§ 10. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken by the Metropolitan Police through Interpol to secure the arrest of Francis Bodenan, in connection with the hijacking of a British aircraft and the kidnapping therein of ex-President Tshombe, resulting in his death in illegal captivity.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsNone, Sir.
Mr. Biggs-DavidsonIs not that a scandalous answer? Is not it a matter of honour, and of the safety of aircraft increasingly threatened by hijacking, that such miscreants should be brought to justice? Have the Government and the police done nothing since the return of this man from Algeria to Europe?
§ Mrs. WilliamsNo, Sir, it is not a scandalous matter. First, there has been no request to the United Kingdom Interpol Bureau to arrest Mr. Bodenan. Second, according to our last information, Mr. Bodenan was still 'in Algeria, with which we have no extradition treaty. Third, if the hon. Gentleman has information which he would like to pass on to us, as the Attorney-General made clear 1539 on an earlier occasion, it would be open then for us to proceed.