§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what sanctions have been applied by(a) the UK, (b) the EU and (c) the G8 to (i) Pakistan and (ii) India following their detonation of nuclear devices; and if he will make a statement. [50848]
§ Mr. FatchettG8 countries meeting in London on 12 June agreed to work for a postponement in the consideration of loans to India and Pakistan in the World Bank and other International Financial Institutions, except where these loans were to meet basic human needs.
The EU adopted a similar policy on IFI loans on 8 June. The General Affairs Council also asked the Commission to consider, in a forthcoming review, India and Pakistan's eligibility to benefit from the Community's Generalised System of Preferences in the light of their tests. The General Affairs Council stated that the European Union would take all necessary measures should India and Pakistan not take early steps to accede to the relevant international non-proliferation treaties.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary outlined the measures that the UK took in response to the tests in his statement to the House on 1 June 1998, Official Report, columns 21–22. Additional safeguards to prevent proliferation activities by India and Pakistan in the UK were announced to the House by the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) on 10 July 1998, Official Report, columns 687–88.