Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Wednesday, 11 October 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 October 2000. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 October 2000 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 19th July, Official Report, 354 c186W, on Sierra Leone, if he will make a statement on the nature of the conflict between the Commission for the Management of Strategic Resources and existing Sierra Leonese Government ministries, with reference to related action by Her Majesty's Government.

Answer: Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 19 July 2000, Official Report, column 186W, on Sierra Leone, if he will make a statement on the nature of the conflict between the Commission for the Management of Strategic Resources and existing Sierra Leonese Government ministries, with reference to related action by Her Majesty's Government. [134198] Mr. Hain: We understand that the respective roles and functions of the Commission for the Management of Strategic Resources, National Reconstruction and Development, the Ministry of Mines, and the Government of Sierra Leone itself has yet to be defined. This was a matter for the respective bodies to work out. Our own policy was--and remains--to support the objective of the Lome Peace Agreement that the Government of Sierra Leone shall exercise full control over the exploitation of gold, diamonds and other natural resources for the benefit of all of the people of Sierra Leone.

Secondary information