§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Commonwealth counterparts concerning Sri Lanka's membership of the Commonwealth. [109513]
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of the civil war in Sri Lanka. [109515]
§ Mr. HainWe are concerned about the continuing ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and believe a lasting solution can be reached only through a political settlement. We welcome the Leader of the Opposition's recent offer of support for the President's devolution package. We have made it clear that we stand ready to help in the resolution of the conflict if both sides ask us to play a role.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the Sri Lankan Government's press reporting of the civil war there. [109538]
§ Mr. HainConcerns have been expressed about military censorship in Sri Lanka. We believe it is important for the Sri Lankan Government to maintain their commitment to press freedom, although this needs to take account of the need for military security.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts concerning the civil war in Sri Lanka. [109514]
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to encourage a political settlement between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam. [109516]
§ Mr. HainWe take every opportunity at bilateral meetings to stress the need for a political settlement to end the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. We have made it clear that we stand ready to help if both sides ask us to play a role.