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3 Jun 2009 : Column 521W—continued
Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the number of people (a) killed and (b) wounded during the recent conflict in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement. [277205]
David Miliband:
Given the lack of independent monitoring from the conflict area, we have been unable to verify the conflicting reports of the numbers of people killed and injured in the recent fighting in Sri
Lanka. We endorse the EU’s call for an independent inquiry into alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, and for those accountable to be brought to justice. We believe this could play an important role in the post-conflict reconciliation process. I refer the right hon. Member to my latest written ministerial statement on Sri Lanka on 19 May 2009, Official Report, column 73WS.
St. Helena: Wind Power
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 21 April 2009, Official Report, column 560W, on British Overseas Territories: electricity generation, what percentage of St. Helena’s electricity requirements is generated through the wind power programme. [276789]
Gillian Merron: The wind power programme on St. Helena is the responsibility of St. Helena Government. I understand that in April 2009, 3-4 per cent. of the total energy consumption was being generated through that programme. There are plans in place to increase this percentage by the end of the year.
Sudan: Human Rights
Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Sudan. [277432]
Gillian Merron: The human rights situation in Sudan is of grave and ongoing concern. Arbitrary arrests and detention, sexual violence against women, large-scale recruitment and use of children in armed forces and general impunity for such violations, together with restrictions that unduly limit the freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of movement, are our most serious concerns.
The civilian population is suffering gravely from the protracted conflict in Darfur. The recent expulsion of international humanitarian aid workers exacerbates the already precarious situation for civilians.
The serious human rights situation on the ground warrants maintained international human rights focus on Sudan, in particular as the country is preparing for national elections to be held next year, as part of the crucial implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
Tibet
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when officials from the British Embassy in Beijing next plan to visit Tibet. [277858]
Bill Rammell: Officials from our embassy in Beijing were able to visit the Tibet Autonomous Region in May 2009. They met representatives of the regional government, Lhasa Municipal government, the Regional People's Congress, and representatives of non-governmental organisations working there. They were also able to observe daily life and visit a monastery to assess the situation there. I intend to visit Tibet shortly.
Treaty of Rome
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost to the EU budget was of events marking the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome; what such events took place in the UK; and at what cost. [277184]
Caroline Flint: This information is not held by the Government. Requests for this information should be made to the UK Representations of the European Commission and the European Parliament.
On events in the UK, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my noble Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman on 19 April 2007, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA91, which provided information on the Government’s activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.
Northern Ireland
Criminal Justice and Policing
4. Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in the devolution of responsibility for criminal justice and policing to the Northern Ireland Assembly. [277586]
Mr. Woodward: Good progress continues to be made to implement the route map set out by the First and Deputy First Ministers in November 2008. With the Northern Ireland Act 2009 on the statute book, we have put the necessary framework in place to enable the Assembly to complete that process.
Fuel Smuggling
5. Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effect on the local economy of fuel smuggling in Northern Ireland. [277587]
Paul Goggins: Fuel fraud, like all other forms of criminal activity, has an adverse impact on the economy. Dealing with this issue remains a priority for me and all members of the Organised Crime Task Force.
In the past year over 800,000 litres of illegal fuel have been seized.
Saville Inquiry
6. Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects Lord Saville to report the conclusions of his inquiry; and if he will make a statement. [277588]
Mr. Woodward: Lord Saville wrote to me in January stating that it is still his intention to submit his report to me in the autumn of this year. I have had no indication from Lord Saville that there will be any further delays.
Northern Ireland Executive: Funding
7. Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with the Prime Minister on mechanisms for central Government funding for the Northern Ireland Executive. [277589]
Mr. Woodward: I have regular discussions with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on a wide range of issues. This Government believe that the current arrangements deliver stable and transparent settlements which permit the Northern Ireland Executive to direct spending towards local priorities and needs.
Police Detection Rates
8. Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland on police detection rates. [277590]
Paul Goggins: The Chief Constable reports to the Northern Ireland Policing Board directly on clearance rates. The Police Service of Northern Ireland is committed to improving clearance rates through intelligence-led community policing. The clearance rate in Northern Ireland for 2008-09 was 23 per cent., an increase of 2.5 percentage points on the previous year.
Dissident Republicans
9. Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment he has made of levels of activity of dissident republicans in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [277591]
13. Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment he has made of levels of activity of dissident republicans in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [277595]
14. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment he has made of levels of activity of dissident republicans in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [277596]
Mr. Woodward: The 21st IMC Report indicated that dissident republicans remain active and dangerous. Their objective is to destroy the peace process and drag Northern Ireland back to the past. It is the clear will of the people of Northern Ireland that they will not be allowed to succeed.
Press Freedom
10. Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment he has made of levels of press freedom in Northern Ireland. [277592]
Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment he has made of levels of press freedom in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [277597]
Paul Goggins: A free and independent press is one of the cornerstones of democracy in Northern Ireland as it is throughout the United Kingdom.
Terrorism
11. Sir Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to protect members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland from terrorist attacks. [277593]
Paul Goggins: The Chief Constable and I take extremely seriously the threat to police officers. A range of measures are in place to enhance the personal security of officers and they are kept under review.
Political Institutions
12. David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of progress in the development of political institutions in Northern Ireland since the date of the St. Andrews agreement. [277594]
Mr. Woodward: Last month saw the second anniversary of the restoration of devolution. In that time the political institutions in Northern Ireland have continued to develop and make remarkable progress as its politicians demonstrate their commitment to making the institutions work in the best interests of all the people of Northern Ireland.
Prisoners: Foreigners
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision his Department has made for interpretation services for foreign national prisoners in 2008 and 2009 to date; and with reference to the answer of 10 January 2008, Official Report, column 765W, on prisoners: foreigners, what expenditure his Department has incurred on the provision of such services in each month since January 2008. [277318]
Paul Goggins: In November 2007, the Northern Ireland Prison Service awarded contracts for face-to-face interpreting and written translation for foreign national prisoners. A telephone interpreting service is also available.
The following table shows the expenditure on language services in each month since January 2008:
| £ | ||||
| Written translation | Face-to- face interpreting | Telephone interpreting | Total | |
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