§ Sir J. Rodgers(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the position of his constituent, Philip Dobson, who was recently sentenced to six years' imprisonment in Yugoslavia following a road accident.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Michael Stewart)Immediately after my arrival in Yugoslavia 1 discussed Mr. Dobson's case with Her Majesty's Ambassador and Her Majesty's Consul-General at Zagreb and I also spoke with Mr. Dobson's father on the telephone.
On 6th June I raised the case with the Yugoslav Foreign Minister and with President Tito on the following day. Following these talks Mr. Dobson decided to address a petition for pardon to President Tito. This was made two days ago and I expect that Mr. Dobson will be released and allowed to return to this country very shortly.
I am sure that the whole House will share the relief of Mr. Dobson and his family at this outcome.
§ Sir J. RodgersWhile thanking the Foreign Secretary for that reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that the prompt, effective and compassionate interest shown by the Foreign Office, and, in particular, by the right hon. Gentleman and the Under-Secretary of State, is much appreciated? Would he agree that the robust attitude of the British Press, local and national, and the broadcasting authorities, while the House was not sitting, strengthened his hand in these negotiations?
May I ask whether the free pardon granted by Marshal Tito while the sentence still remains will cause my constituent any embarrassment in applying for a visa to go abroad, particularly if he wishes to travel to the United States at any time?
§ Mr. StewartI am much obliged to the hon. Member for what he said in the first part of his question.
On the second part, I felt that my hands were strengthened by the reporting in several newspapers of the expressions 34 of feeling by the parents of those who were killed in the accident.
On the third part of his question, in view of the attitude adopted by the Yugoslav Government, it is, I think, unlikely that Mr. Dobson's freedom to travel abroad will be affected.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the thanks of the House, and, indeed, of the country, should be extended to President Tito himself, and that his attitude in this matter has borne comparison with the attitude of the Russian Government in the cases which have been referred to them?
§ Mr. StewartYes, Sir. I am glad to have the opportunity to say here what I have said elsewhere, that I believe President Tito acted generously, humanely and promptly. Both the Yugoslav Foreign Minister and President Tito listened courteously and carefully to my representations. I am glad that their response has been so satisfactory.
§ Mr. GoodhartFollowing the satisfactory outcome of this case, will the right hon. Gentleman turn his attention to trying to secure the release of my constituent, Mr. Derek Fairhurst, who has been held in a primitive prison in Persia for two months following a traffic accident and, according to the Foreign Office, may have to remain there for three months more before the case comes to trial?
§ Mr. StewartYes, I have not neglected this case, but the hon. Member will realise that all these cases differ from one another. While it is the duty of the Foreign Office to do what is right for British subjects, the hon. Member must realise that we are not always as fortunate as in this case.