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23 Feb 2009 : Column 361W—continued
Young People: Police Custody
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many juveniles were detained in police cells overnight in the last year for which figures are available. [256364]
Mr. Hanson: It is the Government’s policy that young people should only be held overnight in police cells in the most exceptional circumstances. Our records indicate that in the last 12 months, seven young people under 18 were held overnight in police cells pending transfer to a secure establishment. That includes four young people who were accommodated in police cells on the night of 2 February 2009 owing to adverse weather conditions.
Young People: Remand in Custody
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost was of detaining juveniles (a) under court-ordered secure remand and (b) remanded in custody in the last year for which figures are available. [256363]
Mr. Hanson: The Youth Justice Board have calculated that in 2007-08 the total cost of detaining young people under a court ordered secure remand was £19,218,653. This includes contributions from both local authorities and the Youth Justice Board.
In respect of those young people remanded into custody there is no distinction made in the Youth Justice Board's Service Level Agreement with the Prison Service between the cost of remands to custody and the cost of custodial sentences. However, based on the average costs of a bed in a young offenders institution and the
average number of young people remanded to custody, the Youth Justice Board have estimated that the total cost of remands to custody in 2007-08 was £26,982,000.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan: Detainees
Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the United States administration on allegations of torture at Guantanamo Bay. [250458]
Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office maintains an active bilateral dialogue on a range of human rights and international legal issues with the US Government, including on the prohibition of the use of torture. We have raised with the US allegations of mistreatment put to us by our nationals or residents currently or formerly detained at Guantanamo Bay. In the last year we have asked the US Administration to investigate allegations of mistreatment raised by UK residents Omar Deghayes, Abdennour Sameur and Binyam Mohamed including in relation to periods of detention prior to their transfer to Guantanamo Bay.
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to instigate quarterly reports to Parliament of (a) UK strategy and objectives in Afghanistan and (b) UK performance against those objectives. [256063]
David Miliband: The Government have no plans to establish a system of quarterly reports to Parliament on UK strategy and performance in Afghanistan. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister set out the UK’s long-term and comprehensive framework for security, political, social and economic development for Afghanistan on 12 December 2007. Ministers will continue to provide frequent reports to the House on UK policy in Afghanistan and progress in pursuit of our objectives.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date the 2008 periodic review of British strategy in Afghanistan was completed. [256067]
David Miliband: An internal stock-take of progress in Afghanistan in the 12 months to November 2008 was completed in December 2008. During the Queen’s Speech debate on 3 December 2008, Official Report, column 28, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister noted that the Government were conducting a review of Afghanistan policy. That review is ongoing, drawing on the findings of the stock take and discussions with partners. The implications and findings of the review will be communicated to Parliament.
Afghanistan: Politics and Government
Mr. Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [248119]
Bill Rammell: Afghanistan remains one of the Government’s top foreign policy priorities. Developments are kept under constant review. Since 2001 there has been considerable political progress in Afghanistan. Notable achievements include the first nationwide democratic presidential and parliamentary elections and ratification of a new constitution.
With international support, Afghan-led presidential, parliamentary, provincial and district council elections are due to take place this year and in 2010. Voter registration is well under way and the third phase of this has now been completed.
We and our international partners continue to provide development assistance and work with the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to ensure the political space exists for Afghanistan to continue to develop democratically. Building capacity in the ANSF remains key for Afghanistan to take responsibility for its own security. In 2008 the Afghan National Army participated in 70 per cent. of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s International Security Assistance Force operations.
Africa: Peacekeeping Operations
Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the joint Rwanda-Democratic Republic of Congo initiative against FDLR forces. [256559]
Gillian Merron [holding answer 12 February 2009]: Long-term peace and stability in the Great Lakes region of Africa depends on good relations between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The presence of the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR) militia in eastern DRC is one of the fundamental causes of the conflict there. We support the decision of the two Governments to co-operate in efforts to disband the group, and urge that they involve UN peace keepers fully in any military planning, and that any action undertaken minimises the risks to the civilian population.
Anglo Leasing
Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Kenyan authorities on the Serious Fraud Office inquiry into the Anglo Leasing affair; and whether any future discussions are planned. [256221]
Gillian Merron [holding answer 11 February 2009]: Officials at our high commission in Nairobi have made repeated representations to the Kenyan Attorney General, the Kenyan Anti-Corruption Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), to encourage co-operation with the inquiry into the Anglo Leasing matter. We will continue to raise this matter with the Kenyan Government and look forward to hearing how the Kenyan Government plans to progress the case. We welcome the assurance from the SFO that they are willing to look at reopening the case should evidence be received from Kenya.
Asia: Diplomatic Service
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what terms of reference Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles has been given in relation to his role as Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan. [256611]
Bill Rammell [holding answer 12 February 2009]: The Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan will work closely with our ambassador in Kabul and our high commissioner in Islamabad, as well as co-ordinating with the other key Government Departments working on Afghanistan and Pakistan. He will focus on the cross-cutting issues facing both Governments, such as counter-extremism. He will work closely with his US counterpart, ambassador Richard Holbrooke, and will consult with other international partners to help build consensus and support for the Afghan and Pakistani Governments.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with the Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan on the appointment of a Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan before Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles was appointed to that post. [256612]
Bill Rammell [holding answer 12 February 2009]: Ministers and senior officials spoke to their Afghan and Pakistani counterparts to discuss the appointment of Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles on 6 and 7 February 2009. Our embassy in Kabul and high commission in Islamabad also discussed the appointment of the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan with their host Governments before its announcement on 9 February 2009.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what staff will be allocated from his Department to Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles to support him in his role as Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan. [256613]
Bill Rammell [holding answer 12 February 2009]: The Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan will have two members of staff allocated to support him. The Special Representative will also be able to draw on the expertise of Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff working on Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as several other Government Departments, and our missions in Kabul, Lashkar Gah, Islamabad, Karachi, and the wider region.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the post of Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan is additional to his Department's establishment; and whether the appointment has been made for a fixed period. [256615]
Bill Rammell [holding answer 12 February 2009]: The position of Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan comes from the reallocation of existing resources within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The appointment has no fixed term but will be kept under periodic review.
Australia: Foreign Relations
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a presentation to the Britain-Australia Society on his policy for UK-Australian relations. [248353]
Gillian Merron: The UK’s close relationship with Australia is extremely important. It is based on a shared history, common values and vibrant people-to-people links. We remain in close and regular contact with the Australian Government at all levels, as we continue to work together to address the global challenges that we both face.
Binyam Mohamed
Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions officers of the UK security services have interviewed Mr. Binyam Mohamed since April 2002. [257001]
Bill Rammell: As stated in official evidence in the recent High Court proceedings, Mr. Binyam Mohamed was interviewed on one occasion only, in May 2002, by the Security Service.
Bosco Ntaganda
Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on (a) Bosco Ntaganda’s indictment by the International Criminal Court and (b) Bosco Ntaganda’s recent dealings with the authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [256523]
Gillian Merron [holding answer 12 February 2009]: The warrant unsealed by the International Criminal Court in 2008 for the arrest of Bosco Ntaganda remains outstanding. Mr. Ntaganda has been the de facto leader of the rebel National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) militia in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since the arrest of Laurent Nkunda in January 2009. We understand the DRC Government is co-operating with Ntaganda as part of the process to integrate CNDP members into the Congolese armed forces.
Bosnia: Overseas Investment
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to encourage foreign direct investment in Bosnia and Herzegovina. [244537]
Mr. Thomas: I have been asked to reply.
UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) have a small team, based at the British embassy in Sarajevo, providing tailored support to UK companies wishing to expand their operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina through international trade or investment.
UKTI also provides information and links to useful sources of information, on investing in Bosnia and Herzegovina via the UKTI website
The Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a state agency whose aim is to attract and maximise foreign direct investment into Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to encourage existing foreign investors to expand and develop their business in the country.
The FIPA offer a range of services to foreign investors and the UKTI team are able to provide appropriate contacts in FIPA for UK companies interested in investing there.
The UK has also been supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress towards the EU. In June 2008 Bosnia and Herzegovina signed a stabilisation and association agreement, an important step on the path to EU accession. Its aim is to a process which promotes stability and transition to a market economy.
China: Arms Control
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the UK-China Bilateral Group on arms control and disarmament have been held since its inception; what (a) matters have been discussed and (b) decisions have been taken by the group; and if he will publish (i) each paper discussed by the group and (ii) the minutes of each meeting on his Department's website. [255773]
Bill Rammell: There is no formal bilateral working group between the UK and China on arms control and disarmament. However, we maintain a high level dialogue between senior officials to discuss counter-proliferation issues. The most recent of these exchanges took place in September 2008 between the FCO Director-General for Defence and Intelligence and her Chinese counterpart. I recently raised matters of counter-proliferation with my Chinese counterpart during my visit to Beijing last month. In addition, embassy officials in Beijing regularly meet officials from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss these issues.
Climate Change: Developing Countries
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what activities the UK Climate Security Envoy for Vulnerable Countries has undertaken since his appointment. [255171]
Gillian Merron: Since his appointment in October 2008, the UK Climate Security Envoy has been working closely with Department for International Development (DFID) to devise an engagement strategy for the countries most vulnerable to climate change worldwide, which are often the poorest. The aim is to help their voice be heard more clearly by the major economies. This is being taken forward by direct contacts with the countries concerned, including by the envoy and through the network of Foreign and Commonwealth Office posts and DFID offices.
Conflict Resolution
Pete Wishart:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which dates the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Conflict Resolution Mechanisms met representatives of (a) the
United Nations, (b) the EU, (c) the African Union and (d) others; and where each meeting took place. [256826]
Bill Rammell [holding answer 12 February 2009]: Jack McConnell MSP, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Conflict Resolution Mechanisms, is based in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He met officials from the European Council, European Commission and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on 9-10 December 2008 in Brussels, and from the UN on 15-16 December 2008 in New York. Mr. McConnell also met EU officials on 2-3 February 2009 in Bosnia. He plans to meet officials from the African Union shortly.
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Conflict Resolution Mechanisms has had with (a) the United Nations, (b) the EU, (c) the African Union and (d) others, broken down by type of communication; and on which dates such communications took place. [256827]
Bill Rammell [holding answer 12 February 2009]: Jack McConnell MSP, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Conflict Resolution Mechanisms, is based in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He met officials from the European Council, European Commission and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on 9-10 December 2008 in Brussels, and from the UN on 15-16 December 2008 in New York. Mr. McConnell also met EU officials on 2-3 February 2009 in Bosnia. He plans to meet officials from the African Union shortly.
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