§ 2.42 p.m.
§ LORD CHORLEYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their information supports the statement that the number of prisoners held without trial in Iraq on political grounds is in excess of 5,000.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD WALSTON)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government are not in a position to comment on a matter concerned with Iraqi internal affairs.
§ LORD CHORLEYMy Lords, I do not know whether to thank the Minister 5 for that inadequate reply. Is he aware that the Iraqis living in London have received information from Iraq which shows that the number of prisoners and detainees in different camps amounts to over 5,000? Does he not think that, so long after the emergency which caused the imprisonment of these people has terminated, it is contrary to human rights that these men and women should be kept without trial in these prisons and internment camps?
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, in answer to my noble friend's supplementary question, I would remind him of the instruction which was issued in November of last year, shortly after he became Prime Minister, by the present Iraqi Prime Minister, who is himself, as is my noble friend, a distinguished academic lawyer, in which he reaffirmed the rule of law and the importance of safeguarding personal freedom.