§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the allegations reported to them by the Committee for the Release of Hostages and Detainees in Iraq and what further steps if any they consider might be taken to ascertain the fate of the hostages and to press for their release.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of WallaseyWe are unable to confirm or deny the claims in the report by the Committee for the Release of Hostages and Detainees in Iraq. However, we have sent copies of the report to Geneva to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations Commission for Human Rights to seek their views.