§ Mr. LevittTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what telephone helplines to assist the public are administered by his Department and its agencies. [159506]
§ Mr. BattleThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office operates two permanent telephone helplines designed to assist the public. The purpose of one is to give advice to UK citizens planning to travel overseas (Tel. 020 7008 0232/3, Fax 020 7008 0155 or 0164), the other gives visa advice for people planning to travel to the UK (Tel. 020 7238 3838). The information obtainable from both of these telephone helplines is also available on internet websites.
There is also an "Emergency Unit" telephone helpline which is brought into use whenever there is a large unplanned increase in telephone inquiries from member of the public—for example, an earthquake or widespread civil disorder at a popular overseas holiday destination.