HC Deb 02 March 2004 vol 418 cc752-4
11. Mr. Harry Barnes (North-East Derbyshire) (Lab)

When he last held discussions with representatives of the Government of the Slovak Republic about the arrangements for its entry into the European Union. [157422]

The Minister for Europe (Mr. Denis MacShane)

The Secretary of State and I regularly see our Slovakian opposite numbers at European Council meetings in Brussels and during visits here in London. British embassy officials in Bratislava also have regular discussions with Slovak Government representatives on EU matters.

Mr. Barnes

The Roma people in Slovakia suffered from a long history of racial prejudice under the Nazis and under the communists, and, unfortunately, still experience that hatred today. Is it not the case that that should not continue as part of their fate within the European Union, which is expected to be socially inclusive? Will the Foreign Office work with the Slovak Government to assist and protect Roma people, most of whom are housed, especially in the light of the social problems created by recent cuts in unemployment benefit, which have hit them disproportionately?

Mr. MacShane

Yes. Jointly with the Slovak Government, we have spent a couple of hundred thousand pounds on projects on housing rights, on training for Roma para-legals, on constructing a community centre and on tackling barriers in communication between Slovak police and the Roma community. It is small, brick-by-brick stuff, but I am very proud of the commitment of our embassy staff in Bratislava to that work, which is a real British contribution to easing what was, is and will remain a difficult and sensitive problem.

Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP)

Does the Minister agree that it is entirely normal for European nations of 5 million to secure full membership of the European Union?

Mr. MacShane

Membership of the European Union stretches from Malta, with 400,000 people, to Germany, with more than 80 million people; but some nations in Europe are unbelievably lucky to belong to the United Kingdom, and thus to have a much better voice and presence in Brussels than if they had 60 or 70 embassies with the hon. Gentleman's picture up on the wall.

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