§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which states have indicated their consent to the visit and search regime for merchant vessels suspected of breaching the Yugoslav embargo; what total proportion of global shipping tonnage this represents; what measures he is taking to increase the number of countries giving their consent; and if he will make a statement. [87335]
§ Mr. Tony LloydNATO forces in the Adriatic continue to monitor shipping entering FRY ports, while the EU oil embargo remains in place. A number of non-EU and non-NATO states, including some of those frequently used for flags of convenience, have expressed their willingness to comply with the embargo. However, their consent to a visit and search regime will not be sought formally while NATO plans are kept under review in the light of recent political developments.