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2 May 2002 : Column WA135

Written Answers

Thursday, 2nd May 2002.

Israel

Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consequences will follow if Israel disregards the request to withdraw from Palestinian towns and villages made by the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Russia at their Madrid meeting. [HL3766]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos): The international community has made clear that Israel should withdraw from Palestinian cities, both at the Quartet meeting on 10 April, and in UN Security Council Resolution 1402 adopted on 30 March. It would not be helpful to speculate on the consequences of a failure by Israel to withdraw fully. But recent Israeli actions can only be harmful to Israel's reputation abroad. Its partial withdrawal to date should be completed immediately. Both sides must step back from the brink. We welcome US diplomatic efforts to secure a full withdrawal and to resume negotiations on a political settlement, and we stand ready to help in whatever way we can.

Iraq

Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which diplomatic mission in London looks after the interests of Iraq; and what facilities are given to that mission for material originating in Iraq to be brought into the United Kingdom by diplomatic bag. [HL3833]

Baroness Amos: The Iraqi Interests Section is located in the Jordanian Embassy and is headed by Dr Mudhafar Amin. Arrangements for the transmission of material from Iraq to the UK via the Jordanian diplomatic bag are a matter for the Government of Jordan.

FCO Posts Overseas: Assets of Cultural Significance

Lord Freyberg asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the records of antiques that are held in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's posts overseas, as described in the National Asset Register, are available to the public; and, if not, whether they will make them available to the public.[HL3857]

Baroness Amos: The FCO records of the antiques held in the FCO buildings in London and at posts overseas are available in London for inspection on request. There are valid security reasons for not placing such data freely in the public domain.

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Abu Sayyaf Group

Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have evidence of recent attacks on civilians in the Philippines by the Abu Sayyaf group, which is connected to Al-Qaeda.[HL3938]

Baroness Amos: It is for the Philippine Government to investigate terrorist attacks in their own territory and to gather evidence. However, from contacts with both the Philippine and US authorities and non-governmental organisations, we believe that the Abu Sayyaf group is still active and carrying out attacks against civilians in the Philippines.

Chittagong Hill Tracts

Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

What development activities are being considered by the European Commission in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region, as mentioned in its country strategy paper Bangladesh 2002–2006; and in what way they expect these activities to have a positive impact on the peace process. [HL4023]

Baroness Amos: The European Commission sent a programming mission to the Chittagong Hill Tracts in January. It identified possible interventions in water resource management and other sectors. Implementation of these interventions is prone to social and political risk given the continuing instability in the region. The European Commission is still committed to programming 60 million euro in the CHT from 2002–06 but is likely to work up new initiatives carefully in the light of political developments and progress with the peace accord. Further details will be in its National Indicative Programme for Bangladesh, which should be approved by October. The EC maintains close dialogue with the UK Government and other donors on its development plans and implementation of the peace accord.

East Timor

The Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they are taking to ensure that reconciliation will take place in an independent East Timor after 20 May; that refugees return safely; and that Indonesia meets its obligations under international law. [HL4027]

Baroness Amos: The UK has committed more than £300,000 to support the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CRTR) in East Timor. The CRTR will facilitate the investigation of past abuses, while at the same time promoting community reconciliation and the return of refugees remaining in West Timor and reducing pressure on the over burdened judicial system.

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The UK welcomes the establishment of the ad hoc tribunal for East Timor which began in Jakarta in March 2002. We will monitor the tribunal's progress and remind the Indonesians of the need to extend the jurisdiction of the tribunal to cover all the human rights abuses committed in East Timor in 1999.

Tax Credits

Lord Barnett asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they budget for 100 per cent take-up of public expenditure and tax reliefs under tax credits. [HL4007]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The figures in the Financial Statement and Budget Report are based on forecasts of the costs of the tax credits and tax reliefs incurred each year. Depending on the tax credit, these forecasts may or may not equal 10 per cent take-up.

Customs and Excise: Vehicle Seizure Policy

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale asked Her Majesty's Government:

If HM Customs and Excise will change its vehicle seizure policy in relation to alcohol and tobacco smuggling as a result of the Court of Appeal decision in the Lindsay case [HL4153]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Court of Appeal confirmed in the Lindsay case that Customs vehicle seizure and non-restoration policy in relation to those who smuggle alcohol and tobacco for profit was justified and proportionate. It also confirmed that vehicles used to smuggle on a non-profit basis were similarly liable to seizure. However, the court considered that in not-for-profit cases a proportionate response, depending on the individual circumstances, would be to offer to restore such seized vehicles.

Accordingly when Customs detects commercial for profit smugglers, any vehicles used in such smuggling will remain subject to the existing tough seizure and non-restoration policy. However, Customs has now further developed its vehicle seizure policy taking into account the clarification provided by the Court of Appeal. When Customs detects not-for-profit smugglers, their goods and vehicles will be seized but vehicle restoration will ordinarily be offered in the first instance for a sum equivalent to the revenue evaded. There will be a rising scale for any subsequent offences up to non-restoration. Customs will reserve the right to vary its restoration terms according to the aggravating or mitigating circumstances of any individual case.

This policy will allow Customs to continue its successful approach of hitting those who smuggle for profit with tough sanctions that strike at their illicit trade and also provides a real and proportionate penalty for those who break the law, albeit without such profit-making motivation. It represents a fair and balanced policy.

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Treasury Solicitor's Department: Assets of Cultural Significance

Lord Freyberg asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will give full details of the antique furniture held by the Treasury Solicitor's Department at 9 Buckingham Gate.[HL3864]

The Attorney-General (Lord Goldsmith): No. 9 Buckingham Gate is occupied by me and the Solicitor-General and by my chambers, known as the the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers. Although LSLO is on the Treasury Solicitor's Department's Vote, it is a separate government department and owns the assets at Buckingham Gate.

A survey was last carried out in December 1997 by Bonhams. Some 24 items (which include sets of chairs) were identified and valued at a total market cost of £16,230. The most valuable single item is a Regency bookcase valued at £5,500. Of the remaining 23 items identified, 21 were valued at less than £1,000.

The items of furniture are chairs, desks, tables, bookcases, mirrors and a settle.

All of the items of furniture are in daily use and it is intended that they should continue to be so used.

Consignia

Baroness Miller of Hendon asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether as the sole shareholder they had prior knowledge of and approved of the opening of negotiations, which subsequently proved to be abortive, for the sale of Consignia at a time when, according to the new chairman, Mr Allan Leighton, "the Company is haemorrhaging cash".[HL3890]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): Consignia notified the department about its intention to explore the possibility of a merger of its postal activities with the Dutch Post Office (TPG) and Ministers indicated that they were content for the company to do so.

Baroness Miller of Hendon asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the name Consignia has now been wholly changed back to "The Post Office"; and, if so, at what cost.[HL3891]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: No, it has not.

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