§ Mr. Alan DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff are assigned to the unit headed by Mr. Alan Goulty as Special Representative to Sudan; and what the budget of his office is for the current financial year. [63853]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe Special Representative for Sudan is supported by a joint FCO/DFID Sudan Unit which has a permanent staff of four officials who can call on advisers across Whitehall as necessary. The staff and running costs of the unit for the current financial year come to approximately £450,000. In addition to this sum, the Sudan Unit and other DFID officials have call on another £7.75 million for humanitarian aid and peace-building activities.
§ Mr. Alan DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Government have had with the Government of Sudan since 1 January. [63820]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe Government has continuous contact with the Government of Sudan through our diplomatic missions in London and Khartoum. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development visited Sudan in January. The UK Special Representative and other officials have had a series of discussions with members of the Sudanese Government since January, mainly on issues related to peace.