REPORTS THAT a government committee ditched plans to hold a conference at a Dundee hotel after it emerged its US owners refused to accommodate Cubans were yesterday described as a mystery.

The controversy emerged after comments made in London by a spokesperson for the Hilton group who suggested Cuban delegates may be barred from staying in the chain’s UK hotels as part of a US embargo against Fidel Castro’s Caribbean nation.

Linda Bain had been speaking in response to reports from Oslo, Norway, where a Cuban trade delegation was refused a booking at a Hilton hotel.

The news sparked outrage among the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Select Committee, which reportedly indicated it would be boycotting the Hilton in Dundee where it was set to hold a conference later this month.

But a spokeswoman for Hilton said yesterday no trace could be found of any reservation having been made at the hotel.

Eric Brown, general manger at Dundee’s Hilton, said he had been baffled by the news.

“We are unaware of any reservation, either for accommodation or a conference or a cancellation, for that matter.”

Attempts were being made to contact Glasgow South West MP Ian Davidson, a committee member, in the hope of shedding some light on the episode, the spokeswoman added.

Mr Davidson was reported as saying, “As a result of our concern about Norway and the general issue, we decided that it would not be appropriate to hold the conference there and have asked our staff to make alternative arrangements.”

The spokeswoman said they also looked at whether a booking had been made in Glasgow but could find no trace there, either.

“It is interesting but we are treating it really seriously,” she added.

The Courier made attempts to speak to Mr Davidson but he could not be reached before press time.

The Hilton spokeswoman confirmed the group’s position on refusing bookings made by Cuban delegates at any of its hotels worldwide. She said since the company had become American-owned last May, it became subject to the US government’s strict policy on trading with Cuba or any official delegates.

The spokeswoman was unable to say if the ban would be extended to ordinary Cuban citizens simply in possession of the nation’s passport. “We are looking at the US government policy with our legal team,” she said.

“We are between a rock and a hard place. We are seeking the highest advice. President Bush is not going to change his mind over-night.”

A motion was passed in Parliament on Monday expressing concern over Hilton’s position. It called on the Government to show public opposition to any US companies forcing UK operations to adhere to the US embargo on Cuba.