§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the economic assistance given by Her Majesty's Government to North Korea. [27138]
§ Mr. HanleyWe have not offered any economic assistance, nor have the North Korean authorities requested any from us.
§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government are planning to take to assist the peaceful and democratic reunification of the Korean eninsula; and if he will make a statement. [27139]
§ Mr. HanleyThe reunification of the Korean peninsula can be achieved only through meaningful dialogue between South and North Korea. We encourage such dialogue at every opportunity and have welcomed the proposal, announced on 16 April by the Presidents of the USA and South Korea, that a four-party meeting be convened to discuss the future of the Korean peninsula. We hope that North Korea will respond positively.