The General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) will be held on 16 March in Brussels. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I will represent the UK. The agenda items are as follows: General Affairs Preparation of the European Council, 19-20 March The GAERC will discuss the presidency's...

The General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) will be held on 16 March in Brussels. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I will represent the UK. The agenda items are as follows: General Affairs Preparation of the European Council, 19-20 March The GAERC will discuss the presidency's...

The situation has been very worrying. I attended the Czech presidency informally in Prague just a fortnight ago at the height of the situation. The President and the Czech Energy Minister were trying to resolve and negotiate a deal in Brussels. We had a video conference with both of them...

The situation has been very worrying. I attended the Czech presidency informally in Prague just a fortnight ago at the height of the situation. The President and the Czech Energy Minister were trying to resolve and negotiate a deal in Brussels. We had a video conference with both of them...

I assure my hon. Friend that we raise at every opportunity cases where we feel that British citizens' rights, in particular, have been infringed. Part of the discussion on the partnership co-operation agreement is about trade and investment, and it does not help Russia if business people find that it...

I assure my hon. Friend that we raise at every opportunity cases where we feel that British citizens' rights, in particular, have been infringed. Part of the discussion on the partnership co-operation agreement is about trade and investment, and it does not help Russia if business people find that it...

My understanding is that the UK Department concerned is looking at some of those gas storage issues. However, I emphasise that how we source our gas—only about 2 per cent. comes via Russia, I think—means that our supply is much more diverse, so the necessity for a certain number of...

My understanding is that the UK Department concerned is looking at some of those gas storage issues. However, I emphasise that how we source our gas—only about 2 per cent. comes via Russia, I think—means that our supply is much more diverse, so the necessity for a certain number of...

I would like to make some progress, because this is a very short debate and I am conscious that other Members will want to contribute.

I would like to make some progress, because this is a very short debate and I am conscious that other Members will want to contribute.

No, I am going to make some progress, because I am looking forward to the contribution by my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Andrew Mackinlay), should he catch Madam Deputy Speaker's eye. May 2009 will see the launch of the eastern partnership, a priority for the Czech EU presidency....

No, I am going to make some progress, because I am looking forward to the contribution by my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Andrew Mackinlay), should he catch Madam Deputy Speaker's eye. May 2009 will see the launch of the eastern partnership, a priority for the Czech EU presidency....

I will give way for the very last time.

I will give way for the very last time.

I have met representatives of the BBC World Service since coming into this post. The fact is that the number of Russian listeners to radio is declining while the number using the internet is increasing. For very good reasons, the World Service, which is an expensive service, is trying to...

I have met representatives of the BBC World Service since coming into this post. The fact is that the number of Russian listeners to radio is declining while the number using the internet is increasing. For very good reasons, the World Service, which is an expensive service, is trying to...

I think I am right in saying that it has been agreed within the European Union that allegations of atrocities and war crimes should be looked at, whoever might be found responsible for them. That is absolutely the right way forward. We need to get to the bottom of the...

I think I am right in saying that it has been agreed within the European Union that allegations of atrocities and war crimes should be looked at, whoever might be found responsible for them. That is absolutely the right way forward. We need to get to the bottom of the...

I would not like to speculate on that at this time; it is important that the independent inquiry should look into the allegations. There are protocols and criteria that would underpin any further action, and we need to look into these matters with great seriousness. I want to comment on...

I would not like to speculate on that at this time; it is important that the independent inquiry should look into the allegations. There are protocols and criteria that would underpin any further action, and we need to look into these matters with great seriousness. I want to comment on...

I agree that those are disturbing matters. In a short while, I shall comment on the latest development, to which my hon. Friend has referred.

I agree that those are disturbing matters. In a short while, I shall comment on the latest development, to which my hon. Friend has referred.

Nobody could doubt the UK Government's concern about what happened in the summer. As Minister for Europe, I met the country's Foreign Minister, who has changed jobs; in fact, I met her in her new role just last week. We will continue to support action to make sure that the...

Nobody could doubt the UK Government's concern about what happened in the summer. As Minister for Europe, I met the country's Foreign Minister, who has changed jobs; in fact, I met her in her new role just last week. We will continue to support action to make sure that the...

I beg to move, That this House takes note of European Union Documents No. 15299/08, Commission Communication Review of EU-Russia Relations and No. 15300/08, Commission Staff Working Document accompanying the Commission Communication Review of EU-Russia Relations; and supports the Government's policy on the future of the relationship in view of...

I beg to move, That this House takes note of European Union Documents No. 15299/08, Commission Communication Review of EU-Russia Relations and No. 15300/08, Commission Staff Working Document accompanying the Commission Communication Review of EU-Russia Relations; and supports the Government's policy on the future of the relationship in view of...

Our debate has been short but helpful. We have heard Back-Bench speeches from my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow and East Falkirk (Michael Connarty), my right hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, South (Mr. George) and my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, South (Mike Gapes), and Opposition Back-Bench...

Our debate has been short but helpful. We have heard Back-Bench speeches from my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow and East Falkirk (Michael Connarty), my right hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, South (Mr. George) and my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, South (Mike Gapes), and Opposition Back-Bench...

Debate on a motion to take note of European Union Documents No. 15299/08, Commission Communication Review of EU-Russia Relations and No. 15300/08, Commission Staff Working Document accompanying the Commission Communication Review of EU-Russia Relations. Agreed to on division (325 votes to 152).

Debate on a motion to take note of European Union Documents No. 15299/08, Commission Communication Review of EU-Russia Relations and No. 15300/08, Commission Staff Working Document accompanying the Commission Communication Review of EU-Russia Relations. Agreed to on division (325 votes to 152).

Adjournment debate on Mr. Giles Carlyle-Clarke and his impending extradition to the United States.

Adjournment debate on Mr. Giles Carlyle-Clarke and his impending extradition to the United States.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many extradition requests from the United Kingdom Government to the Government of the Irish Republic have resulted in the extradition of the person or persons concerned in the last 10 years for which records are available; what representations have...

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many extradition requests from the United Kingdom Government to the Government of the Irish Republic have resulted in the extradition of the person or persons concerned in the last 10 years for which records are available; what representations have...

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects that the US Congress will ratify the amendment to the extradition treaty between the US and the United Kingdom; on what basis the United Kingdom has agreed to fulfill its obligations under the amended treaty prior to...

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects that the US Congress will ratify the amendment to the extradition treaty between the US and the United Kingdom; on what basis the United Kingdom has agreed to fulfill its obligations under the amended treaty prior to...

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to ensure reciprocity of extradition arrangements with the United States, following the recent agreement allowing British nationals to be handed over to the US authorities to face charges for any criminal offence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to ensure reciprocity of extradition arrangements with the United States, following the recent agreement allowing British nationals to be handed over to the US authorities to face charges for any criminal offence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the URL is for the internet text of the US/UK extradition treaty as amended in 2003; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the URL is for the internet text of the US/UK extradition treaty as amended in 2003; and if he will make a statement.