| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Sensitive Species
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the decisions reached at the Sixth Conference of the Parties to the Bonn Convention on 10 to 16 November in respect of sensitive species, with particular reference to dolphins, turtles and albatross. [99590]
Mr. Mullin: The key issues included agreement on the Convention's Strategic Plan for 2000-05 and the adoption of a budget for 2001-02. The Budget sets aside funds to enhance the work of the Convention's Scientific Council and for specific scientific projects which will help protect some of the most endangered and threatened migratory species.
I am delighted to say that the Conference adopted a Resolution, submitted by the United Kingdom, addressing the problem of by-catch of migratory species, particularly from longline fishing. The Resolution requires all Parties, as a matter of gravity, to strengthen the measures to minimise the incidental mortality of migratory species in fisheries under their control. The Resolution specifically refers to the threats which turtles, seabirds and dolphins face from fisheries by-catch. As well as action by sovereign states, the Resolution also seeks co-operation with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations to protect these endangered species.
The United Kingdom also announced our intention to sign and ratify the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area on behalf of Gibraltar.
The Conference also agreed, with UK and EU support, a number of initiatives on the protection and conservation of the houbara and great bustards, marine turtles in the Atlantic Coast of Africa and the Indian Ocean, Sahelo-saharan antelopes and elephants in Central and West Africa. A Resolution was also adopted supporting
23 Nov 1999 : Column: 66W
the development and conclusion, as soon as possible, of an Agreement for the conservation of Southern Hemisphere albatrosses, which face several threats, including pollution, disease and the effects of climate change, as well as by-catch.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to introduce an independent complaints procedure in respect of the BBC. [99134]
Janet Anderson:
The BBC's Royal Charter requires the Board of Governors to ensure that any complaints are properly handled by the Corporation. The Charter also requires the BBC to publish an account of the subject matter and handling of complaints from its audiences indicating the proportion which were upheld. The BBC publishes such an account quarterly. We have no plans at present to change the current arrangements.
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the estimated total cost to the Government of the security enhancements to his London home; [99258]
Mr. Straw:
I have been asked to reply.
It is not in the public interest to disclose information that could compromise the security arrangements relating to public figures.
(2) what is the estimated total cost to the Government of security blinds and curtains for his London home. [99259]
Malawi
Mr. Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's assistance to Malawi. [98613]
Clare Short: In September 1998 I placed a copy of our Country Strategy Paper in the Library of the House. This sets out our plans to promote poverty reduction, equity and human rights in Malawi. We are supporting the Malawi Government's commitment to poverty reduction with a rising programme, focused particularly on promoting more effective government, better access to health and education, secure livelihoods, and human rights, for poor people.
Mr. Nigel Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance she is giving to Malawi to tackle the problem of HIV/Aids. [98614]
23 Nov 1999 : Column: 67W
Clare Short:
I have just approved a £35 million contribution for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Malawi. This will help the government to implement its HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan, which President Muluzi launched on 29 October. Funds will be used to promote behaviour change, to supply condoms and medicines for sexually transmitted infections and to train health workers. This complements £26 million of other projects dealing with sexual health issues, TB and safe motherhood. HIV prevention and mitigation measures are being incorporated in other Department for International Development programmes.
Mr. Nigel Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's assistance to Mozambique. [98611]
Clare Short:
In October 1998 I placed a copy of our Country Strategy Paper for Mozambique in the Library of the House. This describes how we will increase our programme to support the Government of Mozambique's strong commitment to reduce poverty. We are expanding our support for economic and financial management, rural livelihoods, and health and education. We are strong supporters of Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief for Mozambique.
Dr. Tonge:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has held with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry concerning the forthcoming WTO Seattle Round. [99238]
Clare Short:
The UK position with regard to the next WTO Trade Round was and will continue to be carefully co-ordinated between all relevant Government Departments. I regularly meet with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and other
23 Nov 1999 : Column: 68W
Ministerial colleagues, both formally and informally, to discuss trade matters. On 10 November I chaired the fifth meeting of the Inter Departmental Working Group on Development, which a number of colleagues attended. The agenda included preparations for the WTO Ministerial Meeting. I will be speaking at a public Symposium in Seattle prior to the Ministerial Meeting, and will be in regular contact with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Minister for the Environment while we are in Seattle.
Dr. Tonge:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made with the reconstruction of Armenia-Colombia since the January earthquake. [99255]
Clare Short:
There have been considerable efforts to assist the reconstruction of Armenia and the surrounding area, but in the wake of such devastation it will be a long process. The Inter American Development Bank, following a request from the Government of Colombia, redirected the balances of four of its on-going projects totalling $93 million to deal with emergency reconstruction. Initial UK emergency assistance of $1 million was distributed through humanitarian agencies, and assistance has been provided through the Small Grants Scheme for members of the Devon Fire and Rescue Service to work to improve the capabilities of their counterparts in Armenia. The embassy has also raised funding for a school rebuilding initiative.
Dr. Tonge:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the projects her Department supports which focus on conflict prevention in Kenya. [99236]
Clare Short:
My Department supports the projects listed in the following table:
23 Nov 1999 : Column: 67W
| Title/value | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Wajir Pastoral Development project | |
| £1.00 million | Improved livelihood security among pastoralists in Wajir District. Including conflict prevention and resolution component |
| National Council of Churches of Kenya Peace-building project | |
| £0.05 million | Research, advocacy and networking for ethnic conflict prevention and resolution |
| Support to Members of Parliament in Pastoral Parliamentary Group | |
| £0.014 million | Strategic planning workshop to develop advocacy work on pastoral conflict issues |
23 Nov 1999 : Column: 67W
We are currently designing an additional programme of support for conflict prevention and resolution work among pastoral communities in northern Kenya.
East Timor
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the conditions of East Timorese living in militia- controlled West Timor refugee camps. [99246]
Clare Short:
Of the estimated 250,000 who left East Timor after the consultation on independence, only
23 Nov 1999 : Column: 68W
75,000 have been repatriated. The refugees' return home continues to be hampered by the presence of militia who intimidate, physically harass and exact payment from refugees in camps and at border crossing points.
The UK has pressed the Indonesian government to ensure that the refugees are allowed to return home. My Department has committed £5.5 million for immediate humanitarian assistance for Timor, of which over £700,000 has been allocated to the International Organisation for Migration to facilitate refugee return.
23 Nov 1999 : Column: 69W
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |