§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current establishment of the United Kingdom embassy in Algeria; and what safety precautions have been taken.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThere are currently four diplomats at the embassy in Algiers. The staffing situation is kept under regular review in the light of the security situation there. The diplomats are protected by a team of nine Royal Military police. Major improvements have been made to the physical security of the embassy and staff accommodation.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about his current policy towards Algeria.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe deplore the escalating violence on both sides. We call for a wider dialogue involving all those who reject violence with a view to holding genuine elections during the course of this year. We call on the Algerian Government to continue implementing its International Monetary Fund—approved programme of economic reforms.