To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts he has had with the Syrian Government in the past year; whether he has any plans to visit Syria; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has had no contacts with the Syrian Government and has no plans to visit Syria.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether any representatives of the Government of Syria have requested any meetings with Her Majesty's Government in the past year; what written communication there has been between the Syrian Government and Her Majesty's Government in that period; and if he will make a statement;(2) what contacts officials acting on behalf of Her Majesty's Government have had with Syrian Government officials in the past year; whether there are any plans for British officials to visit Syria; and if he will make a statement.

We have remained in contact with the Syrians since the break in relations in 1986. There have been no written communications during the past year, other than routine contact through the Syrian interests section in London and the British interests section in Damascus.