---

European Union (Accessions) Bill

I did not expect that issue to be raised directly in relation to clause 1. The British Government’s position on the Armenian massacres is a matter of record. Obviously we regard them as a terrible tragedy. I understand that the Government have not designated them a genocide because of the lack of categorical evidence relating to their scale and nature, but I shall be more than happy to write to the hon. Gentleman. I know that the matter continues to be of public concern, and that it has been raised in the context of our other discussions on accession, notably Turkey’s accession.