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2 Apr 2009 : Column 1306W—continued
Anti-Semitism
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2009, Official Report, column 603W, on France: anti-Semitism, what steps his Department has taken to reduce the incidence of anti-Semitism in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [268580]
Gillian Merron: The Government are committed to tackling and reducing anti-Semitism. We work closely with the International Coalition Combating anti-Semitism, and co-hosted an international Conference on anti-Semitism at Lancaster House on 17 February 2009. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office leads the UK Delegation to the International Task Force on Holocaust Education and Remembrance and works through its posts to monitor and tackle anti-Semitism overseas.
Canada: Oil
Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the effects on (a) First Nations and (b) levels of carbon dioxide emissions of extracting oil from the tar sands in Alberta, Canada. [263274]
Gillian Merron [holding answer 31 March 2009]: We have received reports that First Nation groups are concerned that contamination and water drainage associated with extracting oil from the oil sands could damage the Athabasca/Peace River area. First Nations also dispute, in some cases, the leasing of the land where oil sands are located, arguing the provincial government should consult with them before it grants leases to companies.
We have received reports that the current production processes used in the oil sands contribute up to three times the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (primarily carbon dioxide) compared with conventional oil production (based on figures contained in the Pembina Institute's Report Oil Sands Fever November 2005).
The Alberta oil sands currently account for approximately 5 per cent. of Canada's GHG emissions, though this level is estimated to rise to 16 per cent. by 2020 (based on figures contained in the Canadian Government's Turning the Corner Update March 2008).
In December 2008 Canada and the UK signed a Joint Statement on Carbon Capture and Storage, agreeing to work closely to develop and promote carbon capture technologies as a means to reducing GHG emissions.
Colombia: Military Aid
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which year the Government ceased to provide counter-insurgency advice to the Colombian armed forces. [265159]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I have been asked to reply.
The UK has not provided specific counter-insurgency assistance to the Columbian armed forces.
Conflict Prevention
Mr. Hague: 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, what his Department's definition of the geographical area of wider Europe is; what the programme cost for peacekeeping and conflict resolution in each country in the wider Europe area was before the revision announced in the Statement; and on what activities such expenditure was expected to be incurred. [267868]
David Miliband: The new wider Europe Conflict Prevention Programme (CPP) will cover western Balkans (focusing on Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia) and Russia/Commonwealth of Independent States (focusing on Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Moldova). From this programme, we will also fund the UK contribution to the UN force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
The overall budget for conflict prevention, stabilisation and peacekeeping was set for the comprehensive spending review period 2008-09 to 2010-11. Within this, the allocations to individual regional conflict prevention programmes are set annually after consultation between the Department for International Development, the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The new wider Europe CPP has been allocated £33 million for 2009-10 financial year.
Further details on changes to funding of projects and future activities were set out in a letter from my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe (Caroline Flint) 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.
Mr. Hague: 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, what the projected rise in peacekeeping costs for 2009-10 is; and what percentage increase on costs incurred in 2008-09 this represents. [267871]
David Miliband: We estimate that gross assessed costs to international missions paid from the Peacekeeping Budget in 2008-09 will be £332,611,787. However, this will be reduced by a transfer of £29.4 million from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office which includes the benefits of the advanced purchase of foreign currency. The net payments are therefore estimated to be around £303.2 million.
In 2009-10 we have budgeted for assessed costs in the region of £456 million after the benefits of advanced purchase of foreign currency. This would be an increase of £152.7 million or 50 per cent. over 2008-09 net costs.
Departmental Bank Services
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2009, Official Repor t, column 621W, on departmental bank services, what the monetary value is of the contract between his Department and HiFX Intelligent Financial Services. [268304]
Gillian Merron: The monthly cost of the HiFX Intelligent Financial Services contract is £3,000 plus VAT.
Departmental Press
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in each year since 1997. [261174]
Gillian Merron:
We are unable to provide a breakdown prior to 2004 as all information was migrated into a new financial accounting system in March 2004. Providing
this information for before this date would incur disproportionate cost. The figures from 2004 are as follows:
| Financial year | Amount (£) |
Departmental Public Expenditure
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of his Department's final expenditure he expects to be delivered in (a) sterling, (b) euros and (c) US dollars in the current financial year; and if he will make a statement. [268080]
Gillian Merron: In 2008-09, we drew down £1,963 million from HM Treasury to fund our global operations. Some of the draw down was used to buy $693 million and €181 million.
Departmental Rail Travel
Mr. Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance his Department issues on whether members of staff may claim for travel in first class carriages on trains if there are no seats in standard class. [268546]
Caroline Flint: First class travel is permitted on rail journeys where the one way journey time by the quickest and shortest route is two hours or longer according to published arrival and departure times in the timetable. For journeys of less than two hours all staff should travel standard class (whether or not seats are available). Exemptions to this guidance require prior approval and are only granted in rare and exceptional circumstances (for example certain health conditions or disabilities).
EC Institutions: Manpower
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to increase the number of British nationals working in European Union institutions. [265217]
Gillian Merron: The Government are continuing to engage with the EU institutions as they introduce reforms to recruitment competitions, seek to increase their outreach activities, and develop their staffing policy in general. We are also exploring options for improving European expertise through the Fast Stream, to increase the numbers of UK nationals applying for and passing the EU's recruitment competitions.
Falkland Islands: Renewable Energy
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to encourage the development of renewable energy sources in the Falkland Islands. [267105]
Gillian Merron: Responsibility for renewable energy targets lies with the Falkland Islands Government. The Falkland Islands Government signed the United Kingdom Overseas Environment Charter in 2001 and the Kyoto Agreement has been extended and applied to the Falkland Islands since 2007.
On the operational side, the wind farm in Stanley came online in August 2007 and now produces 3,600,000 units per annum (24 per cent. of the annual electricity production for Stanley). Stanley power station aims to double the installed turbine wind capacity to provide 40 per cent. of annual electricity production from renewable energy sources by February 2010.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what targets have been established between his Department and the Falkland Islands government regarding power generation from wind turbines in the Falkland Islands over the next five years. [267106]
Gillian Merron: Responsibility for power generation from wind turbines on the Falkland Islands lies with the Falkland Islands government and forms part of the Falkland Islands government's development of renewable energy sources. The Falkland Islands government signed, the United Kingdom Overseas Environment Charter in 2001 and the Kyoto agreement has been extended and applied to the Falkland Islands since 2007.
On the operational side, the wind farm in Stanley came on line in August 2007 and now produces 3,600,000 units per annum (24 per cent. of the annual electricity production for Stanley). Stanley power station aims to double the installed turbine wind capacity to provide 40 per cent. of annual electricity production from renewable energy sources by February 2010.
Falkland Islands: Tourism
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to increase tourism between the United Kingdom and the Falkland Islands. [267107]
Gillian Merron: Responsibility for tourism lies with the Falkland Islands Tourist Board who have a strategy to improve tourism. The Falkland Islands is a popular tourist destination. For example, 62,000 visitors arrived in the Falkland Islands on cruise ships during the 2007-08 cruise ship season and this number included many visitors from the United Kingdom.
Latin America: Conflict Prevention
Mr. Hague: 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, what his Department's expenditure on the programme for peacekeeping and conflict resolution in Latin America was in each of the last five years; and in which countries and on what activities such expenditure was incurred. [267872]
David Miliband: As the financial information requested is detailed and will take time to collate, I will write to the right hon. Member with a response, placing a copy in the Library of the House.
Serbia: EU Accession
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2009, Official Report, column 606W, on Ratko Mladic, what his policy is on Serbian accession to the EU in the event that Ratko Mladic is not arrested; and if he will make a statement. [268393]
Caroline Flint: The EU General Affairs and External Relations Council conclusions of April 2008 recalled that the pace and conclusion of the negotiations on the EU’s Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Serbia would depend (in particular) on Serbia’s full co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). This condition is still outstanding.
For the UK, evidence of full co-operation would be a period of committed and sustained activity from the Serbian Government, demonstrating one hundred percent effort and political will. Co-operation with the tribunal covers efforts in a wide range of areas including: tackling support networks; meeting requests for documents; allowing access to archives; ensuring protection of witnesses; as well as locating and transferring the two remaining indictees, Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic.
UN World Conference against Racism
Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the membership of the UK's delegation to the Durban Review Conference on Racism in Geneva in April 2009 will be; and whether he plans to consult on proposals to be put forward by the delegation prior to the Conference. [267843]
Gillian Merron: The UK remains actively engaged in the Durban Review process and we will keep our position under review. No decision has yet been taken on the composition of our delegation.
Various stakeholders have approached the Government throughout the process, and we have taken their concerns into account.
The Government have, on several occasions, expressed their view on the Durban Review Conference, the follow-up to the 2001 World Conference Against Racism. We want the conference to forge a collective will to fight against racism in all its forms, in all countries in the world.
Written Questions: Government Responses
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to answer Question 246221, tabled on 8 December 2008 by the hon. Member for Portsmouth South, on the UN reform; and what the reasons are for the time taken to answer. [267907]
Gillian Merron: This question was answered on 30 March 2009, Official Report, column 861W. The delay in replying was due to an administrative error.
Home Department
Anti-Semitism: Publications
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the availability of (a) anti-Semitic and (b) pro-Nazi publications in shops in London; and if she will make a statement. [266973]
Mr. Alan Campbell: The police and, where necessary, the security services, already monitor and evaluate the words and actions of individuals and organisations preaching racially inflammatory messages and take action where appropriate. Racially inflammatory material that could be perceived as potential incitement to the committing of hate related crime should be reported to the police for evaluation and assessment.
Cannabis: Young People
Mr. Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the number of (a) boys and (b) girls aged 14-15 years old who have used cannabis in each of the last 10 years. [267675]
Mr. Alan Campbell: The information requested on the number of boys and girls aged 14 and 15 who have used cannabis are not routinely produced and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
However table 1, following, shows figures on the proportion of boys and girls aged 14 and 15 who have used cannabis in each year between 2001 and 2007, according to the survey of smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England.
| Table 1: Proportion of boys and girls who had taken cannabis in the last year, by age | ||||||
| 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2007 | |
| Notes: 1. Figures prior to 2001 are not given as they are not comparable. 2. Figures for 2006 have not been reported. Source: Survey of smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England. | ||||||
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