Written question asked by Peter Bradley (Labour) on Monday, 19 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 29 March 2001. It was answered by John Battle (Labour) on Thursday, 29 March 2001 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations the UK authorities have made to the Chairman of Belize Telecoms about his threat to withdraw telephone services from the British High Commission and others in Belize; what has been his response; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the UK authorities have made to the Chairman of Belize Telecoms about his threat to withdraw telephone services from the British High Commission and others in Belize; what has been his response; and if he will make a statement. [155059] Mr. Battle: The High Commissioner in Belmopan has been in correspondence with the Chairman of Belize Telecommunications Ltd. and has pointed out that it would constitute an unlawful act if BTL were to cease to provide telephone services to the High Commission because of the disagreement about the legality of the High Commission's use of call-back services. The Belizean Government would be obliged under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations to ensure that normal service is resumed if the High Commission's telephone services were cut off in these circumstances. The Chairman of BTL has responded reiterating BTL's claim that the use of call-back services is illegal.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 155059; 365 c746W
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Diplomatic service Telephone services Belize Belize Telecommunications
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk