§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his oral answer of 21 January 2004,Official Report, column 1321, if he will (a) meet the relatives of the three detainees held in a Cairo prison and (b) make representations to President Mubarak on the case being adjourned twice. [150905]
50W
£ Financial year May-March (a) Expenditure on information campaigns (b) Expenditure on advertising 1997–98 LCD 0 0 Court Service 0 0 Public Trust Office 0 0 1998–99 LCD 0 0 Court Service 0 0 Public Trust Office 0 0 1999–2000 LCD 0 0 Court Service 0 0 Public Trust Office 0 0 2000–01 LCD 4,179,300 1,347,600 Court Service 0 0 Public Trust Office 0 0
§ The Prime MinisterAs I explained to the hon. Member at Prime Minister's Questions, I am fully aware of the circumstances of this case and understand the disappointment of the men's relatives that the case has been adjourned again.
The UK Ambassador in Cairo has raised our concerns about the case with the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 15 January, one of many representations we have made to the Egyptian authorities. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers have also met the men's families on four occasions.
As the Department which leads on consular cases overseas, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers should continue to make representations to the Egyptian Government where appropriate and maintain contact with the men's families.