§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are currently the average hours of opening of embassies and consulates in(a) Europe and (b) other countries. [9034]
§ Dr. Liam FoxThe opening hours for British embassies and consulates in Europe and in other countries are based on local practice.
Normally this would mean at least seven hours on a full working day. Consular offices are normally open to the public for at least five hours on full working days but shorter hours may be implemented where the overall consular workload makes this appropriate.
Consular staff are on call world wide 24 hours a day to help British nationals in distress.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what hours the British consulate in Berlin is(a) open and (b) open to receive calls from British businesses. [9035]
§ Dr. FoxThe opening hours of the British embassy office in Berlin are 8.30 to 17.00 local with a lunch break between 12.30 and 13.30. The embassy office switchboard is manned continually during open hours.
The consular section of the British embassy office in Berlin is open to the public from 9.00 to 12.00 and 14.00 to 16.00. Consular staff are on call 24 hours a day to help British nationals in distress.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs during which hours of the day United Kingdom overseas embassies and consulates are open for telephone inquiries from United Kingdom businesses. [8950]
§ Dr. FoxBritish embassies and consulates are usually open for telephone inquiries seven hours a day. Details for individual posts can be obtained from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 0171 270 1500.
Consular staff are on call world wide 24 hours a day to help British nationals in distress.