§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what actions have been taken at the United Nations to ensure that the proposed referendum in the western Sahara takes place;
(2) what discussions he has had with the Government of Morocco concerning the referendum in the western Sahara; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggDuring my visit to Morocco earlier this year, I underlined the need for parties to co-operate fully with the UN Secretary General in his efforts to resolve this dispute. Differences over who should be eligible to vote in the proposed referendum have delayed the implementation of the UN settlement plan, but the Secretary General and his special representative have been working hard to try to overcome these differences. The Secretary General is expected to make a further report to the Security Council in the next few weeks. As a permanent member of the Security Council, we shall continue to give our full support to the Secretary General.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of France concerning the referendum in the western Sahara.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggOfficials have regularly discussed the Western Sahara with the French. It has been discussed at ministerial level in the framework of European political co-operation.