Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what legislative steps have been taken to provide for a visit and search regime in respect of ships suspected of carrying fuel to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in breach of the EU-led embargo; and if he will make a statement. [86614]
§ Mr. Tony LloydThe North Atlantic Council agreed a visit and search regime for ships suspected of carrying fuel to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 25 May. The regime is based on the consent of participating states.
To enable the United Kingdom to participate fully in this regime legislation allowing Royal Navy vessels to visit and search British ships outside UK waters came into force on 3 June.
The necessary enforcement powers in respect of United Kingdom ships are contained in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Supply, Sale and Export of Petroleum and Petroleum Products) (No.2) Regulations 1999 which revoke the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Supply, Sale and Export of Petroleum and Petroleum Products) Regulations 1999.
The Dependent Territories (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) (Supply, Sale and Export of Petroleum and Petroleum Products) Order 1999 imposes, by way of the prerogative, an oil embargo against the FRY in the Overseas Territories except for Bermuda and Gibraltar, with similar enforcement powers, in respect of ships registered in the territories concerned, to those in the Regulations. The UK does not have powers under the prerogative to legislate for Bermuda, which has been asked to legislate in similar terms. The EC Regulation is directly applicable in Gibraltar which will be legislating locally.
The EC Regulation is not directly applicable to the Crown Dependencies. The Channel Islands have already legislated locally and the Isle of Man will do so shortly.