§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the arrangements to enable citizens of Sierra Leone to visit the United Kingdom for business or training purposes; and when he expects to resume the issuing of visas to enter the United Kingdom to people applying in Freetown. [76445]
§ Mr. FatchettThe British High Commission in Freetown is still closed. Citizens of Sierra Leone seeking a visa to visit the United Kingdom may apply at any British Diplomatic Mission offering a full entry clearance service. For other categories of visa, applicants who would in normal circumstances submit their application in Freetown are required to apply at British Diplomatic Missions in Dakar, Banjul or Abidjan. The security situation in Freetown is being monitored carefully. UK Based staff will return to Post as soon as it is safe to do so. Visa issuing will resume as soon as practicable thereafter.