§ 6. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Lord Privy Seal what British missionaries and other British subjects have been expelled from the Sudan in recent months; what representations have been made; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. P. ThomasSeven British missionaries have had their residence permits withdrawn and have therefore had to leave the Sudan in the last two years. No protest has been made. No other British subjects have, so far as I know, been asked to leave.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonIs my hon. Friend aware of disturbing reports of religious persecution in the Southern Sudan? Since many of us hope very much for a rapprochement between Christianity and Islam, is there anything that the Foreign Office can do to see whether there can be any improvement in the situation in the Southern Sudan?
§ Mr. ThomasThis is a question of Sudanese legislation. There has certainly been no suggestion that the missionaries have been harmed in any way. Therefore, I do not think that there is any ground on which Her Majesty's Government can intervene.