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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Middle East
17. Mr. Carrington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made towards peace in the middle east. [30911]
Mr. Douglas Hogg: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall) earlier.
30. Mr. Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet the Israeli foreign minister to discuss developments in the middle east peace process. [30924]
Mr. Hogg: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met the Israeli Foreign Minister at the end of March when they discussed the peace process. He currently has no plans to meet Mr. Peres.
Security Council Resolutions
19. Mr. Soley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions as they relate to the former Yugoslavia. [30913]
Mr. Hurd: We are committed to the Security Council resolutions in relation to all countries of the former Yugoslavia. We are major contributors to UNPROFOR and are increasing its effectiveness by providing additional British troops to create a rapid reaction force. We are playing our full part in sanctions enforcement, and are providing a total of 26 monitors to the international conference on former Yugoslavia, ICFY.
We are putting our full weight behind the peace process and welcome the appointment of Mr. Bildt as EU mediator. His appointment and the deployment of the rapid reaction force have created a window of opportunity. It is up to the parties to seize this moment and come to a negotiated settlement, accepting the contact group plan as a starting point.
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Intergovernmental Conference
20. Mr. Riddick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will be prepared to consider handing over any further powers to the European Union and its institutions as part of the negotiations during next year's intergovernmental conference. [30914]
Mr. David Davis: We see no case for any extension of Community competence at the forthcoming intergovernmental conference.
21. Sir Roger Moate: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement about preparations for the forthcoming intergovernmental conference. [30915]
Mr. Davis: We are continuing to develop Britain's approach to the intergovernmental conference. The study group which will prepare for the IGC has begun its work. Its next meeting is on 10 and 11 July.
Sudan
22. Mr. Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the civil war in southern Sudan. [30916]
Mr. Douglas Hogg: We fully support the peace initiative launched last year by the intergovernmental authority for drought and development, IGADD. I expressed concern about the civil war during a meeting with the Sudanese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on 22 May, and urged the Sudanese Government to persevere with the IGADD initiative.
36. Mr. Purchase: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on human rights in Sudan. [30930]
Mr. Hogg: We continue to be concerned about the lamentable human rights situation in the Sudan. I raised this with the Sudanese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in a meeting on 22 May.
Japanese Diet (Apology)
24. Mr. Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy towards the statement of apology recently discussed by the Japanese Diet; and if he will make a statement. [30918]
Mr. Hurd: We attach importance to the apology given to the Prime Minister in September 1993 by his Japanese counterpart, which included specific reference to prisoners of war. The recent statement by the Japanese Diet is a more general expression of "deep remorse".
Cyprus
25. Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in Cyprus. [30919]
Mr. David Davis: The present division of Cyprus is unacceptable. We are actively supporting the UN Secretary-General's mission of good offices which offers the best hope for a just and lasting solution.
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Exploratory discussions between representatives of the two communities in Cyprus took place in London on 21 to 23 May. We are encouraging both sides in Cyprus to approach future negotiations positively and flexibly.Governmental Relations (Iran and Iraq)
26. Mr. Chisholm: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the British Government's relations with Iraq and Iran during the 1980s. [30920]
Mr. Douglas Hogg: The UK's relations with both Iran and Iraq during the 1980s were difficult. The Iranian Government's policies after the 1979 revolution were hostile to our interests. We had a series of problems with Iraq. The Iran-Iraq war was a further complication.
Kashmir
27. Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the present situation in Kashmir. [30921]
Mr. Baldry: The Indian Government have recently extended President's rule over the state of Jammu and Kashmir for six months from mid-July. They have made it clear that they will try to hold state elections within that period. We hope that such elections could provide a first step towards the genuine political process for which we have long called.
31. Mr. Madden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement setting out Her Majesty Government's policy in respect of Kashmir. [30925]
Mr. Baldry: Our position is unchanged. We continue to believe that the best way forward on Kashmir should involve simultaneous progress on dialogue between India and Pakistan as provided for under the 1972 Simla agreement, improvement in human rights in Kashmir and a genuine political process there and a clear cessation of external support for violence in Kashmir. We stand ready to offer our good offices to help resolve the dispute if both sides so wish.
BBC World Service
28. Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent review of monitoring of the BBC World Service. [30922]
Mr. Baldry: A review of BBC monitoring, the first in recent years, was carried out in 1994 by a joint team from the BBC, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence. The review concluded that BBC monitoring continues to play a valuable role and should be retained, but recommended improvements to the marketing and distribution of its products. From 1997, BBC monitoring will no longer be funded from the grant in aid to the BBC World Service. Instead, official users will pay a subscription, based on their individual requirements. Monitoring will remain part of the BBC, as a fully trading business unit. The FCO will remain the sponsoring Government Department.
These decisions have been agreed with the BBC.
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Angola
29. Mr. Grocott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet the Angolan Foreign Minister to discuss the situation in that country. [30923]
Mr. Baldry: My right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Chalker had talks with Dr. Venancio de Moura during a visit to Angola on 19 to 21 June. She also had meetings with President Dos Santos, Prime Minister Moco, other Ministers and senior representatives of UNITA. All assured her of their commitment to a successful conclusion to the peace process.
Western European Union
32. Mr. Robert Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the response to the Government's initiative to build up the Western European Union within the Atlantic Alliance. [30926]
Mr. David Davis: The proposals set out by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in the House on 1 March have been welcomed by WEU and NATO member Governments as a demonstration of our readiness to play an active and constructive role in this area. WEU Ministers, meeting in Lisbon on 15 May, welcomed our ideas, together with those put forward by other nations, as a significant contribution to the forthcoming debate at the intergovernmental conference.
Arms Exports
33. Mrs. Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on arms exports. [30927]
Mr. David Davis: It is our policy to support the sale of British defence equipment overseas where this is compatible with our political, strategic and security interests. We observe strict responsibility in our defence exports. We consider applications for licences to export defence equipment on a case-by-case basis in the light of established criteria including the international guidelines to which we are committed.
Former Yugoslavia
34. Mr. Wareing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with that part of the former Yugoslavia comprising Serbia and Montenegro. [30928]
Mr. Douglas Hogg: We do not recognise the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). We will review our position in the light of developments in the peace process.
Hong Kong
35. Mr. MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guarantees he has obtained from the Chinese Government that press freedom and trade union rights will be respected in Hong Kong after 1 July 1997. [30929]
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Mr. Baldry: Under the Sino-British joint declaration, the Government of the future Hong Kong special administrative region shall maintain the rights and freedoms provided for by the laws previously in force in Hong Kong. The declaration explicitly protects freedom of the press, freedom to form and join trade unions, and freedom to strike.
Russia
37. Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met members of the Russian Government to discuss human rights in that country. [30931]
Mr. Douglas Hogg: My right hon. Friend last met Foreign Minister Kozyrev on 7 June when he made clear our concerns about human rights abuses in Chechnya. There was a detailed exchange on the general human rights situation at official level in Moscow in April. A further such exchange with the Russians will take place here in July.
Mr. Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about Britain's relations with Russia. [30898]
Mr. Hurd: Russia, and our relationship with Russia, have been transformed in the last six years. We are now dealing with a Russia where democracy is putting down strong roots, where the press is free and where the rules of the market increasingly prevail. Russia has become a valued partner in tackling some of the international problems which confront us.
Britain has played a central role in this process of change. We helped redesign Europe's security arrangements, through the 4+2 process, after the collapse of the Berlin wall. We have pressed for a strong and productive relationship between Russia and NATO, which led to Russia joining the partnership for peace process in May. We have worked together closely over Bosnia, as members of the contact group. We have supported Russian involvement in the annual economic summits.
Britain has offered practical support for Russian reform through the know- how fund--widely regarded as the best of its kind. We have also led the debate in Europe on the need to open our markets to Russian exports. I hope this will be crowned by the signature of the interim agreement later this month.
Our relations with Russia have never been better in this century. They have been strongly reinforced by the Prime Minister's close personal relationship with President Yeltsin and by Her Majesty the Queen's dramatic state visit to Russia last year.
Gibraltar
38. Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Administration of Gibraltar in respect of the United Kingdom's requirements in relation to the Gibraltar banking system. [30932]
Mr. David Davis: I have discussed with the Chief Minister, Mr. Bossano, the importance of Gibraltar's banking and financial services industry having the highest
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reputation of honesty and probity if it is to flourish and make the important contribution to Gibraltar's economy which both he and I want to see.European Institutions
Mr. Marlow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what powers he seeks to repatriate from European institutions. [30917]
Mr. David Davis: We are still considering our approach on a range of issues for next year's inter- governmental conference, including the possible limitation and repatriation of Community competences.
Arms Control
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals have been put forward to date, and what new proposals are planned, to fulfil the commitment made in the chairman's statement from the G7 summit in Halifax, at paragraph 5 of the sections on arms control and disarmament, to work with other G7 nations to strengthen systems of control, accounting and physical security of nuclear materials and the International Atomic Energy Agency. [31874]
Mr. David Davis: The UK has discussed the problems of nuclear smuggling on a number of occasions with G7 partners and Russia. In our view, it is important to ensure adequate systems of nuclear materials accountancy and control and physical protection. We have offered bilateral assistance to a number of countries in this area. At the Halifax summit, it was agreed that a nuclear safety conference should be held early next year which is likely to consider what further role the G7 and Russia can play in this.
Advertising
Mr. Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been spent on outside advertising agencies for each year since 1979; and if he will list the specific advertising campaigns undertaken by his Department, their purpose and their cost. [32484]
Mr. Goodlad: Figures for total expenditure on promotional material and recruitment advertising in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office-- diplomatic wing and ODA--are as given in my written answer to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 13 February 1995. The FCO produces most of its advertising and publicity material in-house. Details of expenditure incurred on advertising agencies could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Bosnia
Mr. Rowe: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the involvement of the United Kingdom in Bosnia has so far cost the United Kingdom. [32445]
Mr. Douglas Hogg: We have so far contributed over £271 million in aid to the former Yugoslavia--£136 million bilaterally and £135 million through the European Union--and incurred net costs of £292 million for our contribution to UNPROFOR and the Sarajevo airlift. Our commitments to NATO's Deny Flight operation and to
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Operation Sharp Guard have been £33 million and £1 million respectively. In addition, we have contributed £10.9 million towards the European Community monitoring mission and £1.1 million to the international conference on former Yugoslavia.There have been other costs to our involvement in the former Yugoslavia, but this information can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Opt-outs
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many opt-outs for the United Kingdom have been agreed with the European Union. [32037]
Mr. David Davis [holding answer 4 July 1995]: Under protocol No. 11 of the treaty on European union, the United Kingdom is not obliged or committed to move to stage three of European monetary union. Under protocol No. 14 of the same treaty, the member states can agree that all except the United Kingdom could, under a separate agreement between themselves, take acts and decisions to give effect to their agreement on social policy. No such act would be applicable to the United Kingdom, nor would the United Kingdom bear any consequent budgetary burden other than administrative costs of the institutions.
Consular Fees
Mr. Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to increase consular fees. [33124]
Mr. Baldry: An Order in Council, the Consular Fees Order 1995, made on 28 June, provides for increases between 17 per cent. and 100 per cent. in certain consular fees with effect from 20 July, 1995. A new entry clearance fee for multiple entries, valid for one year, will be introduced on the same date. It is Government policy that the cost of the consular services should be borne by users as far as possible.
Libya
Mr. Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy towards the granting of visas to citizens of Libya. [30892]
Mr. Baldry: I can confirm that Libyan nationals are required to obtain visas before they can enter the UK. All applications are considered under the immigration rules HC 395.
Apart from transit passengers, remaining airside, and business visitors previously issued with visas in the past six months, all applications received from Libyan nationals are referred to the migration and visa department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. Applicants over the age of 16 are required to sign a declaration of non-violence before being granted a visa.
Libyan nationals can be granted only single entry visas. The British interests section in Tripoli offers a limited visa service and accepts applications from diplomats, officials and urgent medical and family reunion applications from close family members. Applicants for
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visit visas can apply at any other British overseas mission designed to issue visas. Applicants for other categories should apply to Valletta. A list of designated posts is held in the Library of the House.East Timor
Mr. Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 22 May, Official Report , columns 382-83 , what meetings there have been between the British embassy staff and representatives of the East Timorese people; which leaders they met; and if discussions were conducted about the export of British arms to Indonesia. [32618]
Mr. Goodlad: A member of the British embassy staff last visited East Timor on 27-29 June 1995. He had meetings with a number of East Timorese leaders, covering the range of Timorese opinion. We have regular meetings with East Timorese representatives in East Timor, in Indonesia and elsewhere. For instance, I met Ramos Horta and Abilio Araujo, at their request, earlier this year in London.
South Africa
Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is being given by Her Majesty's Government to the encouragement of multi-party democracy and good community relations in South Africa. [30896]
Mr. Hurd: South Africa's transformation to full democracy is one of the most welcome developments of recent years. Britain's support for the new South Africa was shown by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's visit last September, and by Her Majesty the Queen's dramatic state visit in March. South Africa will be warmly welcomed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in November, after 33 years' absence from the Commonwealth.
Britain is helping the new South Africa through promotion of trade and investment, strengthening of scientific, defence, cultural and sporting links, and through development assistance. We helped with preparations for the elections of April 1994, and will help with the local elections in November this year. I also welcome strengthening parliamentary links-- including the visit by a delegation of hon. Members in April, and the plans by Madam Speaker to visit in August. I look forward to growing co-operation between Britain and South Africa in the years ahead.
DEFENCE
Maintenance Group Defence Agency
Mr. Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the key management targets of the RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency for the financial year 1995 96. [33125]
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Mr. Soames: The RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency's key management targets for 1995 96 concentrate on three principal objectives:
(a) The effective performance of the group.
(b) the economic use of resources.
(c) The introduction of management initiatives.
The group's targets are:
(a) To achieve at least 98 per cent. of the specified aerosystems maintenance task to standard and on time.
(b) To achieve the joint service publication 336 "Defence Supply Manual" speed of issue and pipeline targets for at least 95 per cent. of the depot supply task.
(c) to keep within the group's allocated budget.
(d) To reduce the cost per unit of output by 2.5 per cent. (e) To issue the invitation to tender, under the "Competing for Quality" initiative, for the designated functions at RAF Sealand by 31 October 1995 and at RAF St. Athan by 1 March 1996.
(f) To continue the comprehensive rationalisation of functions within the agency by:
(1) Completing the transfer of all active stock from RAF Carlisle by 31 March 1996, thereby enabling the closure of the unit by 31 March 1997.
(2) Cease the operation of RAF Quedgeley as an independent unit by 31 March 1996, thereby enabling the closure of the unit by 31 March 1997.
Net Pingers
Mr. Sykes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the contribution net pingers could make to the safe interaction of dived submarines and fishing vessels; and if he will make a statement. [33126]
Mr. Soames: My Department takes its responsibility for ensuring that fishing vessels can operate safely in areas of submarine activity very seriously. The use of net pingers as a means of enhancing the safe interaction of dived submarines and fishing vessels is one of a number of measures we have carefully considered during extensive consultation with the fishing industry. However, both the Royal Navy and fishermen's representatives have major reservations about the effectiveness of net pingers and, in particular, are concerned that the absence of pinger soundings can never mean that no fishing is taking place. I have, therefore, concluded that, in accordance with the firm views expressed by fishermen's representatives and the Royal Navy, the trial announced in the House by my right hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Sir A. Hamilton) on 15 June 1992, Official Report , column 425 , should be discontinued.
I am confident that the comprehensive package of measures that we have introduced in recent years, including the code of practice which governs the conduct of dived submarines in waters frequented by fishing vessels, and the SUBFACTS broadcast system, provides for the safe co-existence of submarines and fishing vessels. Notwithstanding this, we will continue to monitor closely the effectiveness of these measures and to consider any proposals on how safety might be further enhanced.
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Helicopter Accident
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what standing instructions were in force on 2 June 1994 concerning preferred routes for Aldergrove- based helicopters flying at low level to Fort George or Inverness; and what changes have been made to those instructions. [31637]
Mr. Soames: There are no such instructions in place. The crew would have selected the most appropriate route.
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the authorising officer at RAF Aldergrove, who approved the flight of Chinook ZD576 from Aldergrove to Fort George on 2 June 1994, was given special instructions relating to the high security status of the personnel travelling on the flight. [31635]
Mr. Soames: No special instructions were required.
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what altitude restrictions due to the possibilities of icing were in force for Chinook flights from Northern Ireland to the north of Scotland at the time of the flight of Chinook ZD576 on 2 June 1994. [31631]
Mr. Soames: There were no specific altitude restrictions in place for that particular flight. The aircraft icing limitation was +4 celsius and the crew would have sought to avoid flight above the +4 celsius isotherm in cloud because of the potential icing hazard.
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the minimum authorised altitude for the flight of Chinook ZD576 from Aldergrove to Fort George on 2 June 1994; and by whom this minimum altitude was laid down. [31623]
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