§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent report compiled by Earthrights International regarding the activities of Premier Oil in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [8712]
§ Mr. BradshawThe report to which the hon. Member refers, published in May 2000, criticised Premier Oil's presence in Burma on the ground that it helped prop up a military regime under which human rights abuses, including forced labour, are widespread. We share that view and have asked Premier to leave Burma as soon as, and to the fullest extent that, it legally can.