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16 Mar 2009 : Column 848W—continued
Departmental Security
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many breaches of (a) physical and (b) data security occurred at each of his Department’s (i) domestic and (ii) overseas premises in each year for which figures are available. [262893]
Gillian Merron: The information required is held separately in various Foreign and Commonwealth Office departments and embassies, all of which hold records that relate to breaches of physical and data security at home and overseas.
As this information is not held centrally, we are not able to provide an answer without incurring disproportionate cost.
Diplomatic Service: Finance
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2009, Official Report, column 1198W, on diplomatic services, from what budget the funding for special representatives and special envoys to particular countries and regions is drawn. [263048]
Gillian Merron: Some special representatives have been serving members of the diplomatic service with regional expertise. Their salary and administrative costs have been met by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
Where external specialists have been appointed to a special representative role, they have normally been recruited on short-term contracts funded by the FCO.
Other special envoys (for example those appointed by the Prime Minister) are normally unpaid but may have travel expenses refunded by the FCO.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2009, Official Report, column 1198W, on diplomatic services, what the annual cost to the public purse of each special representative and special envoy is; and if he will make a statement. [263049]
Gillian Merron: Only one of the special representatives listed in the answer of 27 February 2009 is still serving in that role.
The special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan is a member of the diplomatic service in senior civil service pay band 3. The pay range for civil servants in pay band 3 is currently £99,960 to £205,000.
Other special envoys (for example those appointed by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister) are normally unpaid but may have travel expenses refunded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
European Union
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on visits by its staff to Brussels in 2007-08; and how many such visits were made. [244057]
Gillian Merron: Between January 2008 and December 2008, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff made the following visits:
156 individual journeys, UK to Brussels or Brussels to UK, were made by air at a total cost of £33,247.
3044 journeys were made to Brussels and Paris on “Eurostar” between January 2008 and December 2008 at a total cost of £454,534. The information held does not allow us to separate “Eurostar” travel between the two destinations.
The FCO changed travel provider in January 2008. Breaking down travel expenditure to these destinations before this date would incur disproportionate cost.
Iran: Bahrain
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the sovereignty and independence of the Kingdom of Bahrain. [263452]
Bill Rammell [holding answer 13 March 2009]: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) noted recent media reports that an adviser to the Supreme Leader in Iran had claimed Iranian sovereignty over the Kingdom of Bahrain. The FCO welcomes the fact that the Iranian Foreign Ministry has made clear this is not the view of the Iranian government.
The UK’s view is clear and firm, and we made this public in a press statement at the time: the Kingdom of Bahrain is a sovereign and independent state and a member of the UN. We refute any suggestion to the contrary.
Iran: Banks
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department plans to take in response to the Financial Action Task Force's statement of 25 February 2009 on Iran; and if he will make a statement. [260999]
David Miliband: The Government's response to the Financial Action Taskforce's statement of 25 February 2009 on Iran is led by the Treasury. I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given on 9 March 2009 by my hon. Friend Ian Pearson, Minister of State at the Treasury, in response to his question of 4 March 2009, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this matter, Official Report, column 100-01W. The response reads:
‘The Treasury has issued an advisory notice to all businesses regulated under the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 and all other persons authorised by the Financial Services Authority alerting them to the high-risk nature of transactions with Iran due to the serious deficiencies in its systems to combat money-laundering and terrorist financing. The Treasury is also actively considering what further steps may be necessary to ensure the UK financial sector is protected from this risk, and is in discussion with international partners.'
Iran: Sanctions
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the application of financial sanctions against (a) individuals, (b) entities and (c) organisations involved in Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme; and if he will make a statement. [261002]
David Miliband: The Government fully support the application of financial and other sanctions against individuals, entities and organisations that are involved with, or support, Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Five UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) require Iran to suspend enrichment related activities, three of which impose sanctions. The UNSCRs require states to freeze assets owned or controlled by individuals, entities and organisations involved with, or supporting, nuclear activities in Iran. They must also exercise vigilance over Iranian banks.
The Government also strongly support the Common Position and Council Regulation adopted by the EU which implemented UNSCR 1803 in full. Indeed, the EU went beyond the UN by extending financial vigilance against Iran, including a further autonomous asset freeze on individuals and entities involved in Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, but not specifically listed by the UN.
Members: Correspondence
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to reply to the letter of 5 December 2008 from the hon. Member for Forest of Dean on wild tigers, reference FD4668. [260389]
Gillian Merron: The hon. Member's letter was replied to on 11 March 2009.
Middle East: Armed Conflict
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take at the United Nations in respect of the reported rocket and mortar attack on the western Negev by Islamic Jihad on 26 February 2009; and if he will make a statement. [263243]
Bill Rammell: The UK has been consistent in its condemnation of all rocket attacks on Israel.
We are committed to finding a solution to the conflict in the Middle East that allows Israel to feel secure in the region, alongside a viable Palestinian state.
Morocco and Israel: EU External Trade
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the labelling of produce originating from territories occupied by (a) Morocco and (b) Israel. [260842]
Bill Rammell: On the labelling of produce originating from territories occupied by Israel, various Government departments such as the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Food Standards Agency are working together to provide retailers with clearer voluntary guidance on labelling best practice for produce sourced from the occupied Palestinian territories, that comply with our European Commission and World Trade Organisation obligations.
There are no comparable guidelines in place for commercial products originating from the disputed territory of Western Sahara. The Government, however, maintain the position that the Government of Morocco, as the ‘de facto' administering power of Western Sahara, is obliged under international law to ensure that economic activities carried out under their administration do not adversely affect the interests of the people of Western Sahara.
There are currently only two UK vessels operating in the waters off Western Sahara under the EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement. All the fish caught are landed in Dakhla, Western Sahara and sold through the local market.
Shanghai World Expo
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when work to construct the British pavilion for the Shanghai World Expo 2010 will (a) commence and (b) be completed. [263503]
Bill Rammell: A ceremony was held in Shanghai on 12 March 2009 to mark the start of building work. The pavilion will be ready before the soft opening of the Expo, scheduled for 1 April 2010.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British businesses will be participating in the British pavilion for the Shanghai World Expo 2010. [263505]
Bill Rammell: Five companies have so far signed up as core sponsors: AstraZeneca, Barclays, BP, Diageo and GKN. We expect a large number of British companies to participate in a programme of business-focussed events during the six months of the Expo.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from which streams the funding for the British pavilion for the Shanghai World Expo 2010 is being drawn. [263506]
Bill Rammell: Funding will come from the public and private sectors including: Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK Trade and Investment, British Council, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Communities and Local Government, English Regional Development Agencies and core sponsors AstraZeneca, Barclays, BP, Diageo and GKN.
Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps the Government have taken together with the international community to encourage the Sri Lankan Government to respect human rights in its conflict with the Tamil Tigers. [262965]
Bill Rammell [holding answer 12 March 2009]: We have repeatedly called on both sides in the conflict to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law. On 3 February 2009, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary released a joint statement with US Secretary of State Clinton on this matter. On 23 February 2009, the EU released a statement calling on the Sri Lankan authorities to take decisive action to tackle human rights abuses, to guarantee press freedom and to disarm paramilitary groups in government controlled areas.
The UK, both independently and as part of the EU, regularly addresses the human rights situation in Sri Lanka and plans to do so again at the UN Human Rights Council which will be in session from 2-27 March 2009.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps the Government have taken to support internationally the safety of civilians in the ongoing conflict between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil Tigers. [263080]
Bill Rammell [holding answer 12 March 2009]: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has made clear, our priority is for the safety of civilians trapped in the fighting in northern Sri Lanka. The Department for International Development have provided funding for two internationally mandated protection agencies: the International Committee of the Red Cross which assists civilians in the conflict zone; and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees which assists Internally Displaced Persons who have fled the conflict.
At the highest levels, we have repeatedly called on all parties to the conflict to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure the safety of civilians at all times. We continue to raise the safety of civilians with international partners and the Sri Lankan Government. In a joint statement with US Secretary Clinton on 2 February 2009, my right hon. Friend urged both sides to respond appropriately to the deteriorating humanitarian situation by allowing the wounded to receive medical treatment, for civilians to leave the conflict area and for unrestricted access for humanitarian agencies.
On 23 February 2009 the EU called for an immediate ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to be safely delivered and for civilians to leave the conflict area. We welcome the recent visit by John Holmes, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, and hope this leads to an improvement in the situation for civilians on the ground.
Tamils: Resettlement
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Sri Lankan Government on the conditions of resettlement camps established for Tamil refugees; and what assessment he has made of their compatibility with international standards. [261929]
Bill Rammell: We have had regular discussions with the Sri Lankan Government on the camps being set up for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
We welcome the recent statement by the Government of Sri Lanka regarding the temporary nature of IDP camps. We welcome the commitment to return 20 per cent. of people to their place of origin by the end of April 2009 and the remaining 80 per cent. by the end of 2009.
We are aware that certain humanitarian agencies have been given access to camps for IDPs. We welcome the recent visit to Sri Lanka by John Holmes, UN Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs, and hope this leads to an improvement in the humanitarian situation in the camps.
We continue to press for unrestricted access to all IDP sites for the humanitarian community, including donors, and we are working with the Government and international agencies to ensure that all IDP sites meet international standards, including freedom of movement and protection.
Thailand: Human Rights
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government plan to make a financial contribution to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' 2009 programme in Thailand; and if he will make a statement. [261928]
Mr. Michael Foster: I have been asked to reply.
The Department for International Development (DFID) will not contribute directly to this programme, but has contributed £2.5 million in voluntary, un-earmarked funding to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in 2008-09. This is available
for OHCHR's programmes across the world including those in Thailand. We expect to make a similar contribution next financial year.
Venezuela: Anti-Semitism
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2009, Official Report, column 1210W, on Venezuela: anti-Semitism, if he will place in the Library a copy of the letters written by HM Ambassador in Caracas to (a) the synagogue’s rabbi and (b) to the leader of the Jewish community in Venezuela; and if he will make a statement. [263260]
Gillian Merron: I have today placed a copy of both letters in the Library of the House.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the attack on the Sinaan Mordejay Community Centre in Caracas on 26 February 2009; and if he will make a statement. [263261]
Gillian Merron: A pipe bomb was thrown at the Sinaan Mordejay Community Centre on 26 February 2009. While there was no major damage and no injuries, we are concerned by a number of reports of anti-Semitism in Venezuela in recent months. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.
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