HC Deb 19 October 1988 vol 138 cc874-5
3. Mr. Carrington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with foreign Governments about the behaviour of Britons travelling abroad.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Tim Eggar)

I have discussed the behaviour of Britons overseas with Government Ministers in Greece and Spain. The small minority of Britons who behave badly damage Britain's reputation and ruin other people's holidays. We have made it clear that we support other Governments who deal firmly with offenders.

Mr. Carrington

When my hon. Friend next meets the Spanish and Greek Governments, will he assure them that the British Government treat such behaviour as seriously as they do soccer hooliganism and that we would support punishment for the offenders as severe as we would for soccer hooligans?

Mr. Eggar

Just as we welcome tougher action against such individuals at home, so we welcome tougher action by Governments overseas. When people go abroad they must recognise that they must obey the laws of the country in which they are based.

Mr. Heffer

As the Heysel stadium people have not been found guilty by anyone, as they were encouraged to be extradited by the Government, and as many who have gone to Belgium are unemployed and without any financial assistance, will the Government now reconsider their attitude towards assisting those who have gone there quite voluntarily when they could have tried to dodge going? I ask the Minister to reconsider the Government's attitude and give financial assistance to those who are now before the courts in Belgium.

Mr. Eggar

Those individuals chose to go to that football match and became involved, or did not become involved—[Interruption.] We cannot prejudge the results of the Belgian court hearing. It has never been the policy of any British Government to provide free board and lodging overseas for people to attend court hearings or to provide for legal assistance.

Dr. Michael Clark

Will my hon. Friend have discussions with the Spanish Government about the sale of semi-pornographic and obscene T-shirts on the island of Majorca? Is he aware that the wearing of those T-shirts in Majorca causes offence to other holidaymakers and to people in high streets in this country when they are brought back here?

Mr. Eggar

I was not aware of this particular problem. I look forward to having more details from my hon. Friend, but I will ask our consul in Malaga for a report.

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