§ Mr. John EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 29 November 1989, to the hon. Member for St. Helens, North,Official Report, columns 328–29, if he will state what he regards as (a) substantive and (b) non-substantive concessions to the hostage holders in the Lebanon, in the development of policy to seek the release 534W of the British hostages; and what non-substantive concessions he is (i) prepared to make or (ii) has already made.
§ Mr. WaldegraveOur policy of no substantive concessions precludes the payment of ransoms. It does not, of course, preclude contacts with those Governments, organisations or individuals who may be able to help secure the release of the British hostages. It would not be helpful to elaborate further.