§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what forum he intends prosecutions for human rights abuses, genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Iraq be tried. [125026]
46W
§ Mr. RammellI refer the hon. Member to the answer given him by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 3 June 2003,Official Report, column 246W.
No decision has yet been made in what forum prosecutions for human rights abuses, genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Iraq will be tried.
We believe that it should be for the Iraqi people to decide whether and how to bring to justice those who have committed crimes against them, with suitable international help.
§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his memorandum to the, Foreign Affairs Committee of 16 June, which documents were examined which were found to be forgeries; which documents on Iraq's alleged uranium procurement are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the procedure being used to distinguish between genuine and forged documents. [123655]
§ Mr. RammellWe understand that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) acquired documents on this subject in February 2003. These documents did not originate in the United Kingdom. Some of these turned out to be forgeries. We have now seen the documents passed to the IAEA and agree that some of them are forgeries. Others are, still under consideration. We do not know the precise origin or history of these documents.
I cannot comment on procedures to distinguish between different documents or on the documents themselves, as it is the longstanding policy of successive governments not to comment on intelligence matters.
§ Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the good and unforged evidence that Iraq sought materials from Niger mentioned by Sir Jeremy Greenstock in his interview with David Usborne of the Independent was passed to the International Atomic Energy Authority. [124906]
§ Mr. RammellThe evidence referred to by Sir Jeremy Greenstock does not derive from UK sources. We have encouraged all states to make available to the International Atomic Energy Agency any evidence which they possess.
§ Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK Government have officially informed the International Atomic Energy Authority that they do not concur with its conclusions on allegations that Iraq sought to procure substantial quantities of uranium from Africa. [124927]
§ Mr. RammellNo. We have, however, made a number of public statements to the effect that we believe that there is good evidence to support our assertion that Iraq tried to procure uranium.
§ Mr. Tom CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 16 June 2003,Official Report, columns 46-7W, on visas (Syria), how many (a) applications 47W from students and (b) entry clearance applications to (i) visit the UK and (ii) settle in the UK were approved in each year. [123903]
§ Mr. MullinI regret that the figures in my answer to my hon. Friend on 16 June 2003,Official Report, columns 46-7W, were not accurate. The correct figures are as follows:
In the calendar year 2000, the British embassy in Damascus received 815 student applications. Of these, 535 visas were successful. In the financial year 2001–2002, 845 student applications were received and 502 visas were issued. In the financial year 2002–2003, 657 student applications were received and 432 visas were issued.
The number of visit visa applications received in Damascus in the calendar year 2000 was 5,720. Of these 4,263 were successful. In the financial year 2001–2002, 3,758 applications were received and 3,525 visas were issued. In the financial year 2002–2003, 5,068 applications were received and of these 4,208 were successful.
In the calendar year 2000, our embassy in Damascus received 140 settlement applications. Of these, 71 were successful. In the financial year 2001–2002 165 applications were received and 178 visas were issued. This apparent discrepancy is due to the fact that applications can be carried forward from one month to the next before being resolved. In the financial year 2002–2003, 368 applications for settlement in the United Kingdom were received. Of these, 280 were successful.
§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the UK Government is taking to promote human rights in Iraq. [124110]
§ Mr. RammellI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Phil Sawford) on 23 June 2003,Official Report, column 558W.
§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the UK Government is taking to ensure implementation of the UN General Assembly Resolution 57/232 on deployment of human rights monitors. [124112]
§ Mr. RammellI refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister of Stale at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas) on 20 June 2003,Official Report, column 471W.