Proliferation Security Initiative Group

HC Deb 28 October 2003 vol 412 cc195-6W

Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) matters were discussed, and (b) decisions were taken, at the meeting of the Proliferation Security Initiative Group of States in early October; what resources are committed in support of this initiative; when future meetings will be held; and if he will make a statement. [133311]

Mr. MacShane

The Chairman's conclusions from the meeting were published on 10 October, and can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at www.fco.gov.uk/internationalsecurity. I refer my hon. Friend also to the written statement that I made to this House on 22 October.

For the present, work on the initiative is being funded from within existing resources. Any decisions regarding the commitment of additional resources to the initiative will be taken on a case-by-case basis dependent upon future operational requirements. The next meeting of the Proliferation Security Initiative will be held in Portugal early in 2004.