§ 14. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the violent attack on a British subject, the Reverend Samuel Heap, a Protestant missionary, at Ubaté, Colombia, on 12th April, 1953; and what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government in respect of this 10 and other recent similar infringements of human and legal rights and religious freedom.
§ Mr. NuttingYes, Sir. Her Majesty's Ambassador has made strong representations to the Colombian Government in this case pointing out that Mr. Heap had been the object of a serious unprovoked attack and demanding a thorough investigation and punishment of those responsible. Her Majesty's Ambassador has made similar representations in previous cases where the lives and property of British missionaries in Colombia have been endangered.
§ Mr. DribergCan the hon. Gentleman say whether, in those previous cases, the representations were effective, since apparently from this sequel they did not lead to any improvement?
§ Mr. NuttingI would not say that they have led to no improvement at all. There have been five cases involving British lives and British Commonwealth lives and property in four years. This is the sixth case that has been brought to the Ambassador's attention. In past cases when the police have been implicated the Government have either fined, demoted or removed the police who have been proved to have been taking part in the assault. We have demanded an inquiry in this case, and I very much hope that the necessary disciplinary action will be taken as a result.