§ Miss Geraldine SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if all claims relating to the French lorry drivers' dispute in 1997 have been settled. [119740]
§ Mr. HillWe are not aware of any claims in respect of disputes in 1997. We understand, however, that all claims in respect of the lengthy blockade in November 1996 have now been processed by the French authorities, and payment agreed in the case of all eligible claims. This has been achieved after sustained effort over many months by staff in the Department and in the British Embassy in Paris.