asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which consul or embassy station in West Africa was aware of the illness of last week's victim of lassa fever who travelled by air to the United Kingdom; what information about the sick man and the nature of the illness was communicated to the immigration and public health authorities in the United Kingdom; and if he is satisfied with the procedures adopted in this case.

No United Kingdom consular or diplomatic mission in West Africa was made aware of the nature of the victim's illness and no consequential action could, therefore, have been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice or encouragement was given last week by embassy and consular staff in West Africa to the victim of lassa fever to fly to the United Kingdom by passenger airline rather than to seek hospital facilities locally.

Official involvement was limited to answering a simple inquiry for the name and address of a private clinic. The nature of the victim's illness was not disclosed to our embassy.