HC Deb 12 December 1994 vol 251 c464W
Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are to establish a British Council Office in Macedonia.

Mr. Baldry

The British Council has no plans at present to expand beyond the resource centre which it maintains in Skopje but it is alive to the interest and opportunities there and keeps the position under review.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are to establish at the British embassy in Macedonia a facility for issuing visas to those wishing to visit the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Baldry

The embassy in Skopje accepts diplomatic and official applications, refugee cases accepted jointly by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the Home Office and applications from visitors sponsored by the British Government and the British Council. The premises occupied by the embassy are not suitable for a full visa service.