HC Deb 19 October 1993 vol 230 cc204-5W
Mr. Wareing

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he received from Mr. Vuk Draskovic during their recent meeting on the question of(a) sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and (b) Kosovo and its status as part of Serbia; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I saw Mr. Draskovic during his visit. There was an exchange of views at both meetings about matters relating to the former Yugoslavia, including Kosovo and the effect of sanctions on Serbia and Montenegro.

Mr. Wareing

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what basis Her Majesty's Government issued an invitation to Mr. Vuk Draskovic to visit the United Kingdom recently; in what capacity Mr. Draskovic was invited; what was the cost to United Kingdom public expenditure of the visit; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Mr. Draskovic was invited to the United Kingdom in his capacity as leader of the Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO). This was an officially sponsored visit which included Mrs. Draskovic and his private secretary, who is also an SPO deputy. Costs for the visit, excluding air fares which are yet to be finalised, come to £5,688.26.

Mr. Wareing

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how often the British embassy in Belgrade checks the purity of tap water; what is the reason for these checks; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The British embassy in Belgrade does not carry out tests on the purity of tap water, but consults the Canadian and United States embassies, which co-ordinate purity reports from the local department of public health. On every occasion these reports have indicated that the water is drinkable.

Mr. Wareing

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what precautions British citizens living in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia are advised to take to avoid hazards that arise out of the consumption of tap water contaminated as a result of the breakdown in purification processes.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

None. The British embassy in Belgrade assesses that local water purification processes are functioning normally and has therefore issued no advice to British citizens.

Mr. Wareing

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans Her Majesty's Government have to invite elected members of the Opposition or Government of Yugoslavia to Britain in an official capacity.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

We hope that the Montenegrin Foreign Minister, Mr. Miodrag Lekic, will pay a short visit to London on 24 and 25 October. There are no plans at present for further visits.