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Iraq: Military Deployments
Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many United Kingdom military fatalities there have been in Iraq since hostilities began in March 2003. [HL2048]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): As at 2 March 2008, a total of 175 UK Armed Forces personnel or MoD civilians have died serving on Operation TELIC since the start of the campaign in March 2003. This information is published and updated regularly on the Ministry of Defence website at www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets/OperationsInIraqBritishFatalities.htm.
Israel and Lebanon: Cluster Munitions
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Malloch-Brown of 4 December 2007 (WA 178), whether since October 2007 Israel has provided the necessary details for safe clearance of cluster munitions fired into south Lebanon in 2006; and, if not, whether they will raise this matter directly with Israel and at the United Nations.[HL1940]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The Government understand that the Government of Israel have now provided some data on their use of cluster munitions in south Lebanon to the UN. The UN is currently assessing this information. Continued dialogue between the UN and the Government of Israel on this issue is essential. In addition, Israel must co-operate fully with the UN to ensure that the data that it provides are fully understood and made as useful as possible to those planning and undertaking clearance of munitions in south Lebanon.
The UK continues to support the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. In this context we continue to call on the Government of Israel to make available all data that the UN requires regarding their cluster munition strikes in south Lebanon.
Israel and Palestine: Tony Blair
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
What will be the total cost in the current financial year of Mr Blair and his staff, as the quartet's representative in the Middle East; how much of this will be borne by the United Kingdom; and what is the estimated full cost for 2008-09.[HL1941]
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The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The UK has so far provided £400,000 to a UN development programme trust fund that provides support to the right honourable Tony Blair's office in Jerusalem. The UK has also seconded four staff to his team. Other international donors are also supporting his work. Mr Blair has been appointed by, and reports to, the quartet (US, EU, UN and Russia). We do not have figures available for the total cost of Mr Blair and his staff. It is a matter for the quartet to determine whether to publish details of Mr Blair's team, costs and funding.
We strongly support the work of Mr Blair. He is well placed to drive forward Palestinian capacity building, which is a clear priority.
Kenya: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Lord Sheikh asked Her Majesty's Government:
What assistance they are providing with regard to the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission and to the proposed work to be undertaken by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Kenya.[HL1932]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The Government welcome the announcement by Kofi Annan on 15 February that the parties have agreed to establish a truth, justice and reconciliation commission. We, with our international partners, await further details on how the parties intend to take this forward and stand ready to provide assistance as necessary.
We welcome the fact-finding mission to Kenya of the team from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and from the office of the United Nations Special Adviser for Genocide to investigate potential human rights abuses. We will seek to ensure that their findings and recommendations are acted on. It is important that the causes of violence are addressed and allegations of human rights abuses are investigated thoroughly. Along with our international partners, we continue to provide support for those displaced and harmed by post-election violence in Kenya.
Nuclear Weapons
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their position regarding the model nuclear weapons convention submitted by Costa Rica and Malaysia in 1997; and what preparations they have made for the implementation and verification that would be necessary for a worldwide convention. [HL1995]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The Government consider the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to be the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and the framework for nuclear disarmament. The UK has an excellent record in implementing its disarmament obligations under Article VI of the NPT and is committed to working towards a safer world in which there is no requirement for nuclear
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Official Meetings: Rupert Murdoch
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
On what dates from 1 January 2006 to June 2007 the then Prime Minister either (a) met Mr Rupert Murdoch, or (b) spoke to him on the telephone; and [HL143]
Why the Written Question by Lord Avebury of 7 November 2007 (HL143) has yet to be answered, when a similar Question was answered by correspondence to Lord Avebury in the summer of 2007. [HL1481]
The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): During the period 1 January 2006 to June 2007, the then Prime Minister spoke to Mr Rupert Murdoch on the telephone on 9 February, 7 May and 31 August 2006. In addition, he spoke at a News Corporation event in the United States on 30 July 2006.
Railways: Speed Limit
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any government department or agency was responsible for the imposition of a general 4 mph speed limit on all trains operating within possessions; if so, what were the reasons for this change; and what will be the consequences in terms of outputs and timings of possessions. [HL2147]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: This is an operational matter for Network Railas the owner and operator of the national rail network. My noble friend should contact Network Rail’s chief executive at the following address for a response to his Question: Iain Coucher, Chief Executive, Network Rail, 40 Melton Street, London, NW1 2EE.
Railways: Station Car Parks
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they propose to take in response to the report for Passenger Focus regarding the adequacy of station car parks in the Greater Anglia area. [HL2146]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: Car parking at stations is a commercial matter for train operating companies. It
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Skilled Workers
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will take steps to reverse the net outflow of scientists, technicians and other skilled workers from the United Kingdom, as highlighted in the recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development study. [HL2066]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (Baroness Morgan of Drefelin): This country operates in an increasingly global economy in which there is a greater international exchange of skilled workers than ever before and our world-class university system makes our graduates and skilled people highly attractive to international companies and employers. It is important that we go on equipping people of all backgrounds and talents with the skills that they need to be properly qualified to work wherever they wish. However, the vast majority (90 per cent) of those highly skilled workers are being employed by UK-based employers using the higher-level skills that they have acquired to make us a highly competitive and productive economy on the world stage. Many of the 10 per cent who seek opportunities overseas return at a later date.
Sudan: Peace Agreement
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their response to the report of January 2008 by the Associate Parliamentary Group on the Sudan, Comprehensive Peace, Three Years On: Towards Elections. [HL1996]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): We agree with the associate parliamentary group’s report that more effort is needed to implement the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) in the run-up to the 2009 elections. The CPA is the bedrock of stability and democratic transformation in Sudan and 2008 is a critical year in the agreement's implementation. The census, preparation for elections, continued installation of the joint integrated units and demarcation of the north-south boundary are important milestones ahead and we will support both parties in helping to achieve them.
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