20 August 2008

Foreign And Commonwealth Office

E1 122, King Charles Street

London SW1A 2AH

Tel: 020 7008 2103

Fax:

E-mail: [email address]

Your reference: EU Sikh lobby - 7 May 2008

Our reference: 44453-08

Mr. Gurmel S Bolla

Sikh Federation UK Derby Branch

8 Sedgemore Way

Littleover

Derby

DE23 3YX

Dear Mr Bolla,

Thank you for your letter of 27 June to the Minister for Europe regarding difficulties encountered during lobbying of the European Parliament by the Sikh community. I have been asked to reply as Desk Officer responsible for the European Parliament.

We regret that members of the Sikh community who took part in the lobbying found the arrangements provided by the European Parliament to be unsatisfactory. The European Parliament assured us that arrangements were in place for a successful meeting with MEPs. In addition to providing a meeting venue close to the main Parliament complex, we understand that the European Parliament also would provide a further meeting venue within the European Parliament itself for members of the Sikh community who were willing to remove their kirpans. This is in accordance with their strict security arrangements.

As you can appreciate, ensuring smooth administration of visits to the European Parliament is always a matter for the EP itself so you may wish to raise your points directly with appropriate contacts there, if you have not already done so. However, we will underline in our own ongoing contacts with colleagues in the European Parliament the continued importance of ensuring the success of your organisation's visits there.

Yours sincerely,

Annie Viort

Europe Delivery Group

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Foreign &

Commonwealth

Office