§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what substantive reply he has received from the French authorities concerning Sheikh Riaz Ahmad who was refused leave to enter France in December 1992; how many representations he has now made to the French authorities; how many replies he has now received from the French authorities; what further action he intends to take; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe British embassy has yet to receive a satisfactory explanation as to why Mr. Ahmed was refused entry to France. The embassy has sent eight notes verbales to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to which it has received four replies, none of which was regarded as satisfactory. On 11 January 1994 the consul-general called at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss Mr. Ahmed's case further. The Ministry agreed to look into the matter again.
I shall write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as I have anything further to report.