HC Deb 15 January 1997 vol 288 cc301-2W
36. Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Portuguese Government regarding the future of East Timor. [9268]

Mr. Hanley

We regularly discuss East Timor with the Portuguese Government. It was discussed by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs during his meeting with the Portuguese Foreign Minister, Mr. Gama, in July last year. Her Majesty's Government continue to believe that dialogue between Portugal and Indonesia under the auspices of the UN Secretary General offers the best hope of finding a just, comprehensive and internationally acceptable settlement.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria his Department uses to determine whether defence equipment is likely to be used for internal repression in Indonesia and East Timor before granting export licences. [10717]

Mr. Hanley

In judging whether defence equipment is likely to be used for internal repression, we draw on all the information available to us, including as appropriate the nature of the equipment, the technical capability and legitimate requirements of the end user and the current situation in the recipient country. Ministers evaluate this information with the advice, where necessary, of technical experts in appropriate Government agencies and of our missions overseas.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the correspondence referred to in paragraph 40 of the National Audit Office report, "Aid to Indonesia", relating to aid proposals and defence sales. [10724]

Mr. Hanley

I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.