§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Lord Privy Seal which European countries will be sending observers to the El Salvador elections; and if there will be liaison with any such countries about the conditions under which the observers will be sent.
§ Mr. LuceNot all European countries have been invited to send observers to the El Salvador elections and of those who have been invited some have still to announce their decision. We shall, of course, take appropriate steps to liaise with any European Government that does send observers.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Lord Privy Seal if he is satisfied that the right conditions now exist in El Salvador for the holding of elections at which United Kingdom observers will be present.
§ Mr. LuceWe believe the elections in El Salvador to be a step in the right direction and have accepted the Salvadorean Government's invitation to monitor the actual process. The observers will take into account the prevailing conditions as part of their overall assessment, and this will be reflected in their report which will be made public.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Lord Privy Seal where in El Salvador United Kingdom observers will be sent at the time of the elections; and what will be their specific role.
§ Mr. LuceWe are in touch with the Government of El Salvador about arrangements for the organisation and deployment of election observers. Their role will be to observe the electoral process including the campaign and the poll itself and to report on their findings.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Lord Privy Seal if Her Majesty's Government have insisted on any conditions as a quid pro quo for the attendance of United Kingdom observers at the elections in El Salvador.
§ Mr. LuceNo, though we have made it clear to the Salvadorean Government that the observers must be totally free to monitor the whole electoral process and that we look to them to provide satisfactory arrangements for their security.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has received any assurances from the Government of El Salvador that the observers to be sent by Her Majesty 's Government to the elections in El Salvador on 28 March will have the facilities necessary for the full performance of their duties; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceThe Salvadorean Government have assured us that the observers will be able to go wherever they in El Salvador. They have said access will be given to the 459W President, members of his Government and representatives of political parties. Local transport will be provided. We are currently in touch with the Government about other arrangements.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will name the persons to be sent by Her Majesty's Government to observe the election in El Salvador on 28 March and state their qualifications with regard to the practice and law relating to elections.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will state in the Official Report the countries which have decided to send observers to the elections in El Salvador on 28 March, those which have declined an invitation to do so, and those which have not yet decided.
§ Mr. LuceWe understand the Salvadorean Government have approached over 60 Governments. We are not in a position to list those who have accepted or refused the invitation, or have yet to make up their minds.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has had any discussions with other EEC Governments concerning the invitation received from the Government of El Salvador to send observers to the election to be held in that country on 28 March; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceThe subject has been discussed with our European Community partners, not all of whom have been invited to send observers. There was no question therefore of a European Community consensus.