Hansard - United Kingdom Parliament

21W
Written Answers
20 JUNE 2011
Written Answers
22W
location. Full lists of the major social media presences
of embassies and posts around the world can be found
on:
www.FCO.gov.uk
As set out in my answer of 7 June 2011, Official Report,
column 206W, we have over 300,000 followers in total.
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State
for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to
the answer of 7 June 2011, Official Report, column
206W, on the Diplomatic Service: internet, in which
countries those embassies and missions which blog in
local languages are located. [60072]
Mr Hague: There are currently 56 active bloggers on
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) roster,
blogging on the FCO website. This figure is liable to
constant change as staff move roles within the Department.
There are 35 embassies and posts with a blog, and there
are blogs currently ‘live’ on the FCO site in seven
different languages: Arabic, Romanian, Ukrainian, Spanish,
Brazilian Portuguese, Korean and Japanese. A full list
of the blogs hosted on the FCO’s platform can, again,
be found on the FCO website.
Egypt: Politics and Government
Kwasi Kwarteng: To ask the Secretary of State for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he
has received on the status of (a) secular political
parties and (b) the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
[59530]
Alistair Burt: A new law on the registration of political
parties was passed on 28 March. In addition to the
existing opposition parties, the Al Wasat Party, the
Muslim Brotherhood’s new Freedom and Justice Party
and another called the Nour party have officially been
registered. A number of other new political parties
continue to await authorisation of their official registration.
The Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon.
Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague)
have pressed the Egyptian authorities to ensure an open
and plural election process.
Libya: Diplomatic Relations
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the
Government maintains diplomatic relations with the
government of Libya. [60048]
Alistair Burt: We maintain diplomatic relations with
the Libyan Government. The Libyan People’s Bureau
(LPB) in London remains open and has been headed by
a Charge d’Affaires following the expulsion of the
Libyan ambassador on 30 April. We have used these
links to make clear to the regime that it must comply in
full with UN Security Council resolutions 1970 and
1973, desist from further violence and withdraw military
forces to barracks. We have made it clear to the regime
that Qadhafi must go. We also use our contacts with the
LPB to address issues concerning Libyan citizens resident
in the UK. Apart from this we have kept our contacts
with the LPB to the very minimum.
Libya: Freezing Orders
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State
for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the
international community is taking to deprive the
Gaddafi government in Libya of access to funds.
[56314]
Mr Hague: The UK has taken the lead in international
efforts to impose and implement financial sanctions on
the Qadhafi regime. We and our EU partners have
implemented the sanctions elements of UN Security
Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973 through EU
Regulations 204, 233, 272, 288, 296 and 360, which have
steadily extended and updated the range of regime-linked
individuals and entities subject to asset freezes. On
11 March 2011 the UN also established a Sanctions
Committee to monitor the implementation of UN Security
Council Resolutions 1970, chaired by Portugal. We are
offering guidance and support to the Sanctions Committee.
The targeted sanctions imposed under these UN
Resolutions have squeezed the regime financially, making
it harder for Colonel Qadhafi and his associates to fuel
the war further.
Libya: Overseas Students
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State
for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent
representations he has received on the effects of sanctions
on Libya on Libyan students who are studying in the
UK; and if he will make a statement. [59631]
Alistair Burt [holding answer 15 June 2011]: Ihave
not received any representations on the effects of sanctions
on Libya on Libyan students who are studying in the
UK although Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials
have been made aware of some delays in student payments.
The UN sanctions do not prevent Libyan state-sponsored
students from receiving payments. These payments are
administered by the Libyan People’s Bureau in London.
Where the necessary funds are in place but additional
authorisation is required because of the sanctions, HM
Treasury has issued licences to enable payments to be
made. Officials are in regular contact with all concerned
to ensure that these payments continue.
Oil
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his
Department has to address the challenges posed by
peak oil. [60095]
Mr Bellingham: The Government do not subscribe to
a particular view on when oil production is likely to
peak. However, we recognise that there are significant
challenges for investment in future oil production and
that we have a role to play in working towards enhancing
energy supplies, and reducing demand for fossil fuels.
In partnership with other Government Departments,
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office works
internationally to reduce barriers to investment in the
oil sector. Bilaterally and multilaterally, we promote the
regulatory norms and business climates that enhance
confidence and investment. We also use our network of
international posts to promote policies such as increased