§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bolton, South-East (Dr. Iddon) of 10 June 2002,Official Report, column 814W, on India, if he will make a statement on the effect of the disturbances in 815W Gujarat on British citizens and their relatives; and what further assistance the High Commission has given them. [67762]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe violence in Gujarat which began on 28 February 2002 has now largely stopped. There were two reported British deaths from communal violence in June. However the situation is still tense in some urban and rural areas. We are continually monitoring the situation and ensure that our travel advice is always up to date.
Consular staff in India and London will continue to offer all possible assistance that it properly can to relatives and to all British nationals affected by the disturbances, though the British Consulate in Bombay has not received any such requests in recent months.
We remain in close contact with the Indian authorities over the safety of British nationals in Gujurat.