§ Mr. John EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken in the last two months by the Government to try and free the British hostages held in the Lebanon.
§ Mr. WaldegraveWe have continued the efforts described in the answer give by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 30 January to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Leith (Mr. Brown). The hon. Gentleman may be sure that our work to secure the release of the British hostages will continue unabated.
§ Mr. John EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange a meeting with Mr. Perez de Cuellar, secretary-general of the United Nations, to press for new international measures to secure the release of British hostages held in the Lebanon.
§ Mr. WaldegraveWe are committed to ensuring that the plight of the hostages remains high on the international agenda. We are in regular touch with Mr. Perez de Cuellar and his staff on this and other issues.
§ Mr. John EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he plans an early meeting with the successor to the present Archbishop of Canterbury to discuss British hostages in the Lebanon.
§ Mr. WaldegraveWe are in close touch with the Archbishop of Canterbury and his staff about the British hostages in Lebanon. This will remain the case for as long as necessary.