§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Indian Government concerning the missing hostage Paul Wells. [33290]
§ Mr. Tony LloydThe most recent FCO Ministerial exchange with the Indian Government on the Kashmir kidnapping took place on 2 March, when my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Symons, emphasised our continuing concerns with the Indian High Commissioner.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, Ministers and senior Foreign Office officials raise the plight of Paul Wells, and Keith Mangan, the other British hostage in Kashmir, at every opportunity. During the State Visit to India and Pakistan in October 1997 my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the kidnappings with Indian Prime Minister Gujral and other senior figures in both countries. Together with the Governments of the other kidnap victims, we also remain in close touch at an operational level with the Indian and Pakistani authorities charged with resolving the case.