§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will initiate discussions with the Bangladesh Government to discuss(a) what assistance Her Majesty's Government could offer Bangladesh in the preparations for forthcoming elections for President and Parliament and (b) what help Her Majesty's Government could offer in monitoring the conduct of these elections; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe would be ready to consider any request in these areas made by the Bangladesh authorities.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold early talks with the President and Government of Bangladesh on action being taken to restore democracy and ways in which Her Majesty's Government could increase aid to Bangladesh; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no plans to do so. The acting President has spoken of the need to hold free and fair elections as soon as possible, and my right hon. Friend referred in his message to him to the importance we attach to this task.
Our existing bilateral aid programme to Bangladesh is substantial, at over £50 million a year. Our contribution to Bangladesh through multilateral institutions is also significant. In 1988, the last year for which figures are available, it amounted to £28.5 million.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will have discussions 71W with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth about what role might be played by the Commonwealth in (a) preparations for forthcoming elections in Bangladesh for President and Parliament and (b) monitoring the conduct of those elections; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydCommonwealth involvement in presidential and parliamentary elections in Bangladesh would be a matter for the Bangladesh Government to take up with the Commonwealth Secretary General.