§ 44. Mr. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the findings concerning the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Trist, of Stanford Avenue, Brighton, in a chalet, near Lisbon; what steps he has taken to make sure that the diagnosis of the cause of death at the inquest at Almada was correct; and what assistance has been given to the relatives to enable the bodies to be brought home and to be seen by British doctors.
§ Mr. ProfumoAn official inquiry into the causes of death in this sad case was undertaken by the Portuguese authorities as provided by their law. At his request, Her Majesty's Embassy in Lisbon arranged for a British doctor, who stated that he was acting for the Trists' estate, to discuss the findings with the authorities in charge of the inquiry. Upon hearing the wishes of the relatives, Her Majesty's Embassy in Lisbon immediately made arrangements with local undertakers for the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Trist to be flown to this country, and I understand that they have now arrived.
§ Mr. TeelingIn view of the fact that the Portuguese coroner is reported to have stated that there was enough carbon monoxide in Mrs. Trist's body to kill her, presumably from the leakage of the geyser, and in view of the fact that the English doctor who went out there was also informed that there were no poisonous clams along the Portuguese coast at that time of year, and further in view of the fact that this is causing considerable worry in my constituency, will my hon. Friend tell me what are the next steps to be taken?
§ Mr. ProfumoI understand that there is to be an inquest by the Southwark coroner. To that extent we must regard the matter as still sub judice.