HC Deb 26 October 1999 vol 336 c805W
Mr. Wyatt

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to appoint a commercial officer to the British Embassy in Tripoli; and if he will make a statement. [95887]

Mr. Hain

We have selected and appointed two UK based commercial officers to our Embassy in Tripoli. Following pre-posting preparation, the Head of Commercial Section should be in Tripoli in early December with his deputy following early next year.

British Trade International now offer a trade promotion service, within the constraints of the present lack of specialist commercial staff in Tripoli.

Full commercial support in Tripoli will be available when the commercial section is operational but staff in Tripoli will meanwhile continue to help where they can.