HC Deb 12 April 1994 vol 241 cc13-4W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on moves to bring the North Korean nuclear weapon issue to the United Nations Security Council; and what is the likely timetable in respect of such moves.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

On 24 March, the International Atomic Energy Agency director general reported on the most recent round of IAEA inspections in North Korea to the United Nations Security Council. After subsequent discussions, the President of the Security Council issued a statement on 31 March in which he called upon North Korea to allow IAEA inspectors full access to all of its declared nuclear facilities. The President also declared that further Security Council consideration of the issue would take place, if necessary, in order to achieve full implementation of North Korea's safeguards agreement.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the United Nations Security Council meeting on 31 March in connection with nuclear matters and North Korea; and what stance he took.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

On 31 March the President of the United Nations Security Council made a statement on North Korea, in which he called upon North Korea to allow IAEA inspectors access to all of its declared nuclear facilities, as previously agreed by North Korea on 15 February. The President also declared that further Security Council consideration of the matter would take place, if necessary, in order to achieve full implementation of North Korea's safeguards agreement. All members of the Security Council supported the statement.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is China's position in relation to the North Korean nuclear arms crisis; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Goodlad

China participated fully in the discussions within the United Nations Security Council which led to the presidential statement on this subject issued by the Council on 31 March.