§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from organisations(a) within and (b) outside the United Kingdom concerning the treatment and condition of pensioners in Cuba; and what discussions he has held on these matters. [17201]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorNone, other than letters just received from the hon. Member for Coventry, South-West (Mr. Butcher) and for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson) to which separate replies will be sent.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of(a) Her Majesty's Government and (b) the EU on the blockade on Cuba. [17203]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorWe consider the US embargo against Cuba to be primarily a matter for the two Governments concerned. We do, however, protest strongly and frequently to the Americans about the extra-territorial aspects of the embargo and are lobbying hard against the draft legislation currently before Congress which seeks to tighten the embargo.
There is no common EU policy on the embargo.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with(a) the United Nations and (b) the United States of America regarding the blockade on Cuba. [17202]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorWe have traditionally abstained at the UN General Assembly on the Cuban-tabled resolution against the US embargo. This is because we think it is primarily a bilateral matter and that the UNGA is not the correct forum in which it should be discussed.
I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer.