§ 11. Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Sri Lanka.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe have supported the Sri Lankan Government in their efforts to overcome terrorism, but have also made very clear our concerns that all parties must respect human rights. Our response to Sri Lanka's unwarranted expulsion of our high commissioner has been to cancel high-level visits, further restrict arms sales and delay consideration of major new aid commitments. We will review these policies once a new high commissioner is in place.
§ Mr. PawseyI thank my hon. Friend for that typically helpful and detailed response. I take on board what he says about the importance of human rights, but can he suggest when a high commissioner will be reappointed to Sri Lanka? Can he also say when we might resume the provision of development aid to that island?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am grateful to my hon. Friend for his support for our human rights policies. A new high commissioner will be appointed in the very near future, but I cannot say when. He will, of course, continue to make representations of the kind made by Mr. Gladstone. We have not cut off aid; we have merely reconsidered one £3 million tranche of aid that was under consideration. Aid already in the pipeline, and already being spent in Sri Lanka, continues.
§ Mr. FauldsWould not it be appropriate if hon. Members expressed their strong approval of the stand taken by David Gladstone, our former high commissioner, on the appalling abuses of human rights in Sri Lanka? I hope that the House will endorse that.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman and very much support what he says.