HC Deb 26 November 1951 vol 494 cc877-8
53. Captain Robert Ryder

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that a British subject named Peter Ridgwell, second officer of the s.s. "Charles Dickens," has now been detained in prison in Brindisi for five months awaiting trial for manslaughter; and whether he will inquire into the cause of the delay and when a trial may be expected.

Mr. Nutting

Mr. Ridgwell and another officer of the s.s. "Charles Dickens" became involved in a fight with the Chief Engineer while the ship was in the port of Brindisi last June. The Chief Engineer died as a result, and Mr. Ridgwell and the other officer are being held on a charge of manslaughter.

I am informed that the delay which has occurred in bringing these men to trial is due partly to the Court's summer recess and partly to the fact that the Court has requested certain evidence from the widow of the deceased. Once this evidence has been received, the hearing of the case will take place with little further delay. If Mr. Ridgwell is convicted, the time, of course, that he has spent in prison pending the trial will be deducted from any term of imprisonment to which he may be sentenced.

Captain Ryder

Does not my hon. Friend think that this has been a very long delay, and will he use his offices to make sure that the evidence that is required is speedily produced?

Mr. Nutting

We are certainly using our offices to ensure that the evidence required is speedily produced, and we have instructed His Majesty's Vice-Consul at Bari to see that no further delay takes place once this evidence is available.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Under what court is this trial being considered? Is it an Italian court?

Mr. Nutting

It is in an Italian court, because the Director of Public Prosecutions in this country considered that he had no case on which to act.

Mr. H. Hynd

Can the Minister anticipate the result of this trial by saying that the time these men have spent in prison will be taken into consideration when they are sentenced?

Mr. Nutting

I merely said that if Mr. Ridgwell is convicted, the time that he has spent in prison will, of course, be deducted from any sentence.

Mr. Hynd

That is the point. I heard what the Minister said, and I still ask: How can he anticipate what the judge will do with regard to the time that these men have spent in prison?

Captain Ryder

May I ask, further, that my hon. Friend will make sure that this officer is adequately defended?

Mr. Nutting

Yes, Sir. We have taken steps to ensure that one of the best known criminal lawyers in that part of Italy has been retained for his defence.