§ Mr. Hanleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about his policy on the issue of visas to citizens of Syria.
§ Mr. EggarFollowing the unjustified expulsion by the Syrian Government of three members of the British Embassy in Damascus, including the Vice-Consul, the issue of visas at Damascus has had to be suspended until
328WAt the moment three staff are attending day-release courses of this nature. One member of staff, who is a union representative, is attending a day-release course in aspects of union procedure. The Catering Accountant last year attended a Civil Service College course in Government accounting.
the Embassy is adequately staffed. Procedures for the issue of visas to Syrians have also been reviewed. They will normally be required to attend for interview and their applications will be referred to London. All Syrians seeking to enter the United Kingdom in transit, even if they propose to remain here less than 24 hours, will in future be required to obtain transit visas.