I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Buckingham (John Bercow) on 26 June 2006, Official Report, column 172W.
We have made no such representations to the governments of these countries. The EU Common Position on Burma prohibits investment by EU member states in listed state-owned companies with links to the Burmese military. All EU member states are bound by the Common Position.
The latest EU Common Position, agreed on 27 April 2006, can be found on the EU website at:
http://europa.eu.int/eurlex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_116/1_11620060429en00770097.pdf
I shall arrange for a copy of the EU Common Position to be placed in the Library of the House and for a copy to be sent to the hon. Member.
[holding answer 17 July 2006]: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no discussions with the Government of Burma.
On 15 June, I summoned the Burmese Ambassador to raise our concerns about the human rights abuses suffered by ethnic groups, including the Karen; forced labour; restrictions on religious freedom; the use of sexual violence and the exploitation of children. I also repeated our call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and that of all other political prisoners held in Burma.
On 5 July, I wrote to the Burmese Foreign Minister, reiterating the points I made to the Burmese Ambassador. I shall arrange for a copy of my letter to be placed in the Library of the House and for a copy of the letter to be sent to the hon. Member.
We shall continue to take every opportunity to express the Government's concern to the regime and its representatives.