§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria are adopted by Her Majesty's Government in recognising a sovereign state.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe normal criteria that we apply for recognition as a state are that it should have, and seem likely to continue to have, a clearly defined territory with a population, a Government who are able of themselves to exercise effective control of that territory, and independence in their external relations. Other factors, including some United Nations resolutions, may also be relevant.