To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 11 August (WA 392), whether the undertaking that "The Government would consult fully before making any decision on whether to support the admission of any further states" to the Commonwealth would entail that Parliament would be consulted; and in what manner they plan to do this.

The Government would consult all key stakeholders, including relevant parliamentary groups. However, this is a foreign policy issue, and while a wide range of views would be taken into account, a decision on whether the UK would support the admission of any further states to the Commonwealth is a matter for my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary. There is no formal requirement to consult Parliament.