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Written Answers
Thursday, 7th March 2002.
Zimbabwe
The Earl of Caithness asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they agree with the report published in July 2001 by the Zimbabwe Network for Informal Settlement Action. [HL2479]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos): We are aware of the report by the Zimbabwe Network for Informal Settlement Action and agree with a number of its findings on the plight of commercial farm workers. While original estimates of the extent of displacements have not been realised, none the less there has been a devastating impact on most farm workers' livelihoods resulting from the Government of Zimbabwe's land resettlement programme. The UK is deeply concerned about these communities and is working bilaterally and with other development partners to help address their needs.
The Earl of Caithness asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Amos on 6 February (WA 91) on emergency food sent to Zimbabwe, why 8,200 tonnes of maize was re-routed from Tanzania; what is the result of this; and when the shipment will be made to Tanzania. [HL2773]
Baroness Amos: Maize meal re-routed from Tanzania was part of a US Government pledge to the WFP for use in the Great Lakes Region. This is being replaced by the US. WFP officials agreed that this action would not adversely impact their work in East Africa, where many countries have a good harvest and regional maize stocks are high. By contrast, the food crisis was worsening rapidly in Zimbabwe.
The Earl of Caithness asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Amos on 6 February (WA 91), which 19 districts in Zimbabwe have received food aid; and on what basis they were chosen.[HL2774]
Baroness Amos: The World Food Programme's current plans cover the following 19 districts; Muzarabani, Guruve and Mt Darwin in Mashonaland Central Province; Kariba in Mashonaland West; Bikita, Chiredzi, Chivi, Masvingo, Mwenezi and Zaka in Masvingo Province; Chipinge in Manicaland; Hwange and Tsholotsho in Matebeleland North; Gwanda, Insiza, Matobo and Umzingwane in Matabeleland South; and Mberengwa and Zvishavane in Midlands Province. District selection has been
based on poverty, health and nutrition indicators and on food security surveys.In addition to these plans in mainly rural areas, people in urban and peri-urban areas also require assistance. The programme is being extended to take account of these populations and the forecast impact of a poor maize harvest as a result of drought in the middle of the growing season.
The Earl of Caithness asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Amos on 6 February (WA 91), whether any food aid has been delivered to the Zimbabwean Government in the last year.[HL2775]
Baroness Amos: Donors have not channelled food aid through Zimbabwean Government systems.
The Earl of Caithness asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Amos on 6 February (WA 91), what is the value of the food aid mentioned.[HL2776]
Baroness Amos: The value of these commodities is approximately 5.2 million US dollars.
Convention on the Future of Europe
Lord Stoddart of Swindon asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will place in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament (a) a copy of any communication they have received from any institution or official of the European Union or Community requesting them to forward names and other details of persons from the United Kingdom to be representatives of the Government and Parliament respectively; (b) a copy of any reply; and (c) any subsequent correspondence relating to the Convention on the Future of Europe and its operation.[HL2756]
Baroness Amos: Copies of the letter from Valery Giscard d'Estaing, President of the Convention on the Future of Europe, to the Prime Minister requesting him to forward the names of the UK representatives to the convention and the Prime Minister's reply have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.
Israel: UK Licensed Equipment
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What physical checks were made by the staff of the British Embassy in Tel Aviv or by other government officials in the last two years on the actual uses to which weapons, ammunition and military equipment supplied by the United Kingdom to Israel have been put.[HL2782]
Baroness Amos: British Embassy staff in Tel Aviv do not undertake physical checks on the end-use of UK licensed equipment, components and spare parts supplied by the UK to Israel. They do not have the resources to do so. In addition, many UK defence exports in recent years have been components or pieces of technology embedded in other systems and therefore not very visible. We do however use information supplied by a number of sources to check that UK equipment is not being used against Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, including information gathered by our embassy and non-governmental organisations among others.
The Government have also taken steps to strengthen the process of risk assessment when considering export licence applications for any destination. For example, we have improved our procedures for gathering information on end-users of potential concern from UK overseas posts. We also take into account reliable information received about end-users of concern from a variety of external sources, including international reporting bodies and non-governmental organisations.
Macedonia
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What are the current terms of reference and operating instructions for the 700 NATO troops in Macedonia.[HL2783]
Baroness Amos: NATO deployed Task Force Fox at the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia. The role of Task Force Fox is to support the Macedonian authorities in providing protection to monitors from the European Union and the organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe in overseeing aspects of the implementation of the framework agreement signed on 13 August 2001. Emergency and other pre-determined forms of support to the monitors can be provided within defined limits agreed with the Macedonian Government and monitoring organisations. The task force's mandate precludes it from using military force to secure freedom of movement for international monitors or to implement or enforce agreements between parties within Macedonia.
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What importance for regional peace and stability they attach to the implementation of the declaration of amnesty for rebels, made by the President of Macedonia in October 2001; and whether they have discussed this matter with the Government of Macedonia.[HL2784]
Baroness Amos: We consider an amnesty for former insurgents an essential component of reconciliation in Macedonia and therefore of peace and stability in the region. Together with our EU, NATO and OSCE partners, we have encouraged the Macedonian
Government to enact the necessary legislation to give legal force to President Trajkovski's declaration. We hope that the amnesty law will be approved by the Macedonian Parliament later this month.Gibraltar
Lord Hoyle asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Amos on 6 February (WA 91), (a) when they asked the Spanish authorities to provide them with evidence of legitimate complaints; (b) what was the reply from the Spanish authorities; and (c) whether the Spanish authorities supplied any evidence. [HL2891]
Baroness Amos: We ask the Spanish authorities to provide us with evidence of legitimate complaints against Gibraltar on any occasion they raise these issues. They have not so far made available any evidence.
Calais-Frethun Terminal: Security
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What agreements were made at the meeting between British and French Ministers on 19 September 2001 concerning the needs and provision of policing and security at the SCNF terminal at Frethun, near Calais, in the short and medium term; and whether the terms of the agreement are currently being adhered to. [HL2907]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker): British and French Ministers did not meet on 19 September. However, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary met with French Interior Minister Daniel Vaillant on 12 September 2001 to discuss security measures at the Eurotunnel site at Coquelles.
Since the escalation of incursions into the Frethun site and the decision of SNCF to reduce freight services through the tunnel in November, we have continued to put pressure on SNCF and the French Government to improve security at the Calais-Frethun freight yard. I understand that improved perimeter fencing has been in place since the end of January and that SNCF has embarked upon a £3 million security programme. There is still a clear need for additional security patrols to reinforce the deterrent value of the perimeter fencing. My right honourable friend the Prime Minister raised this matter again with the French Prime Minister, Lionel Jospin, when they met in Stockholm on 22 and 23 February. In addition, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary and Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) Ministers are in regular contact with their French counterparts stressing the urgent need for improved security at Calais-Frethun so that normal services can be resumed as soon as possible.
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