Hansard

Chernobyl: Children

Volume 495: debated on Monday 6 July 2009

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Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what progress has been made in discussions with his Belarusian counterpart on arrangements for visits to the UK by children who grew up near Chernobyl; (278169)

(2) for what reasons the Government has not concluded a bilateral agreement with Belarus on safeguarding the status of children connected with Chernobyl.

Mr. Woolas

[holding answer 4 June 2009]: I have been asked to reply.

On 22 May, the United Kingdom entered into a bilateral agreement with the Belarusian Government to secure the resumption of organised visits by Chernobyl-affected Belarusian children to the United Kingdom. Parliament was notified of this agreement by written ministerial statement, laid on 11 June 2009, Official Report, columns 48-49WS, available at:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090611/wmstext/90611m0001.htm #09061143000079