Lorry Drivers (Spain)

HC Deb 23 October 1990 vol 178 cc109-10W

Mr. Simon Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the position of British lorry drivers stranded in Spain by the Spanish drivers' blockade.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The strike is now over and we understand that vehicles are moving freely across the border in both directions. During the strike our consular staff in Spain visited the scene regularly to give general advice and financial assistance to drivers.

Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he is giving relatives of lorry drivers caught in the French-Spanish blockade; and whether a helpline or information number is available for families.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The strike has now ended and vehicles are moving freely across the border in both directions. During the strike no helpline as such was set up. However, the consular department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was in regular touch with the relatives and employers of the drivers involved.