Chinese Premier Wen on 19 March. We continue to encourage China to issue an open invitation to all UN Special Rapporteurs to visit China, including the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
Mr. Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with EU institutions on the process of ratification of the Lisbon treaty, including in member states where the ratification process is by referendum; and if he will make a statement. [204730]
Mr. Jim Murphy: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has regular contact with EU institutions on a variety of issues, including the Lisbon treaty. It is up to all 27 member states to ratify the Lisbon treaty in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements.
So far, 13 countries have ratified the Lisbon treaty.
Only one member state (the Republic of Ireland) out of 27 member states is planning to hold a referendum. This will take place on 12 June 2008.
Mr. Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Irish Government on the process of ratification of the Lisbon treaty; and if he will make a statement. [204731]
Mr. Jim Murphy: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have regular contact with our Irish counterparts on the full range of European issues, including the Lisbon treaty.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects of the US naval presence in the Mediterranean sea on the surrounding regions. [202373]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The US naval presence in the Mediterranean has long had a positive and welcome stabilising effect in the region, due in part to the extent to which it has worked together closely with other allies and partners, including the UK.
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on what grounds each abortion took place in non-NHS hospitals or institutions at (a) 16 weeks, (b) 17 weeks, (c) 18 weeks, (d) 19 weeks, (e) 20 weeks, (f) 21 weeks, (g) 22 weeks, (h) 23 weeks and (i) 24 weeks gestation in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement; [204012]
(2) To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what grounds each abortion took place in NHS hospitals at
(a) 16 weeks, (b) 17 weeks, (c) 18 weeks, (d) 19 weeks, (e) 20 weeks, (f) 21 weeks, (g) 22 weeks, (h) 23 weeks and (i) 24 weeks gestation in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [204013]
Dawn Primarolo: The information in the following table shows the grounds for abortions (at 16-24 weeks gestation) that were funded by the national health service and took place on NHS premises; funded by the NHS and took place in the private sector under contract NHS Agency); and were not funded by the NHS.
Abortions by gestation 16-24 weeks, grounds and purchaser, residents of England and Wales, 1997-2006 | ||||||||||
16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23( 1) | 24 | ||
Suppressed value where a presented value, if used with previously published data, would reveal a total less than 10 (between 0 and 9). (1) Includes 24 weeks and 0 days. Note: Previously published data for All purchasers for 2006 for gestations of 18-24 weeks is included within this table for reference. The previous publication of these data means that NHS Hospital abortion figures cannot be shown by grounds for 18-23 weeks. |
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