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9 July 2009 : Column 948W—continued
Diplomatic Missions
Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 18 June 2009, Official Report, column 25WS, on diplomatic missions, if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter on outstanding business rate bills sent to diplomatic missions on 25 March 2009. [283915]
Chris Bryant: Yes. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.
Embassy Closures
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the Answer to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, East, (Mr. Ellwood) of 6 February 2007, Official Report, column 821W, on embassy closures, which (a) UK High Commissions and Embassies and (b) other UK diplomatic posts have closed in each year since 2007. [284024]
Chris Bryant [holding answer 3 July 2009]: Since 2007, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has closed three high commission offices in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (in 2007), St. John’s, Antigua and St. George’s, Grenada (both in 2008). Our high commissioner in Barbados remains accredited to all three countries.
The FCO has also closed its consulate in Nagoya, Japan (in 2007) and its trade office in Aleppo, Syria (also 2007). The British Trade and Cultural Office in Taipei closed its Southern Taiwan office in Kaohsiung in April 2009.
During the same period, the FCO has opened embassy offices in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo; Juba, Sudan; and a British Interests Section in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
The FCO continuously reviews the deployment of its resources and aligns them flexibly in line with UK interests to the benefit of the British taxpayer.
Iran
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on terrorist organisations alleged to have been (a) funded and (b) supported by the Government of Iran; and if he will make a statement. [285474]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: Due to the sensitive nature of the reporting concerned, we are unable to comment on this matter in detail.
However, we have long had serious concerns about the support that Iran provides in the form of funding, training and arms supplies that are undermining peace in the Middle East through violence. Such support is unacceptable and only serves to undermine regional security. We hope that Iran will instead give political and diplomatic support to the Governments of Iraq, Afghanistan and the Palestinian Authority in their attempts to build institutions and improve security.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the government of Iran about their alleged (a) arming and (b) funding of Hamas; and if he will make a statement. [285483]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: 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 Statement on Gaza, 12 January 2009, Official Report, column 21, 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 confident in its intentions.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take during the next 12 months at the United Nations about the alleged (i) arming and (ii) funding of Hamas by Iran; and if he will make a statement. [285484]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: We have longstanding serious concerns about the support that Iran provides in the form of funding, training and arms supplies to groups which are undermining peace in the middle east through violence, including Hamas. Such support is unacceptable and only serves to undermine regional security. We regularly call on Iran to play a constructive role towards peace in the middle east, including through giving political and diplomatic support to the Palestinian authority in its attempts to build institutions and improve security.
The UK-led UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1860 of 8 January 2009 is clear in its call to prevent the illicit trafficking of arms into Gaza. We continue to push for the full implementation of UNSCR 1860. The UK is at the forefront of counter-smuggling efforts,
with officials attending a June meeting in Ottawa, which followed-up the 13 February 2009 London conference on tackling arms smuggling into Gaza.
Iran: Elections
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the number of Iranian Members of Parliament who boycotted the election victory party of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad; and if he will make a statement. [285557]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: We are aware of several unconfirmed reports that many Iranian MPs did not attend President Ahmadinejad’s election victory party; however we have not seen any credible reports concerning numbers nor why they did not attend.
Israel
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the government of Israel about freedom of worship for all faiths in Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement. [285543]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The UK attaches great importance to guaranteeing access to Jerusalem and freedom of worship there for those of all faiths. The UK continues to support a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, with Jerusalem as the capital of both Israel and a new Palestinian state and guaranteed freedom of worship for all.
Middle East: Armed Conflict
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take during the next 12 months at the United Nations to seek to prevent (i) weapons and (ii) funds from the Government of Iran being sent to terrorist groups in (A) Afghanistan, (B) Iraq, (C) Gaza and (D) Lebanon; and if he will make a statement. [285475]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: We have no plans to take specific actions at the UN at this time. However, the UK led the way at the UN to achieve UN Security Council Resolution 1860 which makes clear the need to combat the smuggling of weapons through the tunnels into Gaza. We continue to push for full implementation of this resolution.
We have serious concerns about Iranian support for Hezbollah. Iran provides Hezbollah with significant financial resources, military equipment and training. Arms supplies to Hezbollah are contrary to the arms embargo established by UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
We have long-standing concerns about the support that Iran provides in the form of funding, arms and training to Palestinian Rejectionist Groups, including Hamas. These groups undermine peace in the Middle East through violence. We hope that Iran will instead give political and diplomatic support to the Palestinian Authority in its attempts to build institutions and improve security.
We understand that members of al-Qaeda and affiliated groups have used, and possibly continue to use, Iran as a transit route for arms smuggling. We have urged Iran to act against this and co-operate fully with the international community against terrorism, as required by UN Security Council Resolution 1373.
The UK would like to see Iran making a positive contribution to creating a secure, stable and prosperous Middle East, free from violence. 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.
North Korea: Diplomatic Service
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many North Korean nationals were engaged at the British Embassy in Pyongyang in each of the last 10 years; what level of security clearance such employees must pass before engagement; and whether his Department has carried out any investigations into activities of such staff which are incompatible with their terms and conditions of employment in that period. [285280]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: An average of six North Korean nationals have worked as support staff at our embassy in Pyongyang every year since it opened in 2001. They are not employed directly by the embassy, but are seconded from the General Services Bureau, a department of the North Korean government. Consequently, they are not security cleared and do not work with, or have access to, any sensitive information.
Overseas Missions
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much each British mission overseas owes in parking fines to the authorities in each country. [284614]
Chris Bryant [holding answer 7 July 2009]: This information is not held centrally and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
Pakistan: Females
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Pakistani counterpart on the sexual abuse of women in Pakistan. [284980]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, My hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Gillian Merron), visited Pakistan in February 2009 and met Sherry Rehman, Pakistan's former Minister for Women. She raised concerns about violence against women in the face of growing violent extremism in Pakistan and also expressed UK support to help the Government of Pakistan counter the impact of violent extremism on women's rights. Additionally, she stressed the need to take forward the recommendations made by the EU Election Observation Mission in 2008 to promote women's participation in Pakistan's parliament and public life.
Our high commission in Islamabad works closely with the EU Special Representative and Human Rights Working Group of the EU member states in Pakistan to promote women's rights in Pakistan. With the EU, we have issued biannual demarches calling on the Government of Pakistan to review discriminatory legislation and fully implement its obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
Our high commission also supports programme and project work designed to strengthen the capacity of civil society to promote women's rights, help the Government of Pakistan achieve the Millennium Development Goals and take forward the recommendations made by the EU Election Observation Mission after Pakistan's elections in February 2008.
Spirit of Humanity: British Nationality
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Government on the health of the British nationals on the vessel Spirit of Humanity. [285294]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Israeli navy took control of the vessel Spirit of Humanity and diverted it to Ashdod port in Israel, where all those on board, including six British nationals, were handed over to Israeli immigration officials. British consular officials had good access to the British detainees and confirmed they were all treated well. All six were deported and arrived in the UK on 6 July 2009.
When my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to his Israeli counterpart, Avigdor Lieberman, on 1 July 2009, he raised the issue with him and asked for clarification of whether the Spirit of Humanity had been intercepted in international waters.
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British nationals from the Gaza aid vessel, Spirit of Humanity have been detained by Israeli authorities; and if he will make a statement. [285295]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: I can confirm the Israeli navy boarded the vessel Spirit of Humanity on 30 June 2009. The Israeli navy took control of the vessel and diverted it to Ashdod port in Israel, where all those on board, including six British nationals, were handed over to Israeli immigration officials. All six were deported and arrived in the UK on 6 July 2009.
When my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to his Israeli counterpart, Avigdor Lieberman, on 1 July 2009, he raised the issue with him and asked for clarification of whether the Spirit of Humanity was intercepted in international waters.
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli government on the legal status of the British nationals on the Gaza aid vessel, Spirit of Humanity. [285296]
Mr. Ivan Lewis:
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to his Israeli counterpart, Avigdor Lieberman, on 1 July 2009. He raised the issue with him
and asked for clarification of whether the Spirit of Humanity was intercepted in international waters. We will continue to press the Israeli Government for clarification.
Terrorism: Finance
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Lancaster and Wyre (Mr. Wallace) of 26 June 2009, Official Report, column 1154W, on overseas aid: terrorism, what the arrangements are for scrutiny of the expenditure of the sum allocated to his Department’s Counter-Terrorism and Radicalisation Programme; and what categories of expenditure have been established for the programme. [285278]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: To measure the impact of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) counter radicalisation work overseas, the FCO has developed a system with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s delivery unit and the National Audit Office. All proposals submitted to the FCO’s Counter Terrorism Radicalisation Programme for funding undergo a rigorous assessment process and are monitored closely by our diplomatic missions overseas and by external assessors to ensure they deliver good value for money.
The categories of expenditure for the programme cover the four CONTEST counter terrorism strategy pillars: Protect, Prepare, Pursue and Prevent.
Communities and Local Government
Community Development
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the administrative cost of the Communitybuilders programme has been to date. [284921]
Mr. Malik: Communities and Local Government and the Office of the Third Sector have spent approximately £244,520 on the administration of the Communitybuilders programme, excluding staff costs. This figure consists of £24,520 for the branding of the programme, £60,000 for promotion at a series of regional road shows and approximately £160,000 for specialist procurement advice.
Staff costs for the administration of the programme between January 2008 and June 2009 were approximately £119,000 for Communities and Local Government and £16,800 for the Office of the Third Sector.
Council Housing: Finance
Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Regent’s Park and Kensington North of 2 June 2009, Official Report, column 456W, on housing: City of Westminster, what funding his Department has provided to each local authority for housing in each of the last five years; from what budgets such funding was drawn; and for what purposes such funding was allocated. [281334]
Mr. Ian Austin: A table setting out the housing revenue account expenditure allowances and capital allocations that the Department has provided to local authorities in each of the last five years, has been placed in the Libraries of the House. All funds were allocated for the repairs, maintenance and upkeep of properties.
Council Housing: Property Transfer
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department has allocated to redeem the housing debt of local authorities which have transferred their council housing to housing associations in (a) 2009-10 and (b) each of the next three years; and what arrangements have been made with the Scottish Executive to redeem such debts in respect of local authorities in Scotland. [284932]
Mr. Ian Austin: The Department has an annual voted provision of £616 million for overhanging debt payments which is adjusted as each year unfolds. The amount of debt the Department has paid to the Public Works Loans Boards in respect of completed housing stock transfers so far this financial year is £126,699,339.51, and expects to make a further payment of approximately £149 million for other transfers due to complete by 31 March 2010. For 2010-11 financial year the Department is forecasting debt payments in the region of £250 million. Figures for subsequent years are not available.
The Department is not responsible for any arrangements for overhanging debt in respect of local authorities in Scotland as this responsibility is devolved to the Scottish Executive.
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