§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Turkish authorities over the seizure by Turkish customs officials in December 1993 of lorries owned by the haulage company, Ralph Davies International; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David DavisOur embassy in Ankara have been in frequent contact with lawyers acting on behalf of Ralph Davies International and with the appropriate authorities in Turkey. We recently discovered that the court hearing had exceeded the 12-months period after which goods detained by Turkish customs can be sold. We therefore made representations to the Turkish Foreign Ministry on 25 January urging that any proposed sale of the vehicles be put on hold pending the outcome of legal representations.