§ Mr. Redmondasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason the British Embassy in Lisbon is now open only between 8 a.m. in the morning and 2 p.m. in the afternoon; and whether, in view of the inconvenience this will cause to British exporters, the British community and Portugal business and official offices, he can arrange that the matter be reconsidered.
§ Mr. EnnalsThese office hours were introduced locally as an experiment during the summer months. Embassy staff are always available to see visitors by appointment at other times, and the consular section is manned every afternoon to deal with urgent inquiries. The telephone switchboard is manned on a 24-hour basis and embassy staff are always available on call. The embassy has received no complaints about these arrangements which will be reviewed at the conclusion of the experiment in mid-September.