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14 May 2009 : Column 919W—continued
Iran: Nuclear Power
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency were last able to visit the Iranian nuclear sites at (a) Arak, (b) Natanz and (c) Bushehr; and if he will make a statement. [273730]
David Miliband: According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board Report of 19 February 2009, agency inspectors last visited the Heavy Water Research Reactor at Arak in August 2008 and the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in December 2008.
The same report says that at Natanz the agency conducted a physical inventory verification at the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant on 29 September 2008 and at the Fuel Enrichment Plant on 24-26 November 2008. It also states that since March 2007 the IAEA has carried out 21 unannounced inspections at the latter plant.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 5 May 2009, Official Report, columns 4-7WS, on General Affairs and External Relations Council, what reports he has received on (a) the recent contacts between High Representative Solana and Iranian representatives and (b) the outcome of those discussions. [273895]
David Miliband: Following the meeting of officials from the E3+3 on 8 April, High Representative Solana spoke to Saeed Jalili, Iran's Chief Nuclear Negotiator, regarding further talks with the E3+3.
In a statement on 22 April 2009, Iran announced its “readiness for talks and constructive interaction.” No date has yet been fixed and we urge Iran to act in this window of opportunity to rebuild the confidence of the international community and enter into negotiations with the E3+3.
Iraq
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the mission statement for employees of his Department in Iraq is. [275454]
Bill Rammell: Employees of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) working in Iraq and in the Iraq Group in London work to the objective laid out in the FCO's middle east and North Africa Directorate's business plan:
“to support the continued development of a strong, stable, non-hostile and broadly democratic Iraq, which respects international law, denies terrorists a safe haven and contributes to stable world energy markets; and to deliver transition to a normalised, substantive bilateral relationship which advances UK commercial, consular, migration, energy and CT (Counter Terrorism) interests.”
Kenya: Piracy
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions representatives of (a) the EU and the European Union-led naval force and (b) international humanitarian agencies have requested access to individuals transferred to custody in Kenya in connection with alleged acts of piracy; and whether each such request was granted. [273354]
David Miliband: The German ambassador to Kenya recently visited the suspected pirates who Germany had previously transferred (on 10 March 2009 and 8 April 2009) into Kenyan custody. We are not aware of any other EU representatives or any international humanitarian agency having requested access to suspected pirates who have been transferred to Kenyan custody.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 29 April 2009, Official Report, column 1335W, on Kenya, what undertakings the UK has made under the December 2008 Memorandum of Understanding with Kenya on the transfer of persons suspected of committing acts of piracy. [273357]
David Miliband: The Kenyan Government do not wish to make public the detail of the December 2008 Memorandum of Understanding with the UK on the transfer of persons suspected of having committed acts of piracy. We can say in broad terms that the UK has undertaken to co-operate with the Kenyan authorities in relation to the preparation and presentation of evidence to assist the Kenyan authorities to prosecute any pirates handed over to them.
Russia: BBC External Services
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on threats made against Oleg Gordievsky on the BBC Russia online forum. [273603]
Caroline Flint: We have received no representations about this matter. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has robust independent processes for dealing with complaints, and we understand that a complaint about this matter was made in 2007, and subsequently dealt with. However, this is an editorial matter for the BBC.
Somalia: Armed Conflict
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the amount of Somali territory controlled by al-Shabaab and allied insurgent factions; and if he will make a statement. [273729]
David Miliband: Given the security situation in Somalia, the UK has no presence on the ground and so it is difficult to make an accurate assessment of the territorial controls of the various clans and groups in Somalia. However, we are aware that the Al-Shabaab group has footholds in several areas across Somalia, including strategic southern towns and ports. We continue to work with the Somali Government to eradicate the threat insurgents groups pose to peace and reconciliation efforts in Somalia.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to paragraph 7 of the report of the UN Secretary-General on Somalia of 16 April 2009, whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of foreign fighters to have entered Somalia in support of the al-Shabaab group. [273731]
David Miliband: We do not have the capacity on the ground to monitor the flow of people in or out of Somalia in terms of either numbers or purpose.
However, the UK is aware of the threat posed by the Al-Shabaab group to the peace and reconciliation efforts of the new Transitional Federal Government (TFG). We believe that the current inclusive approach of the TFG is the best way to isolate the more extreme individuals and prevent the Al-Shabaab group from undermining the process.
Somalia: Fisheries
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of (a) illegal fishing and (b) depositing of toxic waste by international vessels in Somali waters; and what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on these matters. [273356]
David Miliband: We are aware of reports of illegal fishing, although we have been unable to substantiate them. The current security situation in the region does not permit access to allow an assessment of these allegations or those of toxic waste dumping.
At the April meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, Somali piracy was discussed, but this did not include discussion of either illegal fishing or toxic waste dumping. Somali fishery issues were discussed during the last meeting of the EU Agricultural and Fisheries Ministers on 23 April 2009.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the International Contact Group for Piracy off the coast of Somalia has taken steps to investigate allegations of illegal fishing in Somali waters; and if he will make a statement. [273358]
David Miliband: The purpose of the International Contact Group for Piracy off the coast of Somalia is to create a co-ordinated international approach to Somali piracy. Illegal fishing has been raised as an issue during Contact Group meetings, and is recognised as a factor which needs to be taken into account when constructing a forward strategy for Somalia.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has commissioned research into the potential effects of illegal fishing in Somali waters on levels of piracy in that region. [273461]
David Miliband: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not commissioned any research to assess the potential effects of illegal fishing in Somali waters on levels of piracy in the region. We are aware that illegal fishing is a concern to many Somalis and that this has also been highlighted as a contributory factor to why some Somalis choose to become involved in piracy. However, the causes of piracy in Somalia are complex. It should be noted that pirates are not specifically targeting fishing vessels.
The Government continue to work with the international community to tackle the root causes of piracy through the provision of humanitarian and development assistance and support for alternative livelihoods.
Somalia: Piracy
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the feasibility of (a) tracking and (b) freezing the assets of pirates operating in Somali waters; and what the Government's policy on such steps is. [273727]
David Miliband: Due to the security and governance situation in Somalia, the Somali authorities do not have the capacity to either track or freeze the assets of pirates operating in Somali waters within Somalia.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and HM Treasury are working with international institutions and partners to analyse the possible financial measures that could be used to combat the problem. A key part of this work consists of identifying the points at which the proceeds of acts of piracy are laundered through the international financial system, and what the most appropriate steps are for tackling this. Given that Somalia lacks a well-established banking system, this is likely to require the co-operation of regional partners.
Once the new Transitional Federal Government has further established itself in Somalia, the UK and international partners will work with them to address this issue along with wider counter piracy action.
Somalia: Politics and Government
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the Government is providing to UN efforts to build national security institutions in Somalia; and if he will make a statement. [273728]
David Miliband: The international community pledged over US $53 million to the UN Trust Fund in support of Somali security institutions at the UN-organised pledging conference in Brussels on 23 April 2009. We have indicated our desire to work with the Somali authorities, the UN and the African Union Mission in Somalia to develop an accountable security sector, subject to a coherent plan being in place. We have offered to help develop such a plan, including through technical assistance to support oversight bodies.
Sudan: Peace Negotiations
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Egyptian counterpart on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed between north and south Sudan in 2005. [275319]
Gillian Merron: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had recent discussions with his Egyptian counterpart on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown, discussed these issues with the Egyptian ambassador in London on 28 April 2009. There are ongoing discussions at official level on the CPA and other matters relating to Sudan.
Sudan: USA
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the US President's Special Envoy for Sudan. [275323]
Gillian Merron: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not yet met the new US Special Envoy for Sudan. My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch Brown, has talked with the US Special Envoy by telephone, and the UK Special Representative for Sudan has had detailed discussions with General Gration on several occasions.
Syrian Arab Republic: Human Rights
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Syria; and what discussions the UK and Syria have had on the issue. [273726]
David Miliband: I remain concerned about the human rights situation in Syria. As detailed in the 2008 Foreign and Commonwealth Office's 2008 Annual Human Rights report, the UK is particularly concerned with the deterioration in the situation for opposition politicians and Syria's Kurdish population, and the restrictions of basic civil rights and freedom of the media.
I raised these concerns with President Assad during my November 2008 visit to Syria. My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Bill Rammell) raised human rights with Foreign Minister Muallem during his April 2009 visit to Syria.
Home Department
Animal Experiments: Imports
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 12 January 2009, Official Report, column 268W, what recent representations she has received on breeding of long-tailed macaques for research in Cambodia, with particular reference to the Vanny Bio-Research Centre. [274143]
Mr. Malik: We received representations from the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) on the 24 November 2008 and responded on 16 December 2008. We have received no requests from establishments licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to acquire animals from the centre or to accept it as a source of non-human primates. Should we receive such a request, we would need to be satisfied that conditions at the centre were acceptable before giving approval.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations she has received on breeding of long-tailed macaques in Indonesia for animal research in the UK; and what her Department’s policy on the matter is. [274386]
Mr. Malik: We have received no formal representations relating to the breeding of long-tailed macaques in Indonesia for animal research in the UK. The acquisition of non-human primates from overseas sources for use in procedures authorised under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 requires prior approval which is only given if the conditions at the breeding centre are acceptable to the Home Office at the time. Any request to acquire non-human primates from Indonesia would have to satisfy these requirements.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department has (a) approved and (b) inspected primate supply centres in Indonesia as overseas primate supply and breeding facilities to export primates to the UK for the purposes of scientific research in the last 12 months. [274387]
Borders: Personal Records
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effect on airlines of having to implement the delayed e-Borders requirements during the start of peak travel season. [260363]
Jacqui Smith:
Progress on the e-Borders Programme over the last few months has been very positive with the
resolution of some complex technical issues. The ramp up to 100 million passenger movements commenced in mid-March and we will confirm the achievement of the 100 million by the end of June. This important capacity increase has been managed in close collaboration with the aviation industry.
e-Borders continues to work with the industry to ensure that the burden and pressures are minimised. The roll out programme is, by agreement, country based. This permits flexibility in meeting carrier calls for relief on implementation. The transitional arrangements created by the programme to alleviate carrier implementation issues also relieve them from some critical system changes during this busy period.
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