§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will consider afresh the question of closing Her Majesty's Consulate General in Oporto, having regard to the British and other commercial interests involved; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuardNo. The decision to reduce the Consulate-General to an honorary post stems from a thorough inspection on the ground by a Diplomatic Service Inspector. The decision is in line with the recommendations of the Duncan Committee and was reached after full account had been taken of our commercial and consular interests. It in no way implies a reduction in British interests in Portugal in general or in Oporto in particular.