Written question asked by John Wilkinson (Conservative) on Friday, 12 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 November 2004. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 November 2004 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Foreign Ministers of other European Union countries for the maintaining of the EU's embargo on the sale of armaments to the People's Republic of China. - Including ref to 3 June 1998 c240-1.

Answer: Mr. Wilkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Foreign Ministers of other European Union countries for the maintaining of the EU's embargo on the sale of armaments to the People's Republic of China. [198881] Mr. Rammell: The Government supports the decision of the European Council in December 2003 to review the EU Arms Embargo on China. This review is on-going--it was last discussed by EU Foreign Ministers at the 11 October General Affairs and External Relations Council. The Government does not wish to exclude any options for the review, nor to pre- empt the conclusion of the review. The Government continues to implement the Arms Embargo as set out by the then Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the late Derek Fatchett, in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Vernon Coaker) on 3 June 1998, Official Report, columns 240-41.

Secondary information