HL Deb 09 December 1997 vol 584 cc17-8WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the British Embassy in Budapest has reported to them on the allegation that a United States arms firm funded (in part or in whole) the pro-NATO campaign in the recent referendum on NATO membership in Hungary.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

We are aware of various allegations, none of which have been proven. We have no reason to doubt the legitimacy of the Hungarian people's resounding endorsement of their Government's decision to apply for membership of NATO.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What weight they give to the recent Hungarian referendum on NATO membership in which the turnout was below 50 per cent., given that the current Hungarian Referendum Law requires a greater than 50 per cent. turnout for a referendum to he valid.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

Under the terms of a constitutional amendment passed by the Hungarian Parliament earlier this year, a referendum on a single issue is valid if either a minimum of 25 per cent. of the whole electorate voted in favour or a minimum of 25 per cent. vote against. The results of the Hungarian referendum on NATO membership were over 85 per cent. in favour from a turn-out of over 49 per cent. of eligible voters. Thus more than 42 per cent. of the whole electorate voted in favour. This result represents an overwhelming endorsement of Hungary's NATO membership by the Hungarian people.