Inter-Parliamentary Union - British Group - PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION FROM CUBA 10-17 NOVEMBER 2007


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Delegation Reports

PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION FROM
CUBA :
10-17 NOVEMBER 2007

Visit of an IPU parliamentary delegation from the Republic of Cuba
10-17 November 2007

Delegation

Mr Jaime Crombet Hernandez-Baquero
(Leader of the delegation) Vice President of the National Assembly of People’s Power

Mr Ramon Pez Ferro, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and President of the Cuba IPU Group

Mrs Gladys Maria Zuazaga Cabrera, Member of the Health Committee

Mr Pablo Lino Alonso, Assistant to the Vice-President

The delegation arrived at London’s Gatwick airport on Saturday, 10 November, and were met by His Excellency Mr Rene Mujica Cantelar, Ambassador of Cuba, and Mrs Penelope Vagg, Deputy Secretary, British Group IPU (BGIPU).
The official programme began on Monday with a tour of parliament led by BGIPU Executive Committee member, Jeremy Corbyn MP. Deputy Speaker, Sylvia Heal MP, then formally welcomed the delegation to Westminster and provided an overview of current “hot topics” in Parliament, such as calls for a referendum on the EU reform treaty and speculation about the timing of the next UK General Election.
Jacqy Sharpe, Clerk of Journals, briefed the delegation on parliamentary practices and procedures in the House of Commons. The delegates were particularly keen to learn more about the relationship between the UK and the EU and how the British Parliament scrutinises EU institutions.
The Welcoming Lunch was hosted by BGIPU Treasurer, Nigel Evans MP. The discussion focused on Cuba-US relations and the Helms Burton Act. The delegation thanked the UK for its support during the UN General Assembly in October 2007, which adopted a resolution calling for an end to the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the US against Cuba.
After lunch, David Goldsworthy, Operations Manager in the International Technical Co-operation Department at the National Audit Office (NAO), gave a detailed explanation of the work of the NAO and highlighted its ongoing co-operation with the Association of Economists and Accountants in Cuba. Later that afternoon, delegates were delighted to be reacquainted with the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, and quizzed him on his role and the powers of the Greater London Assembly. The delegation leader explained that Cuba is currently undertaking some administrative reforms in order to increase the efficiency of local government. This may involve devolving more powers to local councils in areas such as transport, as well as splitting some of the large provinces into smaller administrative structures.
The final meeting of the day was with the Rt Hon Baroness Hayman who briefed the delegation on her role as Lord Speaker and the ongoing reform of the House of Lords. In the evening, The Cuban Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Rene Mujica Cantelar, hosted a reception at his residence, which was well attended by MPs, diplomats and other invited guests. The Cuban Minister for Tourism also attended as he was in London for the World Travel Market conference.
Tuesday began with discussions with members of the British Group and the Cuba All Party Parliamentary Group and was chaired by Dr Ian Gibson MP. It was suggested that an effective way to fight the US economic sanctions might be to improve Cuba’s human rights record, to provide more freedom to the press and to open up the political system. The delegation explained that their economy is now much stronger than in the 1990s. However the existence of two types of currency (the peso and the convertible peso) is creating inequalities within Cuban society. For example, tour guides now earn much more than doctors. Delegates were also concerned about the “brain drain” they have faced over recent years with many Cuban doctors and teachers moving to the US and Europe where they are able to earn much higher salaries.
After this intensive session, the delegation had a meeting with FCO Minister, Meg Munn MP. The Minister also took the opportunity to raise human rights concerns. According to human rights organisations, there are currently around 250 political prisoners in Cuba and there have been reports of organised acts of violence against opposition protestors. The delegation seemed pleased with the recent EU-Cuba talks but argued that the EU common policy on Cuba should take a more independent line. The delegation also gave a clear indication that Cuba would welcome closer co-operation with the UK in the fields of trade, science and bio-technology. They would also like to see an increase in the number of UK tourists visiting Cuba, which is currently in the region of 200,000 per year.
There was time before lunch for a short call on John Bercow MP, in his office in Portcullis House, who described the work of backbench MPs in Westminster and in their constituencies. The Parliamentary Lunch was hosted by the Rt Hon Lord Foulkes of Cumnock in the Peers’ Dining Room. The last meeting in Westminster was with the Rt Hon Alan Beith MP, Chair of the Justice Select Committee, which focused on UK parliamentary devolution and the powers currently devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and to local government.
The delegation travelled by train to Cardiff and later that evening had dinner with John Griffiths AM and other Assembly Members. The issues discussed included female participation in politics, (36% of Assembly Members in Cuba are women), and the fact that the salaries of Cuban MPs are often paid by their employers. Many Assembly Members continue in their employment as well as undertaking National Assembly work. A small group of parliamentarians work solely for and are funded by the National Assembly.
On Wednesday, the delegation was given a short tour of the Senedd by Peter Kellam, Head of the European and International Team in the Welsh Assembly. Dianne Bevan, Chief Operating Officer, and Leanne Wood AM then briefed the delegation on the composition and work of the Welsh National Assembly. Delegates were interested to learn about the Barnett Formula used to calculate the block grant from Westminster to the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament.
Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, was keen to increase Welsh-Cuban educational co-operation and to build on the memorandum of understanding signed by her predecessor with the Cuban Education Minister. The delegation leader spoke of the high priority that is given to education in Cuba which has successfully ensured that primary and secondary education is available to all Cubans. He explained that their next challenge is to open up access to higher education and to reduce class sizes.
Lunch was hosted by Rosemary Butler AM, Deputy Presiding Officer, and the delegates were also joined by First Minister, the Rt Hon Rhodri Morgan AM. There was an interesting discussion on health and the delegation described the problems Cuba faces in purchasing medical equipment and medicines from third party countries at higher prices due to the US economic embargo.
In the afternoon, the delegation flew to Edinburgh to visit the Scottish Parliament. They were officially welcomed by Michael Russell MSP, Scottish Minister for the Environment, over dinner in the Signet Library. UK energy policy, including the possibility of building new nuclear power stations in Scotland, was discussed. Delegates also expressed their concern that the development of bio-fuels would lead to an increase in the price of food which would affect the poorest people in the world.
Thursday began with an overview of the Scottish Parliament provided by Beryl Gibb, Scottish Government UK Liaison Manager. Delegates were interested to learn about the level of co-operation between MPs and MSPs, and between officials in Westminster and in the Scottish Parliament. The delegation observed First Minister’s Questions from the VIP gallery. Lunch was hosted by Elaine Smith MSP. Healthy eating was again one of the main topics of discussion; over the course of the week delegates had shown an interest in learning about UK measures to tackle obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption and diabetes.
The final meeting of the day was with Alasdair Morgan MSP who explained his role as Deputy Presiding Officer in the Scottish Parliament. In the afternoon, the delegation had a tour of Edinburgh Castle and visited the Whisky Heritage Visitors’ Centre. That evening, the Deputy Lord Provost, Councillor Rob Munn, hosted a reception for the delegation along with other local councillors.
The delegation returned to London by air on Friday morning. A working lunch was held at Canning House hosted by David Ridgway, former British Ambassador to Cuba. A number of members from the think tank, Cuba Initiative, attended the session, which focused on the current Cuban municipal and parliamentary elections and on economic and energy developments in Cuba. The delegation leader explained that Cuba is now concentrating its efforts on improving the standard of living focusing on key areas such as housing, transport and on increasing salaries.
The final meeting of the week was with Dianne Hayter, Chair of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party, who briefed the delegation on the structure and financing of the Party. The programme concluded with a visit to Madame Tussauds where delegates were delighted to pose for photographs with HM The Queen and Fidel Castro! The delegation returned to Havana on Saturday morning.