HC Deb 27 October 1998 vol 318 cc146-7W
Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department informed the Spanish authorities that General Pinochet was visiting the United Kingdom in October 1997. [57011]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

No.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department provided to the Spanish authorities about General Pinochet's intention to leave the United Kingdom on 20 October; when this information was provided; and by whom. [57010]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

We provided no information to the Spanish authorities of any plan for Senator Pinochet to leave the UK.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department provided to Amnesty International about General Pinochet's travel arrangements prior to 17 October. [57012]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

No information was passed to Amnesty International by the FCO about Senator Pinochet's travel arrangements.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department was informed, and by whom, that General Pinochet was leaving the United Kingdom on 20 October. [57016]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials were informed on 15 October by the Chilean Embassy that consideration was being given to Senator Pinochet leaving the UK on 20 October.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department(a) arranged for and (b) paid for the use of a VIP suite at the airport for the visits of General Pinochet to the United Kingdom in (i) October 1997 and (ii) September 1998. [57014]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

The VIP suite in each case was put at the disposal of Senator Pinochet, and paid for by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as usual.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department was informed that General Pinochet was visiting the United Kingdom during October 1997. [57013]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

We were notified on 17 September 1997.