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2 Nov 2009 : Column 666W—continued
Mr. Ivan Lewis: Working Group 1 of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia has met five times since its formation. It is chaired by the UK and has met formally four times and once informally. The meetings discuss, among other issues, how international warships can better coordinate their operations, how to improve regional capacity to prosecute suspect pirates, and how the shipping industry can better protect itself from attack.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance his Department has issued on travelling in waters around the coast of Somalia; and if he will make a statement. [296936]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides specific recommendations both to commercial vessels and to members of the public while travelling near Somali waters. This information is available on the FCO website.
In terms of commercial advice, specific guidance is given in relation to the practical steps in avoiding pirates which have been shown to significantly reduce the chances of a successful pirate attack. The advice also links to guidance from Department of Transport and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. It advises ships to register with the EU's Maritime Security-Horn of Africa website and transit through the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor in addition to adhering to the latest Maritime Advisories in force throughout the piracy threat region.
The Government endorse the advice prepared by the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia which provides specific advice on how to prevent, deter and delay acts of piracy off the Horn of Africa. The Maritime Security Centre-Horn of Africa website contains general advice to shipping companies, and the UK Maritime Trade Organisation advises mariners on planning their passage through the Gulf of Aden.
As Chair of Working Group 1 of the Contact Group on Piracy off the coast of Somalia (CGPCS), the FCO has been instrumental in securing greater dissemination and adherence to industry's best practice for vessels travelling in the waters in the vicinity off the coast of Somalia. The FCO also signed the New York Declaration which provided further guidance to industry in relation to best management practices to avoid and deter acts of piracy.
In terms of specific advice to members of the public travelling in waters in the vicinity of the coast of Somalia, the FCO advises mariners to remain at least 200 nautical miles from the Somali coast when transiting between the equator and 08N latitude, and 100 nautical miles from Somalia's northern coastline in the Gulf of Aden. However, as pirates have been using mother ships to attack shipping further than 200 nautical miles from the Somali coast, the FCO also advises mariners to maintain a high level of vigilance and to exercise extreme caution when anywhere near Somali waters.
This advice is provided within the FCO's travel advice relating to the Indian Ocean as well as more specifically the advice provided to individuals intending to travel to Seychelles, Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania. The River and Sea Safety section of travel advice also advises yachters travelling in their own yacht or boat to be aware of the risks of piracy in the Indian Ocean.
Sudan
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what activities the troika of the UK, US and Norway have undertaken in the Sudan over recent months. [296952]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: We have had extensive discussions on the political situation and prospects for Sudan with the US Special Envoy, Major General Scott Gration, since his appointment in March 2009. The US Envoy had several meetings in the early summer with my noble Friend, the then Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown and continues to meet regularly with the UK Special Representative for Sudan. They met most recently in Moscow on 6 October 2009 and in Abuja on 29 October 2009.
Both US Envoy Gration, and the UK Special Representative have strongly expressed their support for African Union/UN Chief Mediator Djibril Bassolé and the State of Qatar in their efforts to find a political solution for Darfur, and stand ready to offer all necessary assistance.
The UK, US and Norway have in recent months re-established the Troika mechanism as part of the international effort on Sudan. Officials from the UK, US and Norway are currently in Sudan to discuss Comprehensive Peace Agreement implementation issues with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement and the National Congress Party.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the US emissary to Sudan on the co-ordination of the Government's and US efforts to resolve the conflict in Darfur. [296953]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: We have had extensive discussions on the political situation and prospects for Sudan with the US Special Envoy, Major General Scott Gration, since his appointment in March 2009. The US Envoy had several meetings in the early summer with my noble Friend, the then Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown and continues to meet regularly with the UK Special Representative for Sudan. They met most recently in Moscow on 6 October 2009 and in Abuja on 29 October 2009.
Both US Envoy Gration, and the UK Special Representative have strongly expressed their support for African Union/UN Chief Mediator Djibril Bassolé and the State of Qatar in their efforts to finding a political solution for Darfur, and stand ready to offer all necessary assistance.
The UK, US and Norway have in recent months re-established the Troika mechanism as part of the international effort on Sudan. Officials from the UK, US and Norway are currently in Sudan to discuss Comprehensive Peace Agreement implementation issues with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement and the National Congress Party.
Sudan: Politics and Government
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Sudan on its response to clashes in the south of that country. [296466]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: We are very concerned by the continuing insecurity in South Sudan as a result of tribal violence and continuing activity by the Lord's Resistance Army.
While attending the UN General Assembly in New York last month, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the situation in South Sudan with Sudanese presidential adviser Ghazi. Our ambassador to Sudan visited Juba on 28-30 September 2009 and raised UK concerns about the security situation with the Government of South Sudan's Interior Minister and the Sudan People's Liberation Army chief of staff.
These messages were reinforced when my hon. Friend the Minister of State for International Development (Mr. Thomas) visited Sudan on 14-15 October 2009. He discussed our concerns at the security situation with Government of South Sudan interlocutors in Juba.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Major-General Scott Gration, the US emissary to Sudan, on the political situation in that country. [296467]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: We have had extensive discussions on the political situation and prospects for Sudan with the US Special Envoy, Major-General Scott Gration, since his appointment in March 2009. The US Envoy had several meetings in the early summer with my noble Friend, the then Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown and continues to meet regularly with the UK special representative for Sudan. They met most recently in Moscow on 6 October 2009 and in Abuja on 29 October 2009.
Both US Envoy Gration, and the UK special representative have strongly expressed their support for African Union/UN Chief Mediator Djibril Bassolé and the State of Qatar in their efforts to finding a political solution for Darfur, and stand ready to offer all necessary assistance.
The UK, US and Norway have in recent months re-established the Troika mechanism as part of the international effort on Sudan. Officials from the UK, US and Norway are currently in Sudan to discuss Comprehensive Peace Agreement implementation issues with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement and the National Congress Party.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to (a) the government of Sudan and (b) others on the new agreement on the forthcoming referendum on the future status of Sudan; and what the Government's policy is on the new eligibility criteria for a vote on secession in Sudan. [296468]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: My hon. Friend the Minister of State for International Development (Mr. Thomas) visited Khartoum and Juba on 14-15 October 2009 and met with senior members of the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), including presidential adviser Ghazi, and Southern Minister of Internal Affairs Geir Chuang. He pressed them to take urgent steps to resolve the impasse over the census and referendum.
Our ambassador and other senior Government officials, and the chair of the Assessment and Evaluation Commission, Sir Derek Plumbly, regularly raise these
issues with NCP and SPLM interlocutors. Officials from the UK, US and Norway are currently in Sudan to discuss Comprehensive Peace Agreement implementation issues with the SPLM and NCP.
We are committed to a free and fair referendum in 2011. The eligibility criteria and content of the Referendum Bill are for the parties to reach agreement over, and we urge both parties to do so urgently.
UN Security Council
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 22 October 2009, Official Report, column 1627, on the UN Security Council, if he will (a) publish the web location of the statement released after the September 2009 meeting of the five permanent members of the Security Council, (b) post on his Department's website the presentations on enhancing strategic stability referred to in the Answer and (c) publish a list of those who attended the meeting and their official positions. [297421]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The P5 (Russia, China, the US, the UK and France) agreed that the conference held on 3 to 4 September 2009 to consider the confidence building, verification and compliance challenges associated with achieving further progress on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation would be held behind closed doors to facilitate full and frank discussion.
The joint statement issued at the conclusion of the conference can be found at:
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal Welfare
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of arrangements for licensing animal dealers, with particular reference to the effect of such arrangements on the welfare of puppies imported from the Republic of Ireland. [297261]
Jim Fitzpatrick: We have made no assessment as England does not have any such licensing arrangement.
Animal Welfare Act 2006
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he plans to bring forward secondary legislation under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to make provision for pet vending. [297401]
Jim Fitzpatrick: Although DEFRA intends to review the law on the selling of pet animals, such a review will not take place during this business year. The timing of a review will largely depend on balancing priorities.
Animals: Quarantine
James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when his Department next plans to review the list of non-EU countries and territories from which mammals may enter the UK under the PETS Scheme without going into quarantine. [296378]
Jim Fitzpatrick [holding answer 29 October 2009]: The PETS travel scheme and quarantine requirements are in place to protect the UK from serious diseases, such as rabies.
The list of countries from which animals may enter the UK under the PETS scheme without going into quarantine is set out in European legislation (see Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 as amended). In order to be included in that list, countries need to demonstrate to the European Commission that they meet certain criteria set out in the regulation. Inclusion is then subject to agreement by EU member states.
Biofuels
David T.C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he plans to take (a) to set specifications for biomass boilers and (b) to ensure the maintenance of air quality standards in respect of biomass boiler emissions. [296636]
Jim Fitzpatrick: Operators of appliances with a rated thermal input of 20 megawatts or more in which biomass is combusted need a permit under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 which will contain emission limit values set by the relevant environmental regulator. If the biomass is waste, permits are required if the rated thermal input of the appliance exceeds 0.4 megawatts.
The use of biomass for heat and power can pose a significant air quality problem. Large scale heat or combined heat and power schemes should not normally be used in heavily built-up areas (subject to an Environmental report) unless they are of high quality (20g/GJ PM10 or less) or have efficient abatement equipment specified. There are, however, technology options coming on stream which could substantially reduce emissions, even in urban areas (ceramic filters, for example). It would be easy to infer that biomass should not be encouraged in air quality management areas, which obviously already have a significant problem with air pollution. Seeking non-combustion alternatives-ground or air source heat pumps, solar thermal, better building design should be the first option; the second is to attempt to group users together-this allows the use of a smaller number of larger plants, and larger plants are easier to control.
Biofuels: Air Pollution
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of levels of emissions of (a) fine PM2.5 particulates and (b) PM10 particulates from biomass boilers once the biomass targets in the Renewable Energy Strategy are met. [295780]
Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government, in support of the development of the Renewable Energy Strategy (RES), carried out modelling of the effect of an increase in the use of biomass for heat and power on emissions of fine particles (PM2.5) and coarser particles (PM10) under a range of scenarios. Polices in the Renewable Energy Strategy will lead to emissions being at the lower end of the ranges quoted.
We estimate that, by 2020, the uptake of biomass predicted by the RES will result in the emission of an additional 1.7 to 6.3 ktonnes of fine particles (PM2.5). The 2007 UK emissions of PM2.5 were estimated at 82 ktonnes.
For the coarser particle size fraction, PM10, it is estimated that an additional 1.3 to 7.6 ktonnes may be emitted. Emissions of PM10 in the UK in 2007 were estimated at 135 ktonnes.
The results of the air quality impact assessment using these emission estimates are given on page 121 of the RES. In the strategy the Government stated that they will work with industry to introduce performance standards for biomass units and will consult on the level of performance required for boilers under the Renewable Heat Incentive.
Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research his Department has undertaken into particulate emissions from biomass boilers and their effect upon climate change. [296919]
Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government, in support of the development of the Renewable Energy Strategy (RES), carried out modelling of the effect of an increase in the use of biomass for heat and power on emissions of fine particles (PM2.5) and coarser particles (PM10) under a range of scenarios. Polices in the Renewable Energy Strategy will lead to emissions being at the lower end of the ranges quoted.
We estimate that by 2020 the uptake of biomass predicted by the RES will result in the emission of an additional 1.7 to 6.3 ktonnes of fine particles (PM2.5). The 2007 UK emissions of PM2.5 were estimated at 82 ktonnes.
For the coarser particle size fraction, PM10, it is estimated that an additional 1.3 to 7.6 ktonnes may be emitted. Emissions of PM10 in the UK in 2007 were estimated at 135 ktonnes.
The results of the air quality impact assessment using these emission estimates are given on page 121 of the RES. In the Strategy the Government stated that they will work with industry to introduce performance standards for biomass units and will consult on the level of performance required for boilers under the Renewable Heat Incentive.
No assessment has been made of the impact on climate change of these emissions.
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