§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which officials in his Department had discussions with GJW, on how many occasions and on what dates concerning the wish by Cape plc to amend the Access to Justice Bill[Lords] to ban foreign workers of British companies obtaining legal aid; and if the statement by his Department's officials that the decision to pursue the case in the UK courts would be seen as a lack of faith in the South African legal system was made with the knowledge of Ministers. [78745]
§ Mr. Tony LloydNo discussions have been held between the FCO and GJW on possible amendments to the Access to Justice Bill.
Telephone calls were received from an unidentified caller who asked about the case, but no opinion of the kind referred to by my hon. Friend was expressed by FCO officials.
This is not a foreign policy issue. It is a matter for the Lord Chancellor's Department. Inquiries on this issue have been referred to them.