To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the governments of (a) Iran and (b) North Korea on nuclear disarmament; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is in regular contact with his Iranian counterpart. Discussion of Iran's nuclear programme forms a key part of these exchanges. He also has frequent discussions with his French, German and US colleagues concerning Iran's nuclear programme. The issue is regularly on the agenda for discussion with a wide range of Ministers from other states.

Discussion of Iran's nuclear programme at senior official level continue on a regular basis.

There has been no direct ministerial contact with the Government of North Korea since the visit of my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Rammell) in December 2004. The Government are, however, following closely developments in North Korea, and is in regular contact with other interested Governments. We urge the Government of North Korea to resume its engagement in the six-party talks process, which aims to resolve international concerns about the status of North Korea's nuclear programmes.