§ 19. Mr. Healeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now release Mr. Abdul Rahman al Baker and four other Bahraini citizens from detention in St. Helena.
§ 29. Mr. Warbeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now terminate the detention in St. Helena of Abdul Rahman al Baker and two other Bahraini citizens who were sentenced on 23rd December, 1956, to 14 years' imprisonment by the Ruler's Court of Bahrain.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydThe legality of the removal of these prisoners to St. Helena and their detention there has been upheld by a judgment of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Now that this point has been established I am suggesting to all concerned that they should look again at this case.
§ Mr. HealeyIs the Foreign Secretary aware that his reply will give some satisfaction to this side of the House? Is he further aware that the circumstances in which these men were tried and convicted were completely inconsistent with the principles which govern British justice and that to intervene in any way in suppressing the political enemies of a foreign ruler is completely inconsistent with the general policy of disengagement, which I understand it is the Foreign Secretary's aim to follow in Middle East affairs?
§ Mr. LloydI do not accept what the hon. Gentleman has said, but in all the circumstances, if he will rest content with the latter part of my Answer, I will see what can be done.
§ Mr. WarbeyWhile thanking the right hon. and learned Gentleman for his attitude in this matter, may I ask him to consider the possibility of appealing for clemency for these men, releasing them, and enabling them to seek political asylum, either here or wherever they may be able to find it?