Until the announcement of the winner, the competition had been brilliantly successful. Zaha Hadid, much admired internationally for her thoughtful and radical designs, has proposed a fine and serious building. Of course there have been changes in the way we do things; we are always making improvements – much of the Matthews report is two years out of date. But therehas been no reduction in the level of service we provide Where necessary, additional resources are deployed British prisoners overseas are not forgotten people.
They are the daily concern of consular staff all over the world.Yours faithfully, TONY BALDRY Under Secretary of State Foreign & Commonwealth Office London, SW114 December. But it is irresponsible to suggest that prisoners are suffering as a result of this.
Our commitment to providing services to Britons overseas, including prisoners, is undiminished. There has been an increase in the number of Britons in jail overseas This does increase pressure on consular resources. From Mr Tony Baldry Sir: The publicity about Professor Roger Matthew’s report on British prisoners overseas (report, 12 December and letter, 14 December) contains inaccuracies and distortions that could unsettle the families of those concerned I want toput the record straight. It is illogical that drugs should be transported from Morocco to Gibraltar and then on to Spain.
If anything, it is the infiltration of drugs such as cocaine and heroin from Spain into Gibraltar since the frontier opened in 1985 that causes concern.Yours sincerely, ALBERT POGGIO Director Gibraltar Information Bureau London, WC214 December. The trafficking of cannabis in Spain comes from Morocco by sea. They do not give much attention to the Spanish Government’s increase in the harassment of people at the bordercontrol into and out of Gibraltar.
The articles also comment on the smuggling of drugs from Gibraltar into Spain. Your coverage appears to support the Spanish position at the forthcoming talks between Senor Solano, Spain’s Foreign Minister and Douglas Hurd.
