Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the French extradition warrant in respect of Mr. NadhmiAuchi was first received; what subsequent communications there were with the French Government; and if he will make a statement onthe action taken between the receipt of the extradition warrant and March 2003. [112874]Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The French Government first submitted a request for Mr. Auchi's extradition in December 2000. There followed anumber of detailed but otherwise routine exchanges with French authorities about matters raised in the extradition request. TheSecretary of State decided on 18 March to issue his authority to proceed in the case. Mr. Auchi was arrested on 31 March. He hassince submitted himself voluntarily to the French courts.