HC Deb 27 November 2000 vol 357 c394W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held with the Governments of India and Pakistan concerning their signature of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. [139988]

Mr. Hain

We continue to urge India and Pakistan to sign and ratify the CTBT in both bilateral contacts with the two countries and in multilateral fora such as UNGA.

Officials from our High Commission on Islamabad recently discussed Pakistani signature with their Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Secretary raised the question of Indian signature of the Treaty with his Indian counterpart, Jaswant Singh, on 15 November. I also discussed the issue during my recent visit to India, primarily on 20 November with Brajesh Mishra (National Security Adviser and Private Secretary to the Prime Minister).

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with the Government of Israel concerning its becoming a signatory to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. [139978]

Mr. Hain

Israel signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) on 25 September 1996. We continue to raise the issue of Israel's ratification of its signature in both bilateral contacts with Israel, most recently on 6 September in discussions between officials, and in multilateral fora.

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