§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the United Kingdom ambassador to the United Nations has had with his American, Russian, French and Chinese counterparts in New York following the proposal by the United States ambassador that Germany and Japan be allocated permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council; and what discussions Her Majesty's Government have had with the United States Administration over the proposal.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe have regular discussions with the Americans and other permanent members of the Security Council on a range of United Nations issues, including Security Council reform. The Americans have aired their views, which are not new, in the context of the Secretary-General's request for member states to submit views on Security Council reform by the end of June. Many states, including the United Kingdom, will be sending replies and we will play a full part in the debate.