§ Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when(a) the British Embassy in Santiago and (b) his Department were informed by the Chilean authorities of the intended visit of Senator 274W Pinochet to the United Kingdom; and what information about Senator Pinochet's intended visit, and when, his Department communicated to the Home Office. [56695]
§ Mr. Tony Lloyd[holding answer 27 October 1998]: In early September the embassy in Santiago was told informally of a proposed visit by Senator Pinochet to the UK. On 16 September the Chilean embassy made a routine request to the Foreign Office for the use of VIP facilities at Heathrow for Senator Pinochet's arrival. Senator Pinochet came on a private visit. As a Chilean citizen he did not need a visa to enter the UK. We do not as a matter of routine communicate information relating to VIP facilities to the Home Office and did not do so on this occasion.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department provided VIP facilities for Senator Pinochet's visit to the UK in October 1997; and if he will make a statement. [57233]
§ Mr. Tony LloydI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 27 October 1998,Official Report, columns 146–47.