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23 Feb 2009 : Column 383W—continued
Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to his Sri Lankan counterpart regarding the reports of high civilian casualties in the ongoing operations in the north of the country. [253348]
David Miliband: I made it clear in my written ministerial statement of 21 January 2009, Official Report, column 29WS, that the Government are deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in northern Sri Lanka and the growing number of internally displaced persons.
In that statement, and in subsequent discussions with the Sri Lankan President and Foreign Minister, I have urged repeatedly for the Sri Lankan Government to call an immediate humanitarian ceasefire so that civilians have the opportunity to move away from the conflict area and humanitarian assistance can be safely delivered.
Sri Lanka: Storms
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his UN Security Council counterparts on a full UN needs assessment of the Vanni area in Sri Lanka following Cyclone Nisha in November 2008; and if he will make a statement. [253349]
David Miliband: The UK supports a full independent needs assessment mission to northern Sri Lanka. We are pressing the Sri Lankan Government at the highest level to allow this. We also regularly discuss the situation in Sri Lanka with other members of the UN Security Council.
Sudan: Politics and Government
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to monitor the political situation in the Nuba Mountains; and what steps his Department is taking to support the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in the region. [255534]
Gillian Merron: Our embassy in Khartoum monitors the situation in the Nuba Mountains through its contacts with the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), the Government of Sudan and both parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the National Congress Party and the Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement, and other contacts within Sudan including the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC).
We are supporting implementation of the CPA in the region through active participation in the Three Areas Working Group of the AEC, which visited South Kordofan, including the Nuba Mountains, in November 2008. We and other donors are providing funding for community based peace building efforts in the region.
Tony Blair
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2009, Official Report, column 893W, on Tony Blair, how much expenditure has been (a) incurred by and (b) reimbursed to the Quartet Representative in each year since his appointment. [255378]
Bill Rammell: We do not directly oversee or reimburse expenses incurred by the Quartet Representative.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has seconded: one higher executive officer equivalent (salary range £23,157 to £31, 495); one Grade 7 equivalent (salary range £38,852 to £53,783); and one senior civil servant (salary range £57,300 to £116,000) to work in Tony Blair's office between 2007-2008. This is not set to change in 2009. The FCO is funding their salaries.
Zimbabwe: Politics and Government
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent proposals the UK has put forward to resolve the political situation in Zimbabwe; and what plans he has to place the situation in Zimbabwe on the formal agenda of the UN Security Council. [253951]
David Miliband: On 30 January, the MDC announced the acceptance of the power sharing accord brokered at the SADC summit on 26 January. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary issued a statement in response on 30 January.
We have always said that we can not see how a Government who include Mugabe can work. But we have also been clear that it is up to Zimbabweans to decide their own future. Our hope is that the parties can make the agreed work. We will judge the new Government on their actions. In common with other members of the international community, we will be looking for the Government to demonstrate, through their actions, a commitment to reform.
We would expect, in the coming days and weeks, to see the release of political prisoners, an immediate end to political violence and intimidation, the repeal of repressive legislation, the appointment of a credible finance team, and a clear roadmap to the next national elections. Our formal engagement, including the provision of donor support and the continuation of our efforts to encourage increased UN engagement, will depend on how the Government meet these expectations.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Government have had with the new unity government of Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement. [255651]
Gillian Merron: The new unity Government were sworn in on 13 February 2009. Our engagement with the new Government, including the provision of donor support, will be dependent on the how the new Government demonstrate, through their actions, a commitment to change and reform.
Duchy of Lancaster
Death: Alcoholic Drinks
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many (a) males and (b) females in each age group in each region died from an alcohol-related illness in 2007. [255200]
Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated February 2009:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many (a) males and (b) females in each age group in each region died from an alcohol-related illness in 2007. (255200)
The table attached provides the number of deaths with an alcohol-related underlying cause in each government office region in England, for (a) males and (b) females, by age group, in 2007.
| Table 1. Number of deaths with an alcohol-related underlying cause of death( 1) , government office regions in England,( 2) sex and age group,( 3) 2007( 4) | ||||||
| Deaths | ||||||
| Sex | Area | 15 to 34 | 35 to 54 | 55 to 74 | 75+ | Total |
| (1) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). The specific causes of death categorised as alcohol-related, and their corresponding ICD-10 codes, are shown in box 1 following. (2) Based on boundaries as of 2008. (3) There were no deaths in the age group one to 14. (4) All figures are for deaths registered in 2007. | ||||||
| Box 1: Alcohol-related causes of death—International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) | |
| Cause of death | ICD-10 code(s) |
Death: Clostridium Difficile
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many deaths of (a) males and (b) females in each age group where clostridium difficile was recorded as a cause of death took place in each of the last five years. [257178]
Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths of (a) males and (b) females in each age group where Clostridium difficile was recorded as a cause of death took place in each of the last five years. (257178)
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