§ Mr. CameronTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts the UK Government has made to resolve the dispute over the legality of the travel ban imposed upon Mr. Jonathan Brown, a constituent, by the Omani Government in August 2000. [116310]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienOur embassy in Muscat has sought clarification from the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on several occasions as to the status of144W the travel ban against Mr. Brown. The MFA maintains that the travel ban has been properly constituted. A copy of the ban order has been translated by the embassy and passed to Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown continues to argue that the travel ban is illegal, but despite several requests that he provide a legal opinion to support his position, he has not yet been able to do so.
§ Mr. CameronTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what basis the Government, via its embassy in Oman, issued the warning that limited the right of travel of Mr. Jonathan Brown, a constituent, as a condition of returning his passport. [116311]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThis Government did not issue the warning that limited Mr. Jonathan Brown's right of travel. The warning originated from the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
§ Mr. CameronTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the UK Government and its embassy in Oman took to ensure that the travel ban imposed on Mr. Jonathan Brown, a constituent, by the Omani Government, on 21 August 2000, was legal and properly served. [116312]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienOur embassy has communicated Mr. Brown's concerns over the travel ban imposed on him to the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The MFA confirmed that the proper legal procedures had been followed. Our embassy has undertaken to contact the MFA again if, for example, Mr. Brown's lawyer can provide a legal opinion supporting Mr. Brown's contentions.
§ Mr. CameronTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps the UK Government has taken to secure the return to the UK from Oman of Mr. Jonathan Brown, a constituent; and if he will make a statement. [116313]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienMr. Brown has been involved in a commercial dispute in Oman since mid-2000. Our embassy has been providing all the consular assistance they properly can since Mr. Brown's case came to their attention. Mr. Brown is not detained but unable to leave Oman until he meets the approximately £10,000 judgment against him.
Most recently, on 19 May 2003, our ambassador in Muscat wrote to Mr. Brown advising him to provide the Omani Immigration Service with the routine information requested. Our ambassador also suggested that Mr. Brown consider meeting the costs of the Omani judgement against him in order to facilitate his departure from Oman. Mr. Brown replied that he has chosen not to comply with these requests.
Our embassy will continue to do all they properly can to help, but, at the moment, action rests with Mr. Brown.