§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to use the UK presidency of the EU to draw attention to the human rights abuses in Kashmir; and what initiatives he is proposing to help secure a settlement of the dispute. [33259]
§ Mr. FatchettWe will work with EU partners to ensure that Kashmir is raised during the UN Commission on Human Rights. Our High Commissioner in New Delhi plans to lead a delegation of EU Troika missions to Kashmir in May. They will assess and report on the situation on the ground, including human rights problems. The Government's policy towards Kashmir was set out in my answer to the hon. Member for Reigate (Mr. Blunt) on 25 November 1997,Official Report, column 474.