HC Deb 12 January 1976 vol 903 cc66-7W
Mr. Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the date of the closure of the British Embassy in the Malagasy Republic.

Mr. Ennals

The Embassy is still functioning under a chargé d'affairs, but the offices will be closed towards the end of March 1976.

Mr. Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the ties of friendship between the United Kingdom and the Malagasy Republic and the importance of the Indian ocean sea routes, consideration will be given to appointing a United Kingdom consul in place of the Ambassador.

Mr. Ennals

As I told the hon. Member for Ravensbourne (Mr. Hunt) on 22nd October, we propose to appoint an honorary consul at Tananarive after the closure of our resident mission there. He will provide support for Her Majesty's Ambassador to Tananarive, who will be based in Dares-Salaam.—[Vol. 898, c. 211.]

Mr. Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any steps have been taken to ensure United Kingdom representation in the Malagasy Republic following the closure of the British Embassy there.

Mr. Ennals

Yes, Mr. Mervyn Brown, our High Commissioner in Tanzania, and a former Ambassador to the Malagasy Republic, is being accredited to the Republic as non-resident Ambassador.