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1 Mar 2010 : Column 840W—continued
Diplomatic Service: Manpower
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made an assessment of the potential effects on (a) security and (b) levels of fraud in respect of his Department's operations of the replacement of management officers in UK overseas missions as part of the Corporate Services Programme; and if he will make a statement. [319446]
Chris Bryant: The localisation of management slots under the Corporate Services Programme has been extensively discussed with relevant departments at home and overseas. We are satisfied that the implications for our security and incidence of fraud remain manageable. We continue to work with all our missions overseas to support them in ensuring the right controls are in place to handle risk effectively.
Government Hospitality: Wines
Mr. Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 22 February 2010, Official Report, column 216W, on Government hospitality: wines, at which events between 25 November 2009 and 25 December 2009 wine from the Government wine cellar was served; and which of those events was attended by the Minister for Europe. [319372]
Chris Bryant: Between 25 November 2009 and 25 December 2009 Government Hospitality (GH) organised the following events at which wines from the GH cellar were used:
| Date | Event | Host Department |
I hosted the lunch for European Union Ambassadors on 26 November and the Reception for the Overseas Territories Consultative Council on 9 December 2009. I also attended the reception for FCO Stakeholders and the dinner for the FCO ministerial team on 8 December.
India: Terrorism
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the (a) dates and (b) location of each terrorist attack in India in the last three years; how many casualties were sustained in each such attack; and if he will make a statement. [318681]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: We do not have detailed records of all terrorist incidents in India for the period requested. However the significant terrorist incidents (for which we have information) since February 2007 are as follows:
On 13 February 2010, a bomb exploded in Pune, Maharashtra. Nine people were killed and up to 53 were injured.
On 16 October 2009, a bomb exploded in the town of Margao, Goa, killing one person.
From 26-29 November 2008, terrorists attacked a number of sites in Mumbai, including luxury hotels, a railway station and a restaurant. Over 190 people were killed and more than 325 were injured. British nationals were among the casualties.
On 30 October 2008, 11 bombs exploded in Assam. Areas affected were Guwahati and the Barpeta, Bongaigoan and Kokrajhar districts. 77 people were killed and over 300 were injured.
On 21 October 2008, a bomb exploded in Imphal, Manipur killing 17 people and injuring many others.
On 27 September 2008, a bomb exploded in New Delhi. Two people were killed and 24 were injured.
On 13 September 2008 five bombs exploded in New Delhi, 30 people were killed and 90 were injured.
On 26 July 2008, a series of bombs exploded in Ahmadabad, Gujarat and the surrounding area resulting in up to 49 fatalities and over 100 injured.
On 25 July 2008 there were a series of bomb blasts in Bangalore, South Eastern India resulting in at least two fatalities and multiple injuries.
On 13 May 2008, there were a series of bomb blasts in Jaipur, western India, resulting in 60 fatalities and 200 casualties
On 13 December 2007, a train travelling from Dibrugarh to Guwahati was the target of a bomb blast, which resulted in five deaths.
On 23 November 2007, there were a series of explosions in the state of Uttar Pradesh resulting in at least 13 fatalities with multiple injured.
On 26 September 2007 a number of bombs were discovered in the Andheri suburb of the city of Mumbai near areas where large crowds gathered to welcome home the returning Indian cricket team following their victory at the Twenty20 World Championship tournament in South Africa.
On 25 August 2007 at least 40 people were killed and 56 injured when two bombs exploded in Hyderabad.
On 19 February 2007 explosions occurred in two carriages of the Samjhauta Express, travelling from Delhi to Lahore. 66 people died and over 50 passengers were injured.
Accurate records of casualties incurred are often difficult to obtain. Therefore in many cases we can only provide estimates. The UK is working closely with the Indian authorities to address the terrorist threat to India and the region.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to support the Government of India in combating terrorism in the subcontinent; and if he will make a statement. [318682]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The UK works with India to reduce the risk to India and to the UK and its interests overseas from international terrorism, through a range of operational and technical co-operation on counter-terrorism. We are closely engaged with India on tackling terrorism and developing our CT relationship, particularly in light of the devastating attacks in Mumbai in November 2008.
At my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's Summit in January 2008, the UK and India agreed to co-operate on security for major sporting events, particularly on preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi this year. Indian officials visited the UK in July 2009 where a number of areas for co-operation were agreed, including assistance on crowd control and venue security management. A UK team subsequently travelled to Delhi in September for a Commonwealth Games security conference in Delhi. UK Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, John Yates, visited Delhi in January 2010 to discuss security preparations for the Games and offer UK support.
Indonesia: Christianity
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations his Department has made to the government of Indonesia on the treatment of Christians in Jakarta. [319653]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: In general, there is a high degree of religious freedom in Indonesia, including for those practising Christianity.
We are aware of problems surrounding the forcible closure of and occasional attacks on places of religious worship, both Christian and Islamic. Our ambassador to Jakarta raised freedom of religion most recently when he met the chair of the Indonesian Parliament's Commission III on Law, Human Rights and Internal Security on 1 December 2009.
We, along with our EU partners, raise human rights concerns with the Indonesian Government and have pressed the authorities to ensure the rights of all religious minorities. We will continue to call for religious tolerance across Indonesia.
Iran: Politics and Government
Mr. David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most recent assessment is of the political situation in Iran; and if he will make a statement. [318946]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The political situation in Iran remains unsettled and many Iranians continue to believe that their political rights are not being respected. The Iranian authorities continue to clamp down on civil liberties and legitimate protest, and intimidate demonstrators, including using the death penalty against those accused of political dissent.
These problems are entirely of the Iranian government's own making and suggestions that others, such as the UK, are responsible are both disingenuous and wrong.
Iran: Sanctions
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 26 January 2010, Official Report, columns 836W, on the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Bill, what discussions he has had with (a) his EU counterparts, (b) the High Representative and (c) the European Commission on the proposed extraterritorial legislation; and whether a common position has been agreed. [318804]
David Miliband: The EU's opposition to extraterritorial legislation has been made clear on many occasions. There has been regular dialogue with my EU counterparts, including the High Representative's office on this matter, although as any legislation has yet to be finalised, there has been no EU common position adopted.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether sales of refined petroleum products sold to Iran by companies registered in the UK or with headquarters in the UK will be affected by the US-Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Bill; and what guidance his Department has issued to UK companies on the matter. [318806]
David Miliband:
We have been closely monitoring progress of different draft Iran sanctions Bills through the House of Representatives and Senate. The two Houses of Congress have not agreed a final version to send to the President. As this legislation is yet to be
finalised, it is too early to determine the extent of the effect it may have on UK companies. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills provides clear guidance for exporters on extraterritorial legislation.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 26 January 2010, Official Report, column 836W, on the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Bill, what concerns he has about the use of extraterritorial legislation in respect of Iran's nuclear programme. [318807]
David Miliband: The UK and the US are united in their determination to address the challenge posed to the international community by Iran's nuclear ambitions. We are in constant dialogue with the US Administration to ensure that all our efforts are targeted on that rather than interrupting the sovereign right of nations to regulate activities within their own territory and interfere with the freedom of countries to conduct their own independent economic policies.
Members: Correspondence
Mr. Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to reply to the letter of 6 November 2010 from the hon. Member for Woking concerning his constituent Mr. Brett. [319788]
Chris Bryant: We did not originally receive the hon. Member for Woking's letter of 6 November 2009, but have now had a copy faxed to us from his parliamentary office and will reply as soon as possible.
Overseas Residents: Death
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is provided by (a) British consulates and (b) his Department to assist the next of kin of persons who have died whilst working overseas; and if he will make a statement. [319757]
Chris Bryant: When we are aware of the death of any British national abroad we will try to contact the person's next of kin as soon as possible. If the next of kin is in the UK we will ask the UK police to inform them. If they are overseas, our staff will try to contact them. We provide information about funeral options and on returning bodies and belongings to the UK. We provide a list of local and international funeral directors. While we cannot pay expenses, we can advise on how best to transfer money from the UK to pay any necessary costs. We advise families how to register a death and put them in touch with other organisations that offer help and support.
We also provide our publication 'Guide for bereaved families'
which brings together information that may be useful to families and friends of British nationals who die overseas.
Pakistan: Children
Mr. Drew:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has (a) received recent representations on (i) child labour and (ii) access to the justice system for (A) minority groups
and (B) those in poverty in Pakistan and (b) had recent discussions with the Government of Pakistan on child labour in that country; and if he will make a statement. [318617]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The UK is committed to working with the Government of Pakistan to address the challenges that are faced surrounding the issue of child labour. Together with our EU partners, the UK regularly raises child labour and has lobbied the Government of Pakistan to implement existing legislation which protects children from such abuse. The most recent EU demarche on this subject was in December 2009. The issue of child labour will also form part of the forthcoming EU-Pakistan Human Rights dialogue.
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