§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of the Government of Vietnam about the opening of a Vietnamese consulate in Hong Kong to help cope with the boat people; what was his response; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyUpgrading Vietnam's representation in Hong Kong was discussed during the visit of my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to Hanoi from 18 to 21 February in the context of a satisfactory overall settlement to the problem of returning all non-refugees from Hong Kong to their country of origin.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will support the request from the Government of Vietnam for establishing diplomatic relations with the European Community.
§ Mr. SainsburyWe keep this under continuing review. We need to look at a number of factors, one of which is the extent to which Vietnam accepts its obligations under international law to accept back its own citizens.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of the Government of Vietnam about a bilateral agreement on trade and investment; what is his policy on this; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyA bilateral agreement on trade and investment was discussed during the visit of my hon.468W Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to Hanoi from 18 to 21 February. For the time being, there are no plans to conclude such an agreement.