§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information on the human rights situation in other countries is regularly compiled by his Department; and whether such information is made public.
§ Mr. SainsburyWe compile a wide range of information on such situations on a continuing basis.
We do not publish all the information that we collect. Much of its is, in any case, already publicly available.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what training on details of international human rights standards and on the monitoring and assessment of the human rights situation in the country in which they are working is given to British diplomats overseas.
§ Mr. SainsburyBefore a posting overseas, diplomats are given comprehensive briefing on all aspects of life in that country, including the human rights situation. In addition, officers whose duties specifically include human rights issues get more detailed briefing, including from non-governmental organisations.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether British embassies and 695W overseas missions are required to report regularly to his Department on the human rights situation in their country.
§ Mr. SainsburyYes.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether military and police training given by Britain to other countries always includes training in the protection of human rights.
§ Mr. SainsburyRespect for human rights is fundamental and underlies all British police and military training. It is therefore integral to the training of overseas students.