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Departmental Publications

Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on information literature, advertising and campaign material in the financial years (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99, (e) 1999–2000 and (f) 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [12271]

Mr. MacShane: The amount spent on information literature, advertising and campaign literature by the FCO for the following financial years was:

Year	£
(a) 1995–96	2,735,969
(b) 1996–97	1,848,822
(c) 1997–98	3,510,151
(d) 1998–99	2,006,633
(e) 1999–2000	1,794,344
(f) 2000–01	1,921,031

Costs from the British Council and British Trade International are not included. Advertising forms part of the cost of the FCO recruitment service. The FCO

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has advertised 275 recruitment campaigns since 1996. Separate costs for advertising cannot be ascertained without disproportionate effort and cost. These figures include expenditure on public diplomacy, consular publicity and annual reports. Minor additional expenditure in London and overseas cannot be ascertained without disproportionate effort and cost.

Uranium Testing (Northern Cyprus)

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the evidence in the trial of Jamal al Fadl relating to the military testing of uranium in 1994 by the Islamic National Front in Hilat Koko in northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [14825]

Mr. Bradshaw: We understand that Al Fadl testified that he did not know whether the uranium had been tested. We have no independent evidence of our own to suggest that military testing of uranium by Sudan's National Islamic Front took place in Hilat Koko in 1994. Evidence provided by Al Fadl is for the US courts to assess.

Russian Federation/EU Co-operation

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from applicant states concerning close co-operation between the Russian Federation and the EU Political and Social Affairs Committee. [14811]

Peter Hain: The EU-Russia summit on 3 October 2001 announced that the EU Political and Security Committee Troika and Russia would have monthly meetings to take stock of consultations on crisis prevention and management. This is a reflection of the importance the EU attaches to constructive engagement with Russia across the board. A few representatives of applicant states have noted, mostly informally, to my officials the establishment of these meetings.

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy towards Kaliningrad in the context of the expansion of the European Union. [14827]

Peter Hain: The UK believes Kaliningrad should be able to benefit from EU enlargement. This will require an imaginative approach and constructive engagement on all sides. A Commission communication published earlier this year examined areas of Russian concern including trade, fishing and transport. The EU-Russia summit on 3 October agreed that Commission and Russian officials would take forward work at the EU-Russia Co-operation Committee on 30 November.

The UK supports proposals for early dialogue between Russia and the EU applicants/neighbours concerned on the movement of people and goods through their territories. We also recognise that the onus is on Russia to take advantage of the opportunities offered by EU enlargement by promoting reforms in rule of law and investment.

The UK has assured the EU applicant states that the Kaliningrad question will not delay their accession to the

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EU. We have also urged the applicant states involved to work closely with Russia to ensure that Kaliningrad benefits from EU enlargement.

Gibraltar

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress made with the Spanish Government over the future of Gibraltar. [14814]

Peter Hain: I refer the hon. Member to my statement in Westminster Hall on 7 November 2001, Official Report, columns 88–92WH.

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government that there shall be self- determination of the people of Gibraltar. [15277]

Peter Hain [holding answer 15 November 2001]: HMG support the right or principle of self-determination reflecting the wishes of the people concerned. It should be exercised in accordance with the other principles and rights in the UN Charter and with other treaty obligations. In Gibraltar's case, that includes Article X of the Treaty of Utrecht. This has been and continues to be the position of successive British Governments.

Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on plans to offer the people of Gibraltar a referendum on the subject of a change to the status of their territory; and if the result of such a referendum will be binding on the United Kingdom Government. [16222]

Peter Hain: The Government stand by the commitment set out in the preamble to the 1969 Gibraltar constitution that we will not enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes.

Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received from the people of Gibraltar about the future status of their territory. [16120]

Peter Hain: A 'Declaration of Unity', signed by the Chief Minister and leading politicians, was handed to an FCO representative in Gibraltar on 4 October. This Declaration, which was mainly concerned with the decision to suspend Gibraltar from the EU Single Sky framework regulation, claimed to represent the views of the majority of the people of Gibraltar. I have placed a copy of this document in the Libraries of the House. For the record, since 1 September, 21 letters have been received from members of the public in Gibraltar on various issues, including the future status of the territory.

Scottish Executive

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which members of the Scottish Executive the Minister for Europe met on his most recent visit to Scotland; and what subjects were discussed. [15896]

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Peter Hain: During my visit to Edinburgh on 5 November I met Jack McConnell MSP, Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs and his Deputy, Nicol Stephen MSP. We discussed my programme of engagements and the importance of informing members of the public about European Union issues. We also discussed forthcoming ministerial meetings at which representatives of the Scottish Devolved Administration and the United Kingdom Government would discuss European issues.

Israeli Exports

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the EU Association Council of 20 November will consider to stop the import into the EU under preference of goods labelled as made in Israel but which originate in Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. [15893]

Peter Hain: EU Foreign Ministers will discuss this at the 19 November General Affairs Council. The Government continue to support EU efforts with Israel to resolve this issue.

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will represent the British Government at the EU Association Council of 20 November reviewing the EU-Israel Association Agreement. [15890]

Peter Hain: The UK will be represented by staff from the UK Permanent Representation to the European Union.

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library, the agenda for the meeting of the EU Association Council to be held on 20 November to renew the EU-Israel Association Agreement. [15888]

Peter Hain: A copy of the EU's proposed agenda for the Council, to be formally agreed with Israel at the meeting, will be placed in the Library of the House.

Al Barakat

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to his United States counterpart regarding the United States decision to freeze the assets of the Somali-owned money-transferring company, Al Barakat. [15776]

Mr. Bradshaw: The Foreign Secretary has not discussed with Colin Powell the decision, taken by the Treasuries of the UK, the US and many other UN member states, to freeze the assets of Al Barakat under the terms of UNSCR 1333. Before being made effective or public, the freeze was discussed by Foreign Office and Treasury officials with their US opposite numbers. British Officials approved the freeze and implemented it simultaneously with the US.

Al Barakat is a vital part of the Al Qa'ida's financial network. Usama Bin Laden provided Barakat's start-up finance. Al Barakat wittingly provides foreign exchange, banking and international transfer services for Al Qa'ida and Somali organisations affiliated with Al Qa'ida.

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