§ Mr. VazTo ask the Prime Minister what plans Her Majesty's Government have to provide contributions in terms of(a) food aid, (b) agricultural development and (c) the provision of light water reactors to North Korea. [42424]
§ The Prime MinisterThe United Kingdom, in our Presidency role, led a European Union Technical Mission to North Korea from 8–17 May to assess the present humanitarian situation and consider future needs. The UK participated in the United Nations Development Programme Round Table on 28–29 May to discuss plans for agricultural rehabilitation. The Secretary of State for International Development will review UK policy in the light of these events.
We and our EU partners are committed to resolving the issue of nuclear proliferation on the Korean Peninsula. The EU is a full member of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organisation (KEDO), which is providing North Korea with new Light Water Reactors and interim energy supplies in return for North Korea suspending (and eventually dismantling) its own nuclear reactor programme. The UK contributed $1 million to KEDO in 1995. The EU contributed 5 million ecu in 1996 and in 1997 agreed to contribute 15 million ecu a year for 5 years.