§ Mr. BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the actions taken by his Department further to the testing of nuclear devices by(a) India and (b) Pakistan. [73979]
§ Mr. Tony LloydAs G8 and EU Presidency, the UK played a leading role in co-ordinating the international response to the Indian and Pakistani nuclear tests. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary hosted a meeting of colleagues from G8 and other countries, at which a senior officials Task Force was established. The Task Force met twice in 1998 under UK chairmanship. In contacts with India and Pakistan, we continue to urge both countries to adhere to international non-proliferation regimes, to take the steps called for by United Nations Secretary Council resolution 1172, and to make progress in their bilateral dialogue.
My Department has tightened procedures governing exports of dual-use goods to India and Pakistan, and discouraged contact between UK nuclear scientists and nuclear industry personnel and their Indian and Pakistani counterparts.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Governments of(a) India and (b) Pakistan on religious freedom within those countries; and if he will make a statement. [73891]
§ Mr. FatchettI raised our concerns about the situation of religious minorities with the Indian Home Minister in November, as did the Foreign Secretary with the Indian National Security Adviser on 20 January in London. I raised our concerns about religious minorities in Pakistan with the Pakistani Minister of Law during my visit there in February.