HC Deb 26 October 1960 vol 627 c2348
44. Mr. Teeling

asked the Lord Privy Seal what information he has received concerning compensation for Mr. Topham from the Cuban Government.

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Edward Heath)

As my hon. Friend is aware, this question was raised with the President of Cuba by Her Majesty's Ambassador in Havana at his farewell interview on 28th June. His successor reminded the Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs of this in a personal letter on 16th August and asked whether the President had yet formed an opinion about the case.

No reply has yet been received to this letter, and on 17th October Her Majesty's Consul at Havana again raised the matter in the course of an interview with the Assistant-Director of the Judicial Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who undertook to urge that the personal attention of the Minister should be once again drawn to this matter.

Mr. Teeling

In view of the fact that this has gone on for over five years and that the policeman who shot this man was on the other side from the present President, is it not possible to suggest to the President that it might therefore be a very good idea if he could do something personally about it?

Mr. Heath

As my hon. Friend has heard, this matter has been drawn directly to the attention of the President of Cuba. I think that we should await the result of the exchanges which took place as recently as 17th October to see whether they have any effect.