§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Egyptian authorities during the arbitration process involving Wena Hotels.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMy right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Chalker raised the experience of Wena Hotels when she met the Egyptian Prime Minister, Dr. Atef Sidqi, and the Minister for the Public Business Sector, Dr. Atef Ebeid, in Cario on 13 November 1993. Our embassy in Cairo has kept in close contact with both Wena Hotels and the Egyptian authorities on this issue.
§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will reconsider United Kingdom aid to Egypt following the experiences of Wena Hotels' investment in Egypt.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe have no such plans.
§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes to take to protect and promote the interests of United Kingdom companies which invest in Egypt following the experiences of Wena Hotels.
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§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe are concerned at Wena Hotels' experience and will continue to do what we can to help it and other British investors, the overwhelming majority of whom experience no difficulty in their dealings in Egypt.
§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Egyptian authorities in respect of the United Kingdom company Wena Hotels' investment in Egypt prior to the arbitration process involving that company.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe raised the question of Wena Hotels with the Egyptian authorities on a number of occasions. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs did so with the Egyptian Foreign Minister during President Mubarak's visit to London in the spring of 1993, urging the Egyptian authorities to encourage the Egyptian party to the dispute to go to arbitration as soon as possible.