To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of whether the recent move of the Burmese capital is related to the development of a nuclear site in the vicinity. (83206)

We were formally notified of the Burmese authorities’ decision to relocate the seat of administration to Pyinmana on 7 November 2005. The State Peace and Development Council claims that moving to a more central location will enable the Government to carry out the development of the whole nation more effectively. We have no evidence that the move was related to the development of a nuclear site in the vicinity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports the Government have received on the use of chemical weapons by the regime in Burma. (83208)

In 2005 we looked into allegations that the Burmese regime had used chemical weapons against Karenni fighters but there was no hard evidence to confirm this. Since then we have not received any further reports.