HC Deb 16 September 2003 vol 410 cc679-80W
Jeremy Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects a UN authorised referendum to be held on the future of Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement. [130022]

Mr. Rammell

The United Kingdom supports fully the efforts of the UN Secretary General and his Personal Envoy, James Baker III, to find a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the Western Sahara dispute that provides for self-determination for the people of Western Sahara.

In July this year the Security Council called upon the parties to the dispute to work with the United Nations and with each other towards acceptance and implementation of James Baker's Peace Plan which provides for a UN organised referendum after a transitional period. We are encouraging the parties and states of the region to cooperate fully with the Secretary-General and his personal envoy to this end.