Framework Convention for Tobacco Control

HC Deb 16 May 2003 vol 405 cc493-4W

John Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department is having with(a) the World bank and (b) the German Government regarding the contents of the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control. [113111]

Mr. MacShane

There have been no regular discussions between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the World bank about the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. However, other Whitehall Departments have had discussions with the World bank on this subject. Officials in our embassies in the EU and in the UK Permanent Representation to the EU have been in frequent contact with colleagues from other EU member states, including Germany, in an effort to secure the adoption of the text of the Convention.