§ 6. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made to the Governments of Zambia and Tanzania 1535 concerning the detention of British citizens, without charges being made and without trial.
§ Miss Joan LestorThe hon. Member knows from my letter to him of 6th June that during my recent vistit to Zambia I told the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and of Home Affairs of my concern about the United Kingdom citizens who are in detention without charge or trial. The Ministers undertook to do all they could to reduce the delay in bringing the two men to trial.
The Minister of Overseas Development spoke similarly to the Tanzanian authorities about the four United Kingdom citizens detained there.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs my hon. Friend aware that that is simply not good enough? I assume that she is aware that my constituent has been in prison without charges being made, and without trial, for three months, that his firm is behaving scandalously towards him, and that it has already declared him guilty by disowning him? Will my hon. Friend take steps to make representations to the firm, and give an undertaking that if and when this man is brought to trial he will be adequately legally represented?
§ Miss LestorI agree with my hon. Friend that the situation is far from satisfactory. He knows from my discussions with him that that is so. Mr. Petrie's employers terminated his service as from 3rd March, his last day of work, and they have paid him all the money due to him. His dismissal, of course, is a matter for his employers, and it is difficult for us to intervene. We understand that, however deplorable it may be, their action is in line with that taken in the cases of other workers detained in the past, and Mr. Petrie himself has indicated that he accepts the position. I made the strongest possible representations when I was in Zambia. I have asked my hon. Friend before to come to see me co that we could discuss the details of my talks and any further matters which he might wish to raise. We shall of course see that Mr. Petrie receives proper legal representation when he is brought to trial. I was given assurances about that when I was in Zambia.
§ Mr. HooleyHas my hon. Friend any information about the health and welfare of Mr. Miles, detained for some time 1536 without trial by the Tanzanian authorities?
§ Miss LestorI have not had time to discuss with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Overseas Development all the details of the representations which she made in Tanzania. She returned only last night. Mr. Miles was arrested on 9th January and is detained under the Tanzanian Preventive Dentention Act. The High Commission has been in frequent touch with the Tanzanian authorities and has continued to press that Mr. Miles should be brought to trial if there are charges to be answered or else released. He has been visited three times. The last occasion was on 19th April. Another visit is expected to take place very shortly. He does not need a lawyer at present. The High Commission will discuss legal representation when the time comes and will give him any advice and help that he may need. When I have discussed the matter further with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Overseas Development, I shall convey any additional information to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. FarrIn view of the fact that two constituents of mine were recently released from Zambia ater being improperly held for some time—and I take this opportunity to thank her for her efforts—will the hon. Lady consider asking the Zambian and Tanzanian ambassadors to visit her at an early date so that she may voice the displeasure expressed in this House today?
§ Miss LestorI thank the hon. Gentleman for that suggestion. If nothing happens in the very near future, I shall consider doing that. It could be very useful.