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30 Mar 2009 : Column 852W—continued
Departmental Public Expenditure
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest estimate is of his Department's capital expenditure in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10, (c) 2010-11 and (d) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [268119]
Gillian Merron: In 2008-09 capital expenditure is forecast to be £219 million net.
The net comprehensive spending round (CSR) capital allocation for 2009-10 is £216 million.
The net CSR capital allocation for 2010-11 is £205 million.
An estimate for expenditure in 2011-12 is not yet available.
Departmental Training
Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 26 November 2008, Official Report, column 1793W, on training, what the cost was of his training in (a) the presentation of foreign policy and (b) his Department's IT systems. [265665]
Gillian Merron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 2 March 2009, Official Report, columns 1240-44W.
Falkland Islands: Crimes of Violence
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what records he holds on the number of violent crimes that have taken place in the Falkland Islands in each of the last five years. [267110]
Gillian Merron: I understand from the Royal Falkland Islands Police that the number of violent crimes over the last five years in the Falkland Islands was:
Murder: none
Attempted murder: none
Manslaughter: none
Attempted rape: none
Robbery: none
Cases of assault occasioning actual bodily harm or common assault: 20 in total—three in 2004, six in 2005, four in 2006, four in 2007 and three in 2008
Rape: two in total—one in 2005 and one in 2007
Grievous bodily harm: five in total—three in 2005, one in 2006 and one in 2008.
G20
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken in the preparations for the G20 meeting in north London in April to (a) ensure the sustainable use of resources and (b) to minimise the carbon footprint of the meeting. [263815]
Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has employed an event production company, Feltech/MRG. The company has adopted an environmental policy that meets Government guidelines set out in the Green Claims code in their provision of the required conference and media facilities. The venue, ExCeL London, is one of the participants in the implementation programme for BS8901:2007, a British standard for sustainable events that helps minimise the environmental impact of events such as the G20 Summit.
Feltech/MRG will produce a report recording the measures taken to reduce the carbon footprint of the summit. We are also developing a carbon management approach with the Department of Energy and Climate Change and have commissioned a report on the carbon impact of the G20 Summit to be available within 60 days of the event.
International Criminal Court
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the US administration on (a) the International Criminal Court (ICC) citation of President al-Bashir of Sudan and (b) US participation in the ICC. [267427]
Gillian Merron: We have had extensive discussions with all levels of the US administration on the situation in Darfur, including the International Criminal Court (ICC) indictment of President Bashir for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the region.
Most recent contacts have focused on the need for the Government of Sudan to reconsider their decision to expel 13 international humanitarian non-governmental organisations working in Darfur. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed these issues with US Secretary of State Clinton during his visit to Washington on 18 March 2009. We continue to underline in all contacts the need for Sudan to cooperate with the ICC, as well as to take concrete action for peace in Darfur.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had any discussions with the US about their membership of the ICC. The Government work with EU partners towards achieving universality of the Rome Statute of the ICC, and we look forward to discussing this issue with the new US administration.
Iran: Diplomatic Service
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 23 March 2009, Official Report, column 29W, on Iran, in what ways the Iranian authorities have obstructed the activities of staff at the British Embassy in Tehran; what activities have been obstructed; and if he will make a statement. [267842]
David Miliband: The Iranian authorities have obstructed the activities of our embassy in Tehran in numerous ways, including: by placing restrictions on vehicle access to the embassy compounds for embassy staff and visitors, harassing embassy staff, guests, and contractors carrying out work on our compounds (including security work recommended by the Iranian authorities), and failing to provide airside access for the collection of diplomatic bags.
Additionally the British Council was forced to suspend its operation in Iran earlier this year, because of unacceptable pressure put on its staff by the Iranian Government.
We have raised these issues with the Iranian authorities on numerous occasions and reminded them of their obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Iran: Nuclear Power
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the Statement during the Prime Minister's address to the US Congress that Iran should cease its threats and suspend its nuclear programme, what steps the Government are taking to secure this objective. [267082]
Bill Rammell: The Government remain committed to the E3+3 dual-track strategy—of pressure and engagement—to address the Iran nuclear issue. On the engagement aide, the US has been clear about its desire for a relationship based on “mutual respect” as President Obama made clear in a message to the Iranian people on 19 March 2009. The E3+3’s generous offer of June 2008 remains on the table, which offers Iran a wide range of political and economic benefits, together with all it would need to develop and operate a civilian nuclear programme. On the pressure side, the UN Security Council has agreed five resolutions on the issue, three of which put in place sanctions against Iran. The EU has gone beyond these to put in place further measures. We have been clear that if Iran chooses not to accept the US and E3+3 offers, further, tough measures will follow.
Members: Correspondence
Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Northavon of 15 December 2008 sent on behalf of Mr. R Jenkins of Tytherington, South Gloucestershire. [267260]
Gillian Merron: The hon. Member for Northavon's letter was replied to on 20 March 2009.
Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Northavon of 19 December 2008 sent on behalf of M Taylor of Chipping Sodbury. [267261]
Gillian Merron: The hon. Member for Northavon’s letter was replied to on 20 March 2009.
Middle East: Armed Conflict
Dr. Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations HM Ambassador in Tehran has made to the Iranian Government on its role in supporting Hamas during the recent Gaza conflict. [265654]
Bill Rammell: Our ambassador in Tehran raised the issue of Iranian support for Hamas at a meeting at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 12 January 2009. Our embassy also translated my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's House of Commons statement on Gaza into Farsi, circulated it to journalists and placed it on the embassy's Farsi language website.
The UK would like to see Iran making a positive contribution to creating a secure, stable and prosperous Middle East. But its current behaviour is a cause for serious concern for us and others. Iran needs to work with the international community and its regional neighbours to restore confidence in its intentions.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take steps at the United Nations with regard to the ambush and murder of two police officers in Israel on 15 March; and if he will make a statement. [266989]
Bill Rammell: The UK condemns the murder of the two police officers. This incident has reinforced the urgent need for lasting peace in the Middle East. We remain committed to a two-state solution and to achieving a comprehensive peace and shall continue to work closely with the parties, with the Quartet of the UN, EU, US, and Russia, and with regional partners to make progress in 2009.
Middle East: Mass Media
Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of media in Arab countries on extremist Islamic movements in the UK. [266636]
Bill Rammell: While no formal study has been undertaken into the possible effects of reporting in the Arabic media on extremist Islamic groups in the UK, it is possible that some stories in the Arabic media may indeed serve to reinforce such groups’ beliefs. However, we have no evidence to suggest that patterns of media consumption of extremist groups are particularly distinctive, and we believe that they are just as likely to focus on stories in British or other media which reinforce their beliefs.
Media in Arab countries are wide-ranging and many different viewpoints are expressed. The consumption of Arabic media therefore will not necessarily reinforce extremist views. We recognise that the Arabic media represent one of the best ways to communicate to the Arabic-speaking world, both in the Middle East and elsewhere, and for that reason we have Arabic language spokespersons based in London and the Gulf where they play an important role in articulating our policies to this crucial audience.
Additionally, as part of our Prevent communications strategy, we constantly monitor the Arabic media and respond to articles that give an inaccurate picture of Government policy or life in the UK for British Muslims.
New Delhi
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visits were made by Ministers to New Delhi in the financial year 2007-08. [264570]
Bill Rammell: Government Ministers made 12 official visits to New Delhi in the financial year 2007-2008.
Regional Ministers: Travel
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Permanent Secretary of his Department has authorised expenditure on travel costs for the Parliamentary assistants to (a) the Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber and (b) the Minister for the East Midlands in accordance with the circumstances envisaged in the Cabinet Secretary's letter to Permanent Secretaries of 2 December 2008. [267158]
Sudan: Travel Information
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's advice on travel to Sudan is; and what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on travel to the Sudan. [266174]
Gillian Merron [holding answer 26 March 2009]: Our travel advice is constantly being updated to reflect the current situation in Sudan.
The latest travel advice for Sudan which was last updated on 16 March 2009 is available online at:
There have been no recent discussions with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on travel to Sudan.
Terrorism: Crime Prevention
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on delivery of the CONTEST programme overseas in each financial year since 2006-07; how much has been allocated for such expenditure in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11; which (i) projects and (ii) organisations received money under the programme in each year since 2006-07; how much each received; and if he will make a statement. [267523]
Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) contribution to CONTEST overseas in 2006-07 and 2007-08 was £7.2 million and £8.9 million respectively. The FCO has allocated a further £127 million over the current comprehensive spending review, which includes £35 million in 2008-2009, £39 million in 2009-2010 and £53 million in 2010-11.
Projects that aim to improve capabilities to counter terrorism in priority countries are allocated funding. In order to protect the safety and security of organisations delivering sensitive projects overseas we do not routinely name projects or organisations that have received funding.
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what procedures he has put in place to ensure (a) financial audit and (b) value for money in expenditure made as part of the CONTEST programme overseas. [267524]
Bill Rammell: All projects are managed by our officials in our embassies overseas. Our embassies are routinely audited by our internal audit team.
All proposals for project funding undergo a rigorous assessment process to ensure that each project provides good value for money. Projects are also evaluated on completion, during which further consideration is given to whether the project offered good value for money. The impact of projects is carefully monitored through a process agreed with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit and the National Audit Office.
United Nations: Reform
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations the Government has made to the Secretary-General of the UN on reform of the UN. [246221]
Bill Rammell: We are in constant contact with the Secretariat, including the UN Secretary-General, over UN reform. In December 2008 we achieved good results in the UN’s 5(th) committee where we agreed a number of reforms foreshadowed in the 2005 World Summit. These included reform of the UN’s human resources management (streamlining the UN’s contractual system, and improving conditions of field staff in the hardest missions to help tackle staffing problems), reform of the Department of Political Affairs to improve the UN’s capacity in the field of preventive diplomacy and mediation, modernising the UN’s outdated IT system, and reforming the system of internal appeals for UN staff to make it more accountable and efficient.
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