§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Prime Minister what steps he has taken towards securing the release of Mr. Mark Henderson, kidnapped by ELN, the national liberation army in Colombia, on 12 September 2003. [139873]
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government have been in regular touch with the Colombian Government about the kidnapping of Mark Henderson. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in conjunction with police experts in London and the British Embassy in Bogota, has been actively involved in this case from the outset.
We are liasing with the Colombian authorities at the highest level and with the Catholic Church in Colombia which is leading the negotiations with the ELN, also known as the National Liberation Army. We are supporting their efforts to obtain the release of Mark Henderson and the other hostages, emphasizing that the safety of the hostages is of paramount importance. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is in regular contact with the Henderson family.