§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the Government of Pakistan for the release of Gordon Slaven, a British citizen, who has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment for relief activity in East Bengal in circumstances which contravened regulations regarding entry.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)My Lords, Mr. Gordon Slaven, who pleaded guilty to the charges made against him under the Foreigners' Act 1946 for entering East Pakistan by a route not authorised for entry by foreigners, has appealed against the sentence. A British firm of solicitors has been appointed to act on his behalf, 376 and lawyers have been briefed in East Pakistan. In present circumstances there are no grounds for representations by Her Majesty's Government.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while appreciating the assistance which has been given, may I ask whether the noble Marquess is aware that this man is a sincere young pacifist; that he went with a young American pacifist for relief work; that as a pacifist he declined a military escort and that it was because of that that he was arrested—because of his convictions?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I think that the House certainly appreciates the idealistic motives behind Mr. Slaven's and his companion's wish to enter East Pakistan, but of course it must be for these people to obey the laws of the country. As I said, although I appreciate the noble Lord's kind remarks in regard to the interest we have taken in this case, there is really nothing that Her Majesty's Government can do at the moment.