HC Deb 29 July 1997 vol 299 c156W
Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards the entry of Rwanda into the Commonwealth. [10797]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

Decisions on membership are taken by Commonwealth Heads of Government on the basis of consensus. The Heads of Government meeting in Edinburgh will consider a report on Commonwealth membership criteria and look at Rwanda's application in the light of this. We believe that among other conditions, it is important for any applicant to the Commonwealth to have had a former constitutional link with a Commonwealth country and to comply with the Harare declaration on human rights and democracy.

Mr. Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards military assistance to(a) Rwanda and (b) the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [10796]

Mr. Lloyd

We do not at present provide any military assistance to Rwanda or to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mr. Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's military assistance to(a) Rwanda and (b) the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the last three years. [10798]

Mr. Lloyd

We have provided no military assistance to Rwanda or the Demcratic Republic of the Congo in the last three years.

Mr. Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the Government have given to private companies investing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the last two months. [10799]

Mr. Lloyd

I met a number of UK private companies who have experience of the great lakes region on 17 June, to discuss commercial prospects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This Department and the Department of Trade and Industry continue to advise British business on possible commercial opportunities.