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Young Offenders
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pupils permanently excluded from school were convicted of a criminal offence in each police authority area in each of the last 10 years; and what the detection rate was for crimes committed by young offenders who (a) were and (b) were not permanently excluded from school in each such area in each such year. [52388]
James Brokenshire: The information requested is not collected centrally.
The Home Office is responsible for the collection of detections data. Data on detections held by the Home Office do not include information on whether offenders were excluded from school.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for the collection of convictions data.
Data held centrally on the Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database do not include information about the circumstances behind each case other than that which may be identified from a statute. It is not possible to separately identify young offenders who were permanently excluded from school from other offenders.
Police Services
Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd of 7 March 2011, Official Report, columns 862-63W, on police services, (1) whether the policing tasks associated with football matches are included in the policing functions she defines as those undertaken by frontline officers; [48004]
(2) whether warranted police officers working (a) in or (b) with (i) the Serious Organised Crime Agency, (ii) the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, (iii) the National Wildlife Crime Unit, (iv) the ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service and (v) public protection units perform tasks which fall within her definition of frontline policing; [48102]
(3) whether she includes the attendance of warranted police officers at community safety partnership meetings within the categories of activity carried out by frontline police officers. [49152]
Nick Herbert: HMIC’s report Demanding Times published on 30 March 2011 provides a definition of frontline, middle office and back office police functions.
“the police frontline comprises those who are in everyday contact with the public and who directly intervene to keep people safe and enforce the law”.
A copy of the report is available at:
http://www.hmic.gov.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Thematics/THM_20110330.pdf
Full details of policing roles and their categorisation by frontline, middle office and back office appear on page 19 of the report.
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Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Anguilla
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Ministers representing the Government of Anguilla have visited his Department in the last three years. [51889]
Mr Bellingham: The number of Ministers representing the Government of Anguilla visiting the Foreign and Commonwealth Office since 2008 are:
2008: two visits by two Ministers
2009: five visits by three Ministers
2010: four visits by three Ministers.
There have been no visits to date in 2011.
Anguilla: Tax Havens
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on offshore UK tax avoidance in Anguilla. [51888]
The UK has arrangements in place for information exchange on tax matters, including tax avoidance, with Anguilla.
Arms Trade
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to report to Parliament on the outcomes of the review of UK arms export licensing to the Middle East and North Africa; if he will extend the scope of the review to include all exports to authoritarian regimes; what types of equipment are to be covered by the review; and by what means he plans to consult with (a) parliamentarians, (b) industry and (c) civil society on the content of the review. [51818]
Alistair Burt: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has commissioned a review of Government policy and practice with regard to the export of equipment that might be used for internal repression, in particular crowd control goods. Although this review was originally commissioned in response to events in the Middle East and North Africa, any conclusions will apply to our procedures for arms exports to all countries. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is leading this internal review in close consultation with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Ministry of Defence. The Government will be reporting back on the review to Parliament after Easter. As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on 16 March 2011, any decisions arising from the review will be discussed in Parliament.
Balkans: EU Accession
Mr Syms:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Hungarian presidency of the Council
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of Ministers on the accession process for Western Balkan states to join the EU. [50488]
Mr Bellingham: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met Hungarian Foreign Minister, Janos Martonyi, on 7 December in London ahead of the start of the Hungarian EU presidency. They discussed a number of issues including the EU accession process for the countries of the Western Balkans. Both the UK and Hungary consider EU enlargement to all countries of the Western Balkans, on the basis of the accession criteria, as a key strategic priority for the European Union. The Foreign Secretary has since been in regular contact with Mr Martonyi, including at meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council and my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe maintains a dialogue, including on enlargement, with his Hungarian counterpart.
British Nationals Abroad: Homicide
Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British subjects were unlawfully killed overseas in each year since 1997. [45253]
Mr Bellingham: The following table shows the number of British nationals recorded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as having been murdered overseas since 2002. Prior to 2002 we used a different database which recorded only cases handled in London so would provide a partial picture.
| Calendar year | Number of cases |
Some of those unlawfully killed overseas may not have been recorded under this heading. As part of improving the support we provide to victims’ families, we are tightening our guidance to staff to ensure we are more consistent in how we compile statistics on the numbers of British citizens who die abroad and how they have died, including those who have been killed unlawfully. To determine these figures for past years would incur disproportionate cost.
British Overseas Territories: Overseas Aid
John Mann:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department gave to (a) Bermuda, (b) the British Antarctic Territory, (c) the British Indian Ocean Territory, (d) the British Virgin Islands, (e) the Cayman Islands, (f) the Falkland Islands, (g) Gibraltar, (h) Montserrat, (i) Pitcairn, Henderson, Oeno and Ducie Islands, (j) Saint Helena and its dependencies, (k) South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, (l) the Turks and Caicos Islands and (m) the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia for economic diversification in
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the latest period for which figures are available; and from which funds. [52296]
Mr Bellingham: Overseas Territory governments are responsible for their territory's economies and any economic diversification. We are helping territories that are struggling economically to avoid unnecessary financial dependence on the UK. We also help territories that now rely on UK financial support to reduce their dependence and pursue the path towards economic sustainability.
The Department for International Development (DfID) provides funding towards the economic diversification of the poorer territories, currently St Helena, Montserrat and Pitcairn, through its wider programmes of financial assistance.
In 2009-10 DFID provided £22.7 million for St Helena; £20.8 million for Montserrat and £1.8 million for Pitcairn from its capital and programme budgets. Support for economic growth and sustainability is an important focus of Government assistance to the Governments of St Helena and Montserrat.
No funds have been made available specifically for economic diversification purposes to territories with no settled population, namely the British Indian Ocean Territory; the British Antarctic Territory or South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. In addition, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not provide funding for economic diversification to the Sovereign Base Areas which are military bases on the island of Cyprus and are administered by the Ministry of Defence.
The FCO provided £1.4 million from our Overseas Territories Programme Fund in 2010-11 to support reform in the Turks and Caicos Islands in a range of areas, including to promote economic diversification. DFID has put in place a guarantee to provide the Turks and Caicos Islands Government with access to a maximum capital amount of US$260 million over the next five years.
We have not provided funds specifically for economic diversification purposes to any of the other UK Overseas Territories in recent years.
British Overseas Territories: Visits
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representatives of the Administration of (a) the British Antarctic Territory, (b) the British Indian Ocean Territory, (c) Pitcairn, Henderson, Oeno and Ducie Islands, (d) South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and (e) the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia have visited his Department's offices in London in each of the last three years. [52297]
Mr Bellingham: In respect of the British Antarctic Territory and British Indian Ocean Territory, relevant Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials act as representatives of the Administrations of the two territories. These officials are located at FCO offices in London.
For the Pitcairn Islands, one member of the Administration visited in 2008, one in 2009 and none in 2010.
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The FCO is usually visited by the Administration of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands at least twice each year. In 2010 the FCO received visits by three representatives.
The Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus are administered by the Ministry of Defence. The FCO does not keep records of visitors for other Government Departments.
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Ministers in the Government of (a) Bermuda, (b) the British Virgin Islands, (c) the Cayman Islands, (d) the Falkland Islands, (e) Gibraltar, (f) Montserrat, (g) Saint Helena and its dependencies and (h) the Turks and Caicos Islands have visited his Department's offices in London in each of the last three years. [52298]
Mr Bellingham: The number of visits to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office conducted by Ministers from the Overseas Territories over the last three calendar years can be broken down as follows. Multiple visits conducted over the course of a calendar year by individual Ministers have also been included.
|
|
2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| (1) Falkland Islands, St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha do not have Ministers. Visits by their elected representatives have been incorporated in the above table. (2 )Ministerial Government in the Turks and Caicos Islands was suspended on 14 August 2009. | |||
Burma: Politics and Government
Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how often Government representatives raised issues relating to Burma in meetings of the UN Security Council in 2010. [51553]
Mr Jeremy Browne: As President of the UN Security Council during November 2010, the UK raised Burma in Security Council meetings on 5 November, 18 November and 22 November 2010. The UK also raised our concerns during UN Security Council meetings on 24 March 2011 and 6 December 2010, and British officials in New York speak to their international counterparts in the UN about Burma on a regular basis. Both my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Prime Minister discussed the matter with the UN Secretary-General in November. The UK Government will continue to highlight the situation in Burma through all avenues in the UN, including through the Security Council, the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and directly with the Secretary-General.
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Burma: Sanctions
Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what objectives he has set for the outcome of discussions on a common position on sanctions against the Burmese Government at the next meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. [51885]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Government’s objective at the Foreign Affairs Council was to secure the renewal of tough but targeted EU restrictive measures that strengthened the position of Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratic opposition groups with the Burmese regime. On 12 April 2011 EU Foreign Ministers agreed to renew EU sanctions for a further 12 months.
1. An arms embargo.
2. An asset freeze and travel ban on the regime, its associates and their families with the measures suspended for a year for lifelong civilians and the Foreign Minister.
3. An investment ban on state and associate-owned enterprises.
4. Trade and investment bans on timber, precious metals and gems.
5. A ban on development assistance to central Government and in sectors other than humanitarian work.
While the measures remain tough, they are also in line with Aung San Suu Kyi’s wishes to promote a broad dialogue with the Government and other political groups both inside and outside Parliament to encourage a move towards more democratic institutions.
Children's Rights
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to promote children’s rights in the last 10 years; and what plans his Department has to promote such rights (a) in developing countries and (b) elsewhere. [51725]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Government are committed to improving the situation of children worldwide. We work bilaterally, in multilateral forums, and fund programmes that are designed to promote and protect the rights of all children as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its optional protocols.
Over the last decade the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has played an active role in promoting the rights of the child. We continue to work to ensure that international commitments are fully implemented, whether through making the UN and other international bodies more effective in their efforts to promote and protect child rights, or through various bilateral projects. We have also committed financial and political resources to tackling the issue of child soldiers. We will continue to take steps to safeguard children’s rights in countries affected by conflict.
Our embassies and high commissions have a responsibility to monitor and raise human rights issues, including children’s rights, in their host countries. FCO staff routinely raise our concerns with host governments and where possible they take action on individual cases and lobby for changes in discriminatory practices and laws. The FCO will continue to raise child rights with
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other governments when necessary. We will also work in the UN and with other international organisations to uphold universal standards.
China: Human Rights
Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on its treatment of Ai Weiwei and his colleagues. [52370]
Mr Jeremy Browne: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs made clear in a public statement on 4 April 2011 our concerns about the detention of Ai Weiwei. He called on the Chinese Government to clarify Mr Ai’s situation and wellbeing and hoped that he would be released immediately. On 11 April my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister raised the case of Ai Weiwei and those of other dissidents detained in recent weeks when he met Secretary of the Communist Party of China Shanghai Municipal Committee, Yu Zhengsheng. Senior officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have also raised the case of Ai Weiwei with the Chinese embassy in London. We will continue to monitor developments in Mr Ai’s case closely and look for further appropriate opportunities to raise our concerns.
China: Trade Unions
Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on the right of workers in that country to join a trade union. [52376]
Mr Jeremy Browne: I have not had any recent discussions with the Chinese Government on the specific issue of the right of workers to join a trade union. However we have consistently urged the Chinese to make progress on all areas that would lead to the ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which includes the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and join trade unions.
Colombia
Mr Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Colombian authorities on the detention of Professor Miguel Angel Beltran in a high security unit in La Picota prison, Bogota. [52345]
Mr Jeremy Browne: A representative of our embassy attended the opening of Dr Beltran Villegas’ trial on 11 November. Our ambassador raised Dr Beltran Villegas’ case in a meeting with the Head of the Vice-President’s Unit for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law on 17 November 2010. His case was also raised in the EU-Colombia human rights dialogue on 23 November 2010.
Most recently, I raised our general human rights concerns with the Colombian Vice Minister for Defence Yaneth Giha on 11 January and Deputy Foreign Minister Patti Londono on 26 January and discussed ways in which the UK can support efforts to improve the situation in Colombia.
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We will continue to underline to the Colombian authorities that those charged with crimes should have their legal rights fully respected, including to a fair and efficient trial but we cannot interfere in Colombia’s judicial process.
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Elections
Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the parliamentary and presidential elections in that country in November 2011. [51802]
Mr Bellingham: Our ambassador to Kinshasa has met senior figures in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government including the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Interior Minister and the Presidents of the National Assembly and Senate to discuss the elections. He stressed that the elections must be credible and well administered with the right to freedom of expression protected for opposition candidates, civil society, and journalists. Recently Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials met the head of the independent national electoral commission (CENI) who agreed to manage the electoral process in consultation with opposition parties and the international community.
Departmental Early Retirement
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his Department’s staff have taken early retirement in each of the last five years; and what the cost to his Department was in each such year. [50839]
Mr Bellingham: The following costs are based on financial years:
95 staff left under Flexible or Compulsory Early Retirement terms (FER/CER). 13 left under a voluntary exit scheme run under the new Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS). The total cost to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) was £13,170,378. This includes a sum of £819,928 which went to buying out the actuarial reduction of the pension for the seven staff who chose this option under the CSCS. 23 left under Approved Early Retirement (AER) terms with a total cost of £2,128,806.
111 staff left under FER/CER terms and the total cost to the FCO was £12,407,375. 10 left under AER terms with a total cost of £1,748,774.
79 left under FER/CER terms and the total cost was £10,986,999.
103 left under FER/CER terms, and the total cost to the FCO was £18,918,138. 17 left under AER terms and the total cost was £777,707.
84 left under FER/CER terms and the total cost to the FCO was £11,269,250. Three left under AER terms and the total cost was £489,251.
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Departmental Manpower
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what public sector job reduction targets have been set for his Department and its non-departmental public bodies for each of the next 24 months; and what steps he plans to take to meet such targets. [51523]
Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is currently considering work force planning options for the comprehensive spending review period which runs to the end of financial year 2014-15. The FCO's funding reduces in real terms by around 10% over this period and the work force will also reduce broadly in line with the budget. The FCO is subject to the Government-wide recruitment freeze and we expect that the necessary reductions should be achievable through retirement and voluntary early departure.
We do not hold details of non-departmental public bodies’ work force plans.
Departmental Mobile Phones
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in his Department are provided with mobile communication devices; and how much his Department spent on mobile telephones and related data services in the last year for which figures are available. [51421]
Mr Lidington: From centrally recorded accounts the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has provided 3,259 mobile devices for officers in the UK and overseas. This figure does not include any purchases made overseas using devolved budgets. Records of such purchases are not held centrally and are only available at disproportionate cost. Under normal circumstances each officer would have only one device.
The latest information covering 1 April to 31 December 2010 shows that the FCO spent £1.9 million on mobile devices globally. All numbers and figures provided above may have included devices and spend for other Government Departments working alongside the FCO.
Departmental Public Appointments
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 22 March 2011, Official Report, column 956W, on departmental public appointments, for what reasons the answer referred to a website address that is not operational; and how many (a) women and (b) men who held public appointments in bodies sponsored by his Department are no longer in those roles as a result of decisions to merge, close or reorganise such bodies taken since his appointment. [51444]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The website link given in my previous answer leads to the Public Bodies 2009 report which has the latest summary information.
The changes to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office arm’s length bodies as a result of this process have resulted in the loss of one job, held by a man.
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Departmental Public Expenditure
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which overseas offices, departments and places of business funded by his Department, excluding embassies and consulates, are funded directly or indirectly by (a) his Department only, (b) devolved administrations, (c) local government and (d) non-departmental bodies for which his Department is responsible. [50958]
Mr Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) operates a network of over 260 posts overseas for Her Majesty’s Government. Some do not have formal status as an embassy or consulate, such as our missions to multilateral and other international bodies or other offices, for example, the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Lashkar Gah.
Where devolved administrations, local government and/or non-departmental bodies are present in these missions, the FCO would seek to recover any costs incurred.
Ministerial Meetings
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions Ministers in his Department have met Ministers in the Government of (a) Brazil, (b) Russia, (c) India and (d) China since May 2010. [48334]
Mr Hague: My ministerial team and I have met Ministers in the Governments of Brazil, Russia, India and China on numerous occasions since May 2010. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers have also attended numerous bilateral and multilateral meetings and conferences at which Ministers from these Governments have been present.
Diplomatic Service: Human Rights
Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many and what proportion of British (a) embassies, (b) High Commissions and (c) other overseas posts have a dedicated human rights officer; [50911]
(2) how many British embassies, High Commissions and overseas posts have a dedicated trade officer; [50913]
(3) how many UK-based staff of his Department work exclusively on human rights issues; and what proportion of the total number of UK-based staff of his Department this represents; [50914]
(4) what proportion of the total number of staff of his Department work exclusively on (a) human rights and (b) trade issues. [50915]
Mr Bellingham: Promoting human rights is an integral part of our foreign policy. All Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) missions overseas have a responsibility to consider human rights in all of our bilateral and multilateral work and to raise concerns about human rights wherever and whenever they arise.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs launched the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) 2010 report on human
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rights and democracy on 31 March 2011. The report is a comprehensive look at human rights work of the FCO around the world in 2010.
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given on 16 September 2010, Official Report, column 1186W, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to the right hon. Member for South Shields (David Miliband), which details the number of staff in London working exclusively on human rights issues. These staff are assisted by geographical teams at home and by staff at FCO missions overseas.
32 UK-based FCO civil servants work full-time on trade and investment issues in London. They are assisted by staff in geographical teams at home and other UK Trade and Investment and non-UK Trade and Investment UK-based staff at FCO missions overseas. Staff recruited locally to work at posts overseas also work on trade and investment issues.
For operational and security reasons we cannot give further details of staff deployments and activity levels.
Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provision exists for the consideration of human rights issues at British embassies, High Commissions and overseas posts which do not have a dedicated human rights officer. [50912]
Mr Bellingham: All Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) overseas missions monitor and raise human rights with their host countries. Since human rights are an integral part of the FCO’s work, many FCO staff at home and overseas work directly on human rights issues, including Heads of Mission and some staff recruited locally. The FCO human rights and democracy department in London supports our embassies, high commissions and overseas posts in the pursuit of their human rights objectives by providing specialist thematic advice, training and guidance materials. All FCO staff have access to a wide range of thematic human rights resources.
East Africa: Mining
Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on project-by-project due diligence reporting by UK registered companies engaged in mineral extraction in the Great lakes region of Africa. [51801]
Mr Bellingham: On 29 March 2011 I hosted a trade event, bringing together global experts on business, human rights, conflict and natural resources to provide advice and expertise to British business potentially dealing in conflict minerals. I invited a number of ministerial colleagues with an interest in the corporate social responsibility agenda.
The UK Government encourage British companies trading in natural resources from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its neighbouring countries to do so in a way which is socially, economically and environmentally responsible, including adhering to the voluntary guidelines set out by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
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The UK has been a strong supporter of work by the OECD and UN DRC Group of Experts to produce a clear set of due diligence guidelines for companies trading in minerals from eastern DRC.
We have launched new pages on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website designed to help companies trading in minerals originating in conflict-affected areas identify the different guidelines and regulation that may apply to them and where they can find further information:
www.fco.gov.uk/conflictminerals
My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer raised the issue of international rules on extractives transparency at February’s G20 Finance Ministers meeting and made clear that the UK will be arguing for a European agreement that matches the new standards set in the US.
Egypt: Politics and Government
Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Egyptian Supreme Council of the Armed Forces on (a) ending the state of emergency, (b) the release of political prisoners and (c) the establishment of an interim civilian authority in that country. [51800]
Alistair Burt: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister visited Egypt on 21 February 2011. He met Field Marshal Tantawi, Head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, and emphasised Egypt’s opportunity to make a genuine transition from military to civilian democratic rule. He stressed the importance of setting a clear timetable for elections and of pursuing a broad-based dialogue with opposition groups. He also called on the military authorities to release all political prisoners and end the state of emergency.
We will continue to encourage the Egyptian authorities to fulfil their commitments, especially safeguarding the legitimate demands of the people and overseeing a transition to a democratic, civilian-led government. In a telephone call to the Egyptian Prime Minister on 8 March 2011 the Prime Minister reinforced the UK’s support for a successful transition, and I discussed this in detail with senior Egyptian Ministers during my visit to Egypt from 9 to 11 March 2011.
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the proportion of UK residents who have not received adequate information about the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; and if he will take steps to ensure that the UK is not subject to the provisions of the Charter. [52470]
Mr Lidington: As the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU does not create any new justiciable rights or change the current status of fundamental rights as they apply in EU law, the Government do not believe it would be a cost effective use of resources to estimate the proportion of UK residents that do not feel well informed about the Charter.
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The Charter and the Lisbon treaty have not changed the content or effect of EU fundamental rights as they apply in EU law. It has long been recognised that fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the European Court of Human Rights and as they result from the constitutional traditions common to the member states, constitute general principles of EU law (as confirmed by Article 6(3) TEU). The Charter and the Lisbon treaty do not give the European Court of Justice or national courts any new powers to strike down national laws and practices for breaching fundamental rights. Furthermore, the UK is required to comply with the fundamental rights restated in the Charter only when it is giving effect to EU law, reflecting the long-standing case law of the European Court of Justice. These limits on the effects of the Charter are confirmed by both Protocol No. 30 to the treaties and the terms of the Charter and the treaties themselves.
EU Fundamental Rights Agency
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the EU Fundamental Rights Agency has spent in each year since its inception; and how many staff it has employed in each such year. [52474]
Mr Lidington: The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights' (FRA) annual accounts are published online. According to their reports, their expenditure was €14.2 million in 2007, €15 million in 2008, €17 million in 2009 and €20 million in 2010. These accounts have been subject to UK parliamentary scrutiny.
The FRA have informed us that they employed 45 members of staff in 2007, 47 in 2008, 65 in 2009 and 78 in 2010. They currently employ a total of 83 members of staff.
European Court of Human Rights
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution he plans to make to the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers informal meeting on 5 April 2011 on preparing a draft declaration for adoption at the High Level Conference on the Future of the European Court of Human Rights; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the representations the Government have made on this matter. [50271]
Mr Lidington: The UK will contribute fully to ensure that the draft declaration reflects our priorities for reform of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).
The Government have participated actively in discussions within the Council of Europe on the reform of the ECtHR. This has not involved the submission of formal written representations on this issue.
European External Action Service
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which vacant posts in the European External Action Service have been notified to his Department; and whether he has been consulted on filling such vacancies. [51772]
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Mr Lidington: 220 positions have been advertised in the European External Action Service (EEAS) since March 2010. Of these 62 are in Brussels and 158 in European Union delegations. The advertisements are sent to all member states and are advertised in the EU institutions. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office circulates the details internally as well as across Whitehall, processes applications from British candidates and forwards them to Brussels. Appointments into the EEAS are made in Brussels, based on an open, meritocratic system. Many of the jobs are still being processed, but a number of British candidates have either been successful or reached the final stages of the application process.
I am consulted and informed, where appropriate, about candidates for senior positions.
Gibraltar
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit Gibraltar. [52065]
Mr Lidington: I visited Gibraltar on 12-13 April 2011 this year. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs currently has no plans to visit.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his (a) Spanish and (b) Gibraltarian counterpart on Gibraltar's sovereign territorial waters. [52066]
Mr Lidington: The UK Government are confident of their sovereignty over British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. We continue to make this clear to Spain whenever appropriate at official and ministerial level. The issue was raised by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with his Spanish counterpart, Trinidad Jimenez during their meeting on 17 February 2011 in London. I discussed this with the Chief Minister during my visit to Gibraltar on 12-13 April 2011.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what customs procedures operate for Gibraltarian citizens who cross the border from Spain to Gibraltar. [52067]
Mr Lidington: Gibraltar is outside the EU Common Customs Area and full Customs controls therefore apply to all persons entering or leaving Gibraltar. Customs are a matter for the Government of Gibraltar.
On the Gibraltar side of the border foot passengers pass through a customs hall immediately after passport control when entering Gibraltar. Vehicles can choose to enter either a green “nothing to declare” or red “goods to declare” lane after passport control. Any foot passenger or vehicle, whether of Gibraltarian or other origin, may be stopped by customs officials.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the Government of Gibraltar received from the EU in each of the last five years. [52068]
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Mr Lidington: Funding from the European Union for Gibraltar is allocated on a multi-year basis, Gibraltar receives funding from the UK's allocation of Structural Funds under the European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness and Employment programme. For the seven year period to 2013, this amounts to €5.8 million. This is a specific operational programme for Gibraltar, and is managed by the Gibraltar Government.
From 2007-13, Gibraltar will receive €3.3 million from the European Social Fund (ESF). While the Gibraltar Government manage their ESF allocation, it is part of the national England and Gibraltar Convergence, Competitiveness and Employment programme.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials from his Department are posted to Gibraltar. [52070]
Mr Bellingham: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to the right hon. Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire South (Mr Alexander) on 17 February 2011, Official Report, columns 993-97W.
Human Rights
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the Annual Activity Report 2010 by the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, CommDH(2011)4; and if he will make a statement; [51684]
(2) with reference to the Annual Activity Report 2010 by the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, CommDH(2011)4, what his policy is on the request by the Commissioner for Human Rights for an increase in the resources available to the Commissioner; and what assessment he has made of an appropriate level of resources for the Commissioner; [51685]
(3) with reference to the Annual Activity Report 2010 of the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, CommDH(2011)4, what his policy is on the request by the Commissioner for Human Rights to increase the permanent posts available to the Commissioner from 19 to 30; and what assessment he has made of the appropriate staffing level for the Commissioner’s office; [51686]
(4) To with reference to the Annual Activity Report 2010 by the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, CommDH(2011)4, when the report will be discussed by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers; and whether the Government plans to approve its contents. [51693]
Mr Lidington: The report will be presented to the Committee of Ministers on 25 May. We will study it carefully.
India: Foreign Relations
Priti Patel:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress of UK-Indian relations following
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the delegation in July 2010; what steps the Government are taking to strengthen UK-India relations; and what trade opportunities between the UK and India he expects to arise in the next 12 months. [52478]
Alistair Burt: The bilateral relationship with India sits on solid foundations, and the UK is committed to making this partnership stronger, wider and deeper to mutual benefit. Since my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's visit, and the summit with Indian Prime Minister Singh in July 2010, we have set in train an ambitious agenda of practical co-operation.
A number of further visits, including by Cabinet Ministers, have taken place in both directions. A significant UK trade delegation accompanied my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on a visit to India in January for the annual Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) talks. In February, the India-UK Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Forum met for the first time, with CEOs from both countries discussing ways to improve bilateral trade and investment with the Prime Minister and other Ministers. This was followed by a first visit by my noble Friend the Minister for Trade and Investment to India in March. One of the largest ever foreign investment deals in India was announced in March when BP signed a new $7.2 billion oil and gas partnership with Reliance Industries.
A new phase in the UK/India education and research initiative will further enhance co-operation between educational institutions and provide a platform for the increased ties in science and technology that will help drive economic growth on both sides. Co-operation also continues in the areas of defence, counter terrorism and climate change. India's new membership of the UN Security Council also provides an opportunity to engage even more closely on key international issues.
In the next 12 months, we expect to support an ever-increasing number of firms doing business in and investigating the Indian market to encourage progress toward the agreed target to double trade by 2015. We will support trade missions both ways, work with relevant bodies such as the UK India Business Council (UKIBC), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and the Indian High Commission to promote opportunities, and encourage greater collaboration and business through Government-to-Government mechanisms such as the next PM-PM summit, economic and financial dialogue, JETCO and CEO Forum. We will also promote the successful conclusion of an EU-India Free Trade Agreement and work with India towards a conclusion of the Doha Round, which will give rise to trade opportunities for both countries.
Indian Ocean: Piracy
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department considers the Indian Ocean to be an at risk zone in respect of piracy. [51788]
Mr Bellingham:
Yes. I refer the right hon. Member to my response of 31 March 2011, Official Report, columns 431-32W. Acts of piracy occur across the world, although they are most prevalent in parts of the Indian ocean.
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Military forces define the high risk area by the coordinates of the voluntary reporting scheme used by the UK Maritime Trade Operation and industry-agreed Best Management Practice. These co-ordinates are the Suez canal to the north, 10°S latitude and 78°E longitude. Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice advises against all but essential travel in the area and uses the following latitude and longitude: 15°N in the Red sea, 23°N in the Arabian sea, 78°E and 15°S in the Indian ocean.
Iran: Baha'i Faith
Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Iranian Government on the sentences of Baha'i leaders imprisoned in 2010. [51799]
Alistair Burt: I remain deeply concerned about the plight of the seven Baha'i leaders still in custody in Iran. I strongly condemn the recent rushed re-trial of the leaders, and their re-sentencing to 20 years in prison. We remain clear that the leaders are being tried for no more than practising their faith. On 4 April 2011 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs released a statement calling on the Iranian judiciary to review the case and calling on Iran to cease the persecution of members of the Baha'i faith. We continue regularly to raise the case of the Baha'i leaders and discrimination against the Baha'is with the Iranian authorities, including twice with the Iranian Chargé d'affaires in February and March. It is important that we keep the international spotlight on Iran and highlight the frequent abuses as they occur.
Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he plans to make representations to the Government of Iran on the increase in sentences for members of the Baha'i faith imprisoned in Iran; [51841]
(2) what reports he has received of arbitrary increases in the prison sentences of members of the Baha'i faith imprisoned in Iran. [51868]
Alistair Burt: I remain deeply concerned about the plight of the seven Baha'i leaders still in custody in Iran. I strongly condemn the recent rushed re-trial of the leaders, and their re-sentencing to 20 years in prison. We remain clear that the leaders are being tried for no more than practising their faith. On 4 April my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs released a statement calling on the Iranian judiciary to review the case and calling on Iran to cease the persecution of members of the Baha'i faith. We continue regularly to raise the case of the Baha'i leaders and discrimination against the Baha'is with the Iranian authorities, including twice with the Iranian chargé d’affaires in February and March. It is important that we keep the international spotlight on Iran and highlight the frequent abuses as they occur.
Mrs Ellman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent meetings the UK’s diplomatic representative to Iran has had with the Iranian authorities on the trial of Mrs Fariba
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Kamalabadi, Mr Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr Afif Maimi, Mr Saeid Rezaie, Mrs Mahvash Sabet, Mr Behrouz Tavakkoli and Mr Vahid Tizfahm; [52108]
(2) pursuant to the answer of 10 January 2011, Official Report, columns 225-26W, on Iran: trials, what recent representations he has made to the Government of Iran on the trial of Mrs Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr Afif Maimi, Mr Saeid Rezaie, Mrs Mahvash Sabet, Mr Behrouz Tavakkoli and Mr Vahid Tizfahm. [52191]
Alistair Burt: I remain deeply concerned about the plight of the seven Baha’i leaders still in custody in Iran. I strongly condemn the recent rushed re-trial of the leaders, and their re-sentencing to 20 years in prison. We remain clear that the leaders are being tried for no more than practising their faith. On 4 April my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs released a statement calling on the Iranian judiciary to review the case and calling on Iran to cease the persecution of members of the Baha’i faith. We continue regularly to raise the case of the Baha’i leaders and discrimination against the Baha’is with the Iranian authorities, including twice with the Iranian chargé d’affaires in February and March. It is important that we keep the international spotlight on Iran and highlight the frequent abuses as they occur.
Iran: Human Rights
Mrs Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the government of Iran on respect for human rights in that country. [52109]
Alistair Burt: The human rights situation in Iran remains deeply disturbing and was highlighted prominently in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human Rights Command Paper, placed in the House on 31 March 2011. The UK has been at the forefront of recent action in the EU to apply restrictive measures against human rights abusers in Iran. The UK also worked to support the establishment of a UN Special Rapporteur for Iran, and highlighted the human rights situation in Iran in statements in the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva in March. On a bilateral level, we continue to highlight our concerns and request additional information about specific cases during meetings with the Iranian embassy in London, and through the our embassy in Tehran. We will continue to do so, while also making clear statements condemning cases where injustice has occurred.
Iraq: Politics and Government
Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of violence and alleged human rights abuses in Sulaymania. [51798]
Alistair Burt:
We have received reports of intimidation and violence being committed against journalists and protestors during recent demonstrations across Iraq,
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including the Kurdistan region. Following the demonstrations, I released the following statement on 10 March:
“We have been following events in Iraq closely. We are concerned at a number of reports of harassment of protestors, including political groups associated with the protests, and of violence against journalists and media offices across Iraq. We call on the Iraqi and Kurdish authorities to investigate these incidents and to protect the right to freedom of expression and assembly.”
Officials at our embassy in Iraq regularly discuss the human rights situation with senior members of the Iraqi Government, and raise concerns when appropriate. Our consul-general in Erbil recently made representations to the Kurdistan regional Government about the importance of respecting the rights and freedoms of protestors.
Libya: British Nationals Abroad
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will assess the effectiveness of arrangements for the evacuation of British nationals from Libya in comparison with (a) the evacuation from Lebanon in 2006 and (b) other recent evacuations; and if he will make a statement. [48876]
Alistair Burt: Each evacuation takes place in different circumstances and under different constraints. This makes it difficult to compare evacuations directly. In Lebanon in 2006, some 4,500 persons, including around 2,000 British nationals, were safely evacuated by British forces, the majority by sea. The recent crises in Tunisia and Egypt were examples of how we have assisted the departure of British nationals from a country without reaching the stage of a formal evacuation. In Tunisia we worked closely with tour operators to repatriate more than 3,000 British nationals. In Egypt we helped over 2,000 British nationals to leave the country by commercial means and arranged two charter flights to facilitate the departure of a further 200 British nationals and their dependants. In Libya, around 140 British nationals were evacuated by sea and over 450 by air, using a combination of civilian and military flights. In addition, over 150 British nationals were evacuated from remote desert locations using military assets. In total the UK evacuated over 1,600 people from Libya, including nationals from 54 countries.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) always carries out a lessons learned exercise following any crisis, including evacuations. Additionally, the FCO is carrying out a review of arrangements for leading an evacuation of British nationals in a crisis. The review will consider the contingency arrangements that the FCO has in place and the triggers and procedures for moving to a crisis footing and mounting civilian and military evacuation operations.
Middle East: Anti-semitism
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on attitudes to Jews in the Arab world; what recent discussions he has had with the Arab League about this issue; and if he will make a statement. [50302]
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Alistair Burt: The Government strongly condemn the continued prevalence of anti-Semitism around the world and promote policies to tackle this through a range of international organisations. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s overseas missions have a responsibility to monitor and raise human rights in their host countries and routinely raise our concerns with host Governments, including freedom of religion or belief when appropriate.
Attitudes towards Jewish people across the Arab world are linked to attitudes towards Israel. We receive independent research on these issues from institutions such as Chatham House, Carnegie Middle East Centre and the Brookings Institute. The latter, in association with the University of Maryland, produced a report last autumn mapping Arab public opinion towards Israel, across six Arab states, from 2008 until 2010. They reported that in 2010 just over half of the respondents were prepared for peace with Israel upon a successful conclusion of the peace process.
Middle East: Armed Conflict
Mrs Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the conclusions of the report of the UN Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict; and if he will make a statement. [51858]
Alistair Burt: The Goldstone report outlines serious allegations of breaches of international humanitarian law during the Gaza conflict. Justice Goldstone acknowledges in his recent comments that some aspects of his report would look differently in light of new evidence, correcting the allegation in the report that Israel intentionally targeted civilians.
Justice Goldstone has made clear that there is no reason to reconsider the various other serious allegations contained in the report at this time.
This latest insight into the events surrounding the Gaza conflict have come about because of the process that was set in train by his Fact Finding Mission, and is absolutely consistent with our longstanding policy of calling for full, credible and independent investigations by the parties into any and all allegations of breaches of international humanitarian law.
Allegations of breaches of international humanitarian law made against all parties to the Gaza conflict are not limited to the Goldstone report and have arisen from various other credible sources. We firmly believe that any and all such allegations must be met with credible and independent investigations by the parties to the conflict.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on rocket attacks from Gaza on 25 March 2011; and if he will make a statement. [51956]
Alistair Burt: Our embassy in Tel Aviv monitors rocket attacks on Israel closely. As we have consistently made clear all such attacks should stop. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs made a statement on these issues on 25 March 2011:
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“I am extremely concerned at the escalating violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories over the past week. We have seen a surge in rockets and mortars launched at Israeli civilians from the Gaza strip. This is abhorrent. Three people have been injured, many more are living in fear. Six Palestinian civilians, including four children, have been killed as a result of Israeli actions in the Gaza strip. We have urged the Israeli government to ensure everything is done to avoid further civilian casualties while calling for a complete end to attacks on Israel.
And we have seen the terrible sight—which we hoped belonged to the past—of a bomb at a bus station in Jerusalem. A British woman was killed and more than 30 injured. I condemn this attack in the strongest terms and call for those responsible to be held to account. Elsewhere, we have seen Israeli settlers opening fire on a Palestinian funeral procession, wounding two mourners. Also, another Palestinian was stabbed in an unprovoked attack.
We condemn the extremists who are instigating this violence and who are deliberately attempting to wreck the chances of peace. We call on all sides to do all that they can to prevent further loss of innocent life, to bring the perpetrators to justice and to reduce current tensions.”
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the deployment of the Iron Dome missile defence system outside Be'er Sheva, Israel on 27 March 2011; and if he will make a statement. [51957]
Alistair Burt: Israel has the right to defend its citizens. We respect and recognise that fact. The stationing of an anti-rocket defence system around Be'er Sheva is an important step in this context.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the location by Hezbollah of missile bunkers adjacent to civilian facilities south of the Litani river in Lebanon; and if he will make a statement. [51958]
Alistair Burt: International investigations carried out after the 2006 Lebanon Israel war found that Hezbollah often stored and fired weaponry from civilian buildings. There is no reason to believe that Hezbollah would reconsider operating from civilian buildings in any future conflict with Israel. Reports suggest extensive preparations for Hezbollah to fight in built up areas south of the Litani.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701 calls for a full ceasefire, including no weapons south of the Litani River. We remain concerned by reports of weapons transfers to Hezbollah, including Hezbollah’s own claims that it possesses significant military capabilities.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) during his visit to Syria in January made clear and firm representations to President Assad and Foreign Minister Muallem on the dangers to the stability of the region in allowing the smuggling of weapons to Hezbollah. My officials continue to raise UN Security Council Resolution 1701 at a senior level in both Beirut and Damascus.
North Africa: Refugees
Caroline Lucas:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he had discussions with his Italian counterpart on the (a) physical condition and (b) human rights of refugees from North Africa who have arrived in Lampedusa in
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the last three months; and whether he has had discussions with his EU counterparts on (i) resettlement capacity, (ii) resettlement programmes, (iii) assessment of needs, (iv) resources for the processing of applications and resettlement needs, (v) resources for (A) children, (B) women at risk of physical, sexual or psychological violence or exploitation, (C) survivors of torture, (D) people with urgent medical or other special needs and (E) disabled people and (vi) integration support and services for resettlement in respect of refugees from North Africa; and if he will make a statement. [51326]
Mr Lidington [holding answer 5 April 2011]:The Council of the European Union is considering carefully the impact of current events in North Africa on migratory flows. At its meeting on 11 March, the European Council asked the Justice and Home Affairs Council to consider how to develop capacities to manage migration and refugee flows. The Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for the Home Department will report the outcome of meetings of the Justice and Home Affairs Council and of the European Council to the House as usual, including progress on this issue. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not had any specific bilateral discussions with his Italian counterpart on this issue.
Palestinians
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the naming of a town square in the Palestinian town Al-Bireh after Dalal al-Murghrabi; and if he will make a statement. [52231]
Alistair Burt: The UK deplores all incitement to violence. The naming of a square after the leader of the 1978 terrorist attack would have been distasteful under any circumstances, but particularly so in the wake of the murders that occurred in Itamar. We also strongly oppose the payment of cash directly linked to acts of violence. Our consulate general in Jerusalem will raise these issues with the Fatah Leadership.
We welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ condemnation of the murders that occurred in Itamar. He said they were despicable, immoral and inhuman, We endorse President Abbas’ commitment to a path of non-violence and a negotiated solution to the peace process.
Piracy
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has had discussions with the Save our Seafarers Campaign on action against piracy. [51789]
Mr Bellingham:
I meet regularly with shipping industry and shipping union representatives, including those involved in the SOS Save Our Seafarers campaign, and discuss the plight of seafarers, which is a matter of great concern to the Government. The Government support the six key actions proposed by the campaign, have advocated these actions strongly with our partners through the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia,
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and distributed them to UN Security Council members through the UK Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
President of the European Council: Operating Costs
Mr Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the running costs of the office of the President of the European Council. [50489]
Mr Bellingham: My right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe has not received any specific reports on the running costs of the office of the President of the European Council.
The Council President's budget is part of the general budget of the European Council and Council of Ministers (Section II of the European Union budget). For 2012, the Council has proposed savings of 4.4% which we have welcomed, although we believe that the Council should go even further. Indeed, the EU institutions must set an example of reform, with a robust value for money drive, in line with the austerity measures and public spending reprioritisation in member states.
Somaliland
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department has given to UK nationals (a) living in and (b) visiting Somaliland in the last five years. [50410]
Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all travel to Somalia, including Somaliland. There is no British representation in any part of Somalia and we are unable to provide consular assistance there. However, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, through its embassy in Addis Ababa and High Commission in Nairobi, has provided some consular assistance to British nationals there, most often issuing replacement passports.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate has been made of the number of UK nationals who have (a) visited and (b) worked in Somaliland in the each of the last five years. [50411]
Mr Bellingham: We are unable to estimate the number of British nationals who have visited Somaliland in each of the last five years. We are aware that British nationals work in Somaliland on a short term basis with the UN and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and that many dual nationals visit Somaliland, but do not have precise figures. We advise against all travel to Somalia, including Somaliland. We urge anyone travelling to Somaliland in spite of our travel advice to register with us. There are 65 registered at present.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions has he had with representatives of the administration in Somaliland. [50414]
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Mr Bellingham: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not yet held discussions with any members of the Somaliland administration. However, I held discussions with President Silanyo in November 2010. I also met the Somaliland Foreign Minister, Minister for Planning and Development and Minister for Mining, Energy and Water Resources at the Somaliland investment conference on 31 March 2011.
Somaliland: British Nationals Abroad
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of crimes against British tourists in Somaliland in the last 12 months. [52073]
Mr Jeremy Browne: There have been no specific reports of crimes against British tourists in Somaliland in the past year. Our consular office in Addis Ababa, which covers Somaliland, has issued a number of emergency travel documents to British nationals over the last 12 months. But we have no evidence that these documents were required as a result of crime in Somaliland.
Sudan: Referendums
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with (a) his Sudanese counterpart and (b) officials of the Sudanese government on determining the borders of Abyei. [51244]
Mr Bellingham: I raised the issue of Abyei when I met Presidential Adviser Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail on 28 March 2011. Our ambassador in Khartoum and the UK Special Representative for Sudan regularly discuss Abyei with the Governments in both Khartoum and Juba. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs issued a joint statement with his US and Norwegian Troika colleagues on 15 March 2011 urging both parties to resume their dialogue on post-referendum issues, including Abyei.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the situation at the Abyei border in Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [51245]
Mr Bellingham: We have been very concerned at the recent clashes in the Abyei region, including those on 27-28 February 2011 and 1-2 March 2011 between Northern and Southern groups in the area.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration issued its judgment on the Abyei boundary on 22 July 2009. Both the National Congress Party and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement agreed to abide by the decision.
Supermarkets
Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had any meetings since September 2010 with representatives of (a) Tesco, (b) Sainsbury’s, (c) Asda, (d) Morrisons and (e) trade associations of which these companies are members. [52212]
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Mr Lidington: No such meetings have taken place.
Tax Avoidance
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on offshore avoidance of UK taxes in (a) Bermuda, (b) the British Virgin Islands, (c) the Cayman Islands, (d) the Falkland Islands, (e) Gibraltar, (f) Montserrat and (g) the Turks and Caicos Islands. [52299]
The UK has arrangements in place for information exchange on tax matters, including tax avoidance, with all of the above mentioned territories.
Tristan da Cunha: Oil
Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the damage caused to (a) the environment and (b) natural life following the collision of MS Oliva with Nightingale Island on 16 March 2011; what (i) equipment and (ii) personnel he plans to send to Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands; what bird life he has assessed as being at risk in the region; and if he will make a statement on any assistance he plans to send to the population of Tristan da Cunha in respect of the crisis. [51516]
Mr Bellingham: Leaked fuel oil from the wreck of the MV Oliva has washed ashore on Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands. It has impacted both protected wildlife and the fisheries on which the islands' economy relies. The Tristan authorities and community are working hard to help the wildlife affected by the oil. The greatest impact has so far been on the Northern Rockhopper penguins, some 4,000 of which have been moved to Tristan Island for cleaning and rehabilitation. The fisheries at Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands will remain closed until testing has been completed. The full impact on the wildlife and fisheries will take time to assess.
The responsibility to clean up the damage caused to the environment of the Tristan da Cunha islands and to compensate the Tristan community for any losses lies with the ship's owners and insurers. We are determined that they will continue to meet this responsibility in full. We have also been in close touch with the Tristan da Cunha authorities throughout and are ensuring that they have all the advice and support they need from across Government and elsewhere.
While the Government are quite clear that all costs resulting from this incident must be borne by the owners and insurers of the vessel, a top-up to Tristan da Cunha's financial reserves of £500,000 has been made from Foreign and Commonwealth Office funds to protect the community against immediate and short-term expenditure. A salvage tug carried the first material for the clean up to the islands. Additional equipment and personnel arrived at Tristan Island on 4 April 2011 and a further vessel carrying supplies reached Tristan on 12 April. The remoteness of the site and the demanding conditions mean, however, that this is a very difficult operation.
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Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he has provided with the clean up operation resulting from the MS Oliva bunker oil leak in Tristan da Cunha. [52063]
Mr Bellingham: The responsibility to clean up the damage caused to the environment of the Tristan da Cunha islands, and to compensate the Tristan community for any losses lies with the ship's owners and insurers. We are determined that they will continue to meet this responsibility in full. We have also been in close touch with the Tristan da Cunha Authorities throughout and are ensuring that they have all the advice and support they need from across Government and elsewhere.
The Tristan Authorities and community are working hard to help the wildlife affected by the oil, and to clean up the pollution from the wreck. Equipment and expert help has been supplied by the wrecked vessel's insurers. The fisheries at Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands will remain closed until testing has been completed. But the full impacts on the wildlife and fisheries will take time to assess.
While the Government are quite clear that all costs resulting from this incident must be borne by the owners and insurers of the vessel, a top-up of £500,000 has been made to Tristan da Cunha's financial reserves from Foreign and Commonwealth Office funds to protect the community against immediate and short-term expenditure.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps he has taken in relation to the salvage of M.S. Oliva on Nightingale Island, Tristan da Cunha. [52064]
Mr Bellingham: We have ensured that the Tristan da Cunha authorities have had expert advice from across Government and elsewhere on all issues arising from the wreck of the Motor Vessel (MV) Oliva.
The responsibility for any salvage of the wreck lies with the owners and insurers of the vessel. A salvage tug spent over a week at the site. But poor sea and weather conditions and the deterioration of the wreck meant it was too dangerous to attempt salvage. The next opportunity to review the condition of the wreck properly and to consider its future will be after the austral winter, the onset of which is imminent.
Turks and Caicos Islands: Corruption
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost of the Turks and Caicos Special Investigation and Prosecution Team investigation has been to date. [52082]
Mr Bellingham: The Special Investigation and Prosecution Team has confirmed that the total cost of the investigation up to the end of January 2011 was approximately £4.3 million.
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Turks and Caicos Islands: Dominican Republic
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Dominican Republic citizens are resident on the British Overseas Territory of Turks and Caicos. [52074]
Mr Bellingham: The Turks and Caicos Islands Government do not hold this information.
Turks and Caicos Islands: Haiti
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Haitian citizens are resident on the British Overseas Territory of Turks and Caicos. [52075]
Mr Bellingham: The Turks and Caicos Islands Government do not hold this information.
Turks and Caicos Islands: Prisoners
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many inmates are detained in Grand Turk Prison, Turks and Caicos. [52080]
Mr Bellingham: On 7 April 2011, the population of Her Majesty's prison in Grand Turk stood at 99; 41 on remand and 58 serving sentences.
Turks and Caicos Islands: Radar
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the Coastal Radar System project in Turks and Caicos; and when he expects the project to be completed. [52083]
Mr Bellingham: Considerable progress has been made on the Coastal Radar System project. The tower and antennae have been mounted and testing is imminent.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government expect that installation and testing will be completed in the summer.
Turks and Caicos Islands: Redundancy
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the Turks and Caicos Government spent on redundancy payouts in each of the last three years. [52084]
Mr Bellingham: Following the closure of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government-sponsored New Media TV channel in November 2009, US$107,467 was paid in terminal benefits. There were no other redundancy payments in this period.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many civil servants have been made redundant in Turks and Caicos in each of the last three years. [52085]
Mr Bellingham:
14 staff members of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government-sponsored New Media TV
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channel were made redundant in November 2009. There were no other civil service redundancies during this period.
Turks and Caicos Islands: Young Offenders
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many juveniles are detained in Grand Turk Prison, Turks and Caicos. [52079]
Mr Bellingham: On 7 April 2011, there were two juveniles in Her Majesty's prison in Grand Turk.
Turks and Caicos Islands: Youth Custody
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provision there is for juvenile detention in Turks and Caicos. [52081]
Mr Bellingham: In general, custodial sentences in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) are usually only given to juveniles who commit very serious offences. In such instances, juveniles are housed in an area of the prison that is isolated from the general population and are monitored by the Department of Social Development. The previous practice had been to send juveniles abroad after sentence.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and Public Safety is seeking funding from the TCI Government and the Governor's Office to establish a juvenile facility in TCI.
UN Convention on Special Missions
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on ratification of the 1969 UN Convention on Special Missions. [51887]
Mr Bellingham: The Government signed the Special Missions Convention on 17 December 1970, but have not yet ratified it. The Government have kept the question of ratification under review, though ratification would entail the passage of primary legislation. However, developments in customary international law regarding special missions and certain high-level official visitors that have been recognised by our courts require that appropriate privileges and immunities are extended to visitors on special missions and other high-level visitors.
USA: Visits
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 22 March 2011, Official Report, column 961W, on USA: visits, what information his Department holds on the involvement of the embassies of other countries to the United States in facilitating visitor tours of the White House for their nationals. [51499]
Alistair Burt: We understand that all embassies have had to suspend the processing of White House tours while the State Department re-examines the service, with a view to re-opening it in due course using a new request programme and new staff.
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Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 22 March 2011, Official Report, column 961W on USA: visits, what information he holds on the embassies in Washington, DC that (a) do and (b) do not offer to process White House tours for their citizens; and in respect of which embassies his Department holds no information. [52233]
Alistair Burt: At the time of the decision to cease the facilitation of White House tours for British nationals in September 2010, our embassy in Washington contacted the embassies of Australia, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa. These embassies confirmed they were not offering facilitation of White House tours. Some state on their own websites that they do not facilitate tours of the White House, and advise visitors to go to the official website of the White House for further information. While no embassy can currently process tours, the Italian and French embassies have informed us that they are waiting for details of the new procedures.
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 22 March 2011, Official Report, column 961W on USA: visits, what information he holds on trends in domestic demand from United States citizens for White House tours. [52234]
Alistair Burt: We do not hold any information on the numbers of US citizens applying for White House tours, or the reasons for the increase. The relevant department in the US Administration is closed while they reorganise their tour request procedures.
Yemen: Entry Clearances
Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure the transfer of documentation to alternative visa points in the UAE and Amman following the closure of the visa route for those seeking to regain their documentation from the embassy in Yemen; and if he will make a statement. [52097]
Alistair Burt: Due to the increased threat to our embassy staff the visa section was forced to close in October 2010. There were a number of outstanding visa applications at this time. Consequently, a temporary visa officer was despatched to Sana'a to work through outstanding visa applications. All non-settlement applications were taken to the visa hub in Abu Dhabi for processing. Once decisions were reached, all documentation was couriered either directly to the applicants or via the embassy in Sana'a. Embassy staff in Sana'a notified all applicants of settlement visas, and those whose paperwork was returned to the British embassy in Sana'a, that they should attend the embassy to collect their paperwork and receive full refunds where appropriate. There are no outstanding documents or applications in Sana'a other than those awaiting collection by the applicants.
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Visa applicants are responsible for applying to alternative visa points. Yemeni nationals have been able to apply on-line to a number of regional Visa Application Centres (VACs) including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Cairo and Amman. All visa centres ensure supporting documentation is safely couriered to applicants when the visa process is concluded. If the VACs are unable to deliver visas, passports and other documentation by post, for instance if the address is incomplete, they send them to the British embassy in Sana'a. The applicants are contacted and asked to collect papers. Due to heightened concerns over security, access to the Embassy was not permitted for a period, but this is now possible, and those needing to collect applications have been contacted and informed.
Zimbabwe: British Nationals Abroad
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice on safety and security his Department provides to UK citizens wishing to relocate to Zimbabwe. [51667]
Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office website hosts the Travel Advice pages, which includes a page for Zimbabwe. The advice is designed to help British travellers make their own decisions, on an informed basis, about travelling abroad, and to help them to avoid trouble by providing information on threats to personal safety arising from political unrest, terrorist activities, lawlessness, violence, natural disasters, epidemics, anti-British demonstrations and aircraft/shipping safety. This advice is regularly updated.
For those without access to the internet the advice can be obtained through our 24/7 Travel Advice call centre on 0845 850 2829.
Our embassy has a website called UK in Zimbabwe which is found at:
www.ukinzimbabwe.fco.gov.uk
This website gives contact details for our embassy in Harare as well as providing a link to our Travel Advice web page.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department has made available to UK citizens resident in Zimbabwe who wish to return to the UK. [51668]
Mr Bellingham: Our consular team at our embassy in Harare are always available to respond to inquiries and have several publications that give advice to those British nationals wishing to move back to the UK:
“Moving to the UK” gives comprehensive advice on everything from employment to healthcare as well as outlining the financial help that may be available on return to the UK.
“Repatriation Advice” outlines generic information on how to access UK social services, welfare benefits and health care. It also gives additional information on more specific areas of interest such as obtaining fit to fly certificates and contact details of airport support agencies.
“Residence in the UK” gives visa advice.