HC Deb 29 November 1989 vol 162 cc311-2W
20. Mr. Flannery

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he will now offer to British subjects working in E1 Salvador; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

The British chargé d'affaires is advising those members of the British community with no urgent need to remain in the country to leave while normal commercial flights are available. The advice to those remaining is to stay at home.

27. Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has concerning the murder of the six Jesuit priests in San Salvador on 17 November; and if he will make a statement.

29. Mr. Heifer

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has concerning the murder of the six Jesuit priests in San Salvador on 17 November; and if he will make a statement.

87. Mr. Michael J. Martin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has concerning the murder of the six Jesuit priests in San Salvador on 17 November; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

Our information is that Father Ignacio Ellacuria, Rector of the Catholic university in E1 Salvador, five of his colleagues, their cook and her daughter were murdered in the early hours of 16 November by assassins armed with automatic weapons. Some were reported to be in uniform. We utterly condemn this cowardly and appalling murder, and urge that those responsible be identified and brought to justice without delay.

30. Mrs. Wise

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Government are taking to promote a cease-fire in E1 Salvador.

Mr. Sainsbury

We have called on the FMLN to end their offensive and have urged both sides to return to the negotiating table.

37. Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed the situation in E1 Salvador with representatives of the United States Government; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

We have regular discussions with the United States Administration on a wide range of subjects, including E1 Salvador.

38. Mr. Barron

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of E1 Salvador about the safety of British subjects there; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

Her Majesty's chargé d'affaires in San Salvador has repeatedly reminded the authorities of their responsibility for their protection and given clear advice to United Kingdom citizens in E1 Salvador. He has received the fullest co-operation in carrying out his consular duties during the present emergency.

Mr. Terry Fields

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, he will cut British financial and diplomatic links with the Government of E1 Salvador, in the light of Government violence against citizens.

Mr. Sainsbury

We have no plans to break relations with the Government of E1 Salvador. The current escalation of violence there results from the offensive launched by the FMLN guerrillas on 11 November. We call on them to return to the negotiating table.

51. Mr. Watson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of the United States of America concerning the worsening human rights situation in E1 Salvador.

Mr. Sainsbury

We have regular discussions with the US Administration on a wide range of subjects, including E1 Salvador.

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