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1 Apr 2009 : Column 1190W—continued
Caucasus: Conflict Prevention
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 25 March 2009, Official Report, columns 17-19WS, on conflict resources 2009-10, how much funding will be allocated to conflict prevention in the Caucasus in 2009-10; and if he will make a statement. [268024]
Caroline Flint: Approximately £4 million has been allocated to conflict prevention work and international secondments to peacekeeping missions in the Caucasus. This is in addition to the UK's assessed contributions to the UN Peacekeeping mission in Georgia (UNOMiG); and UK contributions to the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy budget and the costs of the Organisation Security and Co-operation in Europe field missions in the region.
Further details on changes to funding of projects and future activities were set out in my letter to the chairman of the European scrutiny committee of 25 March 2009, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
Departmental Finance
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2009, Official Report, column 625W, on departmental public expenditure, who the budget holders with devolved responsibility are; and if he will make a statement. [266922]
David Miliband: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office operates a mechanism of devolved budget responsibility. Budgets are initially devolved to director-generals and those responsible for the delivery of the departmental strategic objectives. These are further devolved to directors and heads of mission.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2009, Official Report, columns 217-20W, on departmental public expenditure, what guidance has been given to budget holders with devolved responsibility on managing the funding implications of adverse exchange movements; and if he will place a copy of this guidance in the Library. [266923]
David Miliband: All budget holders are aware that they must manage the expenditure falling within their devolved budgets to take account of such contingencies.
Budgets are supplemented for overseas price mechanism adjustments from the centre.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2009, Official Report, column 625W, on departmental public expenditure, when the next quarterly review process is expected to be completed; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the most recent quarterly review. [266924]
David Miliband: The quarterly review takes place after each quarter end throughout the financial year. The next quarterly review will take place at the end of June 2009.
The quarterly review does not culminate in a report that can be placed in the Library of the House.
Elections: Monitoring
Mr. Bruce George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from which budget heading his Department will allocate funding for Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe election observation in future. [268156]
Caroline Flint: We greatly value the election observation work of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). We will continue to uphold the commitment we made in 2004 to provide, from the UK, up to 10 per cent. of observers to the OSCE’s election observation missions on, an ad hoc basis.
Decisions on internal resource allocations are still under way and we are considering the details of arrangements for funding the UK contribution.
Mr. Bruce George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many election observation missions planned by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights for 2009 the UK plans to participate in; and how many observers his Department intends to fund. [268157]
Caroline Flint: We greatly value the election observation work of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). We will continue to uphold the commitment we made in 2004 to provide, from the UK, up to 10 per cent. of observers to the OSCE's election observation missions on an ad hoc basis. No decisions have been made on exact numbers for missions in 2009.
Mr. Bruce George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights following his announcement on UK contributions to election observation. [268158]
Caroline Flint: We wrote to the Secretary-General of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to inform him of the final decision on funding following the announcement to Parliament. There have been no discussions specifically on election observations.
We greatly value the election observation work of the OSCE. We will continue to uphold the commitment we made in 2004 to provide, from the UK, up to 10 per cent. of observers to the OSCE's election observation missions on an ad hoc basis.
Mr. Bruce George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage contribution to Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe election observation missions the UK plans to make in the future. [268159]
Caroline Flint: We greatly value the election observation work of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). We will continue to uphold the commitment we made in 2004 to provide, from the UK, up to 10 per cent. of observers to the OSCE's election observation missions on an ad hoc basis.
European Union
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of (a) heads of representation and (b) other staff of European Communities representative offices outside the EU are British nationals. [263996]
Caroline Flint: We do not hold this information. The relevant data is owned by the European Commission.
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many A Grade level staff of each nationality work for (a) the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy and (b) the EU external action service. [263997]
Caroline Flint: The information requested is as follows:
(a) We do not hold this information. The relevant data is owned by the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers of the EU.
(b) None. The EU external action service would only be set up were the Lisbon Treaty to come into force.
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to which international bodies the European Commission has supplied a declaration of treaty competences. [264010]
Caroline Flint: We do not hold this information. The relevant data is owned by the European Commission.
Gibraltar
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what borrowing powers the governments of (a) Gibraltar, (b) the Isle of Man and (c) Guernsey have. [259216]
Caroline Flint: Under the 2006 Gibraltar constitution, borrowing powers are a matter for the Government of Gibraltar.
The States of Guernsey is a self-governing democracy and regulates its own financial and fiscal affairs, which includes the power to borrow. The Isle of Man Government’s powers of borrowing are set out in the Isle of Man Loans Act 1974.
Hezbollah
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 23 March 2009, Official Report, column 28W, on Hezbollah, on what basis he concluded that political contacts with Hezbollah’s political wing would now be productive; and if he will make a statement. [267731]
David Miliband: Following the Doha Agreement of May 2008 and further positive political developments in Lebanon, we consider that targeted contacts with Hezbollah politicians will provide an opportunity to speak frankly and directly about state-building in Lebanon, regional stability and the peace process. We will also continue to re-iterate the need to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in full. Our policy allows us to recognise the legitimate political role that Hezbollah plays in Lebanon, while taking a tough stance on terrorism.
Madagascar: Politics and Government
Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the political situation in Madagascar. [264790]
Gillian Merron: Our high commission in Port Louis which covers Madagascar, has provided frequent political reporting since the current crisis in Madagascar intensified at the end of January 2009. Our officers in Port Louis have visited Antananarivo during this period, to gather information from officials, diplomatic representatives, international organisations such as the EU, US, and UN, business contacts and the non-governmental organisations community in Madagascar and capitals. Staff in our British interest section and honorary consulates in Antananarivo and Tamatave also provide regular updates. We remain very concerned by the situation in Madagascar and urge all sides to seek a resolution which ensures a return to the constitutional and democratic process.
Middle East: Armed Conflict
Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to comply with the Government's responsibility as a High Contracting Party to the Geneva Convention in respect of the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on Israel's wall in the West Bank; and if he will make a statement. [250292]
Bill Rammell: While the advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are not legally binding, and do not impose international legal obligations on third parties, such as the UK, we continue to lobby the Government of Israel to ensure that any Israeli barrier is constructed within Green Line Israel. The Government agree with the conclusion of the ICJ that the construction of the barrier along the chosen route, and its associated security regime, is unlawful under international law. Building the barrier on occupied land is contrary to international law.
The Government have consistently made this position clear, and supported the UN General Assembly Resolution which acknowledged the ICJ advisory opinion on the legal consequences of the construction of the barrier in Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the number of (a) rockets and (b) mortar shells fired at Israel since 3 February 2009 from (i) Gaza and (ii) Lebanon; and if he will make a statement. [263244]
Bill Rammell: Since 3 February 2009 there have been two rockets fired at Israel from Lebanon. The Israeli authorities report that from 13 February 2009 to 6 March 2009 there were 63 rockets and 43 mortars fired at Israel from Gaza.
Nuclear Weapons: Arms Control
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 the UK would work with the United States of America to reduce stockpiles of nuclear weapons, what steps the Government is taking to achieve that objective. [267081]
Bill Rammell: We regularly discuss with US officials the implementation of all aspects of the Non-Proliferation Treaty including Article 6 disarmament obligations. We are working with the US, and other P5 partners on the agenda for the UK hosted P5 Conference on the Verification of Disarmament to be held in September 2009. We welcomed the recent announcement by the US to conclude a successor to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty which is due to expire in December 2009.
Overseas Trade: Prices
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 2 March 2009, Official Report, column 1250W, on overseas trade: prices, on how many occasions Ministers in his Department attended meetings to discuss the withdrawal of support for the overseas price mechanism; which Ministers from his Department attended these meetings; and when the meetings were held. [266920]
David Miliband: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and Officials have discussions with a variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. It is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such meetings.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 2 March 2009, Official Report, column 1250W, on overseas trade: prices, what assessment was made by his Department of the merits of the withdrawal of support for the overseas price mechanism; and if he will make a statement. [266921]
David Miliband: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and officials discussed the comprehensive spending review with HM Treasury Ministers and officials prior to the announcement on the overseas price mechanism (OPM). These discussions covered the working of the OPM.
Pakistan: Terrorism
Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with representatives of the government of Pakistan on the political situation in Pakistan following the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team. [264791]
Bill Rammell: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials of our high commission in Islamabad have frequent discussions about the political and security situation in Pakistan with a wide range of Pakistani Ministers, politicians and officials.
FCO officials in the UK regularly engage with visiting members of the Pakistani Government and officials of the Pakistani high commission in London. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the situation in Pakistan with President Asif Zardari on 12 March 2009.
Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps the Government has taken to encourage the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers to reopen peace talks. [263081]
Bill Rammell: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has made clear, in his oral response of 24 February 2009, Official Report, columns 140-43, our view remains that a political solution is the only way to bring a sustainable end to the conflict in Sri Lanka. Our consistent position remains that for peace to be sustainable, an inclusive political process that takes fully into account the legitimate concerns of all Sri Lankan communities—Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim—is essential. Our high commission in Colombo takes every opportunity to convey this to the Government of Sri Lanka. As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made clear in his written ministerial statement of 21 January 2009, Official Report, column 31WS, we continue to engage with all political parties across all communities in Sri Lanka to support progress in this direction.
Sudan: Overseas Aid
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to secure the return of aid agencies expelled from Darfur; and if he will make a statement. [267730]
David Miliband: The Sudanese government’s decision to expel humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is incomprehensible and unacceptable. We have called on the Sudanese authorities directly and publicly to reverse the measure and continue to allow the full provision of humanitarian assistance.
Our ambassador in Khartoum has urged the government of Sudan to allow NGOs to continue their work.
The UN Security Council agreed a statement on 26 March 2009 urging the government of Sudan to continue co-operating with the UN and humanitarian organisations and appealing to it to reconsider the decision on suspending the activities of some NGOs in Sudan.
The EU presidency issued a statement on similar lines on 10 March 2009 which EU Foreign Ministers reaffirmed at their meeting on 16 March 2009.
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, and other Ministers have also raised the humanitarian situation with China, Russia and a wide range of African leaders and urged them to also press the government of Sudan to reverse its decision. We will continue to do this, in close co-ordination with EU partners and the US.
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