§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions(a) her Department and (b) other Government departments have had with participant governments regarding the development of national action plans in preparation for the establishment of an international certification scheme for rough diamonds.[77062]
§ Mr. MacshaneI have been asked to reply.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is the lead department for the Kimberley Process international certification Scheme for rough diamonds, which we expect to start in January 2003.
The European Commission has issued a draft Regulation, setting out how the Kimberley Process will be implemented in the EC. The FCO has submitted an Explanatory Memorandum for parliamentary scrutiny, in advance of final approval of the Regulation by the Council.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is setting up a Government Diamond Office to implement the Regulation within the UK and is preparing guidance for companies.
878WWe have had discussions with a number of other participants about their implementation and understand that they are also in the process of completing their plans for implementation.