§ Mr. Archie Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's embassy in Dubai will take up with the Government of Dubai the question of repayment of debts of £40,000 and £500,000 owed to Braithwaite and Co. Structural Limited and a fellow sub-contractor, Higgins and Cattle, respectively, in respect of an engineering contract completed in Dubai in 1978, which debts represent the proceeds of contract claims fully agreed between the main contractor Milne and Nicholls of Canada and the Municipality of Dubai.
§ Mr. HurdOur embassy in Dubai has on several occasions in the past year taken up with the Dubai authorities the question of the money owed to British sub-contractors in respect of this engineering contract. During a visit to Dubai last year I reinforced their representations, and have since instructed our consul general to keep the matter before the Ruler's advisers. Discussions continue between the municipality and representatives of all the firms concerned. Our embassy who remain in close touch with all the parties, will continue their efforts on behalf of the British firms.