Roger Gale MP awaits explanation

07/12/2012 00:00

Palma.Sir Roger Gale is expecting a full explanation in to why the Balearics no longer has an on-site Consul this week.
Because of yesterday's Autumn Speech, proceedings in the House of Commons were very hectic and busy.
However, in order to get a more in-depth and accurate explanation, Sir Roger Gale, has asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, William Hague.

The Bulletin learnt yesterday that a large section of the British expatriate community are still angry over the fact that the Balearics no longer has a full time Consul and that the region now comes under the control of the Consul General, Andrew Gwatkin in Barcelona.

It appears that many expatriates feel snubbed by the region being diplomatically downgraded when it is the single most popular holiday destination in the UK and has been for decades.

With the Balearics attracting over ten million British holiday makers per year and with a large residential community, the region needs a full time Consul on site and even the British travel industry has been surprised by the decision to axe the post.

Roger Gale put the two questions to William Hague last week and they have also been posted in Parliament's web site on the business for this coming week link.

Sir Roger said yesterday that if he had not received a reply by the close of business yesterday, he is expecting the answers today.
The Foreign Office has already been contacted by a leading British businessman who owns a property on the island.
Richard Chew has been appalled by the decision to strip the region of its Consul and has written to the Foreign Office asking for an explanation under the Freedom of Information Act.