§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to take forward work on arms control as part of the UK's(a) chairmanship of the G8 and (b) presidency of the European Council in 2005. [163356]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe United Kingdom will assume the chairmanship of the G8 in January 2005, and the Presidency of the EU in July 2005. The Government have yet to finalise their priorities for the assumption of1312W these key roles. We will, however, wish to continue work already under way on arms control issues and, in particular, to take forward work on implementing coherent strategies on arms control and counter-proliferation in both fora. As was made clear by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in his statement of 25 February, counter-proliferation issues remain a high priority for the Government (Official Report, columns 46–49WS).