| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
22 Jun 2010 : Column 116W—continued
Iran: Sanctions
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to enforce sanctions against Iran; and if he will make a statement. [2932]
Alistair Burt: This Government are committed to the rapid and rigorous enforcement of the measures adopted under UN Security Council Resolution 1929 and we are working to implement measures as soon as possible. Upon adoption the UK Borders Agency added additional designations to their watch list and the Treasury took the necessary steps to ensure that newly designated entities will have their assets frozen if they attempt to operate within the UK. British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies have also been notified of action that they are required to take.
We are working with EU partners to ensure the harmonised implementation of UN measures and we are seeking tough additional EU measures. The 17 June European Council Declaration on Iran is a statement of intent. We welcome the creation of a UN Panel of Experts, mandated by the resolution, who will examine and report on the implementation of sanctions against Iran. The Government will submit a report to the UN Secretariat on the measures it has taken to implement the latest round of sanctions in coming months.
Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries have informed him of an intention to participate in the enforcement of sanctions against Iran. [3126]
Alistair Burt: UN Security Council resolution 1929 was passed on 9 June 2010 and set out new sanctions against Iran. Under Chapter VII of the UN Charter all member states are now required to apply these sanctions.
In addition the European Council issued a Declaration on Iran on 17 June 2010, which set out a range of areas where the EU will pursue additional sanctions against Iran.
Palestinians: Human Rights
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he plans to take at the United Nations in response to allegations of human rights abuses by members of Hamas in Gaza; and if he will make a statement. [2971]
Alistair Burt: The UN Security Council discusses the situation in the Middle East on a monthly basis including the urgent need for Hamas to renounce violence. UN Security Council Resolution 1860 was clear in its condemnation on the use of violence by all parties. We continue to call for its full implementation.
More widely we call on Hamas to take immediate and concrete steps towards the Quartet principles, unconditionally to release Gilad Shalit, who has been held in captivity for four years, and to end its interference with the operations of non-governmental organisations and UN agencies in Gaza.
Sudan: Elections
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had on ensuring the Border Commission in Sudan reports back and its recommendations are implemented before the Comprehensive Peace Agreement referendum takes place. [3470]
Mr Bellingham: Demarcation of the North/South border in Sudan is a central element of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We understand that the majority of the border has now been agreed by the Border Committee. However, there are several outstanding sections which remain unagreed. Demarcation on the ground of the agreed sections has begun. The Government of National Unity has said that the border will be demarcated in advance of the Referendum on Self-Determination for South Sudan in January 2011.
We will continue to urge both Sudanese parties to ensure full implementation of the Agreement, including demarcation of the border and the holding of a peaceful and credible Referendum.
Turkey: EU Enlargement
Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to assist Turkey accede to the EU. [2111]
Mr Lidington: Turkey's accession to the EU is a key goal for the Government, subject to the rigorous application of the accession criteria. We work closely with Turkey, both bilaterally and at the EU level, to support progress in their domestic reform programme to meet all the requirements of the EU acquis. We also encourage Turkey's efforts to support the Cyprus settlement process, and call for Turkey to implement the Additional Ankara Protocol.
Wales
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
Mr David: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the progress of the Future Rapid Effects System Scout programme in Wales. [3155]
Mrs Gillan: I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence.
Like all defence spending in the UK, the Future Rapid Effects System Scout programme is currently being considered under a Strategic Defence and Security Review. The coalition Government are committed to ensuring that we get the best value for money on all Government spending, including defence spending.
Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers
Mr David: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans she has to appoint a special adviser. [3154]
Mrs Gillan: I have appointed a special adviser with effect from 5 July.
Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many special advisers are employed at each grade in the Wales Office. [3459]
Mrs Gillan: One special adviser at Pay Band 1 will be employed from 5 July 2010 in the Wales Office.
Devolution
Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff in her Department are engaged full-time on preparations for a referendum on further powers for the Welsh Assembly. [3455]
Mrs Gillan: Two. Other members of staff, including legal advisers, are also engaged on the referendum preparations alongside their other work.
RAF St Athan
Mr David: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the development of a defence technical college at St Athan. [2697]
Mrs Gillan: I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence.
Like all defence spending in the UK, the proposed Defence Technical College at St Athan is currently being considered under a Strategic Defence and Security Review. The coalition Government are committed to ensuring that they get best value for money on all Government spending, including defence spending.
Northern Ireland
Terrorism
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will hold immediate discussions with the Secretary of State for Justice on the findings regarding the security situation in Northern Ireland in the report of 27 May 2010 from the Independent Monitoring Commission. [3353]
Mr Paterson: I do not plan to meet with the Secretary of State for Justice to discuss the findings regarding the security situation in Northern Ireland in the report of the 27 May 2010 from the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC). I am not aware of any matters in the report that are relevant to the Justice Secretary's responsibilities. I have discussed this issue with the Minister of Justice of the Northern Ireland Executive, David Ford. He is aware of the findings and supportive of the IMC's work. I am committed to continuing to work closely with the Minister of Justice on all matters of joint interest.
Defence
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) new helicopters, (b) armoured vehicles and (c) protected vehicles have been delivered to Afghanistan in each of the last five years; and how much funding is planned to be allocated for such purposes by (i) his Department and (ii) the Treasury Reserve in each of the next three years. [2540]
Dr Fox: We do not provide actual numbers of armoured or protected vehicles and helicopters for operational security reasons.
The forward defence equipment programme will be considered as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, and priority will continue to be given to the delivery of equipment required to support operations in Afghanistan. For this reason projects delivering capability to Afghanistan were exempted from the Government's recent review of approvals. An annual estimate for Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) expenditure from the Reserve is agreed with HM Treasury. For financial year 2010-11, an estimate of £850 million for UORs has been agreed. In addition, as the Prime Minister announced on 10 June, the Treasury has agreed to provide an additional £67 million on top of this estimate for critical Counter-Improvised Explosive Device equipment, including a number of specialist MASTIFF vehicles.
Armed Forces: Young People
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the use of MOD Form 90 as proof of age in public houses. [3070]
Mr Robathan: MOD Form 90 is an internal document and is not ordinarily intended to be used as a universal identity card. However, it does show the date of birth of the holder. Therefore, I have asked officials to consider ways of encouraging wider acceptance by retailers and establishments of this form of identity as proof of age for the purpose of obtaining goods and services, including the purchase of alcohol and tobacco.
Departmental Buildings
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what properties his Department and its non-departmental public bodies (a) own and (b) lease overseas; whether those properties are shared with other Government departments and agencies; and whether he plans (i) to sell the building or (ii) cancel the lease in each case. [3523]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence manages a considerable overseas estate including training areas, barracks, Service family and other official accommodation, in a number of countries including Germany, Canada, Kenya and Cyprus as well as Gibraltar and the South Atlantic Islands.
This estate exists solely to support the outputs of defence and is kept under constant review to ensure that it is no larger than required. In most cases, land or properties are occupied under agreements with the host Governments on a rent free basis. Some service housing is leased from private local landlords, but very few properties are owned freehold.
When a property becomes surplus to defence requirements, arrangements are made to hand it back to the host nation Government, to terminate the lease at an appropriate point, or to sell the property (if freehold).
The information required to fully answer the question has to be compiled from a number of sources and a list setting out the overseas estate and other details will be placed in the Library of the House.
Departmental Manpower
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in numbers of non-frontline staff in his Department and its agencies. [486]
Dr Fox: We do not distinguish between frontline and non-frontline staff. Information in this format could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Decisions on how many military and civilian personnel we need for the future will be made in the context of the Government's Strategic Defence and Security Review. The defence section of this review will conclude by the autumn, alongside the Government's Spending Review. Should it be necessary for any staff to be made redundant, the Department will pay compensation in accordance with its legal obligations.
HMS Southampton
Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) location, (b) status and (c) plans for the disposal are of HMS Southampton. [3625]
Peter Luff: HMS SOUTHAMPTON left service with the Royal Navy in February 2009 and is currently berthed at HM Naval Base Portsmouth where essential equipment is being removed for use on other operational Type 42 Destroyers. On current plans, SOUTHAMPTON is due to be handed over to the Ministry of Defence's Disposal Services Authority later this year; the options for her disposal remain under review.
Trident
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the terms of reference are of his Trident value for money review; and if he will make a statement. [3837]
Dr Fox: The Government are committed to a continuous at sea nuclear deterrent based on a Trident missile system. The value for money review is to ensure that plans to replace the current Vanguard class submarine are being taken forward in the most cost effective manner possible.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Agriculture: Land Use
Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she plans to take to protect Grade One agricultural land. [2663]
Mr Paice: The Government will publish and present to Parliament a simple and consolidated national planning policy framework setting out our national economic, environmental and social priorities. An announcement on how we propose to take forward the national framework and the implications for specific areas of planning policy will be made in due course.
Agriculture: Subsidies
Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what her policy is on the future of the Pillar II element of the Common Agricultural Policy; [2897]
(2) if she will discuss with her EU counterparts the further development of Pillar II funding as part of the discussions on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy beyond 2013. [2901]
Mr Paice: The current Pillar II of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) plays an important role in delivering non market-distorting benefits for society through sustainable land management, and support for the competitiveness of the farming and forestry sectors and the rural economy. A future CAP must continue to reward farmers for the provision of societal benefits not otherwise rewarded by the market.
DEFRA Ministers have started, and will continue, to engage with Commission and member state counterparts to ensure that the UK is at the heart of negotiations on the CAP.
Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the use of modulation in respect of Pillar II of the Common Agricultural Policy. [2900]
Mr Paice: In the current programming period (2007-13), modulation is an important mechanism to provide funding for the provision of public goods in Pillar 2. In particular, in England, modulation provides the funding which is essential to enable us to continue with our agri-environment schemes, which deliver important benefits for biodiversity, landscape and the protection of natural resources.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |