HL Deb 18 January 2000 vol 608 cc145-6WA
Lord Milner of Leeds

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to make an appointment to the Intelligence and Security Committee. [HL580]

The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Jay of Paddington)

My right honourable friend the Prime Minister has appointed the honourable Member for Doncaster Central (Ms Winterton), to be a member of the Intelligence and Security Committee in place of the honourable Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Ms Cooper), who left the Committee following her appointment as a Minister.

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are discussing the cases of the 13 Iranian Jews, and of other persons imprisoned in Iran without specific charges or known trial dates, with the Iranian Foreign Minister, during his visit to this country. [HL534]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)

The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary raised this issue with Dr Kharrazi during his visit on 10–12 January. We and our EU partners will continue to raise this issue until it is resolved.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make representations to the Government of the Russian Federation seeking explanations about the human rights situation in Chechnya. [HL500]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

We have repeatedly raised with the Russians our concerns that their action in Chechnya breaches their international human rights obligations.

We support the 'work of the Council of Europe in this area, including the Secretary-General's request to the Russians to explain how their action in Russia conforms with their human rights obligations. We welcome the proposed visit to the region by Lord Russell-Johnston, Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly, and look forward to the Assembly's discussion of this issue in the week of 24 January.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which of the nuclear weapon countries is most committed to the retention of such weapons; and which nuclear weapon country is most committed to steps towards a nuclear weapon free world. [HL502]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

That is a matter of opinion. But, among the nuclear weapons states, no government is more committed than we are to working for progress towards nuclear disarmament.