§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the United Kingdom will support(a) Mr. Robert Watson continuing as Chairman of the InterGovernmental Panel on Climate Change and (b) Hans Blix continuing in his post as Head of the UN Monitoring, Inspection and Verification Commission. [52155]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 24 April 2002]: In view of Robert Watson's outstanding track record the UK was in favour of his continuation as chair of IPCC. In the event, the IPCC elected Dr. Rajendra Pachauri to the position of chairman.
The UK supported Hans Blix's appointment as the head of UNMOVIC in 2000. We have every confidence in his continuing chairmanship.