HC Deb 02 February 2000 vol 343 c622W
Mr. Robathan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department instructs British diplomatic staff overseas not to communicate with individual UK nationals. [107566]

Mr. Hain

Staff overseas are instructed not to send substantive replies to letters on official matters received directly form Members of Parliament but to refer such letters to the Department for answer by the appropriate Minister. There are no such instructions in relation to correspondence with members of the public.