HC Deb 15 October 2001 vol 372 cc966-7W
Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is regarding the situation in Kashmir. [7832]

Mr. Bradshaw

We remain concerned by the situation in Kashmir and continue to urge India and Pakistan to persevere with dialogue to resolve all issues outstanding between them. In this context, we welcome the recent contacts between President Musharraf and Prime Minister Vajpayee.

Ross Cranston

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the prospects for the people of Kashmir following the meeting between Indian and Pakistani leaders. [7090]

Mr. Bradshaw

We welcomed the talks between Prime Minister Vajpayee and General Musharraf in July. We hope that India and Pakistan will persevere with dialogue and reach a peaceful settlement to this issue.

Ross Cranston

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made since July in allowing international human rights monitors to enter Kashmir. [7089]

Mr. Bradshaw

I regret that there has been no progress since my answer to the same question by my hon. Friend the Member for Ro[...]hdale (Mrs. Fitzsimons) on 10 July 2001, Official Report, column 474W. We continue to impress upon the Indian Government the benefits of transparency and regularly urge them to allow access for human rights bodies, including the UN Rapporteurs on Torture and on Extra-judicial Executions, the Working Group on Disappearances and groups such as Amnesty International.