HC Deb 08 February 1961 vol 634 cc393-4
35. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, in view of the legal complexities of the case of the three Bahraini political prisoners on St. Helena, Her Majesty's Government will take the matter to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for further legal opinion.

Mr. Heath

No, Sir.

Mr. Stonehouse

Why is the Minister continuing to play a cat-and-mouse game with these men? Why has he announced that he will contest legal action at every stage and so make it impossibly complicated and expensive for them? In view of the fact that the legal complexities have been caused by mistakes in his own Department, will not he assist to get this cleared up on his own initiative?

Mr. Heath

I am not playing a cat-and-mouse game with these men. I am as anxious to reach a solution to this problem as anyone. The legal complexities are not in any way caused by activities of the Foreign Office. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will await the statement which, with the leave of the House, I propose to make at the end of Question Time.