Vol
177
Written Answers
9 MAY 1990
71. Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the Government's policy towards the Baltic states.
Mr. Waldegrave: We have repeatedly stressed the need for progress through dialogue between the Soviet authorities and the Lithuanians, so that a settlement acceptable to both sides can be reached, enabling the Lithuanian people to decide their own future. This was the theme of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's message to Mrs. Prunskiene when the latter called on her at 10 Downing street this morning.
56. Mr. Anthony Coombs: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representa- tions he has received about the right to self-determination of the Baltic states.
Mr. Waldegrave: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 4 April at column 701.
71. Mr. Wigley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what correspondence. his Department has received on the treatment of conscripts in the Baltic states who join the Soviet Red Army.
Mr. Waldegrave: We have received a number of letters from members of the public about conscription from the Baltic states, but none about the treatment of conscripts.
- NENAD
Syria
41. Mr. Adley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current state of British-Syrian relations.
82. Mr. Robert Hicks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any proposals to re-establish diplomatic relations with Syria; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Waldegrave: We recognise that Syria is a major regional power with an important role to play in middle east issues. The continuing absence of diplomatic relations with Damascus stems from Syrian involvement in terrorist activities. A more constructive Syrian attitude to this problem and help in the release of United Kingdom hostages in Lebanon, would undoubtedly have a positive effect.
FunDunited
Nations Forces (Equipment)
43. Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will now support the United Nations Secretary General's call for the United Nations peace-keeping forces to have a stockpile of equipment.
Mr. Sainsbury: The United Nations committee responsible reported last year that the financial case for a stockpile had not been made. We await a further report by the United Nations Secretary-General.
гард
Overseas Students
EED
44. Mr. Knapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to extend his Department's scholarships and awards scheme for overseas students to include more students from the countries of eastern Europe.
91 CW44/29 Job 7-5
Written Answers
178
Mr. Sainsbury: Yes. In 1989-80 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office spent £530,000 on awards for students from eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. In 1990-91 we expect to spend almost three times that
amount.
FSAND
Namibia
46. Mr. Riddick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to meet the new president of Namibia; and what subjects he intends to raise.
Mr: Waldegrave: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met President Nujoma in Windhoek in March when attending the Namibian independence celebrations. He has no present plans for a further meeting.
FSCD
Hostages
7
47. Mr. Kilfedder: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the British hostages in the Lebanon.
Mr. Waldegrave: We are delighted that the former American hostage, Mr. Frank Reed, has confirmed that John McCarthy is alive and in reasonable condition. Mr. Reed's release indicates that Iran and Syria can, if they .wish, secure the release of hostages in Lebanon. We shall persevere in our efforts to persuade them that continued ́holding of hostages is in nobody's interest. We believe that
this is true both in Lebanon and elsewhere.
49. Mr. Ron Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British nationals are currently held hostage in the middle east; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Waldegrave: Three British nationals are currently held hostage in the middle east. They are Mr. John McCarthy, Mr. Jack Mann and Mr. Terry Waite. We have consistently called for the release of all hostages wherever and by whomever they are being held. We will continue our vigorous efforts to this end.
....SAD
Sri Lanka
48. Mr. Livsey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new measures Her Majesty's Government have taken and proposes to take with regard to the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.
Mr. Sainsbury: We have regularly made our concerns known to the Sri Lankan Government, most recently in conjunction with our European partners on 4 April.
WED
Anglo-French Summit
51. Mr. Butterfill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Anglo-French summit on 4 May.
Mr. Forman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Anglo-French summit on 4 May.
Mr. Maude: My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and the Defence Secretary had
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.