§ 24. Mr. Sorensenasked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether Miss Muriel Lester is still detained in the West Indies; what specific charge has been made against her; whether she has appealed to, or will appear before, the advisory tribunal; and whether a report of the proceedings before the tribunal respecting this and other cases will be published, or made available to Members of this House?
§ Mr. George HallMy Noble Friend understands that Miss Lester is still detained in Trinidad pending the necessary arrangements being made for her to travel to the United Kingdom. As regards the second part of the Question, Miss Lester was detained under the Trinidad Defence Regulations and no question of preferring a charge against her arose. As regards the third part of the Question, Miss Lester is entitled to make an objection to the Advisory Committee, but I am not aware whether she has done so. As regards the fourth part of the Question, it would not be in the public interest to publish or make available in any other way the report of the Advisory Committee in this or any other case of a person detained under Defence Regulations.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that in fact no serious charge has been made against this lady, who is a person of the highest character; can he say whether anything is being done to provide her with proper accommodation and whether any steps are being taken to secure her transfer to some other country?
§ Mr. HallThe question of transferring Miss Lester from the detention camp to a hotel is now being considered.
§ Mr. SorensenMay I ask my hon. Friend to reply to the other question about her release and transfer to some other country if she wishes to go?