HC Deb 08 March 1961 vol 636 cc464-5
52. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a further statement on the official communications taking place regarding the political prisoners on St. Helena, who have now indicated to their solicitors that they wish legal proceedings to be undertaken to secure their release from detention.

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Edward Heath)

I have nothing to add to what I said in answer to the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Warbey) on 22nd February.

Mr. Stonehouse

Does not the Lord Privy Seal intend to apologise to the House for the misleading statement which he made? Is he not now aware that the two prisoners on St. Helena have indicated that they wish legal proceedings to be taken on their behalf and that they do not wish to return to Bahrain?

Mr. Heath

I made no misleading statement to the House, and therefore have no need to apologise. The statement which I made was a statement of the position as it was on 8th February. Any communication between the prisoners and their solicitors is a matter for them.

Mr. Stonehouse

Is the Minister aware that the prisoners deny that they indicated to the authorities at St. Helena that they wished to return to Bahrain? Is he not aware of that? In view of their intention to continue legal proceedings, is not the right hon. Gentleman prepared to grant facilities to the solicitors and to ensure that those facilities are adequate?

Mr. Heath

The statement which was made by the prisoners concerned was made to the Governor in the presence of an independent witness who had been the prisoners' friend on the occasion of the first legal proceedings. That statement was made and signed by them and communicated to me. No pressure of any kind was brought to bear upon them. As for the last part of the supplementary question, that is one of the matters which is under consideration at the moment.