HC Deb 24 November 1992 vol 214 c606W
Mr. Cormack

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times the British ambassador in Saudi Arabia has met Mr. Allan Nicklin during the last six months; and how many meetings the ambassador has had with Saudi officials in order to secure Mr. Nicklin's release.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Her Majesty's ambassador has met Mr. Nicklin on five occasions and the chargé d'affaires twice in the last six months. Since Mr. Nicklin was first detained there has also been very frequent contact between Mr. Nicklin and Her Majesty's consuls in Jedda and Riyadh.

The ambassador has had nine and the chargé d'affaires two meetings with Saudi Ministers and Deputy Ministers, and frequent contact with senior Government officials, in our efforts to secure the Saudi Government's agreement to allowing Mr. Nicklin to leave Saudi Arabia. The ambassador has also spoken with the deputy governor of Mecca.