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67W
Written Answers
26 OCTOBER 2009
Written Answers
68W
Chris Bryant: The following table shows the number
of arrests in the last five years but these figures do not
necessarily translate into successful prosecutions.
Number
Anguilla 6
British Virgin Islands 9
Cayman Islands 13
Montserrat 2
Turks and Caicos Islands 3
Christmas
Mr. Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign
and Commonwealth Affairs how many Christmas
functions arranged by his Department and its agencies
(a) he, (b) officials of his Department and (c) officials
of its agencies (i) hosted and (ii) attended in 2008; what
the cost to the public purse was; and if he will make a
statement. [295421]
Chris Bryant: This information is not held centrally
and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
Colombia: Land Mines
Mr. Rooney: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign
and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the
Government has made to the Colombian government
on its use of landmines to protect military installations.
[293605]
Chris Bryant [holding answer 16 October 2009]: We
have seen no evidence to suggest that the Colombian
armed forces are using landmines prohibited by the
Ottawa Convention. We have therefore made no
representations to the Colombian government on the
use of landmines around military installations.
Mr. Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign
and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the
Government has made to the government of Colombia
in respect of that government’s use of landmines to
protect military installations. [295672]
Chris Bryant: We have seen no evidence to suggest
that the Colombian armed forces are using land mines
prohibited by the Ottawa Convention. We have therefore
made no representations to the Colombian Government
on the use of land mines around military installations.
Colombia: Trade Unions
Mr. Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the
answer of 13 July 2009, Official Report, column 108W,
on Colombia, for which projects to strengthen labour
relations in Colombia his Department is considering
proposals. [295639]
Chris Bryant: In addition to supporting a UN
Development Programme initiative aimed at improving
human rights of trade unionists and the development of
positive labour relations in Colombia, we are waiting
for a revised proposal from the Advisory, Conciliation
and Arbitration Service (ACAS) on reconciliation and
arbitration.
We will consider the merits of that proposal at the
appropriate time. I had the pleasure of meeting Colombian
trade unionists during my recent visit to Bogota. The
Government strongly believe in the legitimate and important
role that trade unions play in civil society. We therefore
continue to monitor labour relations in Colombia closely,
raising concerns with the Colombian Government as
necessary.
Consolidated Contractors Corporation
David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a)
meetings, (b) communications and (c) other contacts
Ministers and officials in his Department have had
with the Consolidated Contractors Corporation (CCC
Group) and its international offshoots in the last five
years. [294379]
Chris Bryant: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office
(FCO) has had no contracts or purchase orders with the
Consolidated Contractors Corporation (CCC Group)
in the last five years.
Regarding FCO meetings, communications, or other
contacts with CCC Group, this information is not held
centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate
cost.
Cyprus: Politics and Government
David Lepper: To ask the Secretary of State for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate his
Department has made of the number of Turkish troops
based in the Turkish-occupied territory of the Republic
of Cyprus. [295625]
Chris Bryant: The Government have made no estimate
of the number of Turkish or Turkish Cypriot armed
forces in the north of Cyprus.
David Lepper: To ask the Secretary of State for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions
the Government has had with the government of (a)
the Republic of Cyprus, (b) Greece and (c) Turkey on
the continuing role of the Guarantor Powers in the
context of Cyprus’s membership of the EU. [295626]
Chris Bryant: The Government regularly discusses
with Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, the issue of security in
the context of current negotiations to reunite the island.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Armed Conflict
Mr. Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State
for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he
is taking to promote full implementation by the
governments of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of
Congo of their commitments to non-military policies
to disarm, demobilise and repatriate members of the
FDLR, as agreed in the 2007 Nairobi Communiqué;
and if he will make a statement. [294737]
Mr.IvanLewis[holding answer 21 October 2009]: A
combination of military and non-military pressure on
the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR),
and political co-operation between the Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, remains the most likely
way of tackling the FDLR.