HC Deb 01 November 2001 vol 373 cc812-3W
Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he is offering to schools who have arranged visits for pupils to Egypt and neighbouring countries. [10977]

Mr. Bradshaw

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides travel advice, which is broad based and applies to all travellers, on the basis of the information we receive from our staff on the ground. The advice is kept under constant review. The advice is practical and up to date. It presents the facts to allow travellers to make their own decisions about travel. We are not currently advising against travel to Egypt and neighbouring countries.

Following the terrorist attacks in the US and subsequent military action in Afghanistan, we have been alerting British nationals that there may be heightened tension overseas. We are consequently advising all travellers to maintain a high level of vigilance and avoid situations where there might be tension. However, apart from the countries in our "don't go" list, we are not currently aware of specific threat to British nationals.

FCO travel advice is available on the FCO's website www.fco.gov.uk and by telephone on 020 7008 0232/0233, by fax on 020 7008 0155/0164 or on written request to our Travel Advice Unit.